Ecuador Expats - Life on a $1,775 Monthly Budget (Cuenca Ecuador Cost of Living)
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- čas přidán 9. 12. 2020
- This video is meant to show the quality of life you can experience as a couple on $1,775 a month in Cuenca Ecuador 2020 / 2021
Ecuador is affordable, and the lifestyle you can have on a typical Social Security check of $1,500 a month for a single person or $2,500 for a couple is very attractive. Budgets vary, and many live in Cuenca Ecuador on much less than $1,500 and others far exceed $1,500. We've met people living on under $1,000 while we've been here, so that is a possibility.
See our $1,500 Cuenca Ecuador Quality of Life video: • Cuenca Ecuador on a $1...
See our $1,039 Cuenca Ecuador Quality of Life video: • Cuenca Ecuador Expat...
More information about Residency Visas for Ecuador: • Ecuador Residency Visa...
If you are living in Cuenca Ecuador or are considering moving to Ecuador You'll want to follow Cuenca Expat Magazine at: expatsmags.com/
Cuenca Expats Magazine is the largest English-language publication in Ecuador. Half (10,000) of all native English-speaking expats live in Cuenca. As the “unofficial” voice of Cuenca’s expat community, our magazine is a trusted source for business and services. Cuenca Expats Magazine’s mission is to help build a stronger, more cohesive expat community and assist in their integration into Cuenca society as new and productive citizens.
If you are looking for a place in Cuenca use our affiliate link on AirBnb, we do make a commission on this but your rates are not impacted. www.airbnb.com/associates/168...
Julie and I retired early not by luck but by planning.
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If you wish to contact us email: warrenjulietravel@gmail.com
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#Expats #Nomads #InternationalLiving
Our deepest condolences to Tom. His wife and our dear friend Louise passed away April 10th 2021.
😔 Condolences to Tom and their family.
Oh that's terrible.....I feel so sorry for them...condolences to Tom and his family....
Deepest condolences to Tom. Just when they started to enjoy retirement.
That's so sad. Condolences to Tom and family.
Condolences Tom :(
OMG! YOU'RE KILLING ME, BARELY STARTED WATCHING THIS VIDEO AND ALREADY IN LOVE - I WANT TO LIVE THERE
Thank, We're glad you're enjoying the videos.
I’m from Cuenca. Love your videos. I hope everyone who wants to come to Cuenca have a welcoming stay
Thanks we appreciate that 😁♥️🇪🇨
Please thank this lovely couple for tracking their exact expenses. It is truly helpful.
We will, thanks for watching. 😁
RIP Louise,would’ve loved to have met you, my condolences to Tom, and congratulations on your new wife, and wish you both health and happiness.
She was a lovely woman.
Love this video, our tour operator EcuaTouring had the honor to guide this lovely couple around Otavalo and Cotacachi area, when they first came to Ecuador back in 2018 to explore the country, I did not know they where living in Ecuador til I saw their video, happy to know they loved Ecuador and moved here.!!
I am packing my things an I am moving back to Ecuador next year!!! LOVE IT LOVE IT !!
👍♥️🇪🇨
I lived there for almost a year - please don't believe everything you see. Life in any SA country is going to be a big challenge if you do not speak Spanish and of you're expecting American or modern conveniences.
Tom you look so happy, you gave me such a good vibe. You are very welcome in Ecuador, hope you like my country 🤩
There needs to be a clarification, at 15:46 Warren says that they pay a $20 co-pay. It's not a Co-pay, the doctor they were going to, now we go to. A doctor visit is $20.00 - no insurance, no paper work, no deductible, no secretary staff, no credit card - just hand him a 20. We're talking a 45 minute visit. No different than paying for any other service, like a haircut, massage or a manicure. He speaks English like any other expat and is extremely pleasant. (tom)
True.
Great video with good information. After living in Ecuador for 18 months this info is spot on.
Thanks for confirming 😁
Thanks for the information!!!
Thanks for watching 😊😊
Thank you! What a sweet couple. Blessings!! 😊
You are so kind
Awesome video Thank you 🙌
Thanks we appreciate you 😁
Nice video, LOVE Ecuador and the Cost of Living is unreal.
It's a great place and cost of living is excellent.
Only halfway through and I must say....absolutely gorgeous house!!!!
Thanks we appreciate your comments 😁
It was very interesting,
Thank you
Thanks we appreciate you watching 😁
Soon I will be moving to Cuenca and start teaching you guys Tango. You gonna love it. I am just waiting for this virus to calm and go there
Join our Facebook group to connect with our Ecuador friends. 👍
You have to try Negroni next to the main square/park downtown across from the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion. Great food, awesome view. A bit expensive for Ecuador, however. For 4 of us we pent about $110 with 2 of us having alcoholic drinks. No reservations required to sit in the outside area, but are required to dine indoors.
nice thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching 😁
We love you guys and all the people that you do videos with. And thank you so much
Thanks so much ♥️♥️
Very nice couple
Yes they are! 😁
Beautiful.
An excellent video. Thank you!
had 1-800 GOT JUNK to empty my 880 sq. 2 bedroom apartment, and I moved to Mexico with the shoes on my feet and one suitcase and a backpack. I live in a beautiful furnished apartment, that includes everything, and I only buy food,water and drinks. (non alcohol) I always gave stuff away, but at 79, it was time to let go of everything.
Let go and let God always
.
Karma never loses an address. We reap what we have sown.
Wow you guys are living good in ecuador the rent is so cheap i like that
It is
Beautiful house for sure. I love all the sunlight and high ceilings.
I prefer a ranch style house as I get increasingly tired of climbing stairs. Long term I’d rather have everything on one level.
These Ecuador expat budget videos get kinda funny lol. They go from $700 USD up and up and up....lol. I’m gonna call it $1K and of you want to pay more you most certainly can.
Thanks, very true. It all depends on how much you wish to spend.
@@WarrenJulieTravel yup indeed. I’ve heard Vilcabamba is optimally affordable in Ecuador.
@@onedirection3510 I like Vilcabamba and the weather, it’s a bit on the small side though which surprises many people since it is so well known.
@@WarrenJulieTravel interesting. How would you compare it to Loja?
@@onedirection3510 we have video on both locations from August. Loja is larger a little cooler and not many Expats, or English speakers, about 200k population. Vilcabamba is full of Expats maybe 10-15% and a population of about 5k, it is warm and sunny there, but not very humid.
I'm arriving May 1 to stay. I'm excited and terrified at the same time. 😁
Congratulations in taking the first step into your new life.
You are very good person
☺️
Very nice
Thank you for watching us ☺️
I love your videos!!! Couple of questions...does either of them speak spanish and why did they come to Ecuador? Why not some place else? Keep it coming!
Start watching around 9:50 on why they chose Ecuador. They are trying to learn some Spanish, but they don’t speak much currently. Thanks for watching 😁
Myself (Tom), I am focusing on learning Spanish diligently, I use a tutorial web page that we purchased. There are 42 - twenty minute video classes plus a work book and a 24 to 84 flash card like quiz after every class (English to Spanish and Spanish to English). I'm only up to class 22. I re-watch them numerous times to master that class's concept and recall all the new words. I'm up to about 100 non-congegated verbs - ar, er and ir verbs. One group of say 4 classes might be multiple ways to use Necesito - then Necesita, then turning that into questions as in "I need to wash my car' to 'do you need to wash your car'. The classes really emphasize the correct pronunciation of Spanish words - this makes a big difference and is very important. Plus I started sitting down with my 20 year old next door neighbor - who speaks English very well. We do an hour and a half once a week. We fill in the odd bits that I don't get from the web class. We also discuss Ecuadorean culture. I try to speak Spanish every chance I get, to the cabby, stores, restaurant, neighbors, etc. Half the time the Cuencanos respond in English, so obviously I need lots of practice. Louise for now - well not so much.
Yes. Learn Spanish. Local are not crazy about American expats living in their own bubble
@@louiseluster5020 could you please tell us the name of the tutorial web page?
I hope you can give more information about the health coverage in Ecuador as you mention going into a $100 monthly cost.
I’ll be interviewing a guy today. Video to come.
Rest in peace, Louise. She was a dear friend and cherished colleague and is greatly missed.
We will miss her.
Please visit our website www.WarrenJulieTravel.com
For information on International Medical Insurance, our Amazon store, services we recommend, contact information and more.
A very Nices house
Thanks
When i was living in N.Y. i was paying rent 1.500 a month for 2 bed rooms that's why i left N.Y.
Yes NY is crazy expensive
Curious how the elevation is impacting them after a few months. I have heard many expats moving to Cuenca experienced challenges with their health and breathing opting to return to the US or move to the coast. Is there a comparable coastal town you would recommend? One that is safe for expats, reasonably priced with nice weather?
They are doing fine, most people adjust well. Lower altitude areas are Vilcabamba, Mindo, Banos, which have expat communities and Olon on the coast.
This reply is from the husband in the video - Tom. Here is my opinion based on my experience after 4 months in Cuenca.
We went up and hiked in the Cajas National Park on Wednesday with a guide named Wilson, who was extremely knowledgeable about all the flora and fauna. He was born and raised in Cuenca and has been a guide for 15 years. He speaks 4 languages. We hiked the lower Cajas, had lunch, then drove further up to the upper Cajas. The upper Cajas is at 13,400 feet above sea level. I only got winded on the up hill parts and I'm 63, and that was mainly due to the large stone steps (I shouldn't really call them steps). I was recently on the Isla de la Plata off Puerto Lopez, and trust me I thought I was going to die climbing that hill (and we were at sea level err 34 flights above sea level according to my step counter). Back to the upper Cajas, I must admit that I was conscious that there was a little light headedness, but I'd only rate the discomfort at a 1.5 out of ten. Our friend visiting from Texas, who joined us is also 63 and agreed on my assessment. We both inquired to our guide about altitude sickness and he said he has studied the subject thoroughly and that only 1% of common people get altitude sickness or discomfort in Cuenca at 8400 feet and maybe a little bit more in Quito which is at 9200 feet. Mind you, you will get winded in Cuenca when you arrive but your body adapts quickly. Our guide did not like the idea of how much 'altitude sickness' is discussed regarding Cuenca. He considers it a nonissue. I tend to think probably most people use it as an excuse when they choose to leave Cuenca to sound 'nice' ... "Oh I really loved it there but well, the altitude is really tough."
Hi Warren & Julie, do you recall how far outside of "El Centro" this home was?
Related, do you have an idea which Tranvia stop would be closest?
Thanks for your help.
R.I.P. Louise
No, sorry, it’s been quite a while. I really don’t think it was near El Centro. I vaguely recall about 20 minutes walk or more.
@@WarrenJulieTravel Thanks
Warren, can you please tell me how they found this home, was it advertised somewhere or by word of mouth? i got two more years in the States so want to know how to go about finding a similar home. thank you again!
Keep an eye out for rentals on Gringopost.com there is a real-estate section.
We used Craigs list from the states. Set up a video call with the landlord. Our landlord is very nice and almost acts like family. Sent our deposit to secure our intentions thru Western Union. Don't know if this is the best way to send money but it worked for us. Some people start with an AirBNB or a long term hotel on arrive, then look with a local rental agent in town. We liked the idea of moving right in upon arrival.
How you found beautiful houses like that? I am planning to relocate in Ecuador next year but I have no idea where to start
Look at real estate on Gringopost.com
I hope to be a friend not a viewer some time in 2021. Such interesting housing designs in Ecuador. Tell their landlord I want this house when they leave! Would they adopt me?
Lol 😁 we’d love to be your friends but we will be on our way to explore Europe in 2021.
I thing they were referring to us😁👫 ...kidding
So Laura, hows your cooking skills?😀
@@louiseluster5020 Excellent!
Does one need a small electric space heater in a bedroom on cool nights?
It’s not a bad thing to have handy.
Omg their house looks very nice. I live in ohio now and looking to visit Cuenca some time this year to see if it maybe right for my and my wife. Just want to say I am very excited to coming to Ecuador. Is the someone I can contact when I an there? I will be in Ecuador for a month.
Join our Facebook group and reach out to our Ecuador Expat friends there. 😁
Please contact us through the page Warren noted in his reply, we could meet for lunch.
Can you please tell me is there is a gym in the area within walking distance. I live in the Northeast and go to a chain gym called Planet Fitness. They
There is a nice gym called Sparta Gym not far from them.
What are your thoughts on Cuenca vs. Manta from a healthcare perspective? Are good resources available in Cuenca?
A bit late to respond, my apologies. Cuenca IMO is capable of taking care of anything that Manta could.
No worries. We decided on Manta and have been extremely happy here.
The cost of living for a middle class couple is $ 700 next to the river there are much more beautiful and safer places to live in Cuenca or there are other cities with the same climate such as (LoJa, Baños de Agua Santa, Cayambe, Otavalo) when the people do not know others take advantage of it
We haven’t met an Expat couple living near that low. If there are any I don’t think they would be considered middle class to Expat standards.
I have a question for people interested in moving to Cuenca. Would you invest in a construction of a new house for you? Or are you guys more interested in renting houses/apartments?
Post to our FB group.
600 a month for that?! Insane... Really insane. That'd be 3500 a month in the US.
It definitely could. 👍
I retired young (48) and I have a pension and very good private insurance that comes with my pension. Am I able to use my own insurance if I move there?
You’ll need to confirm with your private insurance if they will reimburse you. Most private plans in Ecuador reimburse you after you pay for a service, they are indemnity medical plans. The hospital can help complete the required forms.
Piensas vivir de forma permanente en Cuenca amigo? Saludos.
Yes they are. 👍
How did you go about finding housing?
Keep an eye out on gringopost.com for rentals.
never any discussion about water. Can you drink it?
We actually speak to this in a few other videos. Cuenca has potentially the cleanest water in South America, many expats and locals drink it from the tap. We did choose to drink bottled water unless we were making coffee or boiling it.
Why do you need a place that big? I'm heading there in February,I want a small home,I can't handle the elevation!
People often like to have room for guests to come stay when they visit. If you are worried about elevation you may want to focus on the coast or Vilcabamba at 4,000 ft.
You can find a nice small apartment for just 300. some with furniture
I commend your video highlights....I might go next year to chek it out.Not only Im Ecuadorian but Im single and just retired in March...what I also want to know is,how many ex=pats live in Cuenaca please,Thanks.
I've heard between 7,000 to 10,000, but in a city of something like 300,000, we're a very small percentage. We'll go days and won't see an Expat or just randomly run into someone in and about town.
Louise is right on the Expat number, but there is a population a bit more than 600k around Cuenca.
I was also curious as to why this couple rented such a large house. It's beautiful! Someone else noted that it is common for Ecuadoran extended families to live in the same house. Very informative and helpful video. Thank you and good luck in Cuenca!
see comment under Charlie L below
If you can afford it, why is justification required. It's nice to have room for visitors, meditation, yoga, etc.
Silly question. How does one even get there? Does Cuenca have an international airport?
Cuenca has an airport, I believe the flights only go to and from here to Quito (less than one hour), but its a smaller plane. We've flown on it 2 years ago. When we finally emigrated here we came thru Guayaquil (an international airport) direct from of Fort Lauderdale. The drive from Guayaquil to Cuenca took us 5 hours (including a stop for lunch on the top of the mountains - one hour) for a 120 mile trek, from sea level to a 13600 foot pass down, yeah well down 😀, to 8400 feet in Cuenca. We didn't want to risk trying to board a small plane in Quito for Cuenca with four 50 pound checked bags and 3 carry-ons plus a dog carrier. We hired a driver to pick us up in Guayaquil for the drive to Cuenca - $95.
@@louiseluster5020 thanks, Louise. You’ve given me a lot to think about
👍
I'm not sure if you did but can you're provide their contact information. Are they willing to meet people like myself who plan to visit the area in the very near future.?
I won’t provide the direct contact information of my guests, unless it’s a business, however you can join our Facebook group “Warren Julie Travel with Us” most our guests are members and you can message them on Facebook if you wish to connect. 😁
Yes we would like that, you can track us as Warren stated here.
Why is everything locked down so much? It looks like maybe people are living in a fortified village. What's up with that?
It’s common in Cuenca, but crime is very low.
Could a person make it in Cuenca on $1100 USD a month?
Yes, especially if single. Go to gringopost.com and look at current rents under real estate. You should have $600-$700 left after rent and utilities.
Ok thank you so much
Can a couple survive on 1800 US
Yes definitely
@@WarrenJulieTravel thank you for the informative videos.
한국돈 월250정도
👍😀
I won't have a second income because I am single. I am on a very limited income. I notice that most all people are couples that you interview. That and they have very good incomes/pensions. What about someone with less money....
Please scroll through our channel videos, we have a single man at $1,500 and a single woman at $1,039 in Cuenca Ecuador, we also have a different kind of video for an Eco Lodge at $500 outside of Cuenca.
Here is $1,500 in Cuenca czcams.com/video/JlX6lNe6bPk/video.html
Here is $1,039
czcams.com/video/4N2oIIC9qVk/video.html
Here is the $500 outside Cuenca
czcams.com/video/lloa9ClxeTo/video.html
Here is $1,500 Cotacachi Ecuador
czcams.com/video/dzxRlb5yEGo/video.html
I just started the video, had to pause to comment…and $600 for that huuuuuuge house? Wow! Where I live, in Chinada, the rent for that house would definitely exceed $12,000 a month. The rents for tiny basements, in bigger provinces in Chinada is over $2000. Wow.
They had a beautiful home. Cuenca has some excellent rental options. 😊
Yo les alquilo mi casa en cuenca esta a 15 minutos del centro solo deme 500 y ya
If anyone is interested, I’ll let them respond to you.
CAN i SEE PICTURES OF YOUR HOUSE, I AM PLANNING TO MOVE TO ECUADOR NEXT YEAR
Tengo la impresión de que es broma, si es el caso no lo hagas, esta gente cambia su vida por completo son muy serios, pero si no me disculpo por malinterpretarte.😅
Your wrong you think the people in Ecuador make 1775 monthly no no
Watch the video, they are retired Americans. 🤔
I’m thinking you failed Reading Comprehension 1A.
Hi another great place
Can i get d address? Thank u
I’m sorry I don’t give out the exact address to the guests, just the areas.
Way too big house! Who cleans it?
$1,775 a month?
That’s their expenses.
We did not include extraneous expenditures. I (Tom) bought a new bike this month, we may buy a dryer, the framed maps on the wall cost 8 bucks each and $40 to have both framed, bought three Panama hats on a trip to Sigsig's hat factory ranging from 15, 20 and 25 dollars. We don't have to buy these things, and we are not going to buy a bike or frame things every month. But at $1800 a month, we can afford to splurge from time to time. So yes, that's what we spent for the month of November on regular living requirements.
So if USA citizens moves to Ecuador called Expats ore whatever fancy name it could be called, but if Ecuadorian or other citizens move to the USA called Immigrant, how it is fair?
This has been covered many times. There are many in America that can call themselves expats. If you look at my videos I interview expats of many races in many countries. Iranian, Syrian, Philippine, African American. I hang out with Expats from many areas, there is a Nicaragua couple in Ecuador that are my friends and I refer to them as expats. The argument against the word really only happens in Latin American countries to make false racism allegations. If you go to a country not seeking citizenship, are there legally and not on vacation you can be considered an expat. If you are trying to move to a country and your goal is to stay and obtain citizenship or you are not there legally but are trying to stay you’re an immigrant. Expat communities outside of Latin America are not dominated by US citizens. They come from everywhere and every continent. I don’t care what a person from Mexico or Ecuador call themselves in the US, there are more Ecuadorians and people from every Latin American country in the US than Americans in Ecuador and Latin American countries. They probably don’t call themselves expats because it’s not a Spanish word and they are not familiar with travel in Europe, Asia, and Africa etc where expat communities are multinational. In short it seems people in the Americas want to insert politics and make an issue over anything. Expat is not about race, nationality, or economics. When doing the European and Turkey videos nobody makes an issue with using terms like expat. Hope this comes across politely, but there are misinformed people in that region trying to place racism into a worldwide term. I just saw you have comments on Cyprus and Georgia, why are you asking this? you should know better. 🤨 there are 33 ,000 members in the Expats in Tbilisi facebook group.
I went to Cuenca with the idea of retiring there. Spent nearly a month test driving it. I wanted to like it. I really did but I found it very boring there. Perhaps many of the retirees coming to Cuenca have come from places even more boring than Cuenca making Cuenca seem like a party town.
There is really a lot to do, but it’s not for everyone. There are a lot of people here with different interests, so meeting people you can connect with might have been a challenge. We have a large social circle and constantly have plans, if you did not make those connections, and were single it could feel lonely I suppose. There are people here from all over in our circle, unfortunately you probably didn’t meet the right people for you to fit with.
I would never think to use the term 'party town' and 'Cuenca' in the same sentence. Most here would use the term 'tranquilo'. After 38 years fighting the rat race, it was nice to get off the crazy train. You might want to considered Vegas?
@@louiseluster5020 Nor would I...Not a big fan of Vegas. I fail to see its charms. But on the same hand I would like to live somewhere where everything doesn't shut down at 9:00 pm. Like I said, I wanted to like Cuenca but I found it to be just OK. If I had to give it a letter grade, I'd give it a "C"
Since then I spent time in several other spots around the world which are equally affordable and far more interesting. Not to mention all have world class food.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mazatlan, Mexico
Hua Hin, Thailand
How do,you spell ostentatious?
We hope her last months alive were wonderful in her beautiful Cuenca home.
Single person.
-389 eating out
-273 half of food
-662
1775-662=1113 per month
Dont need to go out to entertain the spouse.
A single person could definitely live there for less.