More and more seniors today are considering living in South America these days. Why you may ask? Because there are great real estate buying conditions south of the United States. Many of the South American countries have a cheaper standard of living. For the last few years savvy Americans have discovered the great real estate values in places like Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. Ecuador offers some great real estate opportunities for the adventuresome retiree. Let’s explore living conditions in Cuenca.
Why Ecuador, and why Cuenca? This is city is the third largest city in Ecuador. Cuenca enjoys a spring like year-round climate that many people enjoy. This area is famed for its flower growing business. Many varieties of flowers are shipped internationally from this area. The flowers that are on your table could very well be from this area. It is located at an altitude of approximately 8000 feet. As we said before, it is a spring like year-round climate. The population is about 350,000 people. So this area is not to big to overwhelm you. It is also big enough to offer very diverse things to do and explore.
Cuenca was first explored by the Spanish in the mid 15th century. Beautiful examples of Spanish colonial architecture abound in this picturesque city. It is the third-largest city in Ecuador. Cuenca has quaint cobblestone streets with houses with ornate wrought Iron balconies. There are beautiful flowers all over this old Spanish treasure. They call Cuenca the Athens of the Andes. There are Universities there along with museums, and beautiful old churches. There are also four rivers that flow through the Cuenca area. There are many cultural activities available here. The UNESCO dubbed Cuenca to be a World Cultural Heritage site. Now let’s take a look at buying real estate in the area.
While conditions in the United States for real estate are booming, places in South America are having economic problems. Their problems become your real estate buying opportunity. Compared to the United States property in Cuenca is cheap. Take a look at this great deal. Recently this particular 2 1/2 acre property was offered for sale. It was a 1300 square ft. house that was only built only four years ago. This house had a great view of the valley. It came complete with a bar, and a nice stone fireplace. There was a nice, green, pasture located in front of the house. Now get ready for the price that they offered this great piece of property for. The offered price was a paltry $38,000. Quite a deal for a fairly new house with a beautiful view.
And in a nearby town another 2 1/2 acre property was up for sale. It was described as a mini-Hacienda. This property was comprised of four separate buildings. The roof over the living quarters was made of glass. It had over 6900 square feet of living area with multiple kitchens and caretakers quarters. This great property had large outdoor terraces. There is a large productive orchard on the property. All this was offered for a tiny sum of $85,000. Quite a deal for a savvy investor.
There is also new construction in the area. One lucky fellow told the tale of being able to buy a brand-new one bedroom apartment for $16,000. The monthly condominium maintenance fee was only around $15. That is quite a deal for a bargain hunter. You cannot even find a trailer to live in for that price in the States.
Ecuador is one of the cheapest semi-modern countries that you can find to live In. The people are friendly, the scenery is marvelous, and the living is easy and slow-paced. In addition to living in the mountains there are cheap parcels of land available near the ocean for the observant investor.
There are decent, medical and dental facilities available at very good prices. Some of these doctors are educated in the United States. Retirees can find good care and great prices for their medical needs. Medical fees are quite reasonable in South America. Doctors here don’t have to pay the exorbitant malpractice insurance fees that their counterparts in the United States are stuck with. Good care at reasonable prices is a plus for living in Ecuador.
The cost of living is cheaper than in the States. You can get gardeners and maids for a few dollars an hour. Of course, you’re going to have to learn some Spanish. That is a small price to pay for the bargains that you get from living in Cuenca. Internet services and telephones are available. Fresh food is in abundance at great prices. If you want to live in this quaint area do some more investigating on the Internet. Maybe you might want to visit.
