Our Ecuador

310 Visits

We wanted to show a different kind of blog that told the small things as well as the big issues that will help someone coming to live in Ecuador have smooth sailing.

tags: accomodations, Gringos, Life style, Money , travel

7 Comments

Report

Author

by: Sailorburr

After spending our whole lives in the US, Loretta and I researched, and visited a number of countries where we felt our retirement income would allow us to live well on less. Ecuador and, eventually, the city of Cuenca won hands down. This blog is to help others know what we have learned the hard way, the little things that are so hard to research from abroad. We made the right decision and hope this will assist you to make the same.

Find out more about the author

Latest posts on Our Ecuador

Merry Christmas to all our friendsThe best Christmas... Posted on 24/12/2012

Merry Christmas to all our friendsThe best Christmas present we have had is the wonderful reception we have gotten for Bill's new Amazon eBook, Retire in Ecuador. From all over the... Read more

New Book About Retirement Posted on 21/09/2012

It's been a while since we posted on our blog and we apologize. This has been a wild year with lots good and bad happening. About six months ago we returned permanently to North... Read more

Reading abroad Posted on 26/06/2011

Living in Ecuador is off the beaten track but fortunately it allows both of us to write, publish, and communicate with the world of authors and readers in a number of ways.Over the last two... Read more

Cuenca lifestyle Posted on 21/04/2011

When you are thinking about a move to a foreign country there are a thousand questions that must be answered. Some are easy to find the answers to but others are less obvious. Here are a... Read more

Lawyers in Cuenca Posted on 25/03/2011

We would like to make a recommendation, our personal recommendation, for a lawyer here in Cuenca. It is our opinion, though not shared by everybody, that it is always a good practice to... Read more

Little acts of kindness Posted on 21/02/2011

It is so easy to complain about those things in Ecuador that are more difficult, more complicated, or that take an inordinate amount of time to accomplish. Life goes at a different pace. A... Read more

Bill's new book, "Chinchorro Reef" Posted on 03/02/2011

Here is something new for our blog. We have always said there would be nothing commercial on the blog but it seems there is always an exception. Bill has published a new book, an action... Read more

How do I deal with retirement? Posted on 13/01/2011

For almost two years we have been writing this blog about our move to Cuenca, Ecuador and the ups and downs of living here. It has been our good fortune to have had thousands of readers who... Read more

The annual children's Christmas parade Posted on 30/12/2010

Each year the day before Christmas Eve, the people of the city of Cuenca get their children, cars, and horses all dressed up to celebrate in a massive parade. It is loosely organized and... Read more

A quick trip Posted on 15/12/2010

We don’t usually write about our travels, but a lot happened on our recent one week trip to the States. There were a few important business, tax, and banking problems that could not... Read more

Show all posts (10)

Comments

I am trying to find out about currency. I need to know how travellers bring money over. I was told travelers checks are difficult to cash in Cuenca. I am looking for someplace to take money out with reasonable charges. Can someone please advise me? Much appreciated. I am from Canada.
By Dee 2012-02-18, 05h04
Reply
Write a comment
Keep me informed

Send
Hi ~ I am enjoying your blog and information regarding Cuenca. I am in the beginning stages... well maybe middle stages of my decision on relocating to Ecuador. I really need to make a visit there. That is the next step for me. I also want to be close to Centro, or the center of town, close to everything (or within walking distance). I want to be able to make lots of friends, partake in socializing, hike, hot springs, shop, movies, entertain, etc. I live in Tacoma, WA USA. I've got five weeks off right now, but I just didn't feel that I was ready yet to make the trek to Ecuador. I have more questions. Mostly dealing with real estate and where to live. House? Apartment? Condo? I am no sure about condo maintenance fees, what they cover, will they increase, etc. Also, I've learned that the real estate office (who speak English) will be charging a fee.. approx $15.00 per hour to show properties.

Working for an airline I've traveled to Mexico for the last 15 years. But the cost of housing has increased so much in Mexico, I started looking at other countries. And I think the life-style may be more to my liking in Ecuador than Mexico. I like the idea of spring weather all year around.

Do you know anything about Cotacachi? I know it is smaller, but I'm wondering if it is worth checking out. Quito would be my first stop from MIA, so i suppose I would have to overnight there. I would have an interior ticket to Cuenca and back to Quito. I could just take a bus to Cotacachi. So I need to set up a hotel before I depart the US for Quito and Cuenca.

Sharon
By sharon88 2010-05-13, 23h10
Reply
Write a comment
Keep me informed

Send
I have enjoyed your Blog. My wife and I are coming to Cuenca in November. We enjoy ballroom and Latin Dance and we were wondering if there are any Clubs in Cuenca.

Rick & Gina
By rjaerobic 2010-04-28, 17h22
Reply
Write a comment
Keep me informed

Send
I understand you are from North Carolina at one sage in all your travels. I live on the coast in Jacksonville...I am seriously thinking of retireing there ...it looks wonderful. Are you pleased with the ex-Patriot groups there...??? I am single. a widow....but, another teacher is considering coming with me. We can both retire in Nov. Dec. timeframe... We are planning to come this summer to see it all..any suggestions on where to stay for say 2 weeks?? Thanks Eva Russell
By usateach 2010-03-24, 00h33
Reply
Write a comment
Keep me informed

Send
I am considering moving to Cuenca...I will retire soon from teaching. I have lived overseas before, but as a military dependent. I am now a widow and I very much want to have move adventures. Another teacher and I are coming there this summer for 10 days to see if we like it. I appreciate so much all that you have offered here in your blog. It is by far the most helpful piece for me so far. Eva
By usateach 2010-03-21, 20h22
Reply
Write a comment
Keep me informed

Send
Thanks for your posts. For some reason I'm not able to add comments to your Horn Honkers post. Just wondering when you'll follow up with a Dog Barkers post? Where there are honkers there seems an equal likelihood for barkers. Yes?
By Travelightly 2010-03-08, 02h27
Reply
Write a comment
Keep me informed

Send
Hey there... I just want to say that I am recent remember of the expat-blog but your correspondence is by far the most interesting and informative that I have come across. I am very much thankful for your timely contributions! I plan on visiting Cuenca during the late summer of 2010 and hopefully we all can get a bite to eat and get to know one another!
Again, thank for your for selfless work!
You would be surprised how many you are helping

Cheers

Levon
By SAN_FRANCISCO 2010-02-03, 17h41
Reply
Write a comment
Keep me informed

Send

Our Ecuador

Author

Latest posts on Our Ecuador

Comments

Comments

Location

Expatriate health insurance Cuenca

Moving to Cuenca

Expat banking Cuenca

Businesses and services in Cuenca

Luggage shipping Cuenca

Travel insurance Cuenca