Our COST OF LIVING in CUENCA, ECUADOR - Two Years Later!!!!

COLORFUL CUENCA COSTUMES

Is it really two years later?   I clearly remember that day on December 5th, 2012 when we landed for the first time in Cuenca, Ecuador (No, we didn't do an exploratory visit prior!).  We didn't have a clue about how our life in Ecuador would unfold.  All we knew was that we wanted to simplify our life, retire early while we still had our health, move somewhere with mountains, rivers, warm weather and less rain than the Willamette Valley, and where the medical care and cost of living was affordable to allow for our early retirement.  This was the list of priorities as we researched and read about the best places to retire in and out of the USA. There were and continue to be many challenges and frustrations living in a new land away from the familiar and predictable lifestyle of a culture we knew - but it's worked for us and we are both in agreement to stay here and call this "HOME."

This "Oregon to Ecuador" BLOG was created a couple months before we finally left for Cuenca, while we were still living in the family room of our empty house, waiting for renters and attempting to get all of our necessary documents apostilled and ready for our entry into Ecuador.  Our journey had just begun, and I started this blog as a way to stay in touch with family and friends so they could read about our ex-pat adventure.

Never did I imagine that our Ecuador Blog (NOW OVER 101,000 HITS) would be read by so many people wanting to know all they can about Cuenca before taking the same steps to possibly make this their city and home.  Through this Ecuador Blog we have met so many people - many just leaving their kind comments, and others whom we've personally met once they've arrived here. Some have been for a reason, some for a season, and others have become dear and intimate friends that hopefully will be for a life time.  

Lots of changes have taken place in the past two years living in Cuenca.  We moved 5 times in the first 4 months before we found our longer-term home.  It's okay to move a lot.  Is it fun?  Not if you have lots of stuff to move.  We didn't!  The first 4 places were furnished and we just had to roll our suitcases down the streets of El Centro (we always seemed to move just within a few blocks from the last place).  We've stuck with this last apartment and it's become our comfortable, affordable, and lovely little apartment .

The greatest and most difficult change for me was when we sold our Oregon home in October.  It was the BIG "burning of the bridge" - one that we had talked about for a few years, but this time it really happened.  I actually went through a huge grieving process - lots of tears and sobbing the day I received the "good news" from our dear realtor that said, "Congratulations!  It is finished!"  Such final words to read and digest for me.  Yet, I was so grateful we were able to sell our home and no longer have that burden - dealing with a 100 year old renovated farm house while living thousands of miles away. Am I glad?  Yes!  Am I sad?  Yes!  I am still adjusting to the fact that my Oregon country home of 40 years is no longer in my life - but I still have my years of precious memories.  

The greater challenge for Bo has been the language barrier.  He's the one in our family who has always been the spokesperson for any challenges that may arise. He's also a "people person" who loves to share with others.  It has not been easy for him to have to depend on me to  be his translator.  But, we've made it work. I have been enjoying watching Bo learn Spanish and go out there and speak it more and more two years later!  He has conversations with the locals, has become more familiar with our small community where we live, and is now able to communicate with our Ecuadorian family of friends.  He continues to purpose to learn the language, takes weekly lessons, and is DOING IT!!  Has it been easy? NO!  Is it possible that he will speak fluent Spanish the longer we live here? ABSOLUTELY!  His desire to learn the language is what makes it happen!!

The second greatest challenge for Bo that required getting used to was being "jubilado."  Retirement for an ex-corporate guy ain't easy.  "Now what do I do with my time?????" Two years later, Bo has to schedule free time for himself to get caught up on personal things because he's out there doing stuff, has met some great "guy" friends, and then has his wife to hang out with (that would still be me!!!!).  So, lots of changes for Bo, but HE'S DOING HIS RETIREMENT LIFE IN CUENCA!!!

The reality is that there have been many challenges and "suddenlies" in ex-pat life for both of us, individually and as a couple.  But, we have purposed to make this journey work together because all the pros outweigh the daily life challenges and frustrations we would be facing anywhere - it's a part of life!!   We either figure it out or we allow life's challenges to steal our joy and take us down (and they have, but we've climbed back up).  I often wonder how other couples are doing?  Did they come here thinking it was going to be like the USA?  Did they come here together, or did one want to come and the other followed along because they felt they had to or they'd be left behind?  I wonder about individuals living here.  Are they here feeling bitter because they couldn't financially make it back in the states, and would they go back if they could?  Or, did they come because they are adventurous souls and love to travel and aren't attached to their STUFF (if they even have STUFF)? If we listen closely, we can tell who is here with an open heart embracing the culture and loving the Ecuadorian people and lifestyle, and we can hear the bitter, negative, complaining from those who don't really want to be here but believe they have no other choice. 

I continue to see more and more ads for garage sales and ex-pats now liquidating their STUFF here because they are returning to their previous country.  LOTS!  Some say it's because of health reasons, others say it's because they ran their course here and are moving on (or "back"), or they miss their family, they don't like the weather, the culture is too frustrating for them (one guy we met disliked the people and pace here), and so many other reasons.  Some leave after a few months and others leave after several years of living here completely settled in.  I imagine that those who are planning to make their future transition from their USA comforts to a new life in Ecuador must question if they themselves will be able to adjust to another culture, language and lifestyle when they read about those who don't make it here.  Personally, I know it is not an easy transition, but it is worth the adventure, experience and blessing of how it has changed the way I view life and live now.

We just returned from three weeks back in "chilly" Florida - going back with the purpose of selling our two vehicles and Bo's Valkyrie motorcycle.  We also had to go through years of family photos, saved cards, letters, and some sentimental keepsakes.  Because we don't have children, it was another emotional "letting go."  I mailed select family photos to my younger brother, and I threw away 60 plus years of keepsakes.  Sentimental people save those things - that would be me!!!  So, more tears (sentimental people cry a lot too) and heartache of tossing and shredding the most important of my STUFF.  Yet, it's finally done and I have another sense of freedom because I don't have to cart around boxes of papers and photos anymore.  I can now treasure and enjoy the ones I kept and will have with me in Ecuador.

Do we miss the USA?  Sometimes we think we do until we journey back there and go into reverse culture shock.  The cost of food seems like it's doubled in two years. One afternoon Bo and I walked out of a not-so-fancy Florida restaurant because lunch for two (hamburgers) was going to be $40, and that was without the tip!  We cooked and ate most of our meals at home, and there was little to do without it costing a lot in the way of arts, culture, and exploring.  Florida is not an area that we would even visit if not for our dear friend who is truly family to us.  We are thankful the weather was "chilly" and we didn't suffer the Florida heat and humidity during this trip back. 

It's always an eye-opener for Bo and me to return from the USA and re-evaluate our Cost of Living in Cuenca, which is a huge reason why we enjoy living here.  We continue to keep a DAILY spreadsheet of every cent we spend, and it's an accurate way for us to make adjustments so that we can be wise with our retirement funds and still live comfortably and affordable.  For those contemplating retiring in Cuenca or those who are newly arrived, I hope this gives you insight to how we as a couple who do not live extravagantly budget our monthly expenditures.  It's changed from when I've shared past "Cost of Living in Cuenca" posts (by about $500) - but it continues to stay within an affordable lifestyle that has allowed us to retire early while we're still IN THE YOUTH OF OUR OLD AGE.

Our "COST OF LIVING" IN CUENCA - TWO YEARS LATER!!!

RENT - $280 Monthly.  We have been in apartment #5 for 20 months now. (Remember, we moved 5 times in our first 4 months in Cuenca.)  We are always looking for the next "WOW" place, but every time we weigh the pros and cons of leaving here, we stay.  Mostly because we love our location, but paying such an affordable monthly rent allows us more money to travel and to save.  Also, after hearing about how much money other ex-pat friends of ours have poured into their rentals with no chance of reimbursement from their landlords, we are grateful that our place was clean, had no leaks or mold, and our landlord has been kind and generous to us.

ELECTRIC - $25 Monthly.  When we first moved into this apartment, our utility bill was $10 or less.  Well, we didn't have the luxurious appliances and lamps and electrical drawing units that we now have.  At first, we thought there was an error on the bill, but after a visit to the Electric Company and personally checking out the meter in our building, we were able to rest in the fact that this is our personal usage here.  We were spoiled paying only $10.  Yet, $25 is a lot less than what we paid in Oregon during our cold damp winters or air-conditioned summers.

PHONE - $41 Monthly.  That's for an internet plan for the two of us through Claro.  At first, we used to buy minutes, but we decided we wanted to have the least expensive internet plan with enough monthly minutes for calls and texting.  This has worked out fine for our personal usage.

INTERNET - $28 Monthly.  Our internet is through ETAPA.  We live in El Centro, so this works for us.  We have had few problems with losing internet or slow speed, so again, this works for us.  Don't listen to all the horror stories you hear or read about when it comes to internet issues here.

FOOD - $300 Monthly.  We both like to cook!  We like to eat most of our meals at home.  Bo is the main cook!  I LOVE to eat any meal prepared by Chef Bo!  So, our daily expense for food comes from shopping at the 10 de Augusto Mercado one block from our apartment, and shopping at the tiendas around our neighborhood.  We go to SuperMaxi if we need specialty items such as capers, and that is only about once a month.  We visited Feria Libre a couple of times, but it doesn't pay for us to go that far out of our way when we have everything we need for our gourmet cooking right around the block from us.

DINING OUT - $150 Monthly.  We figured this high because it allows us to meet friends for special dinners and special occasions.  We enjoy going to the $2.50-$3 Almuerzo (lunch) places, but we also like eating at some of the nicer restaurants around Cuenca.  More friends makes for more occasions to eat out and celebrate the good life together.

HOUSEHOLD - $30 Monthly.  This covers paper and cleaning products, and toiletries.

TRANSPORTATION - $25 Monthly.  We walk to most places because our apartment is centrally located.  However, sometimes we take buses and taxis when visiting friends who live outside of El Centro if it's too far to walk.

IESS INSURANCE - $82 MONTHLY.  This covers both Bo and me at 100% for any medical emergency that might arise.  We are also covered for any outpatient needs for medical, eye, hearing, physical therapy, prescriptions (if they have it in stock) etc.  Dental is not covered for free until we reach 65.  Our family doctor who is not in the IESS pool charges us $10 per visit and is available for a same-day appointment.  So, all of our medical needs are taken care of, and we have had positive experiences whenever we've had to use any of Cuenca's health care facilities.  Back in the USA, our monthly medical premiums were already up at $600 for the two of us, and that was for catastrophic coverage only.  

MEDICAL EXPENSES - $200 Monthly.  These expenses are outside of the IESS coverage for dental, medical, prescriptions, and eye. 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - $300 Monthly.  This covers attorney fees, Accounting fees, Computer repairs, Spanish lessons, and any other professional services that we might incur.

MISCELLANEOUS - $300 Monthly.  Monthly, I have an iHerb package coming from the USA for special purchases such as vitamins, teas, herbs, food items, etc.  This also covers entertainment, travel expenses, clothing, donations, Gym, Yoga classes, Massages, Haircuts, USA Mailbox expenses, and more.

TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES:  $1,761.

In two years, God has blessed us with every need and lots of wants in Ecuador!  We love that our cost of living is still so affordable here and has allowed us to retire early.  Mostly, we enjoy the many relationships and genuine friendships we have that are already golden!  What's not to love about LIVING IN CUENCA?

RANDOM PHOTOS OF OUR 

LIFE IN CUENCA, ECUADOR

Each morning comes with renewed hope.

Market Grains along the street of Santa Teresa near the Mercado.

Some of my adorable students who come to our apartment every Tuesday night for English lessons.  They are the joy of our week.

Cuy (Guinea Pig) is a delicacy in Cuenca - and very expensive! 

Christmas is a big deal in Cuenca - and vendors are lining the streets with their christmas wares.

A young child enjoying his magazine.  Is he reading or just looking at the photos?  Families work long hours with the hope of being able to afford to give their children an education.

My dear friend and flower vendor, Anita with her daughter, Patricia.  They bring joy to my heart whenever I see them.

Our neighborhood girls - sisters and cousins.  Family is priority here!

It's MANGO season again, my favorite fruit!  The  wheelbarrows filled with ripe fruits are delivered daily in the early mornings, right below our apartment.  Vendors will arrive and wheel them away to sell the fruit along the streets of El Centro!

Farmland with abundant produce outside El Centro

The San Francisco Flower Market is three blocks from our apartment.  

We enjoy riding the buses of Cuenca.  

The University of Cuenca Campus

A group of cyclists pedaling through the heart of El Centro along Simon Bolivar

Cuenca always has a parade!

Someone's home along a country road in Cuenca

Cuenca is never lacking for year-round colorful flowers

A family name plaque over the door says, "God Bless Our Home"

My favorite dessert in all of Cuenca - Almond Chocolate Torte!

A cherished photo of Sr. Diaz shaking Bo's hand and thanking him for another meal.  We are sad that Sr. Diaz is no longer living on his corner.  His family took him to their home because of his failing health (he is 94 years old).  We miss seeing and talking to him.

I hope you continue to enjoy my photography and reading my blog about our life in Cuenca Ecuador!!

COST OF LIVING IN ECUADOR - Our "cost of living" in Cuenca - ONE Year Later!!!

I've had a few people ask me to post an update of our yearly living expenses.  Well, Bo continues to do a daily log of every penny we spend, and the only months we missed were when we were back in the USofA on our two month "glory" trip!  I wish we had kept a log of those expenses, so I could really appreciate even more our affordable cost of living here in beautiful Cuenca.

There are many expenses we've had to incur due to the fact our current apartment #5 was unfurnished - and I mean unfurnished.  We had no closets in any of the bedrooms, no cabinets or storage in the kitchen (a typical Ecuadorian-style kitchen), and no storage in the teeny-tiny bathroom.  The wrap-around windows had no curtain rods or curtains, and there was absolutely NO FURNITURE in this little flat.  We came to Cuenca with 4 suitcases and 4 carry-ons, so moving into this #5 apartment was another easy "roll the suitcases down the streets of El Centro."

Our greatest expense since moving here in April has been on furnishings and home decor, but that expense had finally decreased to almost nothing as of last week.  Our place is now up to our standard of comfort, and we are enjoying the blessings of what we turned this unfurnished boring "white" apartment into.  If you don't have a vision, which I did, then you will never be able to take a $280 a month diamond in the rough and transform it frugally and with passion and expectation.  You will end up paying an exorbitant monthly rate just to have someone elses furnishings and decor.  Of course, you'll have to know that you plan on being here awhile, or doing the "furnish" thing will be a waste of money and time. Personally, we're glad we did now that we look at the after and remember the before.

Okay, enough of my pontificating.  You wanted an update of our yearly budget, so I will give you a monthly average and you can extrapolate that to one year.

Longoods' Monthly Budget for Two:

Produce: $52  - We buy fresh delicious produce daily at the 10 de Augusto Mercado.
Meat:$ 73 - We LOVE meat, and we try to eat Paleo, mostly.
Groceries: $78 - This includes all staples for cooking our meals.
TOTAL MONTHLY FOOD EXPENSE: $203 - We used to spend well over $700 a month for our monthly groceries in Oregon)

Household: $30 - paper products, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc - I've become a true minimalist here, so I don't keep a lot of extra products on hand.  When I run out, I walk out my door and everything I need is within a block or two.

Rent: $280 - Oh, how we love our low monthly rental cost.  We've been told we are paying too much by Ecuadorians, but we are thankful for this apartment, its location, and for us the rate works perfectly.                            
Electric: $10 - This is an average.  Sometimes it's $1 less, sometimes $1 to $2 more.
Propane: $3  - We have two tanks, so we never run out.  Each tank is $2.50  plus a 50 cent tip for the one who hauls it up our 4 flights of stairs.       
Internet: $28 - Yes, it's High-Speed and works fabulously.
Phone: $50 - This includes internet for our iPhones - Claro is our provider choice and works fabulously.
Dining/Entertainment: $250 - We find ourselves eating out more and we also include any travel in this category.
Medical: $100 - Though we don't spend anywhere near this amount monthly, we allow for it since we are self-insured and do not plan to get insurance for now.       

Transportation: $50 - We don't spend anywhere near this amount since we rarely take a cab, mostly walk or ride the city buses.  Yet, we plan to travel more out of area and allow extra for long-distance buses or van costs.
Miscellaneous - gifts, ministry giving, laundry, wine, home decor, clothes, etc.:
$ 240 - another flexible amount we set aside monthly for those extra expenses that come up regularly.

TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES:  $1,244

Again, we no longer have major furniture/remodel expenses.
We no longer have professional/Visa fees (Thank God).

This may seem like a very very frugal budget, but neither of us is lacking anything here, and all our needs are being met.  We aren't counting our pennies or consciously trying not to spend when it comes to our daily necessities.  I am not going to list our furniture/decor expenses, because that will vary from person to person according to one's personal budget and desires.  Our furnishing/decor choices were done frugally because we still don't know what our long-term plan will be, and also because we don't need the luxuries others must have.  I would suggest to anyone coming with only their suitcases and who plan to furnish an apartment or home frugally but comfortably to allow $4,000 to $8,000 for everything you might need (and even want).  This all depends on the person's personal style and wallet.  Some may spend more, way more - some may spend less.  This is just a realistic range to give you an idea of what to expect.

Last week, I hit the jackpot when I went to a garage sale three days before the posted "sale" date.  I was the first one there, and I scored big time!  The movers had classy quality STUFF, and I was able to find everything I didn't have, and more. The deals I got would be considered unheard of in Cuenca, because most people don't give away their STUFF here.  Plus, I don't like being in the midst of frantic grabbers.  It has that "Black Friday" style of shopping which I have never experienced, nor will I ever.  I have been to only one garage sale here which was in El Centro, and I HATED IT!  All the grabbys were there GRABBING!  This recent sale was so cool.  I took my time looking around and touching things, enjoyed talking to the sellers, and made offers that received a "Yes" without the greed.  They wanted to sell, I wanted to buy - so it was a win-win situation for both parties.  It was a good time and a good memory for me.

Now, it's time to cool it - the spending, I mean.  I'm having fun doing some at-home projects, enjoying that comfort-of-home feeling again, and I'm ready to kick back and STOP!  I'm thankful for a husband who feeds my passion, never says, "You don't NEED that...." and trusts my frugal spending, my creative taste, and my artistic decorating gift.  He's a one-of-a-kind guy, and he's all mine.  Besides, we have the exact same taste and style, so it makes my choices a piece of cake!

I hope this helps those who asked for our "one year later" Cuenca budget, those who stumble on this post, and those who have no idea what it costs to live in this amazing and affordable city.  Prices have been going up, so they say - but we still find it to be the best cost-of-living place for us personally. I compared our current budget to the one I posted back in February, and we are spending a bit less since we changed from a "furnished" apartment budget to our current "unfurnished" apartment budget.  So, that makes me smile.  Though we have spend a few grand on furnishings and decor, we are finished with that expense, will continue to pay our low monthly rent, and we can sell our STUFF should we decide to move on from Cuenca because its OUR STUFF!!!  Plus, I'M HAPPY!  Like Bo always says, "HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE."  He's one smart esposo.     

Not only is Cuenca the best cost-of-living place for us today, but we LOVE our Spring-like weather here.  Recently, it got down to -9 degrees in Eugene-Springfield, Oregon.  Our renters sent us pictures of our Oregon home in their recent Winter Wonderland snow fall.

Our Renters' PROOF that it is -9 Degrees at our home in Eugene-Springfield.  CRAZY!!!

A peak at our house through the snow-covered Filbert Orchard.         

The only time the skies are clear and blue is when it snows.  Other than that, it is raining for 8 months, pretty much continually.  A side view of our beautiful Oregon home.

Yes, it's a beautiful site to behold - but I'd rather be in spring-like weather year round.  Sometimes I miss my unique and classy home, but I'm truly enjoying our frugal affordable minimalist lifestyle here in Cuenca one year later!