Judith P. Says:
I’m going to spend a few months in Cuenca, Ecuador as a test-run. I’ve rented an apartment in the downtown area. What can I expect living there?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Judith,
Congratulations on your upcoming trip to Cuenca. It’s a smart idea to spend a few months living in a place before committing to a move, so you can get first-hand experience of the city.
El Centro, as the downtown area of Cuenca is called, is where you’ll find the city’s best restaurants and bars. Calle Larga, next to the Tomebamba River, is party central until the wee hours of Thursday and Friday nights. Tiesto’s Café Restaurant on Juan Jaramillo is a must.
But living downtown is not without its challenges.
The major traffic arteries are busy, crowded, and noisy during the day, despite the opening of a light-rail system (Tranvía de Cuenca) in 2020 to help alleviate this problem.
The reality is that Cuenca continues to grow every year, with more and more private cars on the streets, and the buses that were supposed to be rerouted after the Tranvía came into existence continue to plow their old routes.
That’s not to say you can’t find oases of calm in El Centro.
Expat Regina Potenza has lived in El Centro for seven years. She rents a rambling apartment for around $300 per month. “I live on a quiet, convenient side street in a safe residential area. Since there are no bus routes here, it’s a relatively traffic-free street as well, especially after dark.”
So it really depends on where in El Centro your rental is. Once you’re there, take the time to walk around and look for quieter side streets like Regina’s. You might just find your own oasis of calm in the busy city.
You can read about some of the other benefits to life in Ecuador in the July issue of International Living.
And, if you haven’t already, I’d recommend picking up a copy of our Escape to Ecuador guidebook to help plan your move further.
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