Coming to Cuenca

Hey Ron,
Welcome!!!!
I replied to your PM. Hope you garner some useful information from it.
Safe Travels
Neil
Ps. you might consider not saying how much cash you'll be carrying and posting the day of your arrival on a public forum, just for your own safety. What flight will you be on? < grin >
See, we already know what you look like from your photo, the day of your arrival. There are some needy folks here that don't have your best interests in mind.
Be safe my friend!

Thanks...The photo is of my neighbor, I lied about my name and I'm flying into another airport.

Thanks again,

ron

Dang,
You've got a  handsome neighbor for sure.
Keep us posted on your new itinerary < Grin >
Safe Travels.

Ron, I am unsure which is worse. Divulging the information Neil points out or confessing that most of what you post is intentionally inaccurate. This makes it difficult to respond to your inquiries.

fdmcg wrote:

Ron, I am unsure which is worse. Divulging the information Neil points out or confessing that most of what you post is intentionally inaccurate. This makes it difficult to respond to your inquiries.

I think he was pulling my leg.
How's the game?
Stay Well,
Neil

I think ole Ron is either a deliberate pain in the neck or possibly just a naive almost traveler about to find out his comments and naivety are gonna make him another gringo statistic or quite possibly a chalk outline.
Ron wherever you are, you need to think about what you convey in any open forum on the web.Fact is it maybe wiser for you to stay stateside.

Good luck, I think most of us think you'll need it.

What the heck are you talking about?  I have received three delightful, supportive responses and then comes this vitriolic attack.  All I did was ask a few questions of people who have gone through the experience I am anticipating.  I did so in an attempt to avoid looking like another ignorant “Gringo”.  Thanks for the warm welcome.

Geez guys, lighten up.  I'm looking for a place to retire, teach and make some friends.  I swear, I'm not going to try to take over your turf.  I'm checking Cuenca out for several reasons not the least of which is what I heard about the warm and friendly ex-pats.  If I want to get into playground rumbles I'll go back to teaching elementary school.

If anyone else is as polite and friendly as Neil, I'll see you tomorrow.  If not...there's always Loja.

Doc, these responses were the result of you misleading us with your point of origin. That aside, you for your own well being need to do the grunt work which is more than abundant on the web and sort it out. Use the Cuenca High times and Gringo tree articles as a starting point. The ask the hard questions as you proceed.
Do yourself a favor and do not use the USA or NA in your written questions. It helps to avoid the gringo pricing probability. When you want something like a house or apartment use a facilitator, pay their fee which is nominal. Do not come up front until it's time to sign the contract or lease. It maybe hard to work this way but my friend it saved me $300 bucks per month on rent and $42,000 when I purchased my estate/hacienda. use this whenever you are negotiating until you can speak Spanish fluently and understand the Ecuadorian style of negotiation.
Blogs are OK but the fact is like it or not you need to use government agency data.
FYI, this style resulted in my new Ecuadorian Gal who is just spectacular to me.

Feel better now? Not to harsh?
Good luck.

First:  Don't ever refer to me as friend.

Second:  I have been doing extensive research for over a year on both sites you mentioned plus some you probably have never heard of; that's how I came to be on this one.  I merely want to weed out the truth from the advertising BS.  Everything I read seems to be trying to sell me something.  I want to hear it from those with experience, not pitchmen with an obvious agenda.

Third:  I am an American and just arrived from Cleveland, Ohio.  I was there for two weeks.  Prior to that I was in China for four years teaching ESL; thus your confusion.

My permanent address is a P.O. Box.  I currently have no home.  I have a storage unit, hotels and taxis.

Thank you again for your warm and inviting hospitality.

Stay home you're a presumptuous pain in the whatever part of the anatomy you choose. You deserve exactly what you'll get with your annoying boisterous manner and gross behavioral characteristics.
You don't even know the origin and purpose of the coined phrase my friend.
Doc? In what.

Wow, I'm confused.  I've read all the above posts but I must be missing something.  I don't understand the hostility.  I'm considered by most to be bright but I guess I'm pretty dense on this one because I really don't get it.

Doc: Don't sweat it -- most of the folks here are friendly.

Good luck with your plans.

I would like to here the answer to one of Doc's question, I plan to vist Ecuador soon, can one use a debit card?

DocChumley wrote:

Thanks...The photo is of my neighbor, I lied about my name and I'm flying into another airport.

Thanks again,

ron

Not only that, but June 21 is a Friday, not a Thursday this year
Next time June 21 is on a Thursday is 2018.

I think most major CC can be used here. Certain ATM's will only accept certain providers. Look on the back of your card, and see what system they work with, ie; Star, Cirrus, etc. Utilize those machines. Notify your card company where you will be and you'll be cool.
Stay Well,
Neil

Ps. I incur no fees with my card.

Let me clear this up.

I asked a few questions about Cuenca.  My intention was to retire, teach and enjoy some new friends.  I received several messages that were kind, inviting, helpful and indicative of the kind of people I expected to meet here. 

Then I get a message from the south end of a northbound donkey with insults and comments about my being unsuitable to reside in his community.  I was insulted by others because of what were obviously misunderstood jokes.  I was referring to those people and not the general public.  As I said, the vast majority of responses have been just what I wanted and expected; filled with useful information, kind words of welcome and well wishes.

If anyone finds my posts to be insulting, please re-read them.  There has been a gross misunderstanding. I don't write nasty comments nor do I waste my time with anger and hatred in my life.  I am a sweet, delightful and fun person.  Please get to know me.  I'm quite loveable.

Most of us appreciate your sense of humor, you just got to know who to ignore on here.  Best of luck in your quest.

Thank you.