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Hello,

You can visit on Modays and ThursdaysÌý Di Bacco restaurant.

On Fridays Zoe bar. Also Eucaliptus cafe and Inca Bar are very popular everyday.

Also if you want we can meet and talk about Cuenca

Vinny

Thanks Vinny

What times do they usually meet.

Hans

I'm not pretty sure. I think is around 5 PM.

Will let you know when we start down. Look forward to meeting... Marty

I was so excited about looking into Cuenca to live ....BUT THERE IS MOLD THERE.

It is so rainy that it causes mold and mildew. No thank you. If that gets into your body it is almost impossible to get rid of it.

Santa Fe wrote:

I was so excited about looking into Cuenca to live ....BUT THERE IS MOLD THERE.

It is so rainy that it causes mold and mildew. No thank you. If that gets into your body it is almost impossible to get rid of it.

Umm... there is mold everywhere in the world. It really boils down to prevention and keeping clean and dry. I've been here three months and have not seen a speck of mold in my apartment, but I keep things clean and aired out.

I would also warn you against anywhere in the Northwest United States, as it is also very rainy there and mold is prevalent and pervasive when proper preventative measures are not taken. Probably the worst case of mold I ever encountered was during the 11 years we lived in New Mexico. Pretty dry there, but they do have water during the monsoon season.

Personally, I would be more concerned about the bus exhaust in Centro than mold getting into my body.

Thanks for your input.

The mold I am talking aboutÌý is not the type that you can scrub away.......it's the type u don't usually see.....it is behind a wall .....it's aspergillus mold.Ìý It is the black mold that is foundÌý behind the wall in bathrooms or kitchens caused by water leaks......large or small.Ìý It causes the symptoms of a cold or respiratory problems. This needs to be professionally removed.

Aspergillus also lives outdoors in the soil naturally. But, if it is a high humid area, which Cuenca is described to be, the aspergillus increases to extreme levels which then causes cold symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and lethargy.

If you were to do a you tube search, you would find eight videos by a person who lives in Cuenca. His entire family became Ill from mold exposure in their home. He has done studies that he shares on the YouÌý Tube to back up what his statements.

There are also other articles written by other Cuenca residents who speak about mold illnesses.

I can only go by what local people say.

Btw, I lived in Santa Fe for two years and never saw mold.

I am very aware of black mold. In the Northwest it is a very large problem. I was simply stating that a mold problem is not cured by location, but by proper preventative measures. No, not bleach and scrubbing, but preventing damp conditions to begin with.

In Albuquerque, many swamp coolers were contributory causes of mold. I have seen mold in Santa Fe. In fact, the worst mold evidence was in a bathroom in downtown Santa Fe.

Eight videos does not seem to me to be any sort of evidence that black mold is a problem inherent to Cuenca Ecuador. I have seen and personally know one family here that did have a problem, which was documented on YTube (yes, I know Frank and Angie). I have not experienced such a problem. Perhaps the construction methodologies utilized in their home and my apartment are different. Cuenca is not even close in overall humidity compared to Portland, Oregon, where I moved from.

Again, I was only stating that condemning a city based on anything other than personal observation and research is a bit heavy handed. Should we warn people from locating in Florida because some crap drywall was used in house construction that fed mold after a hurricane?

Guess I'll just remain more afraid of the fumes created by #2 diesel emitted by the busses as opposed to a "possible" preventable problem. If mold is the reason to not consider Cuenca, then I will assure you there are many more reasons not to consider this city that far outweigh mold. Luckily for me, there are many more positive reasons to consider Cuenca than negatives.

Buena suerte, hope you find your "special" spot to live. Felize Navidad, y feliz año nuevo.

Hello.Ìý I'm from Vancouver, Canada.Ìý ÌýI have decided to move to Cuenca.Ìý Ìý I'm very excited.Ìý Ìý

I have lived in Thailand, Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. for 2 years each and have learned that I definitely like to live in a modern style condo in a very nice neighbourhood , rent a scooter to explore, and be close by a gym (and shopping centre...?)

I definitely don't need or want to live in a western style country but the condo and a "nice" neighbourhood is essential.
The problem is that I don't know which neighbourhood this may be in Cuenca.Ìý I know that I would love to get to know my Ecuadorian neighbours but all day roosters and dogs barking is not doable for me.Ìý Ìý
I will probably stay in a hotel in El Centro for the 1st 2 weeks while I look around and gauge whether the weather is too cool or rainy for me.Ìý
I have posted this question a couple other places on this forum but no answers yet...Ìý Ìý

I may end up near Salinas/Libertad if it affordable for me???Ìý I know it would be great to live on the ocean and the infrastructure is also very good and the weather is perfect.
Any tips would be great so as to give me a head-start before I get there.


Thanks and Happy New Years!


Matt

My wife and I visited there for a couple of weeks in Nov.Ìý We both voted YES on moving there in 2 years as well.Ìý When you come, expect to be equipped with a lot of $1, 5 and a few 10 dollar bills.Ìý Most places will not be able to make change for even a $10 note.

We loved it, had no issue with mold and expect to retire there.

Matt,
I think you'll find Cuenca to be very much like a lot ofÌý cities in the US./ Canada. There is a wide diversity in neighborhoods. Where I live they are all new, modern condos. But, I am not in Gringolandia. There are only 3Ìý Gringos in my whole building, the rest being locals. Yet, I can walk to El Centro in 20 minutes. The new light rail system will loop around my building, and this will greatly aid in cutting down on pollution, especially in El Centro.
There are no roosters or barking dogs in my neighborhood. Also, I read recently where Cuenca is going to institute an animal control system which will pick up roaming dogs on the street. This will greatly reduce the number of un attended animals, the deposits they leave, and the barking.
Safe Journey,
Neil

Gringolandia....love it....

That's great "Zenspike"!Ìý It seams like u have the answer to my question......so I'm curious then why u didn't answer my question...?

If your's is exactly the type of neighbourhood I described then could u tell me the name of this neighbourhood so I can begin my search there?

Thanks,

Matt

Sure. I'm inÌý El Rosa neighborhood, or, La Quadra. Just West by about 2 miles of El Centro on the Tombamba river.
Just give me a shout when you hit the ground and I can show you a few pretty cool neighborhoods that seem to fit the criteria you are interested in.
Cha Cha,
Neil
Ps. I'm known for not really following up on questions completely. I'm old!!!!!

Thanks so much Neil!Ìý That area will be my 1st area to check out and I'm sure I will contact u soon after I arrive.

Happy New Year!

Matt

I have recently read also that the area around South Solano ave. is very nice and the area around Las Americas/ Ordonez Lazzo ave. is very nice.Ìý
I will try to book a B&B around one of these areas so as to get a good look around.