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.
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.
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.
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.
Buying a property overseas opens up an exciting new way of life. And it’s always a good way to diversify your geopolitical footprint as well as your financial holdings. But one of the biggest benefits of buying abroad is the possibility of obtaining residency in a foreign country. It gives us another place that, when […]
5 Countries Where A Property Buy Can Lead To Residency Read More »
I’ve written many times that the El Poblado sector of Medellín, Colombia, is considered to be the best area of the city. And for most expats and travelers, that remains true. But El Poblado is certainly not the first choice for everyone. Medellín has a number of equally desirable (and less expensive) areas that are
Why Laureles Is One Of Medellin’s Top Property Markets Read More »
A Seashore Town Like 1950s America Piriápolis, is one of Uruguay’s most popular destinations, and has been a high performing property market. It’s a 1950s-style seashore destination, popular with Uruguayans, Argentines, and expats. Increasingly, it’s catching on with Brazilians and Europeans. Piriápolis was Uruguay’s first seashore resort, founded in 1890; more than 15 years before
Piriápolis: Uruguay’s Most Intriguing Seashore Town For Expats Read More »
I retired to Cuenca in 2001, at the age of 49. I knew no other North Americans there, and no one who spoke English. Retiring to Ecuador was not a popular idea in 2001. Nine months into the year, I obtained my pensioner’s visa from the New York consulate. At that time, one restaurant in
The Evolution Of Cuenca, Ecuador Into A True Expat Haven Read More »
Why These Farms In Uruguay Are Such A Smart Purchase One of the smartest property buys you can make is a property that serves more than one purpose in your overall financial and lifestyle agenda. And there are few investments that do this more efficiently than the Uruguayan land parcel known as the chacra. In
One Of The Smartest Land Purchases You Can Make Read More »
My workout over, I wipe my brow and walk over to chat with Sergio. Sergio comes to Parque El Ingenio almost every day to sell agua de panela—water flavored with brown cane sugar and lime—to the folks who exercise at what I have come to call “The Flintstones Gym.” The equipment here is homemade. Barbells
Cali, Colombia: An Urban Setting With Plenty Of Green Space Read More »
Most of us think of colonial cities as being situated in the highlands… not on the ocean. In fact, when we talk about various lifestyles in Latin America, we often discuss colonial city living and the beach lifestyle as if it were necessary to choose between the two. But the truth is that you can
3 Top Coastal Colonial Cities Offering Fun, Sun, And Property Read More »
My first retirement plan—10 years before I moved to Ecuador—was to spend winters in Arizona and summers living on our 44-foot boat in the Chesapeake Bay. We planned to spend part of the season docked in the small town of Charlestown, Maryland, and the rest of the time cruising up and down the
Sail Into Your Retirement: 3 Top Retirement Spots For Boating Read More »
Find Real Character In Buenos Aires’ Oldest Neighborhood Plus: Skeptical About These Brazil Beachfront Lots… “This is the soul of Buenos Aires,” the cab driver assured me in his heavily Italian-accented Spanish, “…the heart of Argentina.” Out of metaphors, he stopped the cab at Calle Defensa in the old San Telmo district of Buenos Aires,
San Telmo: Best Area For Property Investment In Buenos Aires Read More »
Plus: “Can I Double My Money Using Exchange Rates?” Prediction: Chile will soon see big dividends paid to its #1 tourist destination thanks to its standing as China’s closest Latin American ally. –L.H. For many countries 2016 was a disappointing year. Generally speaking, a number of stable democracies showed real signs of instability and uncertainty
How Chile’s Accord With China Is A Big Win For Viña Del Mar Read More »