Acapulco Hostel in Loja Ecuador

While visiting Loja Ecuador, Brandon took a video of the hostel he stayed in; it was very well located being only 2 blocks from the main square. He said everything was good except for it was a bit noisy on the weekends, as the hostel is located right off the busy street in El Centro. 

                      
 

We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy our blog!

DIY Cuenca Ecuador Landing Guide PAPERBACK Available for Purchase

We are very pleased to offer the paperback edition of the DIY Cuenca Ecuador Landing Guide; by popular demand we have created a paperback version for those folks who prefer to read and own the physical book.  The book has the exact same materials as the eBook. 








Now that the manuscript has been condensed into a 9 X 6 book, however, it is a whopping 270 pages! Wow! We didn’t even know the Landing Guide had that much material in it until we began to format and paginate the text for the actual book.
 

Folks will still be able to purchase the eBook version of the Landing Guide if they prefer a digital copy.  However, if you want the physical book, here it is ready for your perusal and reading enjoyment.



We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the blog!

What Electronics and (other items) Should You Pack in Suitcase to Ecuador?

Most of our long time readers know that we did not ship anything in a container to Ecuador and we are still very happy we did not go through the trouble. We packed only two suitcases and two carry-ons each. If we had to do it all over again, Frank would have packed some of his "DEWALT" tools, and Angie would have packed more clothing, (especially jeans and pants) and a couple more pairs of good walking tennis shoes. We hope this video will help you out a bit when it comes to packing your suitcases; whether you're just staying three months or moving here for good, some of these items are a must have. Remember, everything cost more here!

                    



We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy this blog!

Can You Really Retire Abroad on $1000 a Month?

Can you retire abroad on $1000 dollars a month? The online travel magazines would certainly like for you to think you can retire on $1000 a month in Panama, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Argentina, and Costa Rica, wouldn’t they? However, Panama has been crowned once again as the $1000 dollar a month retirement king in the travel news lately.



The truth is only a very few types of people can actually retire in a foreign country on $1000 dollars a month. It takes a certain type of person with an adventurous spirit and happy-go-lucky attitude to make the $1000 a month lifestyle doable. In short, it takes the frugal attitude.



Third world countries are only cheap at first. But as we’ve previously covered, after just a few/couple short years, thanks to the information age/internet, and the very quick influx of gringos it develops, they become just as expensive as many developed regions in the world. So then, the question becomes: do you have The Frugal Attitude? 



Are you cut out to acquire the Frugal Attitude if you don’t already have it? We have met retirees that have absolutely no interest in The Frugal Attitude. As one retiree put it:  “I’ve worked all my life, I’m entitled to some enjoyment”. He was justifying paying 100% more for rent for housing, because he had no clue on how to get it for the local price. And apparently he didn’t want to make the effort either.



Will this kind of attitude get you the $1000 a month life style in Panama, Ecuador or any other foreign retirement Eden, as the popular retire abroad press calls them? You be the judge.



 6 Ways You-Maybe- Could Retire on $1000 a month in Panama



1. Live outside the city center; it’s cheaper in the country

2. Leave your US standards of living in the US.

3. Integrate into the local culture as much as possible

4. Speak Spanish and blend in

5. Take the public buses wherever you go

6. Eat at home more often than out



Here’s food for thought. Do you think the writers of these alluring online travel magazines live like that? We don’t think so. Remember, they are hyping up a new standard of living that they themselves do not do and would never dream of doing!



Please do not misunderstand. There is nothing wrong with going local, blending in, and adopting a simple, comfortable lifestyle, because everyone knows that is exactly how we live here in Cuenca, but most people can’t do it…so there goes your $1000 dollar retirement dream!



So then why are these articles or interviews broadcast on national news media? A parallel term in the retail industry would be – loss leader. The loss leader, gets you in the door, see?



The Starting All Over Dream – Is It Really that Neat?



Have you fallen head over heels for the living abroad retirement scheme, um, er, I mean dream? Well guess what, many people fall right back out of love with the dream once they begin living it. In fact for some people the dream becomes a nightmare for this and that reason.



Just the idea of being able to start all over in a foreign country sounds so good and seems like a dream come true, but when the romance ends many realize how much they miss from their old way of life and the way things were before they left. You know, all the things we take for granted.



Some older retirees are leaving because it is too difficult to learn Spanish, others leave because they miss the life they had, and still others leave because it is NOT WHAT THEY EXPECTED! Reality has a way of popping our dream bubble and at first you may feel angry and confused because you fell for the rosy vision of grandeur in a third world country.



Oh well.



Don’t hit yourself over the head too hard; just know next time that retirement in a developing country is not all what the travel writers make it out to be. Help others see the reality of retirement in a third world country so they won’t make the same mistake.



It’s human nature to want what you don’t have. It is pretty normal to read about all these exotic, far-away cities abroad that are being hyped as cheaper and better than where you are now…but caveat emptor: Make sure you take the rose-colored glasses off while reading or you will not be able to see the fine print.



The writers know just the right (key) words to use to lure you into their little world of make-believe. We believe what they say; that everything is going to be better, that we’ll “live like a king”, we’ll feel happier, lada, lada, lada.



Not that the above can’t come true, but if it seems impossible for it to come true where you are now, why do you think it will come true when you move to a totally, strange, and different culture? Is the grass really greener on the other side?.



Reality says you can improve your finances, health, and well-being just by the choices you make, and it doesn’t matter where in the world you live!! Isn’t that good news? Why move to a developing country to accept positive changes in your life? Ancient words say: “The Kingdom of God is within you”. You take it with you, and to do that, you have to already have it! See?



Some of these travel writers make it sound like it is only possible to be happy in one of these listed countries they have on their website. But it does not take uprooting yourself/family and moving to a totally different culture to have the dream of starting over.



Now understand, we’re not saying, don’t move to a third world country for your retirement years, but we are saying don’t fall for all the glamour and hype the travel magazines write about, that’s all…because if you do, you probably will be disappointed when you retire or move abroad.



STUDY: Know the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you can ask yourself if the bad and ugly will fit in okay with who you are because seriously folks, it is not better or more enjoyable living in a third world country. It is different, and you will have to make adjustments; there is no way getting around that.



You must know yourself infinitely and intimately well. A nice retired couple we befriended is leaving because she can’t get the usual apple pie filling she’s used to getting at Costco/Sams Club, and she doesn’t like all the clouds here.



Is living on $1000 dollars possible? Yes but not with US standards and not with the “entitlement” attitudes that many retirement gringos are bringing with them. If you are ready to live and let live, integrate, blend in, acquire The Frugal Attitude, and be a happy person no matter what is going on around you then you might be okay retiring in a developing country. And for that, check out the DIY Quito Landing Guide, you’ll be glad you did; it's coming soon!



We have now listed all 26 chapters for your perusal in our new 250 page, informational packed, money-saving DIY Quito Landing Guide!

What's Happening in Cuenca Ecuador in August 2013

This is our end of the month video for August 2013. In this video you will find some interesting and entertaining things going on in the city of Cuenca. There is always some kind of entertainment going on here. 



Enjoy the video of Cuenca Ecuador!



We're hoping the video will be viewable soon. We are experiencing Internet difficulties at the moment. The video is in the process of uploading...or trying to upload. :-(



                 

Paute Azuay Ecuador - Little Cuenca

The town of Paute Ecuador is a darling little town that reminded us of a little Cuenca. The little park in the center of town looks just like Park Calderon but about half the size. The scenery is beautiful because the mountains that surround Paute are very close by. 

Stay tuned for part two of Paute Ecuador coming soon!





                  

Welcome Expats to Cuenca Ecuador!

The number of people expatriating to Cuenca Ecuador is growing. New expats are arriving to Cuenca daily. Some of them are arriving as visitors for an exploratory trip, while others are arriving to stay and make Cuenca their new home. Meet Jim and Kay, a couple who came to explore Cuenca and they did, and their first impressions are, “We love it and we’ll be back!”



                   

What's Going On in Cuenca Ecuador in May 2013?

It's the end of the month again and you know what that means? It means we have several different shots of video taken all over the city of Cuenca in one 2-1/2 minute video. Enjoy!



             

Cuenca Ecuador Renovations:This is the Stairs Leading up to Calle Larga

Cuenca Ecuador is becoming more beautiful by the day. New roads, bridges and parks are being updated and renovated everywhere in the city of Cuenca. One of the three sets of stairs leading up into the city from Doce Abril recently was renovated. Madre Parque was just updated with many new facilities, new underground plumbing has been put in all over in downtown just recently. Cuenca is a work in progress but slowly Cuenca is becoming a more livable and enjoyable city.This video is of the NEW stairs leading up to Calle Larga.



                 

Best Rental Prices in Cuenca Ecuador! $300 Dollar Cuenca Rentals!!

We are pleased to share with our readers the BEST RENTAL PRICES IN TOWN - THIS WEEK ONLY!   These are LOCALLY  priced rentals so better act fast...they will be gone. 

Click here to view photos of these great priced rentals!

BTW, if you would like to be alerted of special rentals like these in the future, please sign up to the $300 Dollar Cuenca Ecuador Rentals for all the updates sent to your inbox as they come in!

DIY Cuenca Landing Guide Review

Happy customers of the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide are letting us know they are glad they have all the useful information that is in the guide when they arrive in Cuenca! If you are moving to, or even just visiting Cuenca, the Cuenca Landing Guide is a must have book in your arsenal of resources that you bring with you. The guide can easily be downloaded to your favorite electronic gadgets and readers so you can have it with you wherever you happen to be.



             

Playas Ecuador by Taxi

We only stayed in Playas for one day and we were off to Salinas again. As we were leaving I took a short video of the town of Playas while riding in the taxi. I take a lot of video in taxis and buses because it makes it so much easier to see a good part of a city area that way rather than by walking. Not only that, but sometimes you don't want to be walking around with a camera. We talk about this in our crime and safety section of the blog.  In fact, once when Frank and I walked off the beaten path in Bahia de Caraquez, a local elderly women told me to put my camera away because it was a dangerous area for crime. I put my camera away and we got out of that area as well. So sometimes, just as a precaution, we'll do videos while riding in a cab, bus, or trolley...this is one of those times.



              

Dispelling the Myths about Quito Ecuador

Quito is a really neat and beautiful big city. We really found Quito to be a nice, pleasant city with some very nice people. Quito caters to those who like the big city life with lots of things to do. You won't get bored in Quito, that's for sure. We have heard some negative things said about Quito... but we're ready to dispel those myths and bring forth some facts, and of course, our personal observations.

1. MYTH: Quito is Dirty

FACT:  Quito is NOT a dirty city; in fact, we found it to be quite pleasant and clean. Of course in the tourist district where all the night clubs, discotheques and bars are it can get cluttered with garbage, bottles, cigarette butts and broken glass from the night before, but they clean it the very next day and by early afternoon the debris from the night’s party-goers is all cleaned up. 

All big cities have areas where there is more garbage on the streets, Quito is no exception, but you might not want to live, or even enter into such neighborhoods anyway. Overall, Quito was just as clean (they have garbage cleaners and city garbage sweepers) as Cuenca, which was very surprising since it is a much bigger city. Notice in our videos, the streets, they are sparkling clean.

2. MYTH: The locals are not very nice and some were rude. (this was said in comparison to Cuenca’s people).

FACT: We visited Quito twice just recently and we stayed in Quito for over a month and never experienced any unpleasant locals. We felt that the people were just as helpful and friendly as they are in Cuenca. No matter where one lives in the world you’re bound to run into rude people…it goes with the territory of travel.

Sadly, we hear from the locals in Cuenca that the expats are rude to them, so it works both ways. It is far worse to be the rude expat than the rude local, at least in our book.

3. Myth: There is more smog in Quito than in Cuenca

FACT:  People like to compare Quito to Cuenca. For one thing Cuenca is barely a half a million people and Quito is 2 million people! Therefore, to compare a huge metropolitan city (four times as big) to the quaint little town of Cuenca is really not conducive to any real facts… But anyway, we found Quito to have numerous electric trolleys (fewer buses) for local transportation and because of that there is far LESS diesel fuel pollution in Quito than in Cuenca, if you were to compare. 



When Cuenca gets her light rail up and running she will also have less air pollution as well.

FYI: buses don’t even travel in the colonial district of Quito so there is minimal diesel fuel pollution. At the time of this writing we feel that there is more car and bus pollution in the colonial area of Cuenca than there is in Quito.

4. MYTH: Quito is more expensive than Cuenca

FACT:  We keep hearing this but what we experienced when visiting Quito ourselves, and what we are finding out through our research this is just another myth. Well here, let’s take a look.

Rentals
Just as an example for comparison purposes, there are a lot more vacant homes, apartments and condos to go around in Quito and so it is easier to find a nice 3/2 house or apartment in the $300 to $350 dollar price range than in Cuenca. According to the cost of living index rents are about $100 to $125 cheaper per month in Quito for the same amount of apartment. Click on the city name to see the index.

Rent Per Month - Quito
 

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre $300
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre $200
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre $475
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre $350.00
Rent Per Month - Cuenca

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre $400
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre $300
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre $650
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre $450
 

Buying property

As far as purchasing property, we find there are some colonial homes with potential still under $100K in Quito (some need more restoration then others), while in Cuenca you’re looking at $350K (needs restored) up to 1M for a colonial home purchase in the colonial center.  And according to the cost of living price index, again, the price for buying a home or apartment outside of Quito city center is showing $214 per meter cheaper than in Cuenca!
So, Quito wins again.

Food prices


Food prices at the grocery stores in Quito do not cost more than in Cuenca. There are many Mercado’s in Quito where you can find great deals on fresh fruits and vegetables just like in Cuenca. Utilities do not cost more in Quito than in Cuenca.

The weather/climate is the same as in Cuenca, all year long, so you’ll spend the same amount on heating costs.  According to the cost of living index once again, food prices are better in the Quito grocery stores than in Cuenca, for most things. For example, rice, bread, milk, cheese, wine and cigarettes are cheaper in Quito than in Cuenca according to the cost of living index.
 

Dining out

The international priced restaurants are about the same in Quito as they are in Cuenca. Expect to be set back for a nice dinner about $8 to $15 dining out in a nice restaurant. FYI: Quito also has Almuerzo, Merienda, and Desayuno, and at the same $2 to $3 price as Cuenca. 

We ate out two times in the International restaurants and for five adults we were set back around $52 including the tip! These prices were the same as you’d expect to find in Cuenca. Not bad.

Transportation costs

We rode in a taxi several times within the same district and the driver only charged us $1. To go to the colonial district from La Mariscal district it will set you back about $4 to $5. That’s not bad considering the time it takes and the traffic. Buses and trolleys cost a whopping .25 cents.

According to the cost of living index taxis are cheaper in Quito!
 

Traveling 1 kilometer by taxi cab in Cuenca is $1.50, while Quito is $1 per kilometer.  Taxi start (normal tariff) is $1.50 in Cuenca which means no matter how far you need to go, even if it is just 4 blocks it will cost you $1.50. In Quito the taxi start (normal tariff) is just .45 cents. Meaning, if you just want to go 4 blocks it will set you back about .45 cents or maybe just .50 cents.

Health care

Health care is not more in Quito. Doctors do not charge more in the bigger city of Quito. A doctor’s visit in Quito will be between $10 to $40 dollars a visit. Prescriptions are much lower priced in Ecuador.

Entertainment

Quito boasts free concerts (National Symphony Orchestra) and other free musical admissions, just like Cuenca. In fact, Quito has many more free concerts because it is a bigger city.  Quito also has many superstar performances (not free of course) because it is a major hub for such big time concerts. 



How much you spend on entertainment is up to you but let us tell you this, there is a lot more to do and see in Quito and so your entertainment as far as cultural museums and tourist attractions means you might spend more in Quito if you do everything. 


The bottom line is, if we’re still comparing Quito to Cuenca, Quito is NOT more expensive than Cuenca. Although, because Quito is a super metropolis, you can spend as much as your budget permits. Quito has elegant high rise condos in the city center and then it has nice homes and apartments just outside of the city. So whatever you want to spend on cost of living, Quito will have no problem consuming it.

If you are considering moving to Ecuador, and you like the big city life, Quito may just be the place that fits your needs. We loved Quito and we'll be talking more about what it is that we loved about Quito in an up and coming post. 



There is so much more we will be exploring with you about moving and retiring to Quito Ecuador, so stay tuned to this blog and don't forget to subscribe with your email for all the latest posts.

What to Expect When Taking Tour National Bus in Ecuador: Cuenca to Quito

The transportation system in Ecuador is quite efficient and organized.  You have to experience taking a tour/national bus at least once to see what its like. There are many short 1 and 2 hour bus trips one can take to get a feel for bus travel. This article is about taking the bus from Cuenca to Quito but it applies to any destination in Ecuador.



From Terminal Terrestre in Cuenca you grab one of the two bus lines that run from Cuenca to Quito. There are guys in the terminal yelling out different cities in Ecuador. Listen for them to call out “Quito” and they’ll show you where you can buy your ticket(s). It’s around $10 per person to travel to Quito by bus. The trip is about 9 to 10 hours...very long.



Update 2016: The price is almost $12 dollars now, still a good fare. 



Your tickets will show your assigned seat numbers. If you buy your ticket early enough, you can even ask for preferred seats on the bus, such as front row, window, etc. Your ticket will also have the number of the bus that you will need to get on. You will need to know this because once you go to the platform where all the buses are you’ll see about 25 buses all lined up waiting to load passengers for their destinations.



Update March 2016: We tried to buy are tickets from Cuenca to Quito in advance (the night before) and they do not do it anymore, unfortunately. They now say, "Just show up and buy your ticket(s). 



You will notice that in front of the buses there will be poles with a round sign that shows numbers (not the city names) to each destination city in Ecuador. However, we always ask where the bus is going, before getting on the bus just to make sure it is actually going to the city we want to go to…you never know…this is Ecuador and things can be miss communicated and misinterpreted easily here. On the front bumper of some buses it says a certain city but doesn’t even go to that city…so you can’t go by that either.



Hang on to your ticket because you will have to show it/give it to the bus attendant later on in your travels.



From Cuenca the bus goes directly to Quito. During the trip the bus stops in Azogues to pick up passengers and also at about two more small pit stops for bathroom breaks…maybe…it depends on the driver.



Update March 2016: Our sons just took a bus from Cuenca to Quito and they said the bus did not even stop for a bathroom break for the whole trip!!  Good thing they didn't drink any water, the toilet on the bus can be disgusting! Just giving you a heads up. 

 

If it is close to almuerzo hour the bus driver may get off and go eat lunch. This may take about 15 to 20 minutes and if you get off the bus during this time, stay aware of the bus at all times or they will take off without you.  One of the travelers on the bus to Quito almost missed the bus at one of the few stopping points the driver stops at. He had to scream and run after the bus! It was a close call.



Comfort



*The buses are fairly comfortable. We’ve taken the bus to the beaches several times and to Quito twice now and know pretty much what to expect. If there is anything to complain about it would be the lack of leg room; for tall people it can be uncomfortable.  Some of the buses have more leg room then others. The problem is you never know which buses those are. 



The seats do recline but on some of the buses if the person in front of you is reclined you might not have leg room for yourself like on one of our bus trips from Guayquil to Cuenca.

Bus from Guayquil to Cuenca - Tight fit

There is a restroom on the bus for urinating only.  You may or may not have to ask for the key.  Try the door first, if it's locked get the key from the attendant. On the restroom door it may say in Spanish “for ladies only” but they will allow men to use the restroom too...not sure why the sign is there but this is Ecuador. FYI: We’ve heard horror stories of people going number two in the restrooms and it was a dreadful trip for them.  We have not experienced this ourselves and we’ve taken a lot of tour buses throughout Ecuador...so hopfully you won't have to experience it either.



The bus plays Hollywood movies in Spanish (Seldom with English subtitles) for the whole trip. You might be able to hear it, or you might not, depends on how good the bus speaker system is. Sit back and enjoy the ride.It's a long trip to Quito.



If you are going to the beaches rather than Quito you'll notice that the closer you get to Guayaquil the warmer it will get and they turn the AC on and it can get a bit chilly on the bus; you might want to bring a light sweater.



Safety



We recommend NEVER place your backpack or other carry-on luggage on the top compartments of the bus or they may get stolen. We do put our food bag up there, however. We always put our backpacks next to our feet, but you still need to be careful and keep an eye on it. We’ve heard that you can get your pack stolen from the seat behind you. They simply grab for it from under your seat.



Suitcases and bigger luggage always goes under the bus. Before you get on the bus the man will give you a ticket with a number and will strap the number on your luggage. When you get off hand the man your number and he’ll give you your suitcase.



Arriving in Quito the bus takes you to the south-end terminal terrestre. Outside of the bus station there are numerous taxis waiting to pick up a fair.  Grab a cab and tell the driver where you need to go and you’re all set.



Depending on the taxi driver it will cost anywhere between $8 and $15.  Going to Colonial Quito it may cost around $8 or so. If you’re going to La Mariscal district it will cost you about $10 or so and if you are going to Quicentro, which is very northern part of Quito it can cost up to $15.  Quito is a very big city and it can take over an hour to get to La Mariscal if there is heavy traffic. 



March 2016 update: Our sons just took a taxi from this terminal to old town Quito for $8 so the price has not changed!! Don't let them gringo you! LOL...seriously. Paying higher taxi fares is what pushes fares up too fast! 



For the adventurous and budget traveler (If you’re going to La Mariscal) you can grab a trolley bus for .25 cents to Ejido Park and then grab a taxi from the park to your hostel or hotel for about $1.50.  If you’re going to be staying somewhere in Quicentro, take the trolley to Carolina Park and then take a taxi to your hotel. Taking the trolley is much cheaper and far more adventurous than grabbing a cab. Not recommended at night, especially for solo travelers.



Do’s and Don’ts for Bus Travel in Ecuador



1) Don’t drink too many liquids on the morning you leave

2) Don’t put valuables in the above compartments

3) Don’t leave your things unattended ever

4) Do bring snacks for those longer bus rides (more than 4 hours)

5) Do bring magazine, crosswords, books, etc for longer bus trips

6) Do bring your carry-ons with you if getting off the bus at pit stops. Don't leave your things on the bus or you will not see them again!

7) Don’t leave your things unattended ever (did we say that already? LOL)

9) Do bring your own toilet paper
10) Bring reading material, music (mp3), etc for longer bus trips

11) NEVER take the national bus at night or if the trip is going to be during the night. That means take the 6am bus if going to Quito and if going the Cuenca-Guayaquil route, take bus no later than 3:00pm. There have been a rash of violent robberies in Ecuador buses, been going on for years but it seems to be getting more prevalent.

 
 

Traveling by bus is not for everyone. few people get motion sickness (the further back you are seated the more dizzy you will get) and on the way to Quito there are many turns and bends. Traveling to Quito is a long 9 hour ride and for certain people it may prove to be a difficult and uncomfortable ride. 



Traveling to Salinas is a bit shorter bus ride, about 5 to 6 hours from Cuenca. You can travel by bus, van or plane from Cuenca to most major cities throughout Ecuador.  Stay tuned for our up and coming post on how to get special airfares on flights throughout Ecuador.

Discover Quito Ecuador with Frank and Angie!

When we were repeatedly told negative things about Quito by several different expats arriving to Cuenca, we thought, “Oh yuck, glad we’re living in Cuenca”. But when we went to visit Quito ourselves, and spent time there, living there, going out to eat, shopping, doing business, getting to know the people, walking around, we found Quito to be a delightful, cosmopolitan city with so much positive going for it.



                



Quito is a large city of a little over two million people. Quito has a neglected and well, let’s say, underdeveloped area, but what large city doesn’t? We’ve noticed throughout Ecuador, many people build their own homes, and some of them run out of money and cannot buy materials, so many homes are not finished, which doesn’t look very nice, especially when there are many unfinished homes in one area. In these areas you’ll find more garbage on the streets (dogs make the mess, not people so much) and it can make an area look pretty awful. We’ve all seen it in bigger cities in the US.

We’ve noticed these unfinished homes and most of the garbage in only one area of Quito. Besides that, most of Quito is hermosa (beautiful)!



As you’ll see in our video above “Quito Ecuador by bus from Cuenca”, we enter in on the south end (part 1) …and work our way up to the tourist area, (part 2 and 3) which is nice and full of international cafés, restaurants, culture and more.

Of course there is not a big city in the world that does not have some things that are negative to talk about. Quito clearly has many more advantages and benefits than disadvantages and negatives…and the same goes for Cuenca!



Yep, we had a few factual negatives to say about Cuenca, but the advantages and benefits of living/retiring in Cuenca far outweigh the negatives.

One important aspect to remember when you’re looking to move to a foreign country is don’t take anything anyone says or writes about written in stone, not from any source, person, forum, news story, journalist, magazine, company, blog, or website. YOU HAVE TO DECIDE for yourself what feels right for you, by visiting that city. And that’s how we were pleasantly amazed about Quito in contrast to what we were told by some expats.



With that said, in this video above and on the Discover Quito Ecuador Blog we offer our unbiased reporting of facts, experiences and observations about Quito just like we do about Cuenca. We don’t hold anything back…we’ll show and tell our readers the real deal, the good, the bad, and even the ugly. But if you’ve been a follower of our Discover Cuenca Ecuador Blog then you already know that.



If you are think about moving to Ecuador then here is another wonderful city to learn about.  Discover Quito Ecuador with Frank and Angie! Click here for the Discover Quito Ecuador Blog!

S-U-B-S-C-R-I-B-E and receive new articles every time we post.

Unusual and Interesting Photos of Places and Things in Cuenca Ecuador

Bathroom sink made of rocks at the Cuenca Amaru Zoo

Size 18 tennis shoe  displayed in a Cuenca shoe store.

(Frank's shoe, size ten is next to the big shoe)

Faces designed from Steel at the Cuenca Arts Festival

A Little bit of old Cuenca with a bit of new Cuenca
(Photo taken on 12 de Abril)

 A very good, but sort of sour fruit called "Maracuya" native to South America - you eat the seeds

Papier-mâché

lizards at the Cuenca Arts Festival

A four-wheeled bicycle you can rent for hire at the Ecuador Coast

La Vida en Cuenca Ecuador 2012

Daily life in Cuenca Ecuador -- from the hustle bustle of the city center to relaxing in the park watching the pigeons -- that's part of life in Cuenca. In the month of November there is usually a lot of festivities and activities going on in Parque Calderon. And there is always free entertainment on the bus! This is just a hodgepodge of video of la vida en Cuenca!



              

$300 Cuenca Ecuador Rental Home Tour

This is a brand new (never lived in) tri-level home 3 bed for $300. There are some people that have said on forums that renting in this price range you will be living in a hovel...but we are exposing this untruth that has been floating around on some of the Cuenca forums. This home is in a gated community of about 7 other homes that are still in the construction phase. This home in the video has been rented.





          

Salinas Ecuador: Beautiful and Great Weather but Is It Over-Rated

We spent a full month in Salinas. We did not see any rentals off the beaten track even listed. We checked out several rentals one and two rows back from the Malecon and they were listed at tourist prices and they were all furnished. Salinas is geared to the tourist who wants to rent a condo for $1000 or more a month or buy over-priced property on or very near the Malecon.

                 



We liked Salinas, the weather was great and it was a pleasant vacation, but apart from that we would never want to live there simply because of the huge disparity between the tourist area and one and two streets back where the locals
live. Some people may not mind living in a high rise condo and then walking one
block back from their condo to the local grocery store (only one in the area) and
seeing garbage all over the streets and poverty all around you.  The
locals can be sitting in their home with no running water or
electricity and see the condos on the Malecon .  It just doesn’t feel right for us.

It is not like that in Cuenca; Cuenca is about the same no
matter where you live; east side, west side, north side, or south side; it is very clean and well-kept in all areas of Cuenca and we've been all over the place. In Cuenca poverty is not staring you in the face. Its here, but it's not as pronounced as it is at some of the coastal areas of Ecuador.

On another note, talking about “perfect weather”. Aaaaah Salinas had perfect weather! It was low to mid 80’s for the
high and low 70’s for the low. It was a bit dry, never rained the whole month we were there, not good for gardens.

We did a lot of walking off the beaten track in Salinas and there were some nice areas (not on the beach) but no rentals were available, not like you see here in Cuenca.  Here in Cuenca you can walk around anywhere within the city and see "arrienda" listed on homes and apartments, but we didn't see much of that in Salinas, except for the first and second street back from the Malecon, but like we said, Salinas has been discovered and you over pay for rents and real estate even two streets back just because it is geared to the tourist. 

Salinas Ecuador: A Glimpse of the City off the Beaten Track

This is what Salinas is like away from the touristy area of the Malecon. Quite a huge difference when you compare it to the high rise condos and expensive international restaurants that are on the beach front. In our next video about Salinas we'll be talking about this area in more detail and what our impression is of Salinas and the surrounding areas.