Rentals in Cuenca

by Jim S
(Estacada, OR)

Jeff,

We will be arriving in Cuenca on March 11, 2011. I would like to have your wife's assistance in our relocation as previously discussed.

I do have one question. I will be renting a house prior to our moving on April 21st. Is it safe to have the furniture delivered during my March visit and prior to our arrival in April or should it be delivered just prior to our arrivial.

If it should be delivered just prior to our arrival, say on April 20th, is this some thing that your wife could coordinate for us.

While in town, I will need to arrange for cell phone, set up a bank account, purchase appliances and furniture, set up utilities, etc.

Looking forward to meeting you. Do so much enjoy your blog. Believe me it has been so helpful.

Regards,

Jim

*****

Hi Jim. We're glad that you found the site helpful.

Regarding rentals and shipping furniture, I'd say the odds of your container arriving on your doorstep while you're here in March are remote. Possible, just not likely.

Also, I think you'll need to be here when the container arrives, so you should aim to have it delivered just AFTER you arrive for good in April.

There will be paperwork that only you can sign (bureaucracy is difficult here, too) and you and your family will be the only ones to know if everything arrives in the condition it left the US.

Now, after saying all that, re-reading your questions left me wondering if you meant that you're wondering if it's okay to have furniture purchased here delivered while you're here in March.

To that, I'd say that it's absolutely okay, as long as the house you're renting has protection (namely, a wall around it, and metal grillwork over the windows and doors).

But it might be best to lessen your chances more and have it delivered in April (how's that for hedging my advice?).

And that's something that Lulie could help you with.

I'll make sure she has your email address so that she can start communicating with you.

We look forward to meeting you in March, and your entire family in April.

Jeff

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Rentals in Cuenca

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Shipping Belongings
by: Howard

Thank you so much for your previous help, Lulie & Jeff! In order for me to bring 6 regular size airplane boxes and 2 suitcases (no items worth over $100), do I need to wait for a resident visa or can I do it on a tourist visa when I arrive initially?

Can I buy flannel sheets, a good comforter, a stainless steel pan or an air cleaner machine in Cuenca?

*****

Hi Howard.

When I came, I had three suitcases, my iMac box (filled with extra stuff in addition to the computer), a computer bag with my notebook computer, and a small backpack (walking around town size). Plus my dog and her crate.

I didn't pay anything to get any of it into the country. But I already had my 6 month visa, which was required to obtain permanent residency.

You can certainly bring as much as you want on a tourist visa, but you may end up paying duty on some of it, especially if it looks new. But if you're planning on moving here, you should obtain your 6 month visa before you come. Then you should be able to bring just about anything with you without duty.

I recommend that you take everything out of boxes, especially any electronics. If you need the box to protect something, take the box apart carefully and reglue it inside out.

Put the packaging materials in, and then the product. If you can throw in a few little items as well, that will go a long way to making your items look used.

You'll have to bring flannel sheets.

You can find comforters here. Whether they're good or not, I'm not sure. I brought mine with me.

You'd be surprised how small they become if you get one of those vacuum storage bags for it. Suck all the air out of the bag, seal it, and put it in a suitcase, using it as padding for more delicate items.

Stainless steel is expensive here. If you can bring it with you without a lot of extra expense, do that. I brought my entire pot and pan set with me.

I've never seen any air cleaners here in Cuenca, so you'd do best to bring one with you.

Jeff

Welcome and Hello
by: lulie

Hi Jim, I'm here to help and can do all of the things you need. I have actually bought and delivered furniture without owners here.

I would like to know if you have a container being shipped here, and if so, when does it arrive? I do hope you plan to be here when it arrives as that IS a huge and important rendezvous!

Here is my personal email for your further questions!
I looking forward to meeting you. And I know you all are looking forward to landing here.

lulielawry@yahoo.com

Lulie

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