Life in Cuenca: Absolutely EVERYTHING You NEED TO KNOW

There's something magical about this town, so here's all the information you need about life in Cuenca, Ecuador!

➦ Great hostel in Cuenca! Stay at El Cafecito!

Chapter Breakdown

0:00 - David Wayne
0:13 - Why I Came to Ecuador
0:41 - Why I Come Back to Cuenca
1:01 - Living in Cuenca
1:54 - Rent
2:24 - Finding Good Rent
2:55 - Food Prices
3:18 - Weather
3:39 - Altitude
4:11 - North-Americans
4:48 - North-American Neighborhoods
5:19 - Activities
6:09 - Ecuadorian Food
7:26 - Ecuadorian People
8:53 - Advice
9:53 - Cons of Cuenca
10:12 - Is Cuenca Safe?
10:38 - Political Unrest
11:17 - Meeting People
12:03 - Dave's Contacts

I'm Art at Gringo Nation! Thanks for watching! 😎

#cuencaecuador #cuenca #visitecuador

[randallbrowning]

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!

[SHMPhotography]

I'm looking to move to cuenca in the next 6 months, and this video was a lovely source of inspiration for me.

[whacked]

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.

[patricioizurieta]

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

[ecuadorexpat]

Been in Cuenca 3 years ! Best place on the planet to retire

[hunterpdx]

I was there back in 2015 and stayed for about five days. My next trip I want to remain about 2 weeks. It is high on my list of potential reitrement destinations. I loved Cuenca when I visited, and barely saw a fraction of it.

[mrnice]

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.

[BossmanRich]

I want to live with the cuencan community 🥺

[GPosner]

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👏🏻👍🙏✌️🤙

[janethamilton]

Good for you integrating with your Ecuadorian hosts❤

[jerrygarcia]

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

[Canuk_Abroad]

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.

[robertnunn]

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.

[del-see-oh]

I spent almost 5 months there on an extended exploratory trip last. I'm going back in June..hopefully for good this time.

[edgararevalo]

Bienvenido jente como tu necesita cuenca, integrarse a su cultura su jente su idiosincrasia te hace mejor

[georgiagenius]

Thank you for this very informative video.

[malcolmnicoll]

Very informative and helpful video. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it.

[vincenzaperriano]

Love the video, ty for taking the time to make it!🎉

[russell]

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!

[scottlevine]

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!