Retire in Ecuador and Let Your Money Take You Further 
You can retire in Ecuador and enjoy lots of charming areas, such as Indedpendence Square in Quito.
Learn more about retiring in Ecuador in IL Postcards. If you retire in Ecuador, every cliché you've heard about living large on little money--about settling into the lap of luxury on even a pensioner's budget--is true. This is one of the world's cheapest places to live. Take $250 out of the ATM Monday morning-and your expenses are covered for the week. In fact, we ranked Ecuador as the world's best retirement haven in 1999, after it weathered the earlier economic, political, and natural problems during the two years prior, and went on to prosper. Of course, low prices alone do not make for an ideal retirement or investment destination. There are plenty of places the world over where you can buy cheap land, but where you wouldn't want to live; not so in Ecuador. Retiring in Ecuador means living well In Ecuador, not only can you retire on little: you can live very well. Retiring in Ecuador offers something for everyone, and at prices unheard of in North America and Europe. Golf on breathtaking courses so crowd-free you'll never have to make a tee time. Indulge in a gourmet meal in a world-class restaurant. Why not? The cost is about what you'd pay for bottled water and an appetizer in a restaurant in Los Angeles, New York, or London. Plus, the fresh fruits and vegetables you find overpriced at specialty "organic" shops up north sell at local Ecuadorian markets for pennies. It's hard to pinpoint the best reason for retiring to Ecuador, but one thing's for sure: this is an affordable--and beautiful--retirement destination. Ecuador also offers a high quality of life. This is no isolated backwater. It's a land of opportunity, where a middle class is forming. After waking from a long economic slumber, Ecuador is preparing to join the global economy. Recently, for example, the Quito airport has improved dramatically; it now has new jet ways, a totally renovated entrance, a new waiting area, and is abundantly adorned with huge vases of roses. 
You will be amazed by Ecuador's natural beauty.
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From snow-capped volcanoes to dense Amazon jungle, from sun-drenched Pacific beaches to the famous Galapagos Islands, this is a place of astounding natural beauty. Despite covering a mere 0.02% of the world's landmass, it is home to 10% of the world's plant and animal species. This country's real treasure, however, is its people. Ecuadorians live their lives in jungle river towns, coastal fishing villages, isolated cattle ranches, the grounds of ancient haciendas, and large colonial cities. Its compact size makes it possible to experience many of these different lifestyles in a single day.
Enjoy your retirement in Ecuador by becoming part of your community It's also one of the few places where a foreign resident or visitor can blend easily into the community, being welcomed into a new circle of friends and a new way of life with relative ease. As a foreign retiree here you'll be treated with respect, and the people will be proud to get to know you. Ecuador is an emerging retirement haven During the last five years, Ecuador has gone through a number of tumultuous changes. Nevertheless, today the country has emerged as a welcoming haven for those wanting to retire or invest here. The property market offers significant bargains. A comfortable lifestyle can be enjoyed in Ecuador on just a fraction of what you'd spend in much of the world. And remember: Ecuador is one place right now where the U.S. dollar is not losing value, which makes an Ecuadorian retirement especially appealing. Following the late-1990s' debt default, Ecuador decided to adopt the U.S. dollar as its official currency, which eliminates currency risk. Inflation is under 2% and most economic indicators are positive. Labor costs are still a tremendous bargain and are not rising appreciably. Property prices, which had been dropping since 2001, seemed to have bottomed out. It's not just properties that are affordable in Ecuador-nearly everything is. From the cost to hire a full-time maid to the price of produce and dinner in a fine restaurant, you'll be surprised at how low the cost of living is in Ecuador. For example, in the major cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, you'll not have to forgo first-world conveniences. New cars abound-several brands are even made right here in Ecuadorian factories. Everyone has cell phones, and Internet connections are just as common. World-class restaurants serve excellent meals, yet you'll be hard-pressed to pay more than $50 for dinner for two--drinks included. It's easy to retire in Ecuador on less than $17,000 per year, and you can live a comfortable lifestyle while doing it. Many foreign residents have their main home in the city, and also have a country home, a beach property, or even property in another country…a feat that would be impossible on a comparable living in the U.S. Additionally, this low cost of living allows retirees the ability to increase their travel, own two cars, or partake in other diversions. Learn more about retiring in Ecuador in IL Postcards.
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Ecuador is one of the world's cheapest places to live…and also hides some of the world's great real estate bargains and investment opportunities. | 
