In this video, Dan Prescher reports from Cotacachi, Ecuador with your weekly wrap-up of International Living postcards for the week ending March 26.
Margaret Summerfield of Pathfinder Real Estate, IL’s preferred real estate advertiser, writes in from Salinas on Ecuador’s south Pacific coast. Thanks to its beaches and great infrastructure, Salinas is a favorite party location for many Ecuadorians, and Margaret says that when she went, she found Salinas in full-on party mode. But she wasn’t there to party… she wanted to see just how far your real estate dollar will stretch on Ecuador’s south Pacific coast. She found some of the lowest prices for beachfront property … like a three-bedroom, two-bath home just a few blocks off the sand with a large patio for $45,000. Margaret has more in her March 21 postcard.
International Living postcard editor Len Galvin gets us up to date on our preparations to host hundreds of International Living readers in Panama next month at our Live & Invest in Panama conference. Len says there is a lot going on in Panama right now, and the Live and Invest conference couldn’t be taking place at a better time, considering all the opportunities in Panama for starting a business, retiring, living, relaxing, banking, having fun, and making money. Len’s getting excited about all the other opportunities at the Live & Invest conference as well… as you’ll see in his postcard.
IL’s Latin America editor Suzan Haskins writes in with the story of Albert Fine, who is benefiting from Panama’s attractive retiree program. Albert lives in a luxury high-rise condo with an ocean view in the city’s Punta Paitilla neighborhood of Panama City. His calls it the Beverly Hills of Panama City, but his condo fees run just $160 a month. Albert eats out almost every meal…at some of Panama’s most popular restaurants. According to Albert, he pays “A couple of bucks for breakfast, $2.25 for lunch, less than $5 for dinner.” It’s a pretty amazing story. Read more in Suzan’s March 23 postcard.
IL Panama editor Jessica Ramesch, our eyes and ears in Panama, writes in with the story of Tracy Hallen, who lives in Boquete, Panama, and found herself needing knee surgery. When you read her story, you’ll see why Panama has much going for it when it comes to health care, including a surprising number of English-speaking doctors. Believe me, even for expats who are learning Spanish, knowing that you can explain to your doctor exactly how you’re feeling and be understood is priceless. And speaking of prices, you won’t believe what Tracy paid for her surgery. But it’s right there in black and white in Jessica’s postcard.
On March 25, Bob Bauman writes in to remind us that, if you want to travel and work without restrictions, then one of the most useful tools you can have is a second passport. Bob says dual passports aren’t just for people born overseas… millions of American citizens potentially qualify. And many of them don’t even know it. Do you qualify for a second passport? Find out by reading Bob’s March 25 postcard.
Jessica Ramesch is back and writing in from Panama’s Rio Hato district. She’s left the skyscrapers of Panama City far behind now, and it’s all palm trees and blue skies in this area known as the Pearl of the Pacific. Jessica says the region is ripe for bargain hunting if you have the patience to look… like $92,000 for a condo in a building with pool, social areas, all the amenities. There’s a lot more going on in Rio Hato, and Jessica will fill you in with her March 26 postcard.
That’s it from me for this week. Sign up for all these postcards and more for free here and don’t forget to visit the International Living Facebook page.
