My wife and I recently moved to Cuenca, and have our residency now. We rented a 3 bedroom house with an office, unfurnished, on a private gated street for $500 a month. It is on the east side, and not in a gringo neighborhood. Our landlord lives next door, and the first things she did after we signed the contract was to take us out and introduce us to the neighbors! They plugged us into the neighborhood chat also, so we are up on what is happening n the neighborhood. I speak Spanish, so it has been easy to communicate with people here, and I have to say that the Cuencanos are really sweet and helpful people! I am really impressed by them. I can't remember when I knew who my neighbors were in the US. If you speak Spanish, the taxi drivers are a great source of information about the city, they know everything! We are really happy to be here. Good luck with your school in Banos!
Hey Randall! Thanks for sharing! I'm so glad you've settled in well in Cuenca. Knowing Spanish definitely helps and what an amazing deal on your house! Very happy for you. Thanks for your comment. Dave (the man being interviewed) was my Airbnb host in Cuenca. My name is Art and I've been solo traveling for around 9 years now. You can follow some of my story in other videos on my channel. I'm now visiting family and friends in my hometown of São Paulo, Brazil. Cheers!
Hey Sam! Thanks so much for watching. I made this video with people like you in mind so I'm extremely happy it's been helpful to you. I'm sure you'll love Cuenca. Is there anything that wasn't covered in the video that you'd still like to know? i can try to cover it in coming videos. Thanks again my friend for watching and leaving your comment. :-)
@Gringo Nation I'd love a more detailed video on finding an apartment, and maybe a video on getting through culture shock after the first month or so. I'm also in a semi unusual position as I'm in my late 20's and working rather than living as a retired expat. If there's a large enough viewer demographic for it, I'd love to see content geared towards expats around my age.
@@SHMPhotography97 Thanks for sharing! I'll keep the culture shock thing in mind, although being South-American myself, I prob don't feel it as much. And I also have 0 experience looking for an apartment here. But you should join all the relevant FB groups and start asking people for advice. The people who have been living here years can guide you! But my content is definitely geared towards people of your age, so hopefully more useful things to come! 🙂
Art, this video knocked it out of the park for me. Great questions and Dave comes across as a superb resource for anyone wanting to visit Cuenca. Muchas Gracias mi amigos👏🏻👍🙏✌️🤙
Wow, such a rewarding comment! Thank you so much for the kind words! From the moment I met Dave, I knew he'd be a great personality to help people understand what it's like living in Cuenca. Highly recommended Airbnb host! :-) You thinking of coming here? Cheers!
@@GringoNation Hola Art, I’ve recently changed my RUclips channel moniker from GPosner8 to Just Bumming Around as I am getting closer to traveling and want to document my travels. All that said just let you know you didn’t lose me as a subscriber🤣 Ecuador is definitely on my list and it’s great to hear from Dave that the political unrest I’ve read about hasn’t negatively impacted life there too much. Hope you’re well. Safe travels mi amigo✌️🤙🙏
@@GPosner8 Every video you make, you feel more comfortable doing it, which is why you just have to start. And you'll quickly realize no one is paying attention to what you do hahaha. And then it begins... Just start. Doesn't matter if your first videos aren't great. There's a huge learning curve!
My wife (born and raised in rural Georgia) and myself (born and raised in Toronto, Canada) are planning a move in September 2024. We are very excited for the change of pace and atmosphere. We love the outdoors and being out on the water or hiking in the mountains. And luckily neither of us has a diet that we can't live without. I wish there were better databases of commonly asked questions. If you know of anyone that would be of assistance any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Stephenie! Thanks so much for checking out the video and leaving a comment. I hope it was helpful. I (Arthur, the channel owner) have been to Cuenca twice and absolutely love it. I'm sure there are lots of Facebook groups that could give you some of the info you need. Thanks again.
Hey thank you so much sir for this video about my city, im from Cuenca and i live in Des Moines, how crazy? A Cuencano living in the states and a gringo living in Cuenca, i wanted to take the time for this comment to appreciate your video about my beautiful unique city. I always go back and i see the gringo community is huge.! And you guys respect and love the city, so from a Cuencano thank you all!! If you guys need help or anything I’ll be more than happy to help with anything! GRACIAS TOTALES
Hey Patricio! Thanks for watching and sharing! Very cool that you're from Cuenca. I hope the video helped you remember the great things about your city. David still lives there but I (Arthur, the channel owner) left Cuenca earlier this year. I am from Brazil. I've also noticed the foreigners really care for Cuenca and I'm super happy to see that. I hope you're enjoying your time in Des Moines. :-))
Funny that you mentioned Calle Larga. My Airbnb was close by and I stumbled across the Sunshine Cafe. I ate breakfast there each morning alongside several Canadians and fellow Americans. I found Cuenca to be a beautiful city. The mirador in Turi and restaruant row is a wonderful venue to visit. And, the city is so close to getting a brisk hike in glorious Cajas National Park
Lovely to hear, and what you share comports with what I see elsewhere. I have a month familiarity visit in June with the hope that I’ll love it and come back for a long stay. If I get drunk and lose my key, I’m calling you!
Hey Scott! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. I hope you enjoy your stay in Cuenca and fall in love with it just as I have. Unfortunately I'm not in Cuenca anymore, so I won't be able to help you with your keys though 😆 Best of luck with your trip! :-)
Totally loved this video. You nailed everything. 👏 will definitely be in touch for a stay if i make it there this summer. And for plenty of retire there questions if you got time to answer. Thanks so much. 😊
Hey Beau! Thanks so much for watching the video. I have already left Ecuador but there plenty of Facebook Groups you can join and ask people about their experiences in Cuenca. Cheers!
Hey Eric! Thanks so much for watching and leaving a kind comment. Dave was nice enough to be interviewed for my channel and yes, he had lots of great things to share. :-)))
Thank you sir for a fantastic video. I am considering retiring in Equador after being set on the Philippines. You have given me so much to think about.
Hey Robert! I'm glad I was able to give you another option. I (Art, the channel creator, not Dave, the man in the video) also love the Philippines but for now, I'm just an avid traveler since I'm far from retirement age. Best of luck!
I'm planning to come to Cuenca next January and looking for long-term stay if I find it suits me. I speak fair Spanish and while in the Peace Corps I lived in Honduras for 6 years (back about 30 years ago) so I'm sure I won't have a problem adapting to the culture, vamos a ver ;?) I'm retired now and am limited to my SS payments so I really need to find affordable rental, so I hope I can get in contact with you before then, and thanks for the great video!
Hey Russell! Thanks for watching the video. If you know Spanish, you're already well ahead of any other foreigner. I hope you adapt well and enjoy beautiful Cuenca! :-))
Hey! Thanks so much for watching. David was a guest on my channel (I'm the guy at the end) I've left his email in the description if you want to reach out. I'm not in Ecuador anymore... cheers!
Thanks so much for the video! We are going to be in Cuenca the last week of June. I was wondering if you could suggest a couple good long hikes that you can walk to from town.
Hey Alisson! Thanks for watching! :-)) I hope you have a blast in Cuenca! I recommend walking up to the Mirador Turi (even better if sunset) and you can also do loads of hiking at Cajas National Park which is nearby! I'm sure there are plenty of other hikes available, ask around town and people will point you in the right direction!
Interestingly, I find meeting/fitting in with North American expats hard and connecting with people in local Ecuadorian communities easy, socially that is, with doing business being the notable exception. So, the opposite experience of what you describe.
Good afternoon, I just watched your video and it makes me more enthusiastic to visit Cuenca very soon for at least a month ! You talked about Casa Diana Airbnb, can you give me the link for this place please ? Also, which area do you recommand to live in, I dont want to live with gringos but locals ! Thank you very much !
Thanks for watching! I'm sure you'd love Cuenca. Unfortunately Casa Diana is not taking people atm. I recommend staying the city center. That's where all the action is!
Much of the food is pretty bland but there are some stand outs. I love encebollado, humitas and bolones. The trout from the Cajas is delicious as well as the hornado from the many markets. Walking can be hazardous as many drivers pay little attention to pedestrians.
Hey Larry! Thanks for watching. :-) I also like encebollado and humitas. I think the bolones are good in soup but a little dry on their own. I haven't had that trout and I also really like the hornado. I'm also obsessed with corn pancakes!
How do older folks handle the king arduous trip back and forth to areas in the US and Canada every year? A trip can have three or four stops and even 9-24 hours stopover, with all the luggage. And then the drive from Guayaquil or Quito or vice versa???
A major point is that in order to get the Permanent Residency in Ecuador, you must commit to spending 6 months a year in Ecuador. If you aren't ready to stay a full half year to get the permanent residency and to KEEP IT active, you have to renew your TEMPORARY residency each year, which can be a pain even if you don't have to stay a full half year each year. What do you guys think about this?
Hey Javier! Thanks for watching the video. There are 2 Baños near Cuenca, which makes things confusing. One of them is 15 minutes away and the other is 6:30 hours away, so everyone is correct! cheers
Hey Dana! Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful. I’m at Tony’s place in the historical city center and the internet is rock solid. I’m sure it’s just as fine in expat areas
@@GringoNation Thank you. A lot of things are getting pretty out of whack in the US, and for retirees in particular they need to keep track of whatever assets they may have in the states, and for that, many just won't be comfortable without a rock-solid internet connection.
Just the sweatshirt weather alone is HUGE for us. We will make it to Cuenca sometime in the next year or two. Still in Nicaragua until February, then 6 months in Guatemala, 6 months in Mexico ( San Cristobal de las Casas)….. Then, I think 3-6 months in Manaizales, Colombia….then Cuenca ! We can stay in Cuenca for how long on a tourist visa ? 3 months ? Can you get extensions to stay 6 months ? Thx
that sounds incredible! You guys have lots to look forward to. I've enjoyed my time in all of those countries you mentioned. You can stay 3 months in Ecuador. Not entirely sure about extending since I've never done it. Good luck! :-)
Hi, Estela. Thanks for watching! I'm from Brazil (the channel creator, Art) so Portuguese gives me a good starting point for Spanish and traveling through Latin America for a year has helped me improve my Spanish immensely. I'm pretty close to fluent now, I'd say.
My wife and I have recently retired and we have visited Ecuador twice. The first time was in Cuenca and the second time was in Vilcabamba. We got pretty spooked because about two weeks after we flew out back to the states, there was a home invasion and murder up in the mountains of Vilca. I keep hearing issues about political problems and violence. Are these things being overblown? I would like to get the straight scoop from an expat with nothing to gain. One major concern I have is being able to get some specialty items such as vitamins and herbs and some other things to maintain our health. I don't have any serious health issues, however as an example, I have to have a magnesium spray every evening or I get pretty serious cramps in my legs and I'm unable to sleep. So I'm wondering how difficult it is to get unusual items? And I'm not speaking of luxury products.
Hey Rex! Thanks for watching! I hope to see Vilcabamba one day. The life expectancy there is very high, it seems. I've left David's email in the description if you want to ask him any questions. As for my opinion, Ecuador has its dangers like many other countries in the world. It's important to by aware of your surroundings anywhere around the globe. But that wouldn't stop me from living there if I really wanted to. As for medical products, I trust you could find everything there. Much easier than places like the USA, for example. I'm in Colorado right now. My friend got sick last week and she couldn't get antibiotics. In Ecuador it would've been a breeze. Cheers!
Five-year Quito resident here. Reports of crime & violence in Ecuador - except for what occurs among drug gangs, generally on the coast - are severely overblown by the international press & even the US Dept of State.
Is it safe to come to Ecuador right now? Some ppl and news stations are making it seem like it’s so dangerous and overrun by drug cartel. We are going to Quito and seeing sacha lodge in a month and are wondering if we should cancel our trip from all that’s going on. What are your thoughts on this?
Hey, thanks for watching! Well... you know how media can be. The crime rate has been going up in recent years for sure, but that doesn't mean the country is completely overrun by drug cartels. If I were you, I would ask the same question in some Facebook groups of foreigners living in Ecuador. I (Arthur, the channel owner, not Dave) am not in Ecuador anymore so my opinion is less valid. All that said, I wouldn't cancel my trip and just practice caution, like in any other country.
First I would like to bid you salutations and thank you for an informative video. For quite a while I have toyed with the notion of exploring outside of the USA to maybe seek residense in a different part of the world. and for quite a while as well I have been from time to time been viewing videos and publications regarding Cuenca Ecuador. At some point in the very near future I will book a trip there with a budget in mind to better envelope what its likethere for a permanent home. what work would be like, itseems lovely and I speak fluent spanish being from a spsnish speaking ethnicity. I would really want to find places to stay for around two to three weeks so any info on that would be greatly appreciated. God Speed Saludos para Todos en Cuenca. mucho amor y salud, chow
Hola Jose! Thanks for watching and leaving a kind comment. I think it's a great idea to scope out an area before moving there. And great that you speak fluent Spanish. That would be very helpful!
I have 2 years 5 months and I’ve fallen in love with Cuenca, I can’t wait to return, this beautiful city has stolen my heart. I will be calling you Sir, I have a 98 pd. America Pitbull, it seems difficult to find an apartment with a dog.
Hey! Thanks for watching. I can't speak for David but only for myself (Art, the channel creator) Ever since I started traveling full-time 10 years ago, I still haven't found my forever place. Eventually the road starts feeling like home. That said, I do hope to have a home base one day: a place where I can spend 4 months of the year. That's dependent on finances at the moment. Cheers!
I’m going to Cuenca from Guayaquil for 4 days then heading to manta then back. I just wanna know if it’s better to drive or take bus. Like is it really necessary to have a car over there or is everything walking distance. We have an airbnb in the city so we just wanna know what’s better
Cuenca is beautiful, cold/foggy/rainy. Use the local app to call a good taxi! In order to integrate, you must learn Spanish; otherwise, you may have difficulties outside of Cuenca proper. The altitude can really whack you - even if you are healthy (you may have to leave). Friendly people, but like elsewhere keep aware of your surroundings because you look like a gringo. Carry a false wallet containing expired cards, etc. and some cash to appease them. Don’t wear flashy jewelry!!! Be as nice to Cuencans as you want them to be nice to you.
Wonderful video. Thank you. If I moved to Cuenca, there might come a time when I'd be open to dating again. Are the Ecuadorian women open to meeting gringos? Is it extremely difficult? Or, is it best to stick with the expat community?
You got it, J Man! Thanks for watching! I don't think there's a need to limit yourself. You can be open to both. David is married to an Ecuadorian and the other day, my friend from Australia had a date with an Ecuadorian woman too. So from what I see, they seem open. And why not try your luck with the expats too, right? Hope that helps! :-)
Hey James! Thanks for watching. I interviewed Dave for this video however I (Arthur, who runs the channel) don't live in Cuenca. That said, Dave's email is in the description and to answer your question, yes, there's plenty of Thai food in Cuenca. Cheers!
I have an international bank account with WISE, so it was pretty easy to get money out at ATMs and use the card for transactions. Most establishments prefer cash though. Thanks for watching!
Is it a problem walking on the streets and sidewalks in the rain? Isn't being separate from the Ecuadorian people a cause for resentment, especially if it leads to gentrification? How about risks of earthquakes?
Hi Dovy. Thanks for watching. Earthquakes will always be a risk. I experienced a big one there recently. Do be careful on the sidewalks in Cuenca since sometimes there’s a dip along the way. And maybe an Ecuadorian person could answer the gentrification issue with more authority than me. I guess my opinion is that you can’t force people to interact if they don’t want to. Gentrification will happen wether people interact or not because it’s a financial issue. I myself tend to interact with both foreigners and locals wherever I am in the world.
@@GringoNation Thanks for your comments. I guess I was expressing the usual concern of the ultimate or eventual negative reaction to an "influx" of expat "refugees" who on the one hand don't want to be part of the society and whose presence and economic activity will raise their costs of living, etc. Then I was thinking about the residency issue that requires living in Ecuador for at least 6 months to obtain and retain the residency.
@@dovygoodguy1296 yes, I understand but those expats are already there and more will come regardless of whether you go or not. All you can do is act in whatever manner you find appropriate. About the residency, I don’t know a lot about it. I’ve been 2 Cuenca twice. Both times on tourist visas. There’s a channel called Eric and Sandy. They know more about it than me.
Hey Vincenza! Thanks so much for watching the video. Just to be clear, my name is Art, I'm 38 years old and I'm from São Paulo Brazil. I've spent the last 9 years of my life traveling around the world and in Cuenca I stayed at Dave's Airbnb (the man in the video) and so I decided to interview him about life in Cuenca, since I know there's plenty of people looking for this information. I do think you could potentially live with more quality of life outside of the USA. I have another video on the subject, if you wanna watch it. It's called STOP RENTING AND START TRAVELING. Hope it helps! Cheers. :-)
See more of Cuenca! ruclips.net/video/64dOlML_akc/видео.html&ab_channel=GringoNation
My wife and I recently moved to Cuenca, and have our residency now. We rented a 3 bedroom house with an office, unfurnished, on a private gated street for $500 a month. It is on the east side, and not in a gringo neighborhood. Our landlord lives next door, and the first things she did after we signed the contract was to take us out and introduce us to the neighbors! They plugged us into the neighborhood chat also, so we are up on what is happening n the neighborhood. I speak Spanish, so it has been easy to communicate with people here, and I have to say that the Cuencanos are really sweet and helpful people! I am really impressed by them. I can't remember when I knew who my neighbors were in the US. If you speak Spanish, the taxi drivers are a great source of information about the city, they know everything! We are really happy to be here. Good luck with your school in Banos!
Hey Randall! Thanks for sharing! I'm so glad you've settled in well in Cuenca. Knowing Spanish definitely helps and what an amazing deal on your house! Very happy for you. Thanks for your comment. Dave (the man being interviewed) was my Airbnb host in Cuenca. My name is Art and I've been solo traveling for around 9 years now. You can follow some of my story in other videos on my channel. I'm now visiting family and friends in my hometown of São Paulo, Brazil. Cheers!
I'm looking to move to cuenca in the next 6 months, and this video was a lovely source of inspiration for me.
Hey Sam! Thanks so much for watching. I made this video with people like you in mind so I'm extremely happy it's been helpful to you. I'm sure you'll love Cuenca. Is there anything that wasn't covered in the video that you'd still like to know? i can try to cover it in coming videos. Thanks again my friend for watching and leaving your comment. :-)
@Gringo Nation I'd love a more detailed video on finding an apartment, and maybe a video on getting through culture shock after the first month or so. I'm also in a semi unusual position as I'm in my late 20's and working rather than living as a retired expat. If there's a large enough viewer demographic for it, I'd love to see content geared towards expats around my age.
@@SHMPhotography97 Thanks for sharing! I'll keep the culture shock thing in mind, although being South-American myself, I prob don't feel it as much. And I also have 0 experience looking for an apartment here. But you should join all the relevant FB groups and start asking people for advice. The people who have been living here years can guide you! But my content is definitely geared towards people of your age, so hopefully more useful things to come! 🙂
Art, this video knocked it out of the park for me. Great questions and Dave comes across as a superb resource for anyone wanting to visit Cuenca. Muchas Gracias mi amigos👏🏻👍🙏✌️🤙
Wow, such a rewarding comment! Thank you so much for the kind words! From the moment I met Dave, I knew he'd be a great personality to help people understand what it's like living in Cuenca. Highly recommended Airbnb host! :-) You thinking of coming here? Cheers!
@@GringoNation Hola Art, I’ve recently changed my RUclips channel moniker from GPosner8 to Just Bumming Around as I am getting closer to traveling and want to document my travels. All that said just let you know you didn’t lose me as a subscriber🤣 Ecuador is definitely on my list and it’s great to hear from Dave that the political unrest I’ve read about hasn’t negatively impacted life there too much. Hope you’re well. Safe travels mi amigo✌️🤙🙏
@@GPosner8 oh hey Geoffrey! Nice new moniker! Will you be creating some videos during your travels?
@@GringoNation I do plan on making “content” but I’ll admit it’s a bit intimidating.
@@GPosner8 Every video you make, you feel more comfortable doing it, which is why you just have to start. And you'll quickly realize no one is paying attention to what you do hahaha. And then it begins... Just start. Doesn't matter if your first videos aren't great. There's a huge learning curve!
I have been to Cuenca twice - for a total of about 3 weeks. I absolutely loved it. Can't wait to get back. I absolutely LOVE Cajas.
So cool! Thanks for checking out the video. I've also been to Cuenca twice now and hope to return again. Especially since I didn't get to see Cajas.
My wife (born and raised in rural Georgia) and myself (born and raised in Toronto, Canada) are planning a move in September 2024. We are very excited for the change of pace and atmosphere. We love the outdoors and being out on the water or hiking in the mountains. And luckily neither of us has a diet that we can't live without. I wish there were better databases of commonly asked questions. If you know of anyone that would be of assistance any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Stephenie! Thanks so much for checking out the video and leaving a comment. I hope it was helpful. I (Arthur, the channel owner) have been to Cuenca twice and absolutely love it. I'm sure there are lots of Facebook groups that could give you some of the info you need. Thanks again.
Good for you integrating with your Ecuadorian hosts❤
Thank you for this very informative video.
Glad it was helpful and I appreciate this comment! :-)
Hey thank you so much sir for this video about my city, im from Cuenca and i live in Des Moines, how crazy? A Cuencano living in the states and a gringo living in Cuenca, i wanted to take the time for this comment to appreciate your video about my beautiful unique city. I always go back and i see the gringo community is huge.! And you guys respect and love the city, so from a Cuencano thank you all!! If you guys need help or anything I’ll be more than happy to help with anything! GRACIAS TOTALES
Hey Patricio! Thanks for watching and sharing! Very cool that you're from Cuenca. I hope the video helped you remember the great things about your city. David still lives there but I (Arthur, the channel owner) left Cuenca earlier this year. I am from Brazil. I've also noticed the foreigners really care for Cuenca and I'm super happy to see that. I hope you're enjoying your time in Des Moines. :-))
You need to visit Manabí and try : encebollado, ceviche, viche, corviche, guariche, etc...
Funny that you mentioned Calle Larga. My Airbnb was close by and I stumbled across the Sunshine Cafe. I ate breakfast there each morning alongside several Canadians and fellow Americans. I found Cuenca to be a beautiful city. The mirador in Turi and restaruant row is a wonderful venue to visit. And, the city is so close to getting a brisk hike in glorious Cajas National Park
Glad you had such an enjoyable experience in Cuenca! I didn't make it to Cajas unfortunately. Maybe next time. Thanks for watching!
Love the video, ty for taking the time to make it!🎉
Thanks for taking the time to leave a kind comment too. :-)
I spent almost 5 months there on an extended exploratory trip last. I'm going back in June..hopefully for good this time.
That's awesome! Glad you got some time to explore Cuenca. I also hope it's definitive when you go back in June. :-) Best of luck my friend!
Lovely to hear, and what you share comports with what I see elsewhere. I have a month familiarity visit in June with the hope that I’ll love it and come back for a long stay. If I get drunk and lose my key, I’m calling you!
Hey Scott! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. I hope you enjoy your stay in Cuenca and fall in love with it just as I have. Unfortunately I'm not in Cuenca anymore, so I won't be able to help you with your keys though 😆 Best of luck with your trip! :-)
The best informative video I’ve seen on Cuenca
Thank you
Hey Eric! That’s very nice of you! Thanks you for watching and leaving a kind comment. Hope you’ll continue to follow the adventures! :-)
Very informative and helpful video. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it.
You got it, Malcom! I'm very glad it was useful to you. Thanks for watching and leaving a kind comment. :-)
Been in Cuenca 3 years ! Best place on the planet to retire
Happy to hear that! :-) Thanks for checking this out.
Totally loved this video. You nailed everything. 👏 will definitely be in touch for a stay if i make it there this summer. And for plenty of retire there questions if you got time to answer. Thanks so much. 😊
Hey Beau! Thanks so much for watching the video. I have already left Ecuador but there plenty of Facebook Groups you can join and ask people about their experiences in Cuenca. Cheers!
I like your info and your honesty ❤
Hey Eric! Thanks so much for watching and leaving a kind comment. Dave was nice enough to be interviewed for my channel and yes, he had lots of great things to share. :-)))
Dude looks Ecuadorian
Thank you so much for the information.
U got it, John! Thanks for watching. :-)
Thank you sir for a fantastic video. I am considering retiring in Equador after being set on the Philippines. You have given me so much to think about.
Hey Robert! I'm glad I was able to give you another option. I (Art, the channel creator, not Dave, the man in the video) also love the Philippines but for now, I'm just an avid traveler since I'm far from retirement age. Best of luck!
I'm planning to come to Cuenca next January and looking for long-term stay if I find it suits me. I speak fair Spanish and while in the Peace Corps I lived in Honduras for 6 years (back about 30 years ago) so I'm sure I won't have a problem adapting to the culture, vamos a ver ;?) I'm retired now and am limited to my SS payments so I really need to find affordable rental, so I hope I can get in contact with you before then, and thanks for the great video!
Hey Russell! Thanks for watching the video. If you know Spanish, you're already well ahead of any other foreigner. I hope you adapt well and enjoy beautiful Cuenca! :-))
Yes. Plenty to see to Eat.etc...
Thank you for the great video.
U got it, James! I appreciate you watching!
Great informative video☕️
Hi, Mary! Thanks so much for watching and leaving a kind comment. Indeed Dave provided me with lots of great insights on Cuenca! :-)
Great information, thanks. Wanted to ask you a few questions about obtaining a Ecuadorian Visa. Thanks David
Hey! Thanks so much for watching. David was a guest on my channel (I'm the guy at the end) I've left his email in the description if you want to reach out. I'm not in Ecuador anymore... cheers!
Great video!
Thanks for watching, Phoenix!
Bienvenido jente como tu necesita cuenca , integrarse a su cultura su jente su idiosincrasia te hace mejor
Thanks so much for the video! We are going to be in Cuenca the last week of June. I was wondering if you could suggest a couple good long hikes that you can walk to from town.
Hey Alisson! Thanks for watching! :-)) I hope you have a blast in Cuenca! I recommend walking up to the Mirador Turi (even better if sunset) and you can also do loads of hiking at Cajas National Park which is nearby! I'm sure there are plenty of other hikes available, ask around town and people will point you in the right direction!
As a Canadian i think we would fit right in. We are a lot like the natives in that we are gerally polite and respectful.
Agreed! Thanks for watching! :-)
Interestingly, I find meeting/fitting in with North American expats hard and connecting with people in local Ecuadorian communities easy, socially that is, with doing business being the notable exception. So, the opposite experience of what you describe.
Great video with good info. Does he still have the Airbnb? Link does not work.
Really appreciate it, Joanna! I think there’s a chance they might be staying at their own Airbnb at the moment. Enjoy Cuenca!
Good afternoon, I just watched your video and it makes me more enthusiastic to visit Cuenca very soon for at least a month ! You talked about Casa Diana Airbnb, can you give me the link for this place please ? Also, which area do you recommand to live in, I dont want to live with gringos but locals ! Thank you very much !
Thanks for watching! I'm sure you'd love Cuenca. Unfortunately Casa Diana is not taking people atm. I recommend staying the city center. That's where all the action is!
@@GringoNation Muchissimas gracias
Much of the food is pretty bland but there are some stand outs. I love encebollado, humitas and bolones. The trout from the Cajas is delicious as well as the hornado from the many markets. Walking can be hazardous as many drivers pay little attention to pedestrians.
Hey Larry! Thanks for watching. :-) I also like encebollado and humitas. I think the bolones are good in soup but a little dry on their own. I haven't had that trout and I also really like the hornado. I'm also obsessed with corn pancakes!
Enjoyed this video, I can see your love for the people.
How do older folks handle the king arduous trip back and forth to areas in the US and Canada every year? A trip can have three or four stops and even 9-24 hours stopover, with all the luggage. And then the drive from Guayaquil or Quito or vice versa???
A major point is that in order to get the Permanent Residency in Ecuador, you must commit to spending 6 months a year in Ecuador. If you aren't ready to stay a full half year to get the permanent residency and to KEEP IT active, you have to renew your TEMPORARY residency each year, which can be a pain even if you don't have to stay a full half year each year. What do you guys think about this?
Sorry incorrect. You are allowed to leave the country for up to 90 days with a temporary visa to qualify for a permanent one.
Thanks!
Wow, Diane! That was so nice of you! I'm glad this video was helpful and I wish you the best of luck going forward. :-)))
@@GringoNation thank you for the great video
Thank you
thanks for watching, Eric! Hope it was helpful
I think you made a mistake saying Baños is 15 minutes away from Cuenca. Baños is 6 hours in 30 minutes away from Cuenca.
Hey Javier! Thanks for watching the video. There are 2 Baños near Cuenca, which makes things confusing. One of them is 15 minutes away and the other is 6:30 hours away, so everyone is correct! cheers
Hey bro go to mayancela sinincay...is nice place🤝
Very interested in searching out Cuenca.
Great place to explore! Cheers. :-)
Thank You, very informative. Can you get rock solid internet in your abode if in an expat area ?
Hey Dana! Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful. I’m at Tony’s place in the historical city center and the internet is rock solid. I’m sure it’s just as fine in expat areas
@@GringoNation Thank you. A lot of things are getting pretty out of whack in the US, and for retirees in particular they need to keep track of whatever assets they may have in the states, and for that, many just won't be comfortable without a rock-solid internet connection.
have you guys seen if theres a lot of dog poop in Cuenca. Seems to be all over the place in Cota
I didn't really seem to notice to much dog poop during my time in Cuenca, Jean. Thanks for checking out the video!
Just the sweatshirt weather alone is HUGE for us. We will make it to Cuenca sometime in the next year or two.
Still in Nicaragua until February, then 6 months in Guatemala, 6 months in Mexico ( San Cristobal de las Casas)…..
Then, I think 3-6 months in Manaizales, Colombia….then Cuenca !
We can stay in Cuenca for how long on a tourist visa ? 3 months ? Can you get extensions to stay 6 months ? Thx
that sounds incredible! You guys have lots to look forward to. I've enjoyed my time in all of those countries you mentioned. You can stay 3 months in Ecuador. Not entirely sure about extending since I've never done it. Good luck! :-)
Great...to hear..+++..results...So how u doing w Spanish..???🇪🇨
Hi, Estela. Thanks for watching! I'm from Brazil (the channel creator, Art) so Portuguese gives me a good starting point for Spanish and traveling through Latin America for a year has helped me improve my Spanish immensely. I'm pretty close to fluent now, I'd say.
My wife and I have recently retired and we have visited Ecuador twice. The first time was in Cuenca and the second time was in
Vilcabamba. We got pretty spooked because about two weeks after we flew out back to the states, there was a home invasion and murder up in the mountains of Vilca. I keep hearing issues about political problems and violence. Are these things being overblown? I would like to get the straight scoop from an expat with nothing to gain. One major concern I have is being able to get some specialty items such as vitamins and herbs and some other things to maintain our health. I don't have any serious health issues, however as an example, I have to have a magnesium spray every evening or I get pretty serious cramps in my legs and I'm unable to sleep. So I'm wondering how difficult it is to get unusual items? And I'm not speaking of luxury products.
Hey Rex! Thanks for watching! I hope to see Vilcabamba one day. The life expectancy there is very high, it seems. I've left David's email in the description if you want to ask him any questions. As for my opinion, Ecuador has its dangers like many other countries in the world. It's important to by aware of your surroundings anywhere around the globe. But that wouldn't stop me from living there if I really wanted to. As for medical products, I trust you could find everything there. Much easier than places like the USA, for example. I'm in Colorado right now. My friend got sick last week and she couldn't get antibiotics. In Ecuador it would've been a breeze. Cheers!
Five-year Quito resident here. Reports of crime & violence in Ecuador - except for what occurs among drug gangs, generally on the coast - are severely overblown by the international press & even the US Dept of State.
What is the weather and seasons like for gardening and growing trees? Looking for starting a farm or ranch but I need rainfall
Excelent video.
Hey Martin! Thanks so much for watching and leaving a kind comment. :-) i hope it was helpful. :-)
I like your honesty. "Foreigner" not "ex-pat". I look forward to Ecuador again.
Thanks for watching! It was a pleasure having Dave on the channel. Glad you enjoyed Ecuador as much as we have.
Is it safe to come to Ecuador right now? Some ppl and news stations are making it seem like it’s so dangerous and overrun by drug cartel. We are going to Quito and seeing sacha lodge in a month and are wondering if we should cancel our trip from all that’s going on. What are your thoughts on this?
Hey, thanks for watching! Well... you know how media can be. The crime rate has been going up in recent years for sure, but that doesn't mean the country is completely overrun by drug cartels. If I were you, I would ask the same question in some Facebook groups of foreigners living in Ecuador. I (Arthur, the channel owner, not Dave) am not in Ecuador anymore so my opinion is less valid. All that said, I wouldn't cancel my trip and just practice caution, like in any other country.
I love this video :D
I'm interested in buying land there , still figuring out where to go
Thanks so much for watching! I don’t know Ecuador extensively but I do know I love Cuenca! :-)
@@GringoNation Thanks for the video ,it was very helpful. It is good to know someone when moving to another country
First I would like to bid you salutations and thank you for an informative video. For quite a while I have toyed with the notion of exploring outside of the USA to maybe seek residense in a different part of the world. and for quite a while as well I have been from time to time been viewing videos and publications regarding Cuenca Ecuador. At some point in the very near future I will book a trip there with a budget in mind to better envelope what its likethere for a permanent home. what work would be like, itseems lovely and I speak fluent spanish being from a spsnish speaking ethnicity. I would really want to find places to stay for around two to three weeks so any info on that would be greatly appreciated. God Speed Saludos para Todos en Cuenca. mucho amor y salud, chow
Hola Jose! Thanks for watching and leaving a kind comment. I think it's a great idea to scope out an area before moving there. And great that you speak fluent Spanish. That would be very helpful!
I have 2 years 5 months and I’ve fallen in love with Cuenca, I can’t wait to return, this beautiful city has stolen my heart. I will be calling you Sir, I have a 98 pd. America Pitbull, it seems difficult to find an apartment with a dog.
Totally understand how Cuenca stole your heart, Tony! I hope you'll find a spot for you and your dog. :-)
Do you feel like this is your forever place there? You been to a lot of places in world, wondering if that is the place for you
Hey! Thanks for watching. I can't speak for David but only for myself (Art, the channel creator) Ever since I started traveling full-time 10 years ago, I still haven't found my forever place. Eventually the road starts feeling like home. That said, I do hope to have a home base one day: a place where I can spend 4 months of the year. That's dependent on finances at the moment. Cheers!
I’m going to Cuenca from Guayaquil for 4 days then heading to manta then back. I just wanna know if it’s better to drive or take bus. Like is it really necessary to have a car over there or is everything walking distance. We have an airbnb in the city so we just wanna know what’s better
Hi, Brianna! Thanks for watching. IMO there's no need for a car in Cuenca. You can walk just about anywhere and they also have trams.
Cuenca is beautiful, cold/foggy/rainy. Use the local app to call a good taxi! In order to integrate, you must learn Spanish; otherwise, you may have difficulties outside of Cuenca proper. The altitude can really whack you - even if you are healthy (you may have to leave). Friendly people, but like elsewhere keep aware of your surroundings because you look like a gringo. Carry a false wallet containing expired cards, etc. and some cash to appease them. Don’t wear flashy jewelry!!! Be as nice to Cuencans as you want them to be nice to you.
Thanks for joining and contributing to the convo with helpful tips! I stand behind these. :-)
Wonderful video. Thank you. If I moved to Cuenca, there might come a time when I'd be open to dating again. Are the Ecuadorian women open to meeting gringos? Is it extremely difficult? Or, is it best to stick with the expat community?
You got it, J Man! Thanks for watching! I don't think there's a need to limit yourself. You can be open to both. David is married to an Ecuadorian and the other day, my friend from Australia had a date with an Ecuadorian woman too. So from what I see, they seem open. And why not try your luck with the expats too, right? Hope that helps! :-)
@@GringoNation This gringo is tired of gringos 😀
Coffee ☕ are there cafe on the streets?
He said to ask him about living there…. How do I contact him?
his email is in the description
Any thai. Food
Geeat vid. We'll ggive u a call,we think we might love this place
Hey James! Thanks for watching. I interviewed Dave for this video however I (Arthur, who runs the channel) don't live in Cuenca. That said, Dave's email is in the description and to answer your question, yes, there's plenty of Thai food in Cuenca. Cheers!
what people do about banking. can u use ur american bank running around town?
I have an international bank account with WISE, so it was pretty easy to get money out at ATMs and use the card for transactions. Most establishments prefer cash though. Thanks for watching!
So no blunt talk to the locals
Is it a problem walking on the streets and sidewalks in the rain? Isn't being separate from the Ecuadorian people a cause for resentment, especially if it leads to gentrification? How about risks of earthquakes?
Hi Dovy. Thanks for watching. Earthquakes will always be a risk. I experienced a big one there recently. Do be careful on the sidewalks in Cuenca since sometimes there’s a dip along the way. And maybe an Ecuadorian person could answer the gentrification issue with more authority than me. I guess my opinion is that you can’t force people to interact if they don’t want to. Gentrification will happen wether people interact or not because it’s a financial issue. I myself tend to interact with both foreigners and locals wherever I am in the world.
@@GringoNation Thanks for your comments. I guess I was expressing the usual concern of the ultimate or eventual negative reaction to an "influx" of expat "refugees" who on the one hand don't want to be part of the society and whose presence and economic activity will raise their costs of living, etc. Then I was thinking about the residency issue that requires living in Ecuador for at least 6 months to obtain and retain the residency.
@@dovygoodguy1296 yes, I understand but those expats are already there and more will come regardless of whether you go or not. All you can do is act in whatever manner you find appropriate. About the residency, I don’t know a lot about it. I’ve been 2 Cuenca twice. Both times on tourist visas. There’s a channel called Eric and Sandy. They know more about it than me.
they have international schools for kids?
hey, thanks for watching! Good question. I honestly have no idea, but I imagine they probably do.
I want to become one with the culture. I however do not drink.
no problem with that. Thanks for watching!
can we talk, im looking to move
I'm 59, I'm low income in usa. I'm humble, want to live simple. Can we be friends so I can find out more?
Hey Vincenza! Thanks so much for watching the video. Just to be clear, my name is Art, I'm 38 years old and I'm from São Paulo Brazil. I've spent the last 9 years of my life traveling around the world and in Cuenca I stayed at Dave's Airbnb (the man in the video) and so I decided to interview him about life in Cuenca, since I know there's plenty of people looking for this information. I do think you could potentially live with more quality of life outside of the USA. I have another video on the subject, if you wanna watch it. It's called STOP RENTING AND START TRAVELING. Hope it helps! Cheers. :-)
You forgot to tell your viewers to learn Spanish. Don't expect or get pissed because Cuencanos don't speak English.
Yes, well put! Always good to brush up on Spanish skills. Thanks for watching!
Gee a supermarket, 😆 lol
Sone of many divorcces need to live overseas aftervthe wife takes half
So, you really are not a foodie - you still want to eat your American food! LOL!