Hola,
I am subscribing to the International Living magazine for a few years now. I take all the information presented there with a “grain of salt”. I understand that they promote their business and “push their agenda” as somebody said on this forum before, and possibly are not totally neutral like for instance Consumer Reports, if this is a good comparison.
However, I am not sure what would be their agenda in my anticipated move to Ecuador or any other country in the world for that matter? For my subscription fee I am getting in exchange a lot of information - some of them more useful for me than the other.
I received this “Living Postcard” via e-mail today and since I am also interested in Cuenca as well (partially thanks to IL I have to admit) I could not help myself and not to forward it to this forum with a big request for a favor of your comment and opinion. Are these information provided bellow to be taken seriously? Apartment with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus an amazing view for $180 per month??? A typical 3-course lunch for $2 to $4?? Propane tank for $2? Before I went to Panama I read in IL magazine that cost of a taxi in Bocas del Toro is 25 cents and I was just laughing to myself. But it was 25 cents as I found out! So maybe all these facts about Cuenca’s cost of living are thru after all?
I know that cost of living in Ecuador is much lower than in the States, Canada, Europe. But again these facts presented by Ms Dena Haines in her postcard are really hard to be believed.
Best regards,
Lekitanin
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Saving Money is Easy in Cuenca, Ecuador
By Dena Haines
Cuenca, Ecuador is a jewel nestled in amongst the amazing beauty of the Andes Mountains…and is rated as one of the best places in the world to retire. After living here for the past year I can understand why.
The climate is temperate year-round. The medical facilities are excellent, and the atmosphere is that of a quaint European town. The cost of living is significantly lower than in the U.S. or Canada.
Your grocery bill will be about a third of what you pay back home. We currently rent a new three-bedroom, two bath apartment (with an amazing view of the surrounding mountains) for just $180 a month.
The electric bill is around $20 per month, and the water bill is $1.80 per month. The hot water, kitchen stove, and clothes dryer run on propane—$2 per tank.
For 25 cents the bus system gets you anywhere you want to go. If you need a taxi, you’ll pay $1.50 for a short trip or up to $5 for a ride clear across the city.
The latest movies—$3. You can treat a friend to a coffee and snack for less than $3. A typical 3-course lunch costs between $2 and $4.
Cuenca is a center of education so you can find all the latest medical facilities here, and get the care you need or want at a fraction of the cost you might expect. Some people travel here because of the savings on certain procedures, especially dental and cosmetic.
It’s never too hot or too cold; warm during the day and cool at night. The growing season has no end, so a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables are always available. The climate is also easy on the wardrobe—with a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and light jacket you’re set to get out and explore this beautiful city.
The four rivers that run through Cuenca provide a lot of beautiful green space. It’s very peaceful to walk along their eucalyptus lined banks, or pack a picnic and relax with friends while listening to the soft babbling as the river flows by. The city has a definite European feel, with its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. The parks, quaint cafes and restaurants all over the city add to its small-town feel.
Until recently, bad roads made Cuenca difficult to reach, keeping it somewhat isolated. As a result Cuenca has retained a strong culture and cosmetic beauty that people are falling in love with. The expat community is steadily growing so if you are thinking about making a move, now is the time to join us!
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