Living, Vacationing, or Retiring in Bolivia
by: Shannon Roxborough
A beautiful and inexpensive place without a tourist in sight. Sound
like a dream? It's not. This slice of paradise does exist. Nestled high
in the Andes Mountains of South America, Bolivia is a little-known retreat
exotically spiced with a unique Latin and Native American flavor. Bolivia
has a lot to offer…a very low cost of living, unspoiled natural
environment, friendly people and a range of climates to suit virtually
every taste.
Property prices are among the lowest in Latin America and it has the
potential to become the world's next great expatriate haven. Bolivia
has long been a favorite destination of adventure travelers, yet few
mainstream American and European tourists make it to this secretive
outpost. Why? Well, perhaps it's because Bolivia isn't a destination
you stumble across by accident. Shrouded by great mountain ranges, it
lies hidden between Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Paraguay.
The country's most famous visitors were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
Kid, the American outlaws who fled to South America in the early 1900s
- they are said to have had their last stand with the Bolivian army
and are buried here. As recent as the 1980s, wise old men in towns throughout
the Bolivian highlands could be heard gossiping about the fate of two
of America's most notorious outlaws. In Bolivia, myths come thick and
fast, and one legend has it that the Incas have an underground network
of secret passageways on an island located in Lake Titicaca, which is
praised by visitors as being one of the deepest blue and most beautiful
bodies of water in the world.
Leave your worries at home
Bolivia is one of those countries that seduce you through sheer personality.
The colorful bustle of its markets and street vendors, the liveliness
of its nightlife, and the charm and friendliness of its people, make
it one of the most livable places in Latin America. Bolivia has a bit
of something for everyone: charming old-world colonial towns with great
restaurants, museums, and nightlife, as well as slow-paced cozy developments
in rural areas near indigenous villages, where hunting, gathering and
fishing are a way of life.
The climate is another plus. Temperatures in Bolivia range from the
mid 60s to the low 80s, with the average being in the mid 70s. Even
the hottest days are always tempered by cooling breezes.
Bolivia is a republic with a presidential system of government. Its
fully democratic, American style system retains the respect of individual
rights and freedoms.
Bolivia enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, with violent crime being
virtually unknown and theft not commonplace.
Americans, Canadians, Australians and most Europeans don't need a visa
to spend up to 90 days as a tourist in Bolivia and nonresidents may
buy property. Live the good life on less than $9,000 a year. Besides
the fact that there's no such thing as a rat race in Bolivia, its biggest
asset is its cost of living. You can stay in a clean, friendly hotel
in the city center for $8 a night (or US$125 per month) where every
meal costs less than $3. Groceries are up to 70% cheaper than in the
United States or Europe. A routine trip to a good English-speaking doctor
will set you back no more than $20. You can take in an American movie
for only $2 or get a taxi across town for as little as 80 cents. And
you're certainly not going to have high utility bills: Electricity and
heating costs average $15 a month.
Cheap Real Estate
To give you an example of the costs, here are some properties on offer
right now:
A 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2500-square-foot home in an affluent neighborhood
with a large garden, a garage, an alarm system, and every modern convenience,
for $75,000.
A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 800-square-foot apartment with a dining room,
a kitchen, central heating, a balcony, and parking, costs $15,000.
Rentals are downright cheap by First World standards. Apartments begin
at around $75 per month for something small, with houses starting at
the $200 mark.
You could certainly rent a nice two-bedroom apartment in one of the
best parts of town for $175 to $350 a month. And you can lease a luxury
three-bedroom suburban home would rent for between $275 and $400 per
month; homes with private swimming pools start at around $500 monthly.
Recently, I helped a client find a lot to build on for less than $5000,
with good shopping, a lake and the airport all in walking distance.
These deals and many more make little-known Bolivia worth investigating.
About The Author - Copyright 2005 by Shannon Roxborough
- Shannon Roxborough is an international lifestyle expert with close
to 20 years experience. He has helped hundreds of clients with overseas
living, retirement and travel matters. Visit his website at: www.TheGlobalLife.net
- askinternational@aol.com
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