Looking for an ex-pat e-mail pal in Cuenca

by Jeff
(Gainesville, Georgia, USA)

I'm a 63 year young, retired teacher, and hope to relocate next year. I currently live in North Georgia, in the foothills of the Blueridge Mountains.I have promised myself that I'll never be hot again, once I make my move.Summer was horribly hot here!Interests include MUSIC....Bluegrass, Blues or Counry. I'm an avid reader and former scuba diver. I enjoy motorcycles, learning new cultures, and am attempting to learn to speak Spanish. I am happily single, love animals, and live on a horse farm. I'd like to correspond with someone "on the ground" in Cuenca, in hopes of establishing a link of friendship. Thanks, Jeff in Georgia

A question for expats in Cuenca

by Don
(Wooster, OH)

Everyone talks and writes about the "perfect, year-round, spring-like" weather in Cuenca. I have been following the weather reports for Cuenca for about a month now. The forcast has been for rain EVERY day and temperatures in the low 60's to upper 50's. Whose idea of "perfect weather" is that? Please give me an honest assessment of Cuenca's weather. Is it usually the kind of rain that rains part of the day and the sun shines part of the day? All the pictures I've seen look dark, cloudy and overcast.

Also, are there still nice furnished apartments for rent in Cuenca for $500 a month or less? Can one really live "the good life" in Cuenca for less than $1000 a month?

Are the sidewalks in Cuenca handicapped accessable? i. e. are there curb cuts at all the corners to allow wheelchair or scooter access?

Are elevators common in multistory apartment buildings. My wife has limited mobility and can't do steps. With the aid of a scooter will she be able to navigate most apartment buildings and walking routes in the city or are steps found everywhere?

I'M THINKING OF RETIRING TO CUENCA

by Iris Higgins
(Lebanon, PA USA)

I'm looking to converse with retirees in Cuenca. I'm thinking of retiring there. I'd like to correspond with singles, if possible, as I will be alone. I have never visited Cuenca, but have researched and know I will love it there. As well as being affordable, it is beautiful. I really look forward to talking with you.

Looking for American expat contact

by James Wall
(Flint, Texas USA)

I am very interested in establishing contact with people in
the following cities in Ecuador; Cuenca, Loja and Riobamba. I am interested in moving to one of those cities, real soon. My email address is jwallassoc@hotmail.com. Gracias

Ready to Retire in Cuenca by late 2012

by Monika
(Palm Beach. Florida)

27th May, 2012

Mid-sixty lady, wish to find out about how easy or difficult it is to rent with pets (5 cats) in Cuenca or its surrounding. My cats are indoor and do not roam outside. I am extremely clean, and keep my place hair and litter smell free.
I am aware that rentals usually require an extra deposit
for pets. Has anyone have comments or experience in this area?

Monika in Florida

moving to Ecuador

by Anne Luyster
(United States)

I'm planning to move to Ecuador this summer or fall. I would appreciate some info from someone already there. The areas that most interest me are Cuenca or Cotacachi. There is a compound of houses in Cotacachi that I found advertised on the internet. It is called Parque Shambhala and before sending money to reserve a house I want to be sure it is real and if it allows small dogs. A friend also is interested in coming with me but she has noticed everyone posting seems to be white and she wonders how welcome a black american would be.

Looking for Expat Penpal(s)

by Rhonda Cotta
(Visalia, CA, USA)

I've recently retired & am seriously considering relocating to Cuenca. I've heard wonderful things about the area. I would love to hear more about expat life there as I will be making the move by myself & don't know anyone who lives there. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Hoping to retire in Cuenca. Looking to ex-pat email pal

by Susan Moore Vault
(Tucson, AZ, USA)

My husband, Frank is a retired Navy Officer who works for Raytheon in Tucson. I own a financial services company in business over 20 years in Tucson. We have been exploring Cuenca online and reading everything we can. We recently attended a conference in Las Vegas for International Living and our hearts are drawn to Cuenca. We hope to visit in March for a week and would like to meet another couple who could give us advice and be our first new friends in Cuenca.
We plan to retire in 4 years and move there permanently but would like to get educated on our options so we can make informed decisions. We need to know the best way to get there. Best airline. Most efficient, least expensive airlines. Many questions. Good local hotel. Local tours.
You know...all the questions you had before you made the move.

We look forward to corresponding.
Warm regards,
Susan and Frank Vault
susan@moorefs.com

Retiring to Cuenca in or Around April

by Andy
(US)

Hello, and if this ad is too long, I apologize...

I am hoping to find ex-pat recommendations/actual experiences for the following, so if you've been through some of what I expect to go through, it would be enormously helpful if you could share your experiences and, perhaps, give me a referral/recommendation for getting done the things I need done:

- I have been getting quotes from moving companies and got what appears to be a decent price for door-to-door, including packing, from internationalmoving.com, been in business over 60 years, seem to be up-front. Does anyone have experience(s) with them? Is there a different mover that you've used and can recommend? (Small move, intend to rent fully furnished so that I don't need to move my furniture).

- Can anyone recommend, from direct experience, a person/company that will help take the pain out of going through the retirement visa process at a reasonable cost? (I assume it's a pain--maybe it's not?)

- The most stressful thing about the move thus far is whether or not to bring my two cats. First, of course, I need to decide if finding them a loving home here would be better than subjecting them to all the stuff I imagine they'll have to go through: changing planes, being kept in a warehouse of some sort for who knows how long, customs, etc. (They are indoor cats, have never been outside). Does anyone have direct experience with any of the companies I see advertising services for bringing in pets with a minimum of stress for the pets and hassle for me? I've once again started the research process, and the prices I've gotten vary widely--one well-knpwn company said it could cost as much as $7-8,000 or more for door-to-door, which is pretty nuts, IMHO. I know about Continental being extremely pet-friendly, which is why I will fly with them, and about the minimum layover required in Houston, where we'd change planes (they require a minimum "stay" of two hours last I heard).

- I have been corresponding with a few people--locals--about finding a decent furnished apartment. Can anyone recommend someone there in Cuenca, not necessarily an ex-pat, who has actually helped them find and rent an apartment on a long-term basis? I hate owning a car, so I'm looking in areas that are walking distance from everything (Centro?). I am fluent in Portuguese, having lived in Brazil for many years, so I can get by in Spanish if the person(s) you might recommend aren't great English speakers. I just don't want to get ripped-off. Which begs the question: should I have a lawyer approve the lease? Again, any recommendations for a reasonably priced attorney would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps this attorney could also be the "visa-helper" I mentioned above...

Finally, is it still possible to live decently on $1100-$1200 a month (including utilities, high-speed internet and cable/satellite TV) but no car expenses? I hear that a cell phone is a necessary thing to have and that it's not terribly expensive; true? And is proof of a pension/SS of at least $800/month still what the government needs to see?

Sorry for being so long winded, but having been laid off from a long-time job at 64 years of age is kinda stressing me out and has given this a sense of urgency as I would not be able to live here in the states on my SS alone. Sad commentary on the US's handling of us old farts, but, sadly, it is also the reality of retiring in the states and not being wealthy, or at the least, quite well-off.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for any help/ideas you might have.

Andy

Retire in Ecuador

10th June, 2012

My husband and I are over 55 and looking to retirement in Ecuador. We are looking for info from those of you who have already made the move. We would love ex-pat pen-pals. Renay

Expat contact

by William
(Warren, MI. USA)

I simply want to establish contact with an English
speaking expat, ( from the U.S.A.), who now lives
in Ecuador, via E-mail. Can SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME
IN THIS REGARD ??

:Looking for Pen Pal in Ecuador

by Judith
(Tucson, Arizona, USA)

10th June, 2012

I am a newly retired woman living in Arizona and I would like to have one or more pen pals who are English speaking and living as expats in Ecuador. I have been considering moving to Ecuador to live for the past few years and would like to hear first hand about living there from someone who moved there from the US. You can contact me at my email julebwebs@yahoo.com if you are willing to correspond with me regarding living in Ecuador.

Expat to Retire in Equador

by george morabit
(rhode island and florida)

I, also am quite interested in the Cuenca area and primarily interested in a large area of land adjacent to old growth forest and close to a volcano. The land may or may not contain buildings. I would like to have a new house of about 4,000 square feet with central chimney of river stone.
and straw bale adobe clay with massive windows.
A barn to house equipment and tools. Local access to milled hardwood for floors and trimwork.
Kitchen custom designed with a wood fired cookstove (antique).

Several honest and hard working locals to live on the property to farm and maintain the land and buildings.
There will be 3 adults to start with the potential holistic medicine center close by that will generate jobs for local people.

I have several containers and would appreciate feedback. One would be primarily comprised of very old books and used tools, as well as multiple vehicles that are used as well as my collection of weapons. Rifles and pistols and ammunition for hunting and protection.

This would be a 40' container; the vehiles are a 1980 military 4 x 4 pickup, a Toyota, Tundra 4 door 2005. Also would like to ship a 2004 BMW 5 series.

Also, I would like to ship my heavy equiment;
JCB 215 Backhoe, Cat 4DH Dozer, Linkbelt large Excavator,
Tractors and implements.

Another container would have a 2006 Honda ridgeline 4 x 4 and the contents of a 4 br home with some artwork clothes and Gold coins and silver us mint coins.

A 46' Bertram, 13' Boston Whaler, 17' sunfish.

I would like the altitude to be about 5000 feet with access to the city

Dogs in Cuenca?

by Caren
(Az, usa)

8th June, 2012
Is possible to find bargain residency rentals in Cuenca if you have dogs? I am thinking I would need a securely fenced yard.
Thanks much

Looking to retire in Ecuador

by Terry Schmidt
(Santa Fe, New Mexico)

I am looking to make contact with an english speaking expat willing to be a e-mail pen pals willing to answer questions. I'm a single retired female looking to make this move myself and am a little anxious. Thank you!

Seeking English speaking pen pal in coastal area of Ecuador

by Marilyn
(Northampton, MA,USA)

10th June, 2012

I am interested in moving to the coastal region of Ecuador and would love to correspond by email with a local person. I am 69 years old, retired woman seeking a new life in a warm climate. I would like to hear about the climate, temp., humidity, bugs and type of rentals available near the shore. Tell me about your life in Ecuador.