Robert Symington
@rsymington
American expat in Ecuador
Forum
111 posts
Contacts
2
About me
American
Lives in Cuenca
Speaks English, Poco Español, Can Point in 37 Languages
Registration: 17 May 2013
Activity
Exploring Ecuador, beginning in Cuenca by lookingfortroublewifewonttravel
[b]My name is George and a northern suburb 15 miles west of Manhattan is where I call home. I am a retired high-school educator having taught Spanish for twenty-one years and worked as a guidance counselor for nineteen. I have made three journeys ...
And perhaps think about maybe renting a nice AirBnB apartment instead of a hotel room for a month. You can probably find a one bedroom that is fully and nicely furnished that is in every way better than hotel rooms and cheaper as you're paying ... Read More
Exploring Ecuador, beginning in Cuenca by lookingfortroublewifewonttravel
[b]My name is George and a northern suburb 15 miles west of Manhattan is where I call home. I am a retired high-school educator having taught Spanish for twenty-one years and worked as a guidance counselor for nineteen. I have made three journeys ...
How do you think I would be received if I came to Cuenca as a married man staying for a month alone?I think you would be well received. I've been here for 4 years with my wife living in Oregon and making trips here for a month, or two, every ... Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
Makes me wonder if Banco Pichincha is bucking the system.Certainly a possibility. However when I asked Bolivariano said they they had just started to comply in September. I had stopped in to the bank because my Debit Card stopped working and to do ... Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
I guess they must report info back to Uncle Sam.Yep, that's what they intend to do... for FBAR and FACTA (if the latter applies). The poster below yours is also correct. I had to fill out my W9 in October, when I renewed my investor visa CD. ... Read More
New life by scubalynda
:cheers: Hello everyone. I've been looking to move to South America for a couple of years now, but never acted on it. I am a woman in my mid-50's, francophone but fluent in English and pretty good in Spanish. I adapt very well to anything, ...
On the plus side Cuenca (at least) has very smooth and consistent sidewalks.Where are you in Cuenca? "Very smooth and consistent sidewalks"... jajaja Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
I've not tried the US check thing, but if Nards "say's" (or any post by Nards, or CCCMedia) certainly has my stamp of approval. Now, I will take the time I go to the bank and try it. Regarding the grumbling... yeah... I wanted to ... Read More
Visas in Ecuador by James Caj
I do not know how the other Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices are working, but at least in Azogues all the processes are terribly slow and complicated!!! Big lines to get a ticket to submit your paperwork, I do not know why Cuenca office is not ...
Ah yes, Nards, there is that. Also after I posted, I then thought about the fact I was simply renewing my CD for Banco Central, and not applying for my initial visa. That may also make a difference. Read More
Visas in Ecuador by James Caj
I do not know how the other Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices are working, but at least in Azogues all the processes are terribly slow and complicated!!! Big lines to get a ticket to submit your paperwork, I do not know why Cuenca office is not ...
That's odd. I just renewed my CD for my 9-II visa in October, which required 3 trips to Azogues (the minimum number of trips that it can be done in). All three times over the course of a week, I would leave Cuenca on the bus around 9:00 AM, be ... Read More
The unofficial web page of the greater Cuenca expat community by Nards Barley
I designate this thread as the unofficial web page for the Cuenca Expat community. I also designate myself as the unoffical spokesperson. It is actually a continuation of my non-blog, but I wanted to elevate my status in the wake of the continued ...
Just got the document that officially declares me of Ecuadorian nationality by way of naturalization. So I guess that means I am an Ecuadorian citizen.Congratulations and well done Nards! Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
I'm here on a 9-II visa. Last year, my CD paid 6.75%. This year the APR is 6.57% That's a good return where I'm from. Read More
Netflix and Roku by msantiago1256
Hi, I was pleasantly surprised to find that netflix is in Ecuador! I knew they where expanding and it was only a matter of time but they are already here and the selection is almost better (in terms of quality if not quantity) than back home. Has ...
And that ladies and gentlemen is why we are here... not Ecuador, but rather to get answers to questions. I personally have not done a speed test on my DSL. I watched the first two games of the National League without a problem... GO CUBS! Read More
Netflix and Roku by msantiago1256
Hi, I was pleasantly surprised to find that netflix is in Ecuador! I knew they where expanding and it was only a matter of time but they are already here and the selection is almost better (in terms of quality if not quantity) than back home. Has ...
According to this website, Ecuador has 3,881 titles in its Netflix catalog while the U.S. has 5,310. http://unogs.com/countrydetail/Nards is spot on. I stream Netflix every day. Works like a charm. But then one day, I noticed that if I logged in ... Read More
Private Health Care by jakefaust
Is there a Health care agent I can talk with in reference to Private Health Care.
Yes, there are private agents in abundance (some good, some bad). However, some things to consider... Do you have health problems that require a "specialist"? Have you looked at the IESS program (https://www.iess.gob.ec/) for the ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Ecuador provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
Aha ! We finally learn why Symington exists in a straitjacket: systematic overexposure to the news ! ;)That and the 27 voices in my head :lol: Read More
Keeping up with the news in Ecuador by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Ecuador provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
I do a lot of the above, but I also have specific alerts set up at Google Alerts. So any mention of say Rafael Correa, Cuenca Ecuador, Cotopaxi Volcano, etc., regardless of source comes to my mailbox in summary form daily. Read More