Blog
4 min read

Why Cuenca? What 25 Years of Helping Expats Has Taught Us

Cuenca ranks as a top expat destination year after year. Here is why it works, from the firm that has helped hundreds of families relocate over 25 years.

cuenca expat-life ecuador

We've watched Cuenca become the expat capital of South America.

When we started practicing here over 25 years ago, Cuenca's expat community was a handful of adventurous retirees. Today it's estimated at 5,000-8,000 residents from the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. International Living, Forbes, and other publications keep putting Cuenca on their "best places to retire" and "best expat destinations" lists.

We've helped hundreds of those families get here. Here's what actually makes Cuenca work.

The Dollar Economy

Ecuador adopted the US dollar in 2000. If you're coming from the US, there's no exchange rate to worry about. Your pension, Social Security, or remote income lands in the same currency you spend. This single fact eliminates one of the biggest headaches of living abroad.

Cost of Living That Actually Makes Sense

Numbers people can plan around:

  • Housing: A modern 2-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood: $500-$800/month rent. Buying starts around $80,000 for a nice condo.
  • Healthcare: Doctor visits $25-$40. Comprehensive health insurance $100-$200/month. Major procedures at a fraction of US costs.
  • Food: A full almuerzo (lunch) at a local restaurant: $3-$5. Weekly market groceries for a couple: $30-$50.
  • Transportation: Taxi across the city: $2-$4. Bus fare: $0.30.

A comfortable lifestyle runs $1,500-$2,500/month all-in. For couples who spend $4,000-$6,000/month in the US, that's a life-changing difference.

Healthcare That Surprises People

Cuenca has modern hospitals with physicians who trained in the US and Europe. Many speak English. The quality of care is genuinely good, and the cost is a fraction of what you'd pay in North America.

Ecuador also has a public healthcare system (IESS) that residents can enroll in. We help our clients navigate both public and private options.

The Climate Nobody Believes

Cuenca sits at 8,400 feet in the Andes. The result: year-round temperatures of 50-70F (10-21C). No heating bill. No AC. The running joke is that every day is a light-jacket day. It's not far off.

UNESCO World Heritage City

Cuenca's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, four rivers, and the iconic blue-domed cathedral. It's a real city with culture, not a retirement compound. Markets, museums, theaters, festivals, and a thriving arts scene (Panama hats actually originate here).

The Expat Community

5,000-8,000 expats means you'll find English-speaking social groups, restaurants, businesses, and support networks. But Cuenca isn't an expat bubble - it's a Ecuadorian city of 600,000+ where expats are a welcome but small part of the mix. You get community without isolation.

The Digital Nomad Angle

Ecuador's new Digital Nomad Visa is bringing a younger demographic. Remote workers are discovering what retirees figured out years ago: you can live better here for less, with great internet, cafes, coworking spaces, and a time zone that overlaps with US business hours.

What We Tell Every Client

Cuenca works for most people. Not everyone. We've been here 25+ years and we're honest about it:

  • If you need a big-city pace - Cuenca is mid-sized and relaxed. That's a feature for some, a bug for others.
  • If you don't like altitude - 8,400 feet affects some people. Visit first.
  • If you need English everywhere - You'll be fine in expat circles, but daily life in Cuenca runs on Spanish.

Our job isn't to sell you on Ecuador. It's to help you make an informed decision and then handle every detail of the move if you decide to come.

How We Help

We're not a tourism board. We're a law firm that's been relocating people to Cuenca for over 25 years. If you're considering the move, here's what we do:

  • Every visa type - retirement, investment, professional, Digital Nomad, dependent, and more
  • Real estate - through our partnership with Ecuador At Your Service, award-winning local experts
  • Settlement - banking, healthcare, schools, cultural orientation
  • Citizenship - the full path from temporary visa to Ecuadorian passport

One firm. Every detail. That's what we do.

Keep reading:

Thinking about moving to Cuenca? Schedule a consultation or call 651-621-3652.