It may be the influence of the political turmoil elsewhere in South American or it may be the worries leftover from the economic and financial problems it faced in the late ‘90’s, but few in North America think to consider Brazil as a place to live. Whether for vacation, retirement or general living, Brazil should be at the top or near the top of the list. Financially and economically Brazil has been a remarkable turnaround. Although many countries around the world have been adversely affected by the recent American financial upheaval, Brazil has been less affected than others. The economic growth has created, at an increasing rate, a vibrant middleclass. As this growth continues, the political stability will become more pronounced - it is a lagging indicator of a growing middle class created from the poor.

Part of Brazil’s stimulus for the economy over the last few years has been in tourism. Millions have been spent in the North East of the country, directed to many miles around the coastal city of Fortaleza. In the south is the famous destination of Recife but an hour or so North of Fortaleza is still a developing area with long white sand beaches and comfortable temperatures all year round averaging in the high seventies. With money spent on infrastructure and incentives for businesses, the number of tourists to the area has increased above expectations.
With good sized towns and cities within easy reach (and Fortaleza with its international airport about one to one and a half hours away) the area is right for relaxed and pleasant living but with the potential to be as active as desired. With a low cost of living, not only is the food inexpensive but so is the high quality healthcare - both something to consider these days when costs seem to be getting out of hand in North America and Europe.

North Americans may find that when looking for a place to live or build that living spaces are often smaller than that to which they are used to. Europeans will consider things relatively normal. But it means that with the lower costs a nice but small villa can be built from US$55,000 to US$70,000 (depending on the value of the US$!)

In fact we are enthusiastic about the area that we are in the process of planning a small villa project there for some of our clients. And at very reasonable prices.

ECUADOR

This is an island country which has successfully developed a strong tourism and seasonal living industry. Although the USA is fairly close, they have not gone after that market. However they do draw a large number of Canadians as well as South Americans. In addition, Europeans are a strong market for the DR. In fact the north coast works of the country in four languages: Spanish, English, German & French.

On a large island with good beaches and beautiful forested mountains. Eco-tourism is an active industry but there are a wide range of interesting things to see and do. Don't forget, the capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the Western world - dating from 1496! There are a few tourism areas including the North East. Although the latter is a tourist area it is really just past the initial stages of "holiday" development - so there is lots of opportunity to find a small reasonably priced villa or to buy some land and build. Again coastal, beach and interior mountain slope pieces are available. However it appears that most beach and near-beach land is too expensive for it to be considered in this website. And in fact, we discourage the purchase of any sea front property. (See the book elsewhere on this site: "Poor Man's Guide to Living Rich in the Tropics") as the "sea blast" destroys houses in no time. Therefore if you can afford to maintain a seaside house, then "Successful Dummies" is not for you. (Or maybe it should be!!)

**NOTE** There are land taxes levied on vacant land and also on land with buildings when the value is over a current approximation of US$81,000. Don't let agents tell you otherwise. But it isn't very much (tiny)

This is the only other country in Central America, besides Mexico, that we consider to be a reasonably safe place to purchase land. The prices in a good part of the country are still very reasonable - including seaside at altitude. There are a good number of tourist areas both coastal and interior, and room for a reasonable number more. The market is both regular and eco-tourism with visitors coming from all of North America, Europe and South America. Unlike most other tourist destinations of the Caribbean, Costa Rica does not totally rely on tourism but has a much better balance to their economy, unlike Eastern Caribbean countries. The number of international flights is increasing steadily - and not just in the winter tourism season. For example, the 5 flights per week from Canada during the winter season into one of the international airports, is to now be extended to all year around.

As with most places, the land runs from: very inexpensive, to: "get the fools"! However there are a good number of areas that would be ideal for a seasonal or retirement or occasional living/holidays. There are a good number of developments, as there are in the Dominican Republic, but are they priced right; is the infrastructure going to be completed; is the land really free from title problems etc. If you go for raw land, the only matter to worry about is whether or not title is problem free. The power and telephone and entry road come under your direction and therefore your cost control. However not all developments are a "rip" although you will pay more than if buying raw land yourself. But there is a price to pay for someone to do it for you. Never buy the most expensive lots in a subdivision. Buy a good lot at the bottom end. One rarely goes wrong buying among million dollar homes!!

In Costa Rica, in a growing tourist area, there is a development that looks out over the Pacific Ocean from about 500 ft above the sea. There are great views from most lots and good from most of the balance. The most expensive are US$250,000 but the bottom end are $25,000. With power etc. to the lots, we suggest that these lower end lots are a good buy - relieving the buyer of the hassle of putting in a road, power etc. We know the principal of the developing company (no relation). Based on his past business ethics and professionalism, we can say that a purchaser should be satisfied with the product. For the followers of "Successful Dummies" we emphasize that it is the lower end lots that we recommend as meeting our criteria - although the bottom ones have no view. The website is www.discovercostarica.com/paloalto **NOTE** If you communicate by e-mail with them, be prepared for long delays in reply - they usually eventually get back to you unless they lose the letter. Bug them for a reply. Tell them you were sent by Successful Dummies!!!

RECOMMENDATIONS

In order of priority, we make the following recommendations. Please always keep in mind that you may find something better that meets your purposes, but what we recommend will meet the general philosophy of this website.

FIRST: At this point, take Costa Rica as your first choice. It is very easy to get to these days but it still has many areas that are just developing or just ready to develop. Those areas are still inexpensive. Therefore go with the development outlined in the article above - although you are paying extra for being a couple of miles closer to the sunset and their using a franchise broker. But it is still one of the best anywhere and the price is still very reasonable (if you take a low end priced lot and the people are honest!!

SECOND: Costa Rica, again. Consider a lot in the project we are to develop - 1/4 to 1/2 acre (1000 to 2000 sq. meter) in a grouping of 9 to 20 lots - further inland and a little higher. Still within a couple of miles of the beaches but a bit cooler and thus especially more enjoyable during the summer. Remember that once you have the place, you will want to use it in the summer too because it is cooler. (On one of the islands where we lived year round, we had a snow-bird neighbour couple who always came down in the summer to get away from the blistering humid heat of North America!!) Our lots will be from $12,000 to $29,000 at the most. The house or villa must be no smaller than 1,200 sq.ft. It will be optional to join a rental pool which means maintenance and marketing and maid service will come with economies of scale. It is amazing the number of people who have a house plus a summer and/or ski home and who would like something South but think the cost will be too high. These people are just part of our market. (In fact we have already three unsolicited deposits for lots and yet are not ready) We will have three separate villa plans (suggestions) available on a website soon from which to choose.

THIRD: Look At Mexico. South of Guadalajara around Lake Chapala or in the Yucatan around Merida. Both areas have very reasonably priced real estate. Around Chapala it is houses while in Merida it is land that is still priced well. Although houses around Merida may seem cheap, they need too much upgrading to be worthwhile. However land prices are good. Patience will get you what you want.