Mike, I’ve just finished listening to the recordings of the recent seminar in Quito, and one big thing that I got out of that is that Loja merits inclusion on the list. Sounds like it’s slightly lower and thus warmer than Cuenca, maybe half the size, a little more remote, but has two universities, good medical facilities, and lots of art and music. It seems to not yet have much expat presence, although I’ve got a suspicion they’re just quieter than the ones in Cuenca.
It’s certainly beautiful — get on youtube and search “loja”
Dave