Long sacred to the Maya, Lake Bacalar still casts its spell on visitors, including a growing number of expats. Jim Bacon and his wife, Polly Gropen, moved to Bacalar more than six years ago. Leaving behind Minnesota’s winters, they settled here full-time and haven’t looked back.
Recently, I saw a French-style apartment in Montevideo for only $450 a square meter. The apartment had all the trimmings—high ceilings, marble fireplaces, and parquet floors. It was well located, and in good condition. The realtor said it was “ideal for offices.”
The flight from Quito left just after sunrise. Like most Andean mornings, a sheer, silky haze rose from the tarmac, and wisps of clouds covered the mountains beyond. As the plane gained altitude, we left the high-rise condos and traffic of cosmopolitan Quito behind and looked forward to the view we’d see next.
Living for less in Latin America is a hot topic, but what exactly does it cost to have that dream life south of the border?
One of the hot new words for 2008 was frugalista—someone who lives frugally but still manages to be fashionable and healthy. Expat Cuyler Salyer and his wife Alicia have been frugalistas since before the term was invented.
During the past year, I had the good fortune of two assignments taking me to Ecuador. And even though I lived there for more than five years, I was continually amazed that such an affordable paradise can still exist in 2009.
I live in a condo in Manta, Ecuador, where I wake up to the Ecuadorian surf right outside my door. In season, I watch whales play almost daily, and I kayak, surf, body board, ride my Portuguese Andalusian horses, hike, bike, watch movies at one of our local Cinema 8 Theaters, and eat out at hundreds of restaurants with same-day fresh seafood.
I left the U.S. at the beginning of 2006. Before this, I had spent two years using my vacations to explore affordable countries in search of the ultimate retirement destination.
You may not be a gourmand, but when you live overseas, you’ll be tempted with delicious food you’ve only seen on the Food Channel.
Last week, I received a note from a reader who was searching for a second home in Latin America: “…of course I’ve eliminated Panama from my list,” he writes, “since everyone knows it’s become too expensive. I had my sights set on Panama for years, but from what I hear, I don’t think I can afford it anymore.”
