Furnished or unfurnished?

How easy and how expensive is it to furnish an apt. in Cuenca? I see great deals on unfurnished apts.

It is about as easy as shopping for furniture and appliances in the US. The only difference in that in some stores you will be expected to negotiate the price of the item and terms of delivery. Cash is king, so ask what the discount is for cash. Having said that, in the last 18 months most major Ecuadorian retailers have turned to online retailing and the web prices are usually about the same as cash. So you can visit online stores and browse models and prices.
In terms of appliances, you can find global brands like LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and GE. You can also find regional brands like Mabe and Indurama, among others.
Price will depend on model, brand, and if applicable, your ability to make a good deal.

Thanks! I appreciate it.