Expat Community > Ecuador

Chiquita
Joined 2008
Posts: 81

My Experience of Cuenca

15 years ago

This is for JP and anyone else who cares to read.
My husband and I moved to Cuenca two months ago from Bahia. The heat, mosquitoes, noise where we were staying, and lack of a stable internet connection and shopping mall were the reasons.
We are very happy and content here in Cuenca. We live in a secure apartment building in a very nice two-bedroomed, two- bathroomed apartment, for which we pay $280 per month.
The climate is mild to cool with temps. ranging from 18-23 degrees. However it can be hot in the sunshine. We are at the moment in the rainy season which should be over in June.
Cuenca is a delightful, picturesque city with an old and a newish section separated by the River Tomebamaba. It has three other rivers, a multiude of ancient cathedrals and some lovely park squares. It has about four shopping malls, but the main, big one is the Mall Del Rio. It is smart and upmarket. However I prefer shopping in the old part of the city, called "Centro" or "Downtown." It has numerous little narrow cobbled streets with tons of shops selling absolutely everything from computer equipment to furniture. it is
cheaper and more interesting to me than the shopping mall.
Cuenca is surrounded by mountains. So you don't get the feeling of being in a poluted city.
I visited a dentist here and it was state of the art. He was a kind, humble young man and the best part is I didn't even feel the injections he gave me! He kept asking me if I was okay throughout the procedure. It was the best experience I had ever had of a dental visit.
The people here are amazing. They are kind, friendly and helpful. We attend a Spanish evangelical church across the road from our apartment, and were welcomed as family. One pastor offered us the use of his car. Another gentleman offered us the use of his cabin in the mountains and recommended a doctor to us. The secretary offered to take us shopping, or wherever we wanted to go.
Maybe you are used to being treated with such kindness,
we are not, and we were absolutely taken aback.
I think one's attitude is also important. We are friendly and want to integrate into the local community, so maybe that helps.

Regards,
Chiquita.

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My Experience of Cuenca

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