New furnished 3-bedroom condos with all the amenities, including weekly maid service, laundry, internet and utilities, are renting for $560-$750 per month. They are within a walled garden compound.

There is a shortage of furnished accommodations. To furnish an apartment or house will cost between $3-6000 initially, including a stove and refrigerator, which are not included. This is not usually a viable option for retirees wanting to come for a short time. However, if you are planning to live here for six months or more, renting an unfurnished space and furnishing it, then renting it out later is an excellent opportunity.

In the heart of Cotacachi, it is possible to own a studio, 2 or 3 bedroom condo in Primavera II. Tucked behind earthen walls and featuring a large area of carefully planned gardens with flowers, fruit and shade trees and walking paths, this premier development has everything the discerning expat could want. The penthouse studio condos feature Jacuzzis and wood-burning fireplaces. These condos start at $41,900. These can be viewed at www.pro-ecuador.com  or call 218-206-1115.

There are several gated communities presently under construction. One in town is sold out, except for two remaining vacant lots and two lots on which 1000 square foot. 2 bedroom villas will be built. Cost of a villa and lot is $60,000.

As more expats move to Cotacachi, prices are rising accordingly, but a ˝ acre lot in a gated community can be purchased for $25,000. In another development, lots range from $30,000 to $50,000 for sizes from ˝ to one acre. Owners are free to choose their own plans and building contractors.

Another development now underway features 4-plexes on a hillside with incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. These cost $75,000 for 1400 square feet.

There are a number of good architects in this area. One exceptional firm is "Barro Viejo," meaning old mud, a team of 3 Ecuadorian architects who build rammed earth homes with delightful details and hand-mixed colors. Both ecological and beautiful, their homes are works of art. Houses typically cost between $35 and $45 per square foot.

Gated Community Populated by North American Retirees - This House is For Sale

For more modern treatment, a private hospital and a new clinic in Ibarra offer excellent medical care. Expats have discovered that they can receive excellent dental care by a U.S. trained dentist in Ibarra at a fraction of the U.S. price. Some are arranging dental vacations, applying the money saved to pay for their trip. Quito has a full spectrum of quality medical and dental services

Overall, Cotacachi and the surrounding green hills and valleys, ringed with mountains often hidden behind great banks of billowing clouds, is an serene and natural as it gets. The views are beyond compare! This is a rare place where prices are still very low and opportunities abound for creating the lifestyle you’ve always wanted.