Relocation

by Howard
(California)

1-In Cuenca can I buy:
A) flannel sheets
B) air purifier
C) stainless steel pan

2- What items would you bring to Cuenca?

3- Sources or email addresses to rent in Cuenca?

4- Email address of Hospital Del Rio to learn of their insurance plans and costs?

5- Can I bring my personal belongings in approved airline boxes with me or must I have a residency visa first?

Thank you for your help. I should arrive by summer, and am trying to make the move as smooth as possible. Is there a checklist?

Howard

Hi Howard.

That's a lot of questions!

1. We've never seen flannel sheets. Bring them, and any quality sheets you want, from home. You'll find lousy sheets everywhere, but no real quality (well, maybe if you want to give up an organ for them, but not reasonably priced).

We've never seen an air purifier either. Best to bring that as well.

You can buy a stainless steel pan (or a set of pots) but they won't be cheap. If you have the room, bring from the US.

2. When I moved, I came with three suitcases and a computer box. The suitcases were filled with my down comforter, my stainless steel pots and pans set, two sets of cutlery (although that's fairly cheap here now), and my iMac (I work over the internet, so I needed it).

Bring anything that you just can't give up, anything you know that you'll need that you have any doubt about, and anything electronic that you have room for. Electronics are pricy here, so an iPod, or iPad, or a netbook, etc., should come from home. Make sure nothing is in its original packaging, unless you can prove that it's used. Customs scans every bag, box and suitcase when you enter the country, looking for items they can tax.

3. You can find plenty of sources online by googling "cuenca house rental" or "cuenca condo rental," depending on which one you want.

4. The hospital's web site is www.hospitaldelrio.com.ec.

5. Each time you come here, you can bring stuff with you on the plane. Typical household items, one notebook computer and one desktop computer (although I wouldn't bring more than one without a 6 month visa, just to be safe).

And you can bring your stuff in anything you want, although we've been told by friends that there's an embargo on boxes during the summer months (mid-June through until September).

Jeff