Living in Cotacachi

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Cotacachi is a town that many expats gravitate to as well as Cuenca. We first visited Cotacachi early in 2008. It is a beautiful small town with a population of around 8,000. Many baby-boomers, health practitioners, investors and others are moving to this town.

We rented a beautiful furnished apartment for two months before heading back to where we lived which was in Cuenca.

The apartment we rented in Cotacachi

Below is a summary by “Linda McFarlin” who has lived in Cotacachi for several years with her husband Gary Phillips. etc.

"The vibrant green valley between two volcanic peaks that shelter this town can be viewed briefly from the Pan-American Highway as one journeys past on the way from Quito and Otavalo north to Ibarra. But since buses rush past the right-hand-turnoff to Cotacachi, it's easy to miss one of Ecuador's most idyllic areas.

Cotacachi is a meld of “edificios” with red and brown tiled roofs and multi-colored walls. There is an imposing cathedral topped by a bright-colored statue of Jesus. Turning right off the PanAm, the town is a brief three-kilometer ride that winds its way past verdant pastures, dramatic ravines and a leisurely flowing stream where cows graze, watched by an assortment of children and dogs.

The history and cultural beginnings of this town are hidden deep in the past. One hears tales whispered proudly of how the people this far north managed to resist the Incan conquest until the 16th century. Legend has it that the Incas were unable to have much influence here and finally gave up after only a 20-year subjugation of the north.

Like its namesake, the female volcano Cotacachi that remains mostly shrouded behind mist and cloud, the town of Cotacachi is coming out of hiding as well.

Recently named as the second top retirement destination in the world on CNN, based on a survey by International Living, Ecuador’s appeal is quickly becoming obvious to savvy savers. The cost of living is so low that Gary and I are able to live very comfortably on less than $1000 a month after set-up expenses like furniture, appliances and internet connections have been paid.

In Cotacachi unfurnished houses and apartments are not that easy to find, but are still to be had for around $150-200 a month, plus utilities. Furnished houses and apartments are more, from $400-750 a month. A new 2000-square-foot brick house on 1/4 acre in a gated community is less than $100,000 and a new 3-bedroom condo is priced at $54,500."

www.pro-ecuador.com