This interview grave a good perspective on the current situation. I live in Cuenca, am in my upper 70s, live alone, walk around the center of the city and historic district without fear. After dark most streets are well lit. There are people out and about, events are happening. To add to the stats, there are quite a few younger families and digital nomads in our community. It has been a nice addition to to the mix. Thank you, my friends, for the Ecuador update.😊
My wife & I arrived in Quito the day Ecuador began the curfew & spent 30 days in Quito Carolina / city centre & were totally impressed with the way the situation was handled by the government. At no stage did we feel unsafe. We also traveled north to Mindo & Otavalo and hive nothing but good to report. We also travelled by road on the local buses from Quito to Cuenca which is where we are at present. FYI, both my wife & I are over 60yrs old & totally recommend anyone thinking of coming here.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and giving an actual recent experience. I’m glad you enjoyed it there. We loved Ecuador and made great friends there.
Good interview. Ed came across very knowledgeable and sensible with his comments. We have lived here four years and feel that the country is moving in the right direction and taking care of the problems. We feel safe and secure in our original decision to retire here. Thank you again for your interest in Ecuador and Cuenca ❤❤
We are traveling with our two dogs also. Did 11 months in Nicaragua. Now going to do a year in Guatemala, then Mexico for 6 months….then down to South America for a few years- Manizales, Colombia Cuenca, Ecuador Arequipa, Peru Buenas Aires, Bariloche, and Mar del plata in Argentina. Maybe a few other places. Seems like the President has recently made Ecuador a bit safer. Last week we were thinking about skipping Ecuador for a while. Maybe it will be safer now ? Thx
The biggest problem is that Ecuador is not a stable country politically. There are fears that there will be new (violent) national strikes later this year.
Could you guys discuss the issue of altitude and how it affects people? I got nervous when I heard that people suffer from the altitude. Also because of cartels and the war i got cold feet, even though Cuenca was my number one preference.....
Thanks for the video I was curious about Ecuador these days I’m looking to move and buy in a tax friendly country Any suggestions. No capital gains Regards Dennis
You are mistaken about the number of expats in the Vilcabamba area. Last estimate 2 to 3000... Not just hippies or retirees. Lots of young families. For more info, get in touch with Jesse at Abundant Living Ecuador.
@@dianamayfield5615 Gentrification would be the obvious reason. Take a village of 4.5k people, add 2k rich immigrants over a period of 10 years, and it's very bad news for any local who doesn't have a business that specifically caters to those immigrants. Hundreds of people must have been driven from their homes.
No, in fact, I would like to live near there. Sadly though, expats have made it almost prohibitively expensive. This is something we should take into account when purchasing property or services. The local economy will never recover, I am afraid.
I'm two years deep in Ecuador and, other than the headlines, seems the same. I live near Quito, take buses into Quito and I take the usual precautions you would take in any part of the world. Every place in the world requires that you take basic precautions, stay aware, and learn where the hot spots are. So ignore the headlines and enjoy an amazing country.
Really liked the interview with Ed. However not sure why he and others feel a need to trash Chicago by saying that Cuenca does not have the violence problem. Is true that Chicago has its share of homicides…like any other big cities in America but to compare a metro area of 7-8+ million to a city of 600k seems unfair. I have lived in Ecuador, Cuenca and Chicago for the past 50 years and I can say that every city has its challenges and benefits.
Sadly some of us get caught up in this red/blue political rivalry and chicago seems to be a convenient punching bag. My advice: come to Chicago and see the city for yourself!
Looking up the stats after your comment. While it’s true Chicago had more than double the murders in 2023 than any other city, when rated out by 100,000 population it doesn’t break the top statistically. This being the case they also were third in violent crime for large cities. Most of the crime in Chicago takes place in certain areas while other areas of the city are safer. Unfortunately Chicago gets a rap for the violence, and in away serves as a good example of what’s happening in Ecuador. Where the news and rumors paint a different picture than what people on the ground are experiencing. www.security.org/resources/most-dangerous-cities/
@@WarrenJulieTravel Agree and thanks for the info. One thing we can all agree on…let’s travel more and see these places for ourselves before passing judgment.
I know 3 people in Ecuador. Every one of them has had a situation with confrontation with thieves, one with guns and home invasion. A famous RUclipsr had a knife pulled on him at the river in Cuenca. This is on film, on RUclips. Ecuador is not safe.
@@relicofgold horrible to hear, who is the RUclipsr? We fortunately don’t know of any of our friends having issues yet. Where are your friends located?
Guys Let's Be Honest...I have been living in Ecuador since 2015 until Now and If we going to describe how is Safety Right Now compare with 4 or 5 years ago...Definitely have been a Change and not for the Good ...I have talk with some others Exps and All then say the same Crime and extorsions and danger have Raise veey Alarmant many exp have desire to leave the Country until things come back to Normal ...Cuenca is One if the few provincy that is more safe but Still you have to be very caution...Unfortunately is the Teue I live in Salinas and every day I see Robbery smugle asalt...and extorsions...many bussines have to close for that...The Gov is doing a great Job but is Not enough yet...
Actually People hate Daniel Noboa And the political system in Ecuador is dreadful 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️. Cuenca is still considered to be the safest city so far.
Not sure since I left, never hit 80 in our time there. Here is a website with averages throughout the year. www.climatestotravel.com/climate/ecuador/cuenca
Cuenca is too cold at night. It’s one the major reasons why people leave. Fortunately, there are cities that do have a real eternal spring climate. Medellin is an example. La Vega de Cundinamarca near Bogotá is another example.
@@gosiagorecka3454 I can introduce you to three couples in Vilcabamba in a PTSD group after their violent home invasions. Ever been hogtied and beaten?
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This interview grave a good perspective on the current situation. I live in Cuenca, am in my upper 70s, live alone, walk around the center of the city and historic district without fear. After dark most streets are well lit. There are people out and about, events are happening. To add to the stats, there are quite a few younger families and digital nomads in our community. It has been a nice addition to to the mix. Thank you, my friends, for the Ecuador update.😊
My wife & I arrived in Quito the day Ecuador began the curfew & spent 30 days in Quito Carolina / city centre & were totally impressed with the way the situation was handled by the government. At no stage did we feel unsafe.
We also traveled north to Mindo & Otavalo and hive nothing but good to report.
We also travelled by road on the local buses from Quito to Cuenca which is where we are at present.
FYI, both my wife & I are over 60yrs old & totally recommend anyone thinking of coming here.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and giving an actual recent experience. I’m glad you enjoyed it there. We loved Ecuador and made great friends there.
I was there too at that time for 2 weeks vacation- and felt safe, travelled around by buses - no issues. Really liked Ecuador
No issues in Cotacachi. I didnt even know anything was going on until we went to Quito when we flying out.
Thank you for the information.😊
Good interview. Ed came across very knowledgeable and sensible with his comments. We have lived here four years and feel that the country is moving in the right direction and taking care of the problems. We feel safe and secure in our original decision to retire here. Thank you again for your interest in Ecuador and Cuenca ❤❤
Thank you for watching and sharing your experience. We hope you enjoy many more years there. We felt Ed did an excellent job. ☺️
You guys look fantastic. I WAS in Cuenca 2 yrs ago...we loved it. VIBRANT city
Thank you. It’s a beautiful city. We really enjoyed our months there.
AMAZING interview, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching us. 😃
Thanks for sharing. Yes visit just cautions
Thanks for commenting.
Excellent video! It's important to just share balanced info, not be promoting areas, we want facts, not biased opinions
That’s our goal with this channel. Thanks for watching.
We are traveling with our two dogs also. Did 11 months in Nicaragua. Now going to do a year in Guatemala, then Mexico for 6 months….then down to South America for a few years-
Manizales, Colombia
Cuenca, Ecuador
Arequipa, Peru
Buenas Aires, Bariloche, and Mar del plata in Argentina.
Maybe a few other places.
Seems like the President has recently made Ecuador a bit safer. Last week we were thinking about skipping Ecuador for a while. Maybe it will be safer now ?
Thx
It sounds like you have quite an itinerary planned! Enjoy.
The biggest problem is that Ecuador is not a stable country politically. There are fears that there will be new (violent) national strikes later this year.
Could you guys discuss the issue of altitude and how it affects people? I got nervous when I heard that people suffer from the altitude. Also because of cartels and the war i got cold feet, even though Cuenca was my number one preference.....
This is a good suggestion. Thanks.☺️
Tonight is 47 degrees in Cuenca, middle of summer. Nope.
I would prefer that to 100*
Cuenca weather was quite beautiful.
Hello Warren & Julie,
Do you know if Ed's Cuenca Expat Magazine is available electronically?
Thanks for letting us know.
Have a great day.
Go to expatsmags.com😃
Thanks for the video
I was curious about Ecuador these days
I’m looking to move and buy in a tax friendly country
Any suggestions. No capital gains
Regards
Dennis
Our recommendation would be Montenegro. We own a place there and love the little country.
And every "expert" tell us that Mexico is not safe either. Mexico is very safe.
We strive to provide honest, balanced information. Accurate information is found through people who actually live in the area.
You are mistaken about the number of expats in the Vilcabamba area. Last estimate 2 to 3000... Not just hippies or retirees. Lots of young families. For more info, get in touch with Jesse at Abundant Living Ecuador.
Thanks for the clarification and the information:)
@dosdas2060 And? Does that mean that you oppose expats settling in the area? Why?
@@dianamayfield5615 Gentrification would be the obvious reason. Take a village of 4.5k people, add 2k rich immigrants over a period of 10 years, and it's very bad news for any local who doesn't have a business that specifically caters to those immigrants. Hundreds of people must have been driven from their homes.
@@BigSlimyBlob I am afraid you are right.
No, in fact, I would like to live near there. Sadly though, expats have made it almost prohibitively expensive. This is something we should take into account when purchasing property or services. The local economy will never recover, I am afraid.
I'm two years deep in Ecuador and, other than the headlines, seems the same. I live near Quito, take buses into Quito and I take the usual precautions you would take in any part of the world. Every place in the world requires that you take basic precautions, stay aware, and learn where the hot spots are. So ignore the headlines and enjoy an amazing country.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experience. 😊
Really liked the interview with Ed. However not sure why he and others feel a need to trash Chicago by saying that Cuenca does not have the violence problem. Is true that Chicago has its share of homicides…like any other big cities in America but to compare a metro area of 7-8+ million to a city of 600k seems unfair. I have lived in Ecuador, Cuenca and Chicago for the past 50 years and I can say that every city has its challenges and benefits.
Sadly some of us get caught up in this red/blue political rivalry and chicago seems to be a convenient punching bag.
My advice: come to Chicago and see the city for yourself!
Looking up the stats after your comment. While it’s true Chicago had more than double the murders in 2023 than any other city, when rated out by 100,000 population it doesn’t break the top statistically. This being the case they also were third in violent crime for large cities. Most of the crime in Chicago takes place in certain areas while other areas of the city are safer. Unfortunately Chicago gets a rap for the violence, and in away serves as a good example of what’s happening in Ecuador. Where the news and rumors paint a different picture than what people on the ground are experiencing.
www.security.org/resources/most-dangerous-cities/
@@WarrenJulieTravel Agree and thanks for the info. One thing we can all agree on…let’s travel more and see these places for ourselves before passing judgment.
There is a number of US citizens in Ecuador that hates everything American. They didn’t make it in the states do now they hate it.
Real
I know 3 people in Ecuador. Every one of them has had a situation with confrontation with thieves, one with guns and home invasion. A famous RUclipsr had a knife pulled on him at the river in Cuenca. This is on film, on RUclips. Ecuador is not safe.
@@relicofgold horrible to hear, who is the RUclipsr? We fortunately don’t know of any of our friends having issues yet. Where are your friends located?
@@WarrenJulieTravel The attacks were in Canoa, Portoviejo, and Cuenca.
❤
😊
Guys Let's Be Honest...I have been living in Ecuador since 2015 until Now and If we going to describe how is Safety Right Now compare with 4 or 5 years ago...Definitely have been a Change and not for the Good ...I have talk with some others Exps and All then say the same Crime and extorsions and danger have Raise veey Alarmant many exp have desire to leave the Country until things come back to Normal ...Cuenca is One if the few provincy that is more safe but Still you have to be very caution...Unfortunately is the Teue I live in Salinas and every day I see Robbery smugle asalt...and extorsions...many bussines have to close for that...The Gov is doing a great Job but is Not enough yet...
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Cuenca is very safe……stay off the coast and be reasonable about safety…Most big cities in USA are less safe then the in the Highlands of Ecuador.
Very good point. Thanks for watching us.
Actually People hate Daniel Noboa
And the political system in Ecuador is dreadful 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️.
Cuenca is still considered to be the safest city so far.
Interesting information.
not true. Cuenca gets to 80F nearly daily in the warmer season. but still very pleasant at night
Not sure since I left, never hit 80 in our time there. Here is a website with averages throughout the year.
www.climatestotravel.com/climate/ecuador/cuenca
Cuenca really does not have a "warm" and "cool" season. The temperature is very constant year around.
i lived there. there are 2 seasons, one a bit warmer but pleasant year round. @@boink800
Not where we live.
Cuenca is too cold at night. It’s one the major reasons why people leave. Fortunately, there are cities that do have a real eternal spring climate. Medellin is an example. La Vega de Cundinamarca near Bogotá is another example.
It is not safe, no question about it!
Says the "expert".
May I ask why you feel this way? Are you currently in Ecuador?
If you are asking the question, it’s safe. If you are simply stating an opinion that happens to be false, then you are wrong.
Some people are scared of their own shadow
@@gosiagorecka3454 I can introduce you to three couples in Vilcabamba in a PTSD group after their violent home invasions. Ever been hogtied and beaten?