 Affordable
(and Free!) Expat Living in Baños Ecuador
- “This is Baños, where there is no such thing as late and early
is a strange concept.” My friend Daniel walked outside, tapping a
cigarette against his pack. On the street, town workers wound their
way up and down the lane, sweeping debris and collecting garbage.
The Sunday sun sank behind the mountains, leaving the Clock Tower Plaza
in a purple-gray haze. It was twilight and inside a local bar, La
Cascada Brewpub had a full line-up of expats and burgers. While Daniel
greeted a couple walking into the plaza park, my husband Neil attacked
a steak sandwich with a serrated knife and bartender Christian refilled
our drinks. In Baños, life is laidback and easy. Food
is eclectic with residents—both local and transient—milling about with
friendly smiles. Of the ten people at the bar, six of us had plans
to rendezvous for a poker game. With an open invitation, Daniel included
us and (just like that) Neil and I became a part of the Baños community,
Ecuador’s premier hot spring town. Before settling in Baños, Neil
and I had traveled for six weeks. We’d swam with sharks in the Galapagos,
shopped in Otavalo, hiked to Laguna San Pablo, and road-tripped down the
Ecuadorian coast called the Ruta del Sol. We need a rest, a place
to write and recuperate. After booking 7 nights at La Casa Verde
Hotel, the only ecolodge in town, we found ourselves staying 2 more nights
and then moving into an apartment. |
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| Real Estate In Ecuador
By Province
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 Retirement
in Costa Rica v Ecuador: A comparison for potential expat retirees
- Both Costa Rica and Ecuador have much to offer retired expats. I will
start with the northernmost of the two: Costa Rica, which is much smaller,
is more modern in North American/European terms. Retirement in Costa Rica
- One of the great attractions of living in Costa Rica is that the medical
care is excellent, yet if needs be, Miami and Houston are only a couple
of hours away. Another major aspect that many retirees may find advantageous
is that one does not have to know much Spanish, because nearly everybody
speaks English to some degree in Costa Rica. Mother Nature is at her best
in these latitudes. The Caribbean side of the cordillera receives almost
200 inches (5 meters!) of rain every year, which leads to frequent road
closures from San Jose to Limon, but the result of all that irrigation
is amazingly lush and green. Elsewhere, climates range from the relatively
dry Guanacaste Peninsula to the shrouded cloud forests of Monteverde to
some of the densest rainforests in the world, home to uncounted species
of animals. |
 Seeking
the Ultimate Freedom
- Buy A Farm – You can combine real estate with agriculture by purchasing
a working farm. This as an increasingly attractive alternative for many
people seeking a safe haven. A working farm offers some element of cash
flow from farming activities where land prices are reasonable and farm
labor is cheap. Examples are wine (Argentina), coffee (Panama, Ecuador,
Costa Rica), fruits, nuts, coco, etc. The idea is not to get rich,
but to supplement your income and achieve gratification from the production
of your own product. Make sure your farm has ample water supply.
Buy Lifestyle – It is never a mistake to invest in your lifestyle. If you
are ready for a retirement home, it may be a good time to buy in certain
projects where developers are under stress and willing to offer steep discounts
and/or good financing terms. Avoid projects that are still on the ground
floor and favor projects where the amenities are already in place. If financing
is offered, attempt to get the developers to lock in the interest rate
for several years as opposed to some sort of variable rate. Watch out for
money grabs in older developments where the home owners association is
controlled by local developers in need of cash. We’ve heard about buildings
in Mexico where suddenly the central air conditioner system needs replacing
to the tune of $40,000 per condo owner. |
 The
Key to Getting an Offshore Checking Account in Ecuador (without Being a
Resident) - I
don’t think I have to spell out the enormous benefits of having a bank
account in another country. For one, you can take money out of the ATM
when in that country without paying fees. Deposit money and pay bills without
having to transfer the money into the country every time; and not to mention,
tax advantages with regards to your home country. In Ecuador, you can get
that offshore bank account you desire. Here is the trick; avoid the big
banks of Ecuador, with the stricter policies, and head for the smaller
banks, there are several, preferably the ones whose main colors are green
or red… These smaller banks are much more likely to overlook their
normal regulations and give you an account. (Most Ecuadorians view foreigners
as high rollers and the banks are no different. Big banks already have
their accounts, but the smaller ones are constantly on the lookout!) |
 List
Of Offshore Banks - An offshore bank is defined by its location,
or 'jurisdiction'. An offshore bank is usually located outside of the depositors
country of residence, typically within a jurisdiction that levies very
low taxes, or no taxes at all. Each jurisdiction varies in its degree
of taxation, its degree of privacy, and its services. Offshore banks located
in politically and economically stable jurisdictions provide a safe-haven
for assets that may be at risk in the nation in which the investor lives
and holds residency. |
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Expat
Taxes - Offshore Tax Information - Foreign Earned Income - Individuals
have been leaving their own land to seek opportunities elsewhere since
the dawn of mankind. But it has only been since the development of the
modern nation-state, and its taxation of the worldwide income of its citizen-residents,
that expatriation has taken on significant tax consequences. Escapeartist
has hatched a new partnership with Global
Wealth Protection that will set the standard
for authoritative information on Asset Protection, International Banking
and Wealth Management. |
 The
Cost of Living in Ecuador - 2010
- Ecuador is a cheap place to live, no doubt about it. Those who think
life in Ecuador costs about the same as other Latin American destinations
like Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, or the Dominican Republic are mistaken.
Of course, how much you spend greatly depends on your personal spending
habits, and a little on the area of the city in which you live. But Ecuador
is a land where the dollar still goes a long way, and people still
cherish their pennies. Food, transport, medical and housing costs are all
considerably lower than in most of the western hemisphere. |
 Retire
to Coastal Ecuador Lifestyle – Paradise or Sacrifice?
- One of the challenges with living on Ecuador’s coast is finding any semblance
of first world infrastructure. In a minute we’ll tell you about one of
the few exceptions, but first, a little background…! Most of Ecuador’s
coastal villages are charming but rustic. In most small towns and
villages, you won’t find things like hot running water, fly-less restaurants,
air conditioning, or paved streets. Lifestyle seekers should come
prepared for rudimentary supermarkets, occasional power outages,
and limited nightlife. In many cases, Ecuador’s smaller coastal villages
can feel like a sacrifice rather than a paradise. Too often, we’ve seen
expats move to tiny beach communities in search of “paradise” only to eventually
end up moving to a larger town or city in favor of infrastructure, conveniences,
and social events. It’s easy to live on a deserted beach for a couple
of weeks, but try it for a couple of years. One Of The Few Exceptions Is
Manta |
 The
Lowdown on Low Cost Beachfront Property in Ecuador
- Beachfront property in Ecuador can still be bought for less than $40,000.
But at the risk of this sounding like a sales pitch, it is in limited supply.
Ecuador is an amazing, peaceful place with beautiful beaches, warm weather
and really inexpensive beachfront bargains. With each passing year as global
warming sets in, the hurricanes seem to be getting stronger. They
are turning into destructive forces beyond human containment. This
is why you should consider buying property out of hurricane paths. Unlike
the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Costa Rica,
Ecuador is completely out of hurricane paths. Ecuador faces the Pacific
Ocean sheltered from the hurricanes that hit Central America and the Caribbean.
Bargain basement prices and increased exposure will light the fuse and
turn Ecuador in to the next hotspot on the world´s beachfront real
estate scene. But if you don’t know what you are doing, you could easily
get duped. |
 What
Life’s Been Like Living In Ecuador -
We made the sharp turn off a small country road into the bush and started
to climb. After a brief pause to shift into four-wheel drive, we continued
ascending through fields of lemons, bananas, and, finally, sugar cane.
The road narrowed even more and finally disappeared as we entered a clearing
near the top of the mountain. The Land Cruiser crawled over a deep bed
of discarded sugar cane stalks, and we pulled to a stop in front of an
old open-sided thatched-roof building, which housed an ancient cane-press
powered by an antique Briggs and Stratton engine. Just behind this enclosure
we could see the telltale wisp of wood smoke indicating the presence of
a “still” just out of sight. As we got out of the truck with six Ecuadorian
friends, we were greeted by a middle aged couple emerging from their bamboo
house. We noticed an old man back at the still, tending a wood fire under
a used 55-gallon oil drum as the clear, anis-scented Mallorca sugar cane
liquor dripped from the other end. After exchanging pleasantries all around
and having the sugar operation explained, we gathered on wooden stools
around the still, and sampled the hot Mallorca as it dripped from the copper
tubing. “It occurred to me, sitting there enjoying the fire and swapping
stories in Spanish, that this is why we came to Ecuador. Sure, the cost
of living is low, but life here is so much more than just inexpensive.”
The values of 1950s America… The lifestyle here is simple… and almost never
as efficient as most of us are accustomed to For those who like relaxing
and taking things as they come, it’s easy to get used to the pace, but
if you’re short on patience, think again. - |
 Nothing
You Do on the Internet is Offshore… Unless You Make it Offshore
- For several years, we at Cryptohippie published an Electronic Police
State Report. We cobbled it together as best we could because we thought
it was important. The first year, some significant web sites paid some
attention to it and it even spawned a cool Wikipedia
page, but after the first group, no one
else really wanted to know. Most people preferred to remain in denial as
long as they could; facing an ugly truth required too much of them. We
abandoned
the report early this year. Even now,
Joe Average is still able to limp along in his denial, but if you have
an interest in anything “offshore,” you simply do not have that luxury.
If you don’t protect your data, you are leaving a gaping hole in your otherwise
highly secure offshore structure. - WHAT RISK? If you have not understood
this before, you must understand it now: The risk of not protecting your
data has nothing to do with you being a bad person or doing bad things.
In fact, I’ve know hundreds of people doing “offshore” things and almost
none of them were doing anything bad or illegal. The risk has nothing to
do with bad, it has to do with vulnerable. |
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 Crisis
investing in Ecuador: Rock-bottom property prices, fabulous ocean views,
and easy living -
As we have been explaining since last winter, Ecuador is experiencing its
worst economic crisis in 70 years. This has created a unique situation
with unique opportunities.Right now in Ecuador, you have access to every
creature comfort available in the Western world - new cars (used cars cannot
be imported into Ecuador, a rule that keeps smog producers out), television
sets, cell phones, computers, and the most modern Internet access. In addition,
you also have access to personal services (a driver, a live-in maid, and
a cook, for example) that are no longer available in the United States
or Europe except to the very rich. With wages at 75 cents an hour and real-estate
costs low, every imaginable domestic service is just plain cheap. Furthermore,
because there is very high unemployment, Ecuadorians value their jobs and
treat their patrons with respect and honor. Personal services are not only
inexpensive (maids charge about $75 a month) but also good! This is as
true for loyal domestic service as it is for the bellhops in hotels and
waiters in restaurants. For example, two North American friends recently
bought several hundred acres in Ecuador, where they plan to retire and
farm. |
|
 Henshaw
in Quito -
Over the past year and a half there has been much interest in Ecuador,
generated primarily by the economic disaster that began here about mid-1999
and which continues to this day. The massive inflation led to the demise
of the national currency, the Sucre, and the departure of the last president.
It was during that time that my wife and I found our new home for about
$22,000. I hear that people still occasionally come to Ecuador in search
of the same deals, which unfortunately may ave since vanished.A house like
ours(2000 sq. ft. in a gated community)will cost about $50-60,000 today.
Other prices have also risen.Certainly Ecuador is still relatively cheap
I believe it has now mostly lost its cost advantage over other Central
and South American countries. Let me give some price examples: Our property
tax: $38.60, registration of our used car: $18.00, monthly electric bill:
$3.50, monthly gas bill: $2.50. Gasoline costs $1.00 per gallon.
Our maid costs $3.50 per day (3 days each week, and she's a great cook),
the handyman who's currently installing tile on our patio is paid $1 per
hour. These are today's prices. But other items, like furniture, for example,
cost about the same here as in the US. Cars cost about 10% more.
Our monthly food bill is about $250, which is roughly what we spent in
California. |
|
 International
Investment In Ecuador Made Easy - My wife
Merri and I were at Rosaspamba, Ecuador our hacienda 5.4 miles north the
as we watched a salmon sunset fade into plum wine and fall drunken in beauty
behind a razor backed ridge. Stars awakened like diamond beacons studded
in ink. We live here in the winter, enjoy our mountain farm in North Carolina
in the summer, but depend on neither for our welfare. Technology has opened
the world for small businesses and we take advantage of this. The world
is our marketplace and having customers in 82 countries brings us great
independence. The sun always shines somewhere and we can choose where to
place our efforts and assets when politicians or marketplaces where we
live go bad. You can too. The Internet and low cost jet travel can provide
a horizon-expanding global backdrop for you and your business and unhinge
boundaries so you can enjoy a lifestyle unthinkable just a few years ago. |
|
 Living
In The Valley of Longevity in Ecuador - Vilcabamba
and the nearby villages continue to cast their spell on savvy world travellers
who recognise a unique location with unusual benefits when they see one.
The highly touted health benefits derived from the energy fields of intersecting
ley lines seem to bear out the legends. In talking with many newly
relocated gringos I hear stories of increased vigor and decreased aches
and pains. It’s amazing how many people I hear from who have vague
plans to move here upon their retirement. But, like everywhere else
in the world where the countryside is beautiful and the living is easy,
progress is inexorable. So my advice is “Don’t wait much longer or
you will miss the boat” Vilcabamba has sprung into the modern age with
long awaited cellular service, internet (in most areas) and several
new and excellent restaurants and small businesses. This, of course, means
property values are rising though still a bargain by US standards.
No longer is it possible to buy country property for a few thousand dollars
a hectare and properties within the town have risen accordingly. |
|
 Inti,
Shamanic Wisdom From Ecuador - In Quito -
During my recent visit to Quito Ecuador, I had the privledge and pleasure
of participating in a small conference of Shamans and Native Healers. It
was organized by Dr. Maximilliano Moreno, director Ecotrackers. There were
about ten people in attendance, including academics in Anthroplogy and
Sociology from several countries. One particapant, a Toltec Indian from
Mexico, lead the group in a series of energy exercises. (Toltec Tai-chi!)
The Shaman, currently living in Quito, is from the same lineage as Don
Juan Matus described by Carlos Castaneda in his books. - I’m no millionaire,
I don’t have castles or drive a Mercedes-Benz, I don’t have fabulous banking
accounts. But this is the seventeenth time I’ve traveled across the world.
And the Universe has put me in many countries, on practically every continent
on the planet. I believe with all my heart that knowledge has been the
passport which has taken me to share my life with many people, and having
been fed in many forms by my brothers and sisters of Earth. |
|
 Real
Estate In Ecuador - Beachfront And Mountains
- In the past 4 year I have been dealing with foreigners from all over
the world that have been purchasing land and buying businesses in the coastal
area of Ecuador, this experience has been very rewarding for me in all
aspects: cultural, intellectual and financial , but here comes the best
part, it has been rewarding for foreigners, too. In other words,
it has worked out both ways, everybody wins!! And that is what I have learned
and experienced. Of course 4 years ago was the best time to purchase, since
Ecuador was going thru the worst of financial times As many people found
their savings frozen in banks and then desperate for money. During this
time of crisis, I remember how some people from a real estate tour of International
Living made a number of good investments with a good returns. |
|
 The
Utopian EcoVillage Network in Ecuador - The
Utopian Village Network in Ecuador is an intentional community with a self
- sufficient goal. They are seeking people who have a strong desire to
live communally. The UVNE is part of a network of intentional communities
throughout the world linked with similar values to support each other for
the creation of a new society. The basic intention of the Utopian
Eco Village Network is to be a pilot model demonstration of how to live
in a real New World consciousness of sharing on all levels: spiritually,
mentally, emotionally and physically. Part of the EcoVillage mission statement
reads, "We are revolutionaries who aren't waiting for the revolution anymore.
We don't need it or even want it. We already abstain from mainstream American
culture whenever we feel like it. We write our own menu. We aim at keeping
alive in ourselves the intensity of spirit experienced during roaring sunsets,
high ritual, satori. We want it now, all of the time. |
|
 The
Black Sheep Inn - An Ecological Inn In Ecuador
- Some guest rooms have skylights for stargazing at night, others treat
waking guests to crystal canyon views more eye-opening than two cups of
local coffee. Hammerman has designed all of the buildings himself, and
permaculture dictates that he use local materials as much as possible,
so straw, adobe and Spanish tile dominate the propety’s aesthetic. Breakfast
and dinner are included with a stay ($18-$38 per person per night), and
these two can cook. Their all-you-can-eat vegetarian feasts are well known
among the backpackers traversing this continent. Most importantly, Hammerman
and Kirby chose a stop-and-stare spot. The windows of the inn’s main lodge
frame a stunning panorama of green canyon slopes, a patchwork of farms
and the snow-capped 5,000-meter Iliniza Norte volcano. Most evenings, especially
during the February to June rainy season, clouds float up at us from the
deep Rio Toachi Canyon like steam from a city manhole. The sun sets behind
the nearby mountain range, and the canyon lights up a glowing pink. Popular
hikes in the area include exploring the spectacular Laguna Quiolotoa, a
3-km-wide active volcanic crater lake about an hour’s drive from Chugchilan.
Another popular day trip is riding horses over the last spines of the Andes,
as the mountains gradually bow toward the Pacific Coast, a mere 100 kilometers
away. This descent is upholstered with lush cloud forest, which is mostly
unexplored, unprotected and being logged too fast for Hammerman and Kirby’s
comfort. |
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lifestyle - In addition we have 1,000's of archived articles from
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Live & Invest Offshore - Get the real facts from the best; including
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 How
To Buy A Vineyard Overseas
- 9 Artices About Owning, Managing & Living On
A Vineyard. Fractional Ownership, Vineyards in Argentina, Vineyards in
France, disappointments and successes. If you want to own a vineyard read
these articles and see how others have done it. |
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 Live
On A Lake - WorldWide Retirement Havens. 9 Lakes worldwide-
From New Zealand to Lake Como in Italy. Lake Como? If it’s the Hollywood
A-list lifestyle you’re lusting after, then look no further than waterfront
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the shorelines of this glacier lake, while aristocratic castles cut into
the steep country hills that descend into Europe’s third largest lake.
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You Want To Buy Panama? (or Ecuador) Escapeartist.com, the
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 Safe
Medical Tourism in Ecuador Yes, Safe Overseas
Medical Tourism Offshore. Find Safe Clinics, Read Reviews, Active Discussion
posts. Members & providers can communicate directly and exchange information
freely. |
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 Yachts
For Sale In South America Yes, Boats, Barges
and Yachts for sale in Ecuador and other parts of South America. the online
Yacht Broker. - If it floats on water it's in the Yacht Broker - Buy or
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 Where
to Own Gold – Asset Protection Planning
- Owning precious metals seems to be the only protection from governments
racing to devalue their currencies to cover their debts. Although this
is likely not a revelation to you, the markets have brought you dozens
of ways to begin acquiring through financial instruments, futures, and
allocated or unallocated physical storage. |
|
 Moving
Money Offshore By Jay Butler Asset Protection Services Ltd
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers all income reportable regardless
of the source or location derived and most assets held offshore are reportable,
however some are not. When looking to preserve your assets it is important
to understand the difference between taxable income and reportable assets.
Here are 3 ways to legally move money offshore without any requirements
to report it to the United States government, the IRS or international
regulatory agency. 1.) Opening an Offshore Bank Account - >
> > MORE |
|
 How
to Maintain Asset Privacy Within the US By Bobby Casey, Global Wealth Protection
- With asset protection planning, anonymity seems to be the number one
concern for people these days. And rightly so. Any 11 year
old with a laptop can easily do an online record search and find your bank
accounts and their balances, your vehicle registrations, your real estate
assets, your credit report, your residence history and even your driving
record. Many clients are interested in anonymity and asset protection.
In some cases clients confuse the two. They think that anonymity
is asset protection. It is not, but anonymity does have benefits.
When forming an FLP (family limited partnership) or an LLC (limited liability
company), the strength of the entity is dependent upon the state of formation,
the quality of the operating agreement and the business purpose of the
entity. -
> > > MORE |
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 Stock
Markets / Stock Exchanges A - E (Africa through Europe)
- Some exchanges are physical locations where transactions are carried
out on a trading floor, by a method known as open outcry. This type of
auction is used in stock exchanges and commodity exchanges where traders
may enter "verbal" bids and offers simultaneously. The other type of stock
exchange is a virtual kind, composed of a network of computers where trades
are made electronically via traders. The purpose of a stock exchange is
to facilitate the exchange of securities between buyers and sellers, thus
providing a marketplace (virtual or real). The exchanges provide real-time
trading information on the listed securities, facilitating price discovery. |
|
 Stock
Markets / Stock Exchanges F - N (Finland through Norway)
- Market participants include individual retail investors, institutional
investors such as mutual funds, banks, insurance companies and hedge funds,
and also publicly traded corporations trading in their own shares. Some
studies have suggested that institutional investors and corporations trading
in their own shares generally receive higher risk-adjusted returns than
retail investors. A few decades ago, worldwide, buyers and sellers were
individual investors, such as wealthy businessmen, usually with long family
histories to particular corporations. Over time, markets have become more
"institutionalized"; buyers and sellers are largely institutions (e.g.,
pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, index funds, exchange-traded
funds, hedge funds, investor groups, banks and various other financial
institutions). |
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