South America

Finding and purchasing your dream home in the top locations of South America…

The continent of South America is also known as the southern subcontinent of the Americas. The entire landmass is located in the Western Hemisphere and mostly south of the equator. However, a few of the locations we recommend lie in the northern hemisphere including most of Colombia, a small portion of Brazil, and parts of Ecuador including Quito which straddles the equator itself.

Most of the continent is located in the tropics and the geography is dominated by the long Andes Mountain range and the Amazon River Basin. With lush jungles, wide rivers, coastal beachfront areas, and even vineyards you can find just about any natural setting you might want to explore.

South America is a perfect destination for many U.S. and Canadian expats since it lies in similar time zones and the northern-most countries are only a few hours away by air. Many major airlines serve the larger cities in South America where you’ll find modern airports and friendly locals.

Weather

The South American locations nearest the equator offer excellent year-round weather, especially those at higher elevations such as Quito, Ecuador and Medellín, Colombia. While in destinations like Santiago, Chile you can enjoy four seasons and snow is common in the highlands.

Language

Most countries in South America speak Spanish, while Brazil’s native language is Portuguese. If you can learn a little Spanish, you can travel around the continent without having to master several languages. You’ll find more English speakers in the larger cities depending on your country of choice, but you’ll need some Spanish in the smaller, more traditional villages.

Lifestyle

You can immerse yourself in the culture of Spanish-inspired, colonial towns that seem to be frozen in time, or marvel at the large, cosmopolitan cities with first-world infrastructure, public transportation, quality roads, drinkable water, and every convenience you are accustomed to “back home.”

If you are looking for an exceptional quality of life, at a reasonable cost of living, the amazing opportunities in South America are not to be missed.

An Overview Of The Real Estate Market In Mendoza, Argentina

View across the city of Mendoza, Argentina. Mountains in the background.

Located in western Argentina, Mendoza lies in the foothills of the Andes and receives rave reviews from those who visit. The area produces a variety of agricultural products, but it’s undoubtedly best known for its wines, especially dry reds. If you enjoy a glass of Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon, you’ve likely had a taste of

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4 Amazing Properties In The Seaside Town Of Salinas, Ecuador

salinas ecuador

In 2013, I visited Ecuador during my personal search for an overseas home. After attending the Live and Invest Overseas Ecuador Conference in Guayaquil, my husband and I ventured inland, over the Andes Mountains, to Cuenca. Cuenca was (and is still today) the hot spot for expat living—approximately 6,000 expats residing in a town of

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Affordable Beachfront Condos On Brazil’s Itamaracá Island

View of a bridge extending out across the water towards the lush island of Itamaraca, Brazil

If you like the idea of beachfront living on a tropical island, then this is about the best value you’ll find. And given that I bought my own home on this island in 2009, I can personally vouch for its natural beauty, the great people, the fun and engaging expat community, and the island lifestyle.

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Medellín Vs. Cartagena: Comparing Colombia’s Best Cities

A Comparison Of Medellin Vs Cartagena.. Beach or mountain?

Medellín vs Cartagena… which is the better Colombian city for living and investing? I hear this question a lot, so today we’re going to take an in-depth look at their strengths and weaknesses. Cartagena is an historical resort city located on the Caribbean coast. Medellín is located in a valley in the Andes Mountains, and

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4 Foreign Property Markets With Big Dollar-Discounts In 2018

Discounted Foreign Property Markets

Since the U.S. dollar suddenly gained strength in 2014, I’ve written a lot about the resultant “currency discounts” in countries that do not use the dollar. Simply put, properties in many countries got dramatically cheaper, in dollar terms, thanks to favorable exchange rates. The currency landscape has been shifting, with some countries giving up most

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