| Ecuador is a country where you can live surrounded | | | | caused property values to rise rapidly in Cuenca and |
| by unparalleled beauty, whether it be in the ancient | | | | Guayaquil upon completion. Yet the tremendous value |
| colonial cities of the Sierra, the tranquil Valley of | | | | found in these irreplaceable antique homes-some in |
| Longevity, the exotic Amazon rainforest, Ecuador's | | | | the $25,000 to $50,000 range-has not yet been |
| beautiful and natural coastline, or the mystical and | | | | recognized by the Ecuadorian investors.A |
| unique Galapagos Islands.But it's also a country where | | | | two-bedroom apartment in Cuenca's colonial historic |
| you can live on the smallest of incomes. In Ecuador | | | | center a block from the main square just sold for |
| you can still find pristine beachfront lots for under | | | | $34,000 and a beautiful one-bedroom apartment can |
| $12,000, antique colonial homes for under $25,000 | | | | be rented in Cuenca's most luxurious |
| and peaceful mountain retreats for under $50,000. | | | | neighborhood-directly on the Tomebamba River-for |
| You'll pay almost no taxes and enjoy one of the | | | | just $250 per month.Maid service costs around $120 |
| most non-intrusive and non-regulatory governments in | | | | monthly and construction workers still earn around |
| the civilized world.Nestled in the jagged Andes | | | | $200 per month. At the market, you'll find handmade |
| Mountains, it is home to a large portion of the world's | | | | fisherman sweaters for less than $10 and leather |
| wildlife and bird species, as well as a staggering array | | | | jackets for under $50. Even if these prices doubled |
| of different landscapes and climates. There's truly | | | | they would still be cheap.Low prices alone do not |
| something here for everyone.Ecuador's real treasure, | | | | make an ideal retirement or investment destination. |
| however, is its people. It's one of the few places | | | | There are plenty of places the world over where |
| where a foreign resident or visitor can blend easily | | | | you can buy cheap land and find a 50-cent cup of |
| into the community, being welcomed into a new circle | | | | coffee-but you wouldn't want to live there. Not so in |
| of friends and a new way of life with relative ease. | | | | Ecuador.Here you'll enjoy a quality of life that's hard |
| As a foreigner here you'll be treated with respect | | | | to beat and an experience in living that you won't get |
| and the people will be proud to get to know | | | | anywhere else. If you enjoy the outdoors, have |
| you.During the last 5 years, Ecuador has gone | | | | dreamed of owning a Spanish Colonial home in a |
| through a number of tumultuous changes, including | | | | World Heritage site, or want to spend hours strolling |
| the recent ousting of a president in 2005. But today's | | | | on an undeveloped beach, then Ecuador may be for |
| Ecuador has emerged as a country which remains a | | | | you.As you may know, Ecuador survived the Latin |
| haven for those wanting to retire or invest and gives | | | | American financial meltdown of 2002, in part because |
| every sign of retaining a stable government. The | | | | of a stability factor that came from adopting the US |
| landscape of the market has changed, but there are | | | | dollar as the official currency. The formerly high |
| plenty of areas where significant property bargains | | | | inflation rate came in at 3.9% in 2004, same in 2005 |
| can be found and a comfortable lifestyle can be | | | | and it's on track to be about the same in 2006. |
| enjoyed on just a fraction of what you'd spend in | | | | There are no foreign-exchange controls and no |
| much of the world.Today, you can buy a | | | | restrictions on foreign-owned businesses. You can |
| two-bedroom condominium in Quito's historic center, | | | | repatriate 100 percent of your profits.The other hot |
| close to good shopping, gourmet restaurants and | | | | area at this writing is the village of Vilcabamba in |
| hotels, for under $55,000 and a one-bedroom for just | | | | Ecuador's southern Sierra. Enjoying near-perfect year |
| over $25,000. Quito's antique Spanish colonial homes | | | | 'round weather and dramatic mountain scenery, it is |
| in need of restorations start at around $30,000. While | | | | called Ecuador's Valley of Longevity. Here a |
| there are good buys all over the country, the best | | | | two-story traditional Ecuadorian house with five |
| buy right now in the property market is | | | | bedrooms on 2.5 acres with lots of fruit trees and a |
| unquestionably the purchase of old Spanish colonials in | | | | fresh water source that provides fresh water |
| Quito's historic center. The city is in the process of | | | | year-round, sold this year (2006) for $60,000. |
| restoring the old colonial center, something which | | | | |