(NaturalNews) According to a story recently published in
U.S. News and World Report, Ecuador is emerging as the world's most affordable "retirement haven." For as little as $850 a month (see below), you can live in Ecuador and cover rent, food, utilities, transportation, health insurance and entertainment needs.
The three most popular cities in Ecuador for retirement are now
Quito (the capitol),
Cuenca (a high-elevation city in the Andes), and
Vilcabamba (in the spring-like "Valley of Longevity" to the South).
More than 100 people a day are now moving to Ecuador to experience its amazing year-round weather, abundant food production, culture and comfortable cost of living.
According to US News and World Report (
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/The-Worlds-Most-Affordable-usnews-37850...), here's how costs of living add up for typical single-person living in Ecuador:
Rent: $200 (see below for more details)
Utilities and Internet: $120
Groceries: $240
Transportation: $40
Health Insurance: $50
Entertainment: $200
Of course, this is just a basic living package. In some areas, you'll spend considerably more on rent, but food is affordable just about everywhere!
I lived in Ecuador on and off for two years (and plan to go back!), and came to love what it has to offer. Here are my thoughts on the three most popular retirement destinations in Ecuador:
Ecuador's top three retirement destinations for homes and land
QuitoPros: Easy access to international airport, easy to find and buy things you want or need.
Cons: Crowded. Air quality isn't as good as other cities. High-density city
living.
Cuenca:Pros: Very "European" feel in architecture and culture. Top destination for Europeans to buy homes. Lots of shops for food and household goods.
Cons: Considerably colder weather due to high altitude. More rain than other areas.
Vilcabamba:Pros: Amazing year-round weather, ridiculously easy food production in rich soils, with abundant water from nearby mountains. More "country" living than city living.
Cons: Higher rent due to shortage of affordable housing. Must drive to Loja for shopping.
Real-world costs of living in Ecuador
It's true that Ecuador offers very affordable living, but only
after you acquire land and a house there. That can cost you anywhere from $100k and up depending on where and how nice your land is. Home construction is accomplished with high quality materials but takes more time than home construction in the USA or Canada.
Once you have your home and land squared away, living in
Ecuador is extremely affordable. That's why it has become one of the most popular
retirement destinations in the world.
If you want some domestic help, budget in another $250 per month (or so) for a cook or groundskeeper. If you decide to own a vehicle there, you'll need to budget for that, too (don't expect to buy a car on a loan, you'll need to pay it in full up front).
Realistically, I would recommending budgeting more like $1200 per month to live more comfortably, and that's after you've acquired your house and land. A couple can live comfortable for only slightly more, and a family of four can live well on $1500 per month.
Vilcabamba resources
Vilcabamba Real Estate Company (VREC)
www.VREC.orgOne of several available ranches with a home and orchard:
http://www.naturalnews.com/Valley-of-Longevity-Property.htmlAmazing photos from Hacienda San Joaquin:
http://www.naturalnews.com/phototours/vilcabamba/index.html
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, and he has published numerous courses on preparedness and survival, including financial preparedness, emergency food supplies, urban survival and tactical self-defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams launched TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a veteran of the software technology industry, having founded a personalized mass email software product used to deliver email newsletters to subscribers. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known as the 'Health Ranger,' Adams' personal health statistics and mission statements are located at www.HealthRanger.org
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Thursday, August 26, 2010
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