Doing a few errands on a perfect rainy day in Cuenca Ecuador. Enjoying the day walking everywhere in the drizzle. Come and share the day with us.
We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!
Welcome to Gringo Good Samaritans, integrated with our 8 years of living in Cuenca Ecuador and traveling the world. We create informative videos and articles helping people come to awareness of what's happening in our world so they can enjoy their retire early lifestyle with their families, healthy, happy and free!
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12 countries in 12 years
Monday, June 6, 2016
Perfect Weather for Vlogging, Walking & Doing Errands
Sunday, June 5, 2016
2011 Case Study: How Cuencanos Feel about Influx of Foreigners - UPDATED 2016
Update 2016: We first published this post 4.5 years ago. The case study was conducted in December 2011 when the gringo population in Cuenca was reported to be around 500. However, there was also a huge influx of visitors arriving in Cuenca at that time as well; it was right after International Living announced Cuenca as being "best retirement city in the world".
We recommend downloading and reading the full thesis. Once on the website there is a PDF download on the right hand side of the page.
Source: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/29/
University student, Denise M. Bustamante from Scripps College conducted a case study on the retired expatriate community in Cuenca, Ecuador", interviewing nine Cuencanos about how they felt about the migration of gringos into Cuenca Ecuador.
What her data suggests is consistent with what we've been observing and reporting on this Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog. Now you can read it again from a University student who conducted this case study.
...below is a snippet from her thesis.
"In addition to the language barrier, other negative aspects associated with the presence of expatriates in Cuenca include increases in the cost of living and their arrogant attitudes. The presence of an expatriate community in Cuenca contributes to a rise in costs because their incomes are higher than that of the locals and they are willing to pay these high prices. Jennifer, the former real estate agent, mentioned that many landlords prefer renting their property out to foreigners because they pay more money, they are punctual with their payments, and they take better care of property than the locals. Sara, a professor at the University of Azuay, has a friend who is the only Cuencana in her apartment building. Each month, her landlord pressures her to sell her apartment because he is aware that he can make a larger profit by leasing it to a foreigner at a steeper price."
"Data suggest that Cuencanos resent the impenetrable language barrier and their cultural disengagement. The Cuencanos responses also indicate that a deeper understanding of the country and culture is necessary on behalf of the retired expatriates to facilitate their integration into the existing culture rather than trying to create an exclusive subculture within Cuenca".
One expat in her study pointed out, "Many of the retired expats arrive in Cuenca, buy or rent their luxurious skyscraper apartments and stay there. It's as if they are watching life happen on their big screen TV and they do this without even realizing it.
Update 2016 - This of course was said back in 2011 when the expats moving here were afraid to live outside of the gringo high rise buildings, gringoland neighborhood. However, we changed that misconception of being afraid when we moved into an Ecuadorian neighborhood and detached house in June of 2011. By 2012 expats began living all over the city instead of just in the high rise buildings located in Gringoland.
Today most of the gringos still prefer to live near the downtown area (Westside) and walk to a grocery store. Some things are just not going to change.
Update 2016 - On
the one hand, the foreigners have fanned out throughout the city,
however, whether this has resulted in a “blending in” or “living local”
is questionable, since it appears that price increases on everything
have also ‘fanned out’.
Source: Bustamante, Denise M., "Amenities Migration: A Case Study on the Retired Expatriate Community in Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador" (2012). Scripps Senior Theses. Paper 29.
This
is only a small portion of her case study. Miss Bustamante also
interviews twelve expats to Cuenca on how they feel about living in
Cuenca, Ecuador. To read the full thesis, click here.
Update 2016: On the flip side, there were also University students that had to interview expats that had moved to Cuenca. It is our understanding that for their graduation thesis, the students had to choose either interviewing Cuencanos about how they felt about expats or interview expats about how they felt about Cuenca and its people.
Update 2016: Our family was interviewed by three University young ladies one day in Park Calderon. They asked us questions such as "do we work", "are we retired", "How old are you", "Do we speak Spanish?" "Do you like Cuenca?" They asked, “what do we like about Cuenca” and other questions you can find in this video. After the interview they said we saved their life as they had to present the video to their teacher.
Until we write again, here are a couple of articles that back then addressed the issue of living in a house versus high rise condo in the gringoland neighborhood.
We're an expat family of five living in Cuenca Ecuador. We vlog and blog about what its really like to live here and in Latin America. We have numerous experiences to share. We'd love for you to come along and enjoy the adventure with us!
We recommend downloading and reading the full thesis. Once on the website there is a PDF download on the right hand side of the page.
Source: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/29/
University student, Denise M. Bustamante from Scripps College conducted a case study on the retired expatriate community in Cuenca, Ecuador", interviewing nine Cuencanos about how they felt about the migration of gringos into Cuenca Ecuador.
What her data suggests is consistent with what we've been observing and reporting on this Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog. Now you can read it again from a University student who conducted this case study.
...below is a snippet from her thesis.
"In addition to the language barrier, other negative aspects associated with the presence of expatriates in Cuenca include increases in the cost of living and their arrogant attitudes. The presence of an expatriate community in Cuenca contributes to a rise in costs because their incomes are higher than that of the locals and they are willing to pay these high prices. Jennifer, the former real estate agent, mentioned that many landlords prefer renting their property out to foreigners because they pay more money, they are punctual with their payments, and they take better care of property than the locals. Sara, a professor at the University of Azuay, has a friend who is the only Cuencana in her apartment building. Each month, her landlord pressures her to sell her apartment because he is aware that he can make a larger profit by leasing it to a foreigner at a steeper price."
"Data suggest that Cuencanos resent the impenetrable language barrier and their cultural disengagement. The Cuencanos responses also indicate that a deeper understanding of the country and culture is necessary on behalf of the retired expatriates to facilitate their integration into the existing culture rather than trying to create an exclusive subculture within Cuenca".
One expat in her study pointed out, "Many of the retired expats arrive in Cuenca, buy or rent their luxurious skyscraper apartments and stay there. It's as if they are watching life happen on their big screen TV and they do this without even realizing it.
Update 2016 - This of course was said back in 2011 when the expats moving here were afraid to live outside of the gringo high rise buildings, gringoland neighborhood. However, we changed that misconception of being afraid when we moved into an Ecuadorian neighborhood and detached house in June of 2011. By 2012 expats began living all over the city instead of just in the high rise buildings located in Gringoland.
Today most of the gringos still prefer to live near the downtown area (Westside) and walk to a grocery store. Some things are just not going to change.
Update 2016 - On
the one hand, the foreigners have fanned out throughout the city,
however, whether this has resulted in a “blending in” or “living local”
is questionable, since it appears that price increases on everything
have also ‘fanned out’.
Source: Bustamante, Denise M., "Amenities Migration: A Case Study on the Retired Expatriate Community in Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador" (2012). Scripps Senior Theses. Paper 29.
This
is only a small portion of her case study. Miss Bustamante also
interviews twelve expats to Cuenca on how they feel about living in
Cuenca, Ecuador. To read the full thesis, click here.
Update 2016: On the flip side, there were also University students that had to interview expats that had moved to Cuenca. It is our understanding that for their graduation thesis, the students had to choose either interviewing Cuencanos about how they felt about expats or interview expats about how they felt about Cuenca and its people.
Update 2016: Our family was interviewed by three University young ladies one day in Park Calderon. They asked us questions such as "do we work", "are we retired", "How old are you", "Do we speak Spanish?" "Do you like Cuenca?" They asked, “what do we like about Cuenca” and other questions you can find in this video. After the interview they said we saved their life as they had to present the video to their teacher.
Until we write again, here are a couple of articles that back then addressed the issue of living in a house versus high rise condo in the gringoland neighborhood.
We're an expat family of five living in Cuenca Ecuador. We vlog and blog about what its really like to live here and in Latin America. We have numerous experiences to share. We'd love for you to come along and enjoy the adventure with us!
Saturday, June 4, 2016
How Much to Rent a Condo or House in Cuenca? How to Get Best Price! UPDATED 2016
Update 2016 – This article was first published 5 years ago and after scanning through it again, we were shocked to see how much more house you could get for the price in 2011! Those same houses are now in the $500 to $1000 range.
We’re not saying there aren’t any good deals out there anymore because there are a few normal priced houses in between the overpriced stuff but you have to really work for them. They are the exception.
Update 2018: Rental prices have come back down to more normal levels, as they should be. However property prices for the buyer have just stayed steady, not going higher or lower, although negotiating will always give you the unlisted price.
Condos are located in high rise buildings usually with 24/7 security guard, elevators and other amenities. There are many variables that can make your rent be higher or lower. Such as if it includes furniture and if it has views, how many square feet, etc. Typically, if it has security and elevators you can rent a 3/2 apartment or condo between $350 and $600, while those condos with views and balconies and spacious are between $600 and $1200 for the really nice ones.
Update 2016 – Those prices were back then in 2011 and 2012. Today there are no 3/2 apartments/condos with elevator or security for $250 and if you do happen to come across one in that price range it means there’s probably stairs which gringos will avoid.
Just to give you an idea of what we’re talking about, in 2011 you could rent a 3/2 in the very popular Palermo Building (elevator, security and views) located in Gringolandia for $350. Throw in furniture and raise the price to $400. Those were the normal prices and what the wealthier Ecuadorians spent on rents in that building.
Gone are those days and it’s only been 5 years!
If you know someone here that can help you get a good deal on a rental you will pay less for rent. You can’t be in a hurry. But understand, just because it’s cheaper than what you are used to paying in the states doesn’t mean it is a good price! You can always try to bargain down the price. The house we rent was actually $350 a month, but because it hadn’t been rented for several months and because Frank is a good negotiator we got it for $250 a month…and btw, we still pay $250.
You will pay more for furnished houses, apartments and condos, however. And bear in mind that good quality furniture and appliances are expensive here.
UPDATE 2013*** We have witnessed that home rental prices are going up. The upsurge of foreigners is causing Ecuadorians to higher the price on their rental homes because they are not just renting to the locals anymore.
Really, really sad!! You can still find the diamond in the rough but there is a lot of pavement pounding involved...and many times they are not listed anywhere online, such as the older, but very well-kept 3-bedroom, plus study, 2 bath home in Rio Amarillo for just $220. We just rented this home to a family who is very appreciative to rent this nice home with a yard for their pets. Value is certainly here on this one.
Update 2016: the biggest price surge in rentals in Cuenca has been with houses with yards. We’re seeing a huge demand from the foreigner for large modern houses with yards in certain neighborhoods near river and walking to the grocery store. These houses typically go between $600 and $1500 if it has all the needs the foreigner wants. Who’d a thought that “best place to retire on a budget” would sport these kinds of price tags. Want to take a guess?
Exceptions
Sure, you’ll see less expensive houses than what we’re talking about but it’s because gringos will not rent those. If it is not within walking distance to El Centro and if it has stairs you might find one for $450 that is modern and large but they are far and few between.
Take a look at how much house you could get back in 2011 to 2013 in Cuenca Ecuador. Cuenca rental video tours.
Did you look through the tour of homes? Now, simply double and sometimes triple the price on these same homes and apartments and that’s what you can expect to pay in 2016.
If it has a nice yard and no steps the price will triple. When you look through this playlist and see a nice and modern 4 or 5 bedroom with yard for $350 then today it will cost $700 or more.
The less expensive houses are really town homes and have a postage stamp yard or no yard. All of these town homes back in 2012 were $250 -$300! Now they are $380 to $450.
If the home does not have a modern kitchen or bathrooms it might be under $500, and so there are exceptions. So we can see that the rental inflation is much much lower on houses that foreigners are likely to pass up.
If you are renting in the short term, it’s better to come here and rent something that is already furnished for a little bit more money than to have to buy furniture and appliances for an empty apartment or house. Appliances aren’t cheap here and there are no thrift stores in Cuenca like there is in North America.
Cuenca has a few used appliance stores here, but they ask an arm, a leg, and a nose for a 70’s style refrigerator, try $275! When you rent with any real estate agency they are going to want a lease of at least six months, and many times a one year lease. Many will also ask for several deposits up front that you’ll never see again. That really makes them a donation rather than a deposit, if you pay it. If you really like donating money, we know some ministries that would really appreciate it.
We found a 5 bedroom 2 bath colonial house for as low as $180 a month. Now, it’s a big old house, mind you, but if you have a big family it might be just what you need. You’ll want to go drive around the area, get out and walk around and see if it is a neighborhood you would like to live in. That was in 2011 of course.
Update 2016 – Yep, prices aren’t what they used to be.
Do your rental market research, negotiate and be prepared to walk away if the price seems out of line. The longer you lease the rental for the better price you can bargain for. The bottom line is in the states you have to be careful from getting ripped off, and the same policy holds true for here in Cuenca; you have to be careful here too.
Update 2016 – There are some unscrupulous real estate folks that apparently don’t seem to care if they get a bad reputation in Cuenca. We’re just letting you know, “be diligent”.
Until we write again, you might like to read these articles about renting in Cuenca Ecuador.
We're an expat family of five liivng frugal, healthy and happy in Cuenca Ecuador. Come along for the adventure.
We’re not saying there aren’t any good deals out there anymore because there are a few normal priced houses in between the overpriced stuff but you have to really work for them. They are the exception.
Update 2018: Rental prices have come back down to more normal levels, as they should be. However property prices for the buyer have just stayed steady, not going higher or lower, although negotiating will always give you the unlisted price.
Condos are located in high rise buildings usually with 24/7 security guard, elevators and other amenities. There are many variables that can make your rent be higher or lower. Such as if it includes furniture and if it has views, how many square feet, etc. Typically, if it has security and elevators you can rent a 3/2 apartment or condo between $350 and $600, while those condos with views and balconies and spacious are between $600 and $1200 for the really nice ones.
Update 2016 – Those prices were back then in 2011 and 2012. Today there are no 3/2 apartments/condos with elevator or security for $250 and if you do happen to come across one in that price range it means there’s probably stairs which gringos will avoid.
Just to give you an idea of what we’re talking about, in 2011 you could rent a 3/2 in the very popular Palermo Building (elevator, security and views) located in Gringolandia for $350. Throw in furniture and raise the price to $400. Those were the normal prices and what the wealthier Ecuadorians spent on rents in that building.
Gone are those days and it’s only been 5 years!
If you know someone here that can help you get a good deal on a rental you will pay less for rent. You can’t be in a hurry. But understand, just because it’s cheaper than what you are used to paying in the states doesn’t mean it is a good price! You can always try to bargain down the price. The house we rent was actually $350 a month, but because it hadn’t been rented for several months and because Frank is a good negotiator we got it for $250 a month…and btw, we still pay $250.
You will pay more for furnished houses, apartments and condos, however. And bear in mind that good quality furniture and appliances are expensive here.
UPDATE 2013*** We have witnessed that home rental prices are going up. The upsurge of foreigners is causing Ecuadorians to higher the price on their rental homes because they are not just renting to the locals anymore.
Really, really sad!! You can still find the diamond in the rough but there is a lot of pavement pounding involved...and many times they are not listed anywhere online, such as the older, but very well-kept 3-bedroom, plus study, 2 bath home in Rio Amarillo for just $220. We just rented this home to a family who is very appreciative to rent this nice home with a yard for their pets. Value is certainly here on this one.
Update 2016: the biggest price surge in rentals in Cuenca has been with houses with yards. We’re seeing a huge demand from the foreigner for large modern houses with yards in certain neighborhoods near river and walking to the grocery store. These houses typically go between $600 and $1500 if it has all the needs the foreigner wants. Who’d a thought that “best place to retire on a budget” would sport these kinds of price tags. Want to take a guess?
Exceptions
Sure, you’ll see less expensive houses than what we’re talking about but it’s because gringos will not rent those. If it is not within walking distance to El Centro and if it has stairs you might find one for $450 that is modern and large but they are far and few between.
Take a look at how much house you could get back in 2011 to 2013 in Cuenca Ecuador. Cuenca rental video tours.
Did you look through the tour of homes? Now, simply double and sometimes triple the price on these same homes and apartments and that’s what you can expect to pay in 2016.
If it has a nice yard and no steps the price will triple. When you look through this playlist and see a nice and modern 4 or 5 bedroom with yard for $350 then today it will cost $700 or more.
The less expensive houses are really town homes and have a postage stamp yard or no yard. All of these town homes back in 2012 were $250 -$300! Now they are $380 to $450.
If the home does not have a modern kitchen or bathrooms it might be under $500, and so there are exceptions. So we can see that the rental inflation is much much lower on houses that foreigners are likely to pass up.
If you are renting in the short term, it’s better to come here and rent something that is already furnished for a little bit more money than to have to buy furniture and appliances for an empty apartment or house. Appliances aren’t cheap here and there are no thrift stores in Cuenca like there is in North America.
Cuenca has a few used appliance stores here, but they ask an arm, a leg, and a nose for a 70’s style refrigerator, try $275! When you rent with any real estate agency they are going to want a lease of at least six months, and many times a one year lease. Many will also ask for several deposits up front that you’ll never see again. That really makes them a donation rather than a deposit, if you pay it. If you really like donating money, we know some ministries that would really appreciate it.
We found a 5 bedroom 2 bath colonial house for as low as $180 a month. Now, it’s a big old house, mind you, but if you have a big family it might be just what you need. You’ll want to go drive around the area, get out and walk around and see if it is a neighborhood you would like to live in. That was in 2011 of course.
Update 2016 – Yep, prices aren’t what they used to be.
Do your rental market research, negotiate and be prepared to walk away if the price seems out of line. The longer you lease the rental for the better price you can bargain for. The bottom line is in the states you have to be careful from getting ripped off, and the same policy holds true for here in Cuenca; you have to be careful here too.
Update 2016 – There are some unscrupulous real estate folks that apparently don’t seem to care if they get a bad reputation in Cuenca. We’re just letting you know, “be diligent”.
Until we write again, you might like to read these articles about renting in Cuenca Ecuador.
We're an expat family of five liivng frugal, healthy and happy in Cuenca Ecuador. Come along for the adventure.
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