Ecuador Expat Profile – Gary Sisk, Cuenca Ecuador
This is part of our Expat Profile Series. Do you have a story? Share your Story here. We have one section for Expats and another for Travelers.
Ecuador Expat Profile – Gary Sisk, Cuenca Ecuador
The Expat: Gary Sisk
What is your blog url?
Blog: gas2335.blogspot.com
Facebook: gas2335
Where are you currently living?
Cuenca, Ecuador for three months.
What’s Your Story?
I am a single 63 year old man still seeking new adventures in life.
I am retired, I was born in Long Beach, CA and grew up in Ojai, CA. I have lived in Oregon, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Ohio, Colorado, Missouri and Mexico.
When and where did you get the idea of living in Ecuador?
I wanted to live in a healthy affordable enviroment and after a few months of on-line research I decided Cuenca, Ecuador was the place.
I have been living in Cuenca for almost three months now and plan on becoming a resident here. I have applied for retirement residency and expect it will take a few months.
How’s your Spanish?
I speak serveral words in Spanish and I can communicate when it is necessary but I have relyed on my Ecuadorian friends for major tasks. It is important to speak Spanish if you are going to live here and easier to learn while you are living here. I am American and speak English.
What do you do?
I am retired from the Time-Share industry, which I got involved with in 1983 in Hawaii and continued in the industry in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo and Playa Del Carmen during my twelve years of living in Mexico.
I also worked in Time-Share in Branson, MO., Tucson, Arizona and Las Vegas.
How do you find the cost of living in Ecuador?
Everything in Cuenca is much less than the USA except for imported items which I can live without. The cost of living here is pretty much what I expected.
What do you love about Ecuador?
The things I love most about living here in Cuenca is number one the Ecuadorians are very friendly and seem happier than people from my hometown.
The positive things for me about living here is the clean enviroment. Fresh air, great water and fresh fruits and vegetables all year around. I really did not read many negative things about Cuenca other than some unhappy Expats who probably would not be happy living anywhere anyway.
I feel very safe here, but of course watch what I carry with me as I would also do anywhere in the USA.
I found a great two bedroom/two bathroom condo here on the 11th floor overlooking the Tomebamba river. My rent is $280 a month, water is $8, gas $6, electricity $8, Cable $56 and Internet $26. My major expense was appliances and furniture.
Any gringos considering moving here should do their research on line. I found GringosAbroad to be my best resource. I contacted my attorney recommended by Gringos Abroad before I came here. I faxed them my paper work to make sure I had what was required. I followed Bryan’s advice about finding an apartment for rent and the cost of furnishings.
I have been to a couple of Expat parties and made a few gringo friends. But I also have made some great Ecuadorian friends that I enjoy being with very much.
You may also like -
Related posts:
Hi Gary!
Sounds like you’ve landed on your feet in Cuenca, a nice place to find yourself. I’m curious how you find the social life, expat or otherwise. When we were renting a place on Calle Larga in 2009 for a couple months, there was a group of expats that got together once or twice a week. If you work your way back on my blog you can see our two month stay, pix and all.
That’s really the only concern I’d have about moving, maintaining a decent social existence. Hope you’ve found your paradise. We may be back some day.
-TD
There are still ZOE on friday’s and now Calif. Kitchen also on friday.
De Bacco’s on tuesdays. And lots of cooking classes, Spanish classes, concerts and bus trips!
My self I like ZOE, being single I find more single people here.
De Bacco seems to have lots of married couples sho tend to stick together.
I need to go more often, but find 3 beers or 3 glasses of wine do me in up here! Ha!
I do have some great Ecuadorian friends and spend more time with them.
Also I have run into some gringo finatics! But variety is the fun in life!
Where do you live now and what is your blog?
Gary
We live (still) in southern Oregon, Ashland, a university town. One of the things I fantasize about is having an organization of expats (wherever we go) that has classes (we’re active in the local learning in retirement scene here).
Things I would miss would be sports, though hiking would take the place of some of that and the continued learning (classes in whatever from films to literature). I’ve got a wife and plenty of interests including golf (I know there’s a 9 hole course there), photography (with great opportunities in/around Cuenca).
Think we went to the expats gathering Zoe’s a few times in the two months we lived in Cuenca but Calif. Kitchen is a new one. And bus trips? What is that about? Travel & activities in different places?
More than a couple beers or wines and I’m liable to do something stupid.
Oh! my blog (kind of inactive cuz I post pix on Flick) is at http://terrydarc.wordpress.com. The Flickr stuff is at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35742767@N04/collections/ with Ecuador both 2007 (our first visit) and 2009.
Hi Gary,
What an amazing life you have. I am recently returned to the states after 18 months in Burundi, Africa. I am coming to Cuenca on May 2nd and staying about two weeks. I would enjoy the chance to make some conections while I am there. This will be my first time to Ecuador, but I am interested in moving there if the fit is right. Working on a blog now. Would like to meet up if you have the time to. I have no fixed itinerary (Im not an itinerary kind of guy). Just want to enjoy the country, the people, and the culture.
Thanks so much for your blog!
Scott Emerson,
Concord, New Hampshire
Sounds like you are having a exciting life Too! Please send your blog when it is completed!
Gracias,
Gary
Hi Gary, I am a single 56 year old female looking to move to Ecuador. I haven’t decided yet where to buy but thought I would rent something in Cuenca until I make that decision. It is always best to find someone who has some experience in relocating and any help would be much appreciated. I have established contacts in Quito and Banos, but when I visited found those elevations to be too much for me as I like working out and enjoy the outdoors, but found it too difficult to breath. I am hoping to eventually find something closer to or on the coast, as I do paddle boarding, running, etc. Also I like the warmer climates, being from Florida, so it’s probably more to my liking. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I enjoyed the photos posted on your blog.
Angela Downing
Anglela,
I also have had difficult adjusting to the altitude here in Cuenca + I have asthma. There is 21% less oxygen up here than the coast but using all our lung copacity provides the blood with lots of red blood cells which feed the body oxygen. I keep struggling and walking and going to the gym and I am breathing much better minus 25 pounds! And striving to lose another 20 pounds will also help with my breathing. I will check out the coast this summer when it is cooler.
Thanks for the comment and keep in touch,
Gary
Let me know when you are here! Gracias!
[...] Gringos Abroad – I met Gary Sisk during my recent visit to Cuenca (turns out that we knew his sister when we lived in Ojai, small world.) He is the feature of Gringos’ most recent Ecuador Expat Profile. [...]
Hello Gary:I enjoyed your post.I am a 63 year old male with a 7 1/2 year old Daughter currently in the Philippines-past 12 years-and 11 1/2 years too long.Ecuador has”peaked”my interest and I also lived in Branson Mo.20 years owning my own refrigeration business.I knew many”time bandits” (ha ha)personally working for Point Royal and Kimberling City.Small world.
Sounds like you have found your home and happy for you.
Gary and Logan
What a small world we live in now days! I lived in Branson the 1st time in 1997 – 2000 and again 2009 – 2001. I worked at Surrey, Spinagger, World Mark and Diamond Resorts.
Keep in touch,
Gary