Posted 11 years ago
toracat
(728 items)
1. Cuenca, Ecuador
HELLO! Late here in Calif. Ecuador is magical! Maybe live there! Or 6 mo. a year! I need to do something as I am getting older! haha Maybe a good idea!! Oh he is great painter, had a show in Japan when 7-8 yrs. old! His family all are good artist! http://www.moncayo-art.com Thanks for looking! Maybe find some treasures there! Don
Cuenca is Ecuador’s third-largest city and has long been known for a rich intellectual, artistic, and philosophical tradition that matches its colonial architecture.
It is famous for its colorful festivals, distinctive food and breath-taking scenery. Because of its history and state of preservation, Cuenca is one of Ecuador’s three UNESCO World Heritage Trust sites.
Founded in 1557, Cuenca was not connected to the rest of Ecuador with a paved road until the early 1960s, a fact that helped preserve both its architecture and heritage. On the other hand Cuenca has developed rapidly since then and today has a strong infrastructure and efficient transportation system.
Cuenca’s growing expat community appreciates the city’s history as well as its modern side. The fastest growing city in Ecuador since 2000, the city boasts plenty of supermarkets and malls, great restaurants, handsome condominium projects, and comfortable suburbs.
“Our life in Ecuador is everything we hoped for,” says expat Mike Grimm, who arrived in Cuenca two-and-a-half years ago with his wife Patty. “We’re totally happy and plan to live here the rest of our lives.”
The cost of living in Cuenca is low. Here is a sample monthly budget for a couple in Cuenca:
Housing (rental of a luxury three-bedroom apartment) $450
Utilities (including, phone, water, electric, Internet, and DirecTV) $155
Maid (once a week) $60
Groceries $450
Maintenance and fuel for one car $140
Clothing $80
Entertainment (two people dining out six times a month) $200
Health care (four $30 visits to a doctor per year for two people, divided by 12 months) $20
Total per month $1,555
Cuenca has top notch hospitals, clinics and well-trained physicians. All residents are eligible to participate in the country’s Social Security health care system for incredibly low monthly premiums.