Ten Reasons to Reconsider Moving to Cuenca

There’s been enough blogs written on various websites on why people should consider Cuenca, Ecuador for relocation, so we felt it necessary to highlight some of the reasons people might want to put more thought into it before taking the plunge, because those of us who have, understand that settling in a foreign culture is not all peaches and cream.

1. You Have A Lack of Patience – It is vitally important to not romanticize the idea of moving abroad, either permanently or temporarily. You will undoubtedly face many frustrating and challenging hurdles before you ever feel, even somewhat, settled. If you don’t arrive with patience and an open mind, you will be miserable. Prepare yourself for language/cultural barriers and painfully inefficient systems, across the board.

2. Conservative Culture – Cuenca is one of the most religious and conservative cities in a country that is roughly 97% Catholic. The presence of socially conservative ideologies is undeniable. If your political views are somewhat Left-leaning, this could prove problematic for you. On the flip-side, the Ecuadorian gov’t is very rooted in Socialistic ideals with a Left-leaning president, which could be appealing to a Leftist, problematic for the Right-leaning. We find it humorous when we hear people say they came to Ecuador to “escape Obama’s socialist agenda.” First off, that’s dumb. Secondly: pick up a local newspaper.

3. Music – If having the ability to see shows and concerts, especially bigger-name acts, on a semi-regular basis, is a big priority in your life, living in Cuenca could possibly kill your soul. To the music consumer who enjoys underground/indie music, or simply just variety, the music culture here will feel so homogenized it will drive you absolutely insane. There exists some cultural/folky/metally/electronic scenes in Cuenca, but you really must dig deep to find them.

4. Beer/Wine – Beer and wine aficionados need not apply. The national beers of Ecuador are extremely light (in flavor and alcohol), and the import selection is just as depressing. And because wine is not produced in Ecuador, a decent bottle will set you back much more than what it’s worth. Luckily, Cuenca hosts one of about three microbreweries in Ecuador, which offers alternatives. If you consider having quality beer and wine at your disposal an integral part of quality-of-life standards, however, be ready to make a huge sacrifices living in Ecuador.

5. Employment Opportunities – Aside from teaching ESL, finding work in a developing country that has been greatly affected by the economic crisis could prove very challenging, especially for non-Spanish speakers. The process to start a business or non-profit in Ecuador is doable, but extremely challenging.

6. Local Backlash – It has been our experience that Ecuadorians have either indifferent or welcoming attitudes towards foreigners. However, if you come to the country with a snobby attitude, expecting the culture to accommodate to your specific needs, and naively over-spending on property and services, thus contributing to the inflation issues that gringos have caused here, you deserve to be the recipient of negative attitudes from the locals. Do your research and don’t be “that gringo.”

7. Learning Spanish – To not make an effort to learn the local language is a profoundly insensitive decision to make. Imagine the sentiments that exist in the States regarding immigrants who can’t speak English — they exist here too. And by not speaking Spanish, you’re only short-changing yourself on the possibilities of making true and meaningful relationships and connections with the wonderful people and culture of Ecuador. A little effort goes a long way.

8. Dating – It has come to my attention that many, especially the retired crowd, arrive with intentions of marrying that beautiful Latina chica. Imagine how challenging relationships are,  in general, then throw in vast cultural differences, and you have yourself a formula for possible disaster. One should put a LOT of time, effort and preparation into a inter-cultural relationship. The culture here, especially regarding love, is extremely traditional and conservative.

9. Food – Cuenca has many wonderful international and local restaurants at affordable prices. But in terms of raw ingredients for cooking at home, you’ll find that many of the staples you depend on back home, either don’t exist or are very pricey. The quality of the meat is significantly lower in Ecuador. Fresh milk doesn’t exist, and dairy products in general are low-grade. And for health-conscious eaters, it will be very challenging to avoid fried and sugary foods and large portions of white rice. Be prepared to make many food sacrifices.

10. Feeling Excluded – Part of the human condition is to feel included in family issues, politics, pop culture, social issues and trends. While the internet is a magical tool that allows us to stay “connected” to the world around us, you’ll find it challenging to not really feel tied-in to topical Ecuadorian issues. To live the “gringo” lifestyle can be to live in a world unimaginably different from your local counterparts. It therefore takes a lot of effort on your part to delve into the culture, feel integrated, reach out and be a part of what’s happening around you. Living a separate, cushy, expat lifestyle could leave you feeling a bit isolated and excluded.

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August 15, 2011