John and Dixie describe why they are looking at Ecuador

I started to investigate Ecuador not long after I first registered on the internet in 1996. Out of my interest in health I started to look at longevity issues. In my searches I noticed that a certain part of Ecuador around Vilcabamba was known as one of the few areas of the world where it was quite common for people to live to be over 100 years.  

There are two other communities in the world that are also known as super healthy they are the Hunzas in Pakistan, and the region of Abkhazia in the country of Georgia (near Russia). The common element in these areas is that they are mountainous around 8,000 feet above sea level. The diets are also simple and healthy, with the food grown on rich volcanic soils. Ecuador has the advantage of climate because it is located on the equator. The temperatures in the mountains were quoted as around 26 degrees Celsius all year round.

My search then led me to communicating with people near Vilcabamba who were attempting to start an intentional community. They called it the Utopian EcoVillage Network (UEVN) which is situated near Loja, very close to Vilcabamba. I communicated with these people for many years. At the time I was not in a position to relocate, because I was actively owning and managing two businesses.

Since Dixie and I started our live-in relationship in 2006, she has also taken a keen interest in Ecuador. Over more than five years of knowing each other, I would often joke to her and others that I wanted to go and live in the mountains of Ecuador. Her recent searches, however, were different to mine and focused mainly on real estate. She started communicating with an American couple who have been living in Ecuador for about 13 years. They live and operate many successful businesses just north of the capital, Quito.

As a result of discovering how economical Ecuador is to buy good real estate and live, we calculated that it would be possible to run our internet business and live more comfortably than in our own country. We would not have to earn as much, yet still enjoy a high standard of living. The savings in rent alone (if that was our choice) would be equivalent to about 3-4 air flights back to Australia each year – to see family, or have them come to us for visits. Food costs are substantially lower, yet are of a higher quality than we are used to because they are grown on volcanic soils. Even the medical and dental costs are much lower. The only downside was that we would need to learn the Spanish language.

 A web site called International Living even ranks Ecuador as #2 in the world for retirement. So we became hooked and planned an exploratory trip. We will soon know whether it is the country for us at this stage of our lives.

Dixie has never been to the USA, so we could occasionally go there for holidays, or even business seminars. We would also be close to the other South American countries, an area of the world I have never travelled to before.

The concept of living in an ideal climate where the cost of living is only a fraction of what we are used to, really appeals. For many people, they could sell their existing homes and live in the equivalent for about 10% of the capital. The other 90% could be invested and it would be possible to live off the invested earnings in Ecuador.

For many people who would like to consider early retirement, or other options compared with working a stressful life, then Ecuador is certainly a viable option. Many people could take time to investigate import-export options and/or internet marketing, as well as other investment strategies.

I hope you will continue to enjoy reading our newsletters as we start our journey.  We leave on Saturday the 26th of January 2008 and shall keep you all informed.

John

Dixie’s Story

I have always loved travelling and experiencing new cultures.  My parents migrated from Holland to Australia and were followed later by my uncles and aunts. So I had always been exposed to another language and culture.

To travel to Ecuador had never entered my mind until I met John. Even in the early years of knowing John when we worked together I did not take much notice of Ecuador. But I did hear him mention to me several times that one day he was going to live on a mountain top in Ecuador. He had done quite a lot of research on the health benefits.

What happened?  Well after hearing yet another Ecuador news story from John I decided for whatever reason, that I would do a search on Ecuador myself.  As I was searching I already thought that there wasn’t any reason why we could not go over and have a look.

When I search different places I always look at where my accommodation would be.  Then I go searching at property rentals, and purchase.  To my wonder I came across the most stunning properties, either to buy or rent, at prices so cheap I could not believe what I was reading.

I kept calling John over to my desk to have a look at what I had found.  I was kept busy reading everything I could in regards lifestyle.  So that took in food, accommodation, clothes, transport, entertaining, health etc. Everything is so much cheaper.

Then I started searching on YouTube and found some great videos.  I am also a great lover of Latin music and was thrilled to find some musical videos.

I think I have some Latin in my blood, even though I am a blonde with blue eyes.  My middle name is Cea-Pedro (pronounced Chia-Pedro).  I have been told that my middle name was derived from my Fathers side of the family.  Apparently way back he has Spanish descendents.

My Dad had very black hair and olive skin.  He could have been taken for a Latino. 

I lived in a very vibrant multi-cultural family as a young child and was always surrounded by music and dancing.  I used to say to my Mother that I think I should have been Latin.

So it is quite a natural feeling for me to go and check out Ecuador even though I can’t speak Spanish.  But we are learning and I don’t feel that this will be a barrier.

I am so confident in what we are doing that I decided to convert my superannuation into a self-managed fund.  The reason for doing this is because it will give me the opportunity to invest in properties in Ecuador without borrowing money.

In Australia, super funds are not allowed to borrow money for investments, and I do not have enough to invest in any local property that can earn income. But in Ecuador, I can buy a house or commercial property that I can rent out. And then in a few years when I qualify for “retirement” I can live in my own property.

With our growing internet marketing business, and the potential to earn extra income with an import-export opportunities as well as enjoy a lower cost of living, it just seems to make sense to live and invest in Ecuador.

It is possible to find some amazing properties.  For instance, a property on the ocean with stunning views and very modern can be purchased for about US$60,000.

Another  apartment with stunning views of the ocean  with 3 bedrooms  is listed at $120,000.00.  (These particular apartments are still being built).

But the best is a property we have seen listed is a 25 acre property with an 8BR and 8 Bath main house with maids quarters. It also has another 2 BR 2 Bath house and a chapel to seat 70. It has two streams and a reservoir for irrigation. That property is listed for US $280,000.

One of our dreams is to start a health retreat and this property could be an excellent start, with enough land and water to grow all the organic food. The extra land could easily be used to expand the accommodation if required.

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