Update (October 2015): This product is no longer available. Here are some great resources on living in Ecuador.
So, are you undecided about moving abroad? Are you thinking about Cuenca, but not quite sure? You should check out: Live or Retire Overseas DVD: Cuenca Ecuador. I just finished it and I’m really impressed.
Focused just on Cuenca Ecuador, this dvd will convince you to come and see if Cuenca is right for your new life abroad.
In this program Michael Karsh (world traveler / film maker) interviews nine different expats from a number of different backgrounds and situations about life in Cuenca. They talk about why they came, what they love about it (and what they find challenging) and of course, they discuss the cost of living.
In this one hour dvd, you’ll learn about:
- What is the real cost of living?
- What is the quality of life really like?
- How is the weather throughout the year?
- Where are the best places to eat and drink?
- Where are the best places to meet people?
- How are the food and shopping?
- Do you need to know the language?
- What is there to do there?
- Do you need a car?
- How is the health care, and what does it cost?
- Should you be concerned about safety?
- What is the English-speaking community like?
- What are the pros and cons of living or retiring there?
- And much, much more!
If your mate/partner/family isn’t convinced about the move, this dvd should help your cause. It presents an honest and realistic view of life here. The costs, culture and way of life presented is how it actually is. Michael doesn’t exaggerate costs, services or safety in an attempt to convince you. I was impressed with the number of topics covered and the balanced approach.
I wish we had this video before we moved!
Now about the cost. I’ve read some comments about it being expensive. I guess it depends on your perspective: if you are actually planning on moving here $30 isn’t very much to help you make your decision.
This isn’t a mass produced / mass marketed production. This is as niche as it can get – a video for potential expats to a small city in South America. So if you are actually considering moving to Cuenca, $29.95 is pretty cheap to help you make your decision.
Trust me, the video is well produced and has quality content. They include a couple of young restaurant owners, a design consultant, a raw food advocate/author and some retired Canadians.
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How up to date is the DVD? Just wondering…. 🙂
Thanks!
Really appreciate the recommendation of this video. We enjoyed it so much and it made us even more excited to come. We will be moving to Cuenca in September and the info in the video helped us have a real view of the life to come. Thanks again Bryan
So glad you enjoyed it.
All the best on your move!
Hi Bryan, I am thinking about retirement in Ecuador. How do I find out about the requirements/benefits that the Ecuadorian government has for expats in order to first visit and then move to Ecuador? Should I get a Ecuadorian lawyer to handle the paperwork? First have to get passports, then how long can I stay for first visit. Do I need a visa? What about bringing household goods if I move are there fees/tariffs etc. Thanks, Jim
It is my recommendation to use a lawyer although many expats have had success submitting their own papers. For the most updated information you should check with a lawyer. The rules tend to change and sometimes certain requirements are enforced.
After reading the reviews, and several acquaintances that are moving out there, I am ready to buy a plot of land, to build on in the near future! One thing I don’t see mentioned on the websites I’ve visited, what is the mainstream religion in Ecuador? Are there any churches?
Nancy Rock
Ecuador is a primarily Catholic country and there are churches everywhere.
Hello Nancy,
Here’s a link that gives a different perspective of religion in Ecuador.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Ecuador
The Catholic church also has different movements with lots of activities. Our family is part of the Schoenstatt international movement with 2 sanctuaries in or near Quito and 2 in or near Guayaquil. We joined initially because of the kid’s school.
Here’s a link: http://www.schoenstatt.org/en/news/856/229/The-National-Shrine-in-Ecuador.htm
Best regards,
Stewart
Hello Bryan,
Thanks for the post. We are happy living in Cumbaya, Ecuador.
I forwarded your email to my sister-in-law who’s working in Cuenca
now and who’s planning on moving this summer there.
Best regards,
Stewart
DO YOU HAVE ANY INFO ON COTACACHI? WE’VE BEEN READING ALOT ABOUT THIS CITY? WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS BETWEEN CUENCA AND COTACACHI? WE WILL BE RETIRING IN TWO YEARS AND WE DEFINITELY WILL BE RETIRING TO ECUADOR BUT ARE UNDECIDED ON WHERE. THANKS KATIE
The DVD is now a bit less than a year old (at least that was when this post is dated)…has the cost of living in Cuenca changed appreciably since then, particularly apartment rentals? I’m giving serious consideration to purchasing the DVD, if still available.
My wife and I will arrive in Cuenca on October 31 and have hostel lodging for a week arranged. During that week we will look for something a bit longer term since we are not scheduled to leave until late January, 2013.
Thanks!
Hi Jack, I wouldn’t say that costs have increased much in the last year. Has the cost of living increased in Ecuador? Just like everywhere, things do increase – but its not unusual like some of the expat bloggers are suggesting.
$35.00 you say is cheap right for a DVD that is 1hr. long ? Bull I can buy DVDs a hole lot cheaper than that with moves or music on them. What are you doing that there so costly? Makeing them 1 at a time?Your talking the cost of one nights stay in one of your better hotels.If I was comeing over there the last thing I would buy would be your DVD because I could find out anything I needed to know for free once I got there and use that $35.00 for another nights stay.You all must be from California or Alaska the two most exspensive states in the USA . don’t get me wroung I’m not mad you pitched a good line I’m shore some one will find it worth $35.00 just not me!
Hello Eugene, you are absolutely correct – DVDs can be purchased for a lot less. But they won’t tell you about living in Cuenca either. Obviously these DVDs are a specialty thing with a fairly small target market.
Also, these aren’t our products, and we don’t set the prices. That being said, I do think they are a good deal and worth the money before someone spends the thousands of dollars to come visit or move.
Thanks for commenting,
Bryan
Well, since you can’t spell worth a darn, it doesn’t surprise me that you either don’t know about spell check…or just can’t spell. Making a CD cost a lot of money, I presume, though I never did it.
It has nothing whatsoever to do with what it costs to make a DVD. It has everything to do with whether it’s worth $35 to hear nine parties who have already made the move to Cuenca reveal if they’re glad they did it and what they might do differently if they had it to do over again. Or, you could just blow $2,000 grand to fly on down only to learn you hate it. Hmmmm…tough decision.
Let’s face it. Eugene doesn’t have two quarters to rub together, let alone $35 for a DVD to make sure he isn’t wasting $2000 to visit Ecuador!!!
Terry
Hi Bryan,
We rented an condo FROM ROCIA DATIN today and will be visiting Cuenca from 3/12/2012 to 3/20/12. Rocio mentioned that you rented her condo also.
My wife and I are making our first trip to Ecuador in hopes of retiring there later this year.
I have a question for you –
Do you know of an English Speaking guide that could drive us around Cuenca for 2 – 4 days ?. We would be interested in seeing some of the expat communities, shopping areas and possibly visit a few real estate reps to look at a couple of rental properties.
If you don’t know of anyone, would you spend a few days with us and we would of course compensate you. We would prefer to have you show us the area if possible.
Look forward to yor reply.
Thank you,
Ben DElia
Hi Ben – you’re going to love the condo. We’ve stayed there a couple of times and its great. Its so close to the parks and mall.
All the best on your plans.
Bryan