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About Living & Investing In Ecuador |
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a coffee plantation in Guatemala... buy a summer home on the Dalmatian
coast... retire in the Bahamas - New Zealand's unpopular valuables.
The current land boom in Florida has roughly doubled the price of raw land
in the last five years, and people are starting to look elsewhere. I'll
put my money on New Zealand. It's been the cheapest developed country in
the world for the last several years for two reasons: their dollar has
been in a long-term free-fall; and their economy, which runs on wood, wool,
mutton, and dairy products, has been extremely depressed as a result of
all-time lows in commodity prices. Kiwi voters, awhile ago, elected a Labor
government equivalent to the Democrats in the States, reactively blaming
the incumbent Nationals - equivalent to the Republicans, for their problems.
The New Zealand dollar hit a new low of US$0.46 as a result, which is probably
a panic bottom. It's one thing when things are dirt cheap in a Third World
country. But New Zealand looks, feels, and acts like the United States
or Canada, exactly like British Columbia, in fact... (This observation
and much more) |
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| Crisis
investing in Ecuador: Rock-bottom
property prices, fabulous ocean views, and easy living -
“Ecuador has it all,” I said to the group of adventure-some International
Living readers traveling with me to my adopted homeland. “Beauty, convenience,
and incredibly low cost. And right now, prices are lower than ever.”
I was having little trouble convincing this crowd. We sat at a cliff-top
restaurant and watched the Pacific stretch blue and serene to the horizon.
Miles of empty beach lay in our view. And we had just returned from inspecting
Mediterranean villas that overlook a sleepy fishing village and the sea
(on offer for only $35,000). by Gary Scott - From the Best of International
Living |
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| Dangerous
investing: How one of the four companies traded in Ecuador could make you
a fortune - Investing
in Ecuador - We’re recommending a stock for extreme investors only.
We have to warn you, it’s one of the riskiest, most dangerous investments
we’ve ever recommended. But no one is looking at this company, market,
or country as the big winner it could be. As a result, we believe it has
the potential to make you a fortune. If you’ve read the last few issues
of IL, you know how excited we are about dollarization in Ecuador, and
what we believe it will do to the country’s real estate market. But we’re
also keeping a close eye on the stock market. Because look at what happened
when three countries followed through with dollarization…and took the power
to print money away from their central banks: • Hong Kong: Stock market
rose 500% in four years • Panama: 100 years of monetary stability • Argentina:
Market rose 800% in just three years—and inflation flattened to zero.
That’s how powerful dollarization can be. by Steve Sjuggerud |
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| From Guayaquil
to Esmeraldas: Ecuador’s
best real-estate buys on offer right now -
Giant Pacific breakers crested and crashed on the sand. A damp ocean breeze
tickled palms as they swayed over the beachfront restaurant where I sat,
enjoying my delicious 72-cent cheese omelet and 38-cent cup of fresh, thick
coffee with creamy, hot milk. A boy rode past on his bicycle carrying a
bucket loaded with wriggling fish. This was as good as it gets for those
who enjoy the beach... by Gary Scott |
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| Henshaw
in Quito - Expat Vernon Henshaw and his wife Lorna moved to Quito,
Ecuador, in 1999. Prices have risen, but the cost advantages are still
real and there's that sense of freedom he has. Vernon writes, "We
found our new home for about $22,000. A house like ours (2000 sq. ft. in
a gated community) will cost about $50 - 60,000 today, but prices are still
cheap compared with living in the USA. 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). Most of all, I love
Ecuador because of the freedom I feel. I can do essentially anything
I want to, without having to negotiate a plethora of rules and restrictions.
I can make changes to my house without a building permit; I can put in
all the glass I want without violating a building code." |
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| How I found
my perfect retirement home in Quito: a three bedroom house for $20,000
- Retiring
Overseas - The first thing I noticed about Quito was the absence
of bugs. They always come after me before my wife Lorna, and when I didn’t
see any, I was encouraged about our decision to visit this place. We were
looking for a retirement home... We have read with great interest
Gary Scott’s articles in International Living. We were intrigued by the
prices, and by the descriptions of the countryside and the people. We did
some research on our own, and the more we looked, the more we liked what
we saw. by Vern Henshaw |
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| International
Investment Made Easy - The
Sovereign Society ~ by Gary Scott - My wife Merri and I were at
Rosaspamba, Ecuador, our hacienda 5.4 miles north of the equator 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. Jan/04 |
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Inti,
Shamanic Wisdom From Ecuador - In
Quito ~ by Mark McMahon - 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. Mar/05 |
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| It’s Back
To The 50s…For Better Or Worse ~ What
Life’s Been Like In Ecuador ~ By Lee Harrison - Great article about
living in Ecuador and why it's such a great place to live in. Ecuador takes
people back to an earlier time, a time when the pioneering spirit was what
people longed for. Ecuador could give you that feeling you always wanted:
starting from scratch in a tough place and making a success out of yourself
nonetheless. July/03 |
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| My
Secrets to a Lifetime of Making Money in Overseas Real Estate -
by Gary Scott - If we can now buy a ranch in Argentina (or Uruguay, or
New Zealand, or name your spot,) for ten cents on the dollar of what
a similar property inside the United States would cost us, and if we can
carry on commerce from anywhere we are, how long do you imagine it's going
to take your neighbor to realize the very same thing? As one writer put
it, "those folks who buy that ranch in Argentina today are going to have
grandchildren who will think they were a genius." Gary Scott tells us more,
in an article from the best of International Living. |
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| Offshore
Living ~ Ecuador
Offers Residency Rights In Paradise - On The Cheap ~ by Gary A.
Scott -Ecuador has been in the headlines lately, and none of it good. Squabbles
with the International Monetary Fund…interrupted oil exports…citizens marching
in the streets. A lot of people look at that and might decide to stay away.
I look at it and see a buying opportunity. And that’s because Ecuador is
a slice of paradise. Its short-term troubles give you a chance to buy real
estate there on the cheap. The fact is, every decade or so, Ecuador goes
through the most “civilized” civil unrest you’ll ever see. People go on
strike—but still show up to do their jobs. When/if the government changes,
life goes on. Nov./05 |
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| One
reader writes: “Why I’m packing up and moving to Ecuador”- Moving
to Ecuador - Dear Fellow Reader, I returned recently
from 10 days in and around Quito, Ecuador. Did I like it? The day after
I returned to Sacramento, my wife and I listed our house for sale. Eight
days later, we had a firm sales contract. We are now sorting furniture
and personal items, giving away as much as we can, and arranging for eight
weeks of one-on-one classes at Simon Bolivar Spanish School in Quito.. |
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| Real Estate
In Ecuador ~ Beachfront
And Mountains ~
By Jorge Loor Zambrano - Another place that people have been asking me
about lately is Ecuador. People want to know about buying real estate in
the mountains or down on the beach. Most want to know something about the
economy and what is happening with the political situation within the country.
From what I here the new president of Ecuador is tough but many feel this
is what the country needs on the short-term. If you think you might want
to buy something in South America, then for the dollars, Ecuador might
be the place to check out. June/03 |
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| Real-estate
tycoon reveals: “My
secrets to a lifetime of making money in international markets”
- “If the global community continues to boom,” I figured, “companies
from the United States, Japan and all over the world are going to set up
regional offices in some major European city.” If real-estate prices were
high in Frankfurt, Brussels, and Paris, and low in London, I realized,
those companies would relocate in the British capital. I knew this would
force London property prices up. This is one of the most powerful investment
lessons I have ever learned…and I've used it to make a fortune since. Look
for local distortions. |
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| The best
places in the world to "retire" - our annual survey - Retire
Overseas - Economic crises, weak currencies, and natural
disasters have worked to your advantage this year if you’re in the market
for a new destination to call home. Ecuador, long one of our favorite picks
for overseas living, has finally risen to no. 1 in our ranking after years
in the top 5, an honor due in no small part to the calamities—economic,
political, and natural—that the country has weathered in the last two years. |
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| The Black
Sheep Inn ~ An
Ecological Inn ~ By Matt Kelly - Black Sheep Inn is an Ecological
Resort set in the hills of Ecuador. The founders of the Inn have made ecology
an important part of their lives and you can see this when you go to the
Inn. Ecuador for physical beauty is as wonderful as any country in South
America; spending some time at Black Sheep Inn would be the perfect way
to enjoy the beauty of Ecuador, as the owners of the Inn truly appreciate
Ecuador's rich enviroment and are intent on perserving the nature they
love so much. July/03 |
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| The Utopian
EcoVillage Network in Ecuador - The
Utopian EcoVillage Network in Ecuador - The Utopian Village Network
in Ecuador is an intentional community with the goal of self-sufficiency.
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 EcoVillage Network
is to be a pilot model demonstration of how to live in a real New World
consciousness of sharing on all levels. The village in Ecuador is succeeding
in their goal of harmony with life, and they are seeking others with like
mind. |
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| 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”. By Andre Grossenbacher Mar/06 |
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| Living
In Ecuador - Real
Estate in Ecuador -
Embarrassingly low prices Now, after the crash, prices are so low
that making offers is almost embarrassing. What's more, opportunities may
get even better! |
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| Actualities:
Changes
to the sucre... free dance lessons in Lisbon... driving tips in Nicaragua,
etc. - Assorted mini-articles about the many countries that International
Living cover. Concise, accurate and current information about where
you want to live and work. The kind of information that keeps you
aware of business opportunities and new developments. |
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| AdventureView:
Rita Golden Gelman ~ Female
Nomad Crosses The Globe Solo! ~
by Mark McMahon - Rita Gelman led a glamorous life. A successful career
as a children's book author with over 70 titles to her credit, connections
in the entertainment industry, invitations to the best parties in L. A...
Then a vacation to the Galapagos Islands awakened her long-dormant desire
to explore the world. She tried to fulfill her passion by getting a PhD
in anthropology, but years later found herself, "panting to go off somewhere."
Finally she took the leap and did it, on her own. Aug./05 |
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| Index
Of Ecuador |
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