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OceanHideaway
Joined 2010
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Salinas: Is the new paradise for retired gringos gringo retireeses el nuevo paraíso de los 'gringos' jubilados

12 years ago

Salinas Salinas es el nuevo paraíso de los 'gringos' jubilados

English translation:

Last Wednesday, he was working for many Ecuadorians, but (today for) Tod and Mary Freeman it was a day of relaxation. By the seafront and with a clear Sun, they repeated the daily walks they have taken in the last year and a half, when they decided to leave their native California to spend the rest of their lives in Salinas.

The retired couple does not speak Spanish to perfection, but uses gestures and slow to communicate dialogue. She has is 64 years and worked as a medical assistant. And her husband, a year older, worked in real estate.

They came to live well, "as they deserve". The reference received from internet sites, as the International Living, that this year, for the third time, Ecuador was chosen as the best place in the world for retirees. The publication not only located Cuenca as the site of preference, but also Salinas beaches because of its warm climate and low cost of living.

That recommendation has been one of the reasons for purchase and rent of houses and apartments, by foreigners, grow in at least 20 percent this year in this resort. Thus calculated by Xavier Rivera, general manager of the Coldwell Banker real estate.

The American franchise, which operates from 2008 in the country, accounts for 40% of the market. 100% Of its sales, half corresponds to foreign, mostly American buyers.

The building Duquesa del Mar, where live Tod and his wife, is a good example to ratify the presence, increasing of its neighbors. Tod of silver hair and friendly smile, named it as the "gringo building", because the modest building is home to five American families who arrived from California, Texas and Georgia.

The low cost of living. In an upstairs to the apartment of the Freeman is the Vermeu couple. With a strong "Hi!", Joseph and Maryann greet your neighbors. They "talk Spanish", say, but a list of basic words written to handwriting and displayed on a table (such as run, drink, and sleep), shows the desire to having to learn the language, 60 years old.

The Vermeus rented floor overlooking the sea. For the space, which includes bedrooms rooms, living room, bathrooms and kitchen, pay $800 per month, an amount that could raise up to $3,000 on a site with the same characteristics, but in their country.

According to Rivera, the prices that are offered in Salinas are a good hook to attract Americans and foreigners in general.

Not only the rent is cheap for them, but "the houses and apartments" with prices ranging from 70,000 to 400,000 dollars. "Properties overlooking the sea, difficult to acquire in their country of origin", says.

The retired couple (she an radiographer and he a fish export) carries a year living on the beach. Although they are still in search of a home, they are convinced that soon already buy it.

Instead, says Mary and Tod, a pound of tomatoes to $0.70, it can be purchased when in United States costs three or four more times. Per kilo of loin is $4, where there the cost is $20.

Joseph and Maryann coincide, although she stressed that also be away from his homeland has its cons. One of them, the high cost of devices and appliances that are offered in Ecuador. A 42-inch TV has a value greater than $1,500, when in the North American market, it can be purchased with $400.

But the revenue raised in Salinas play in their favor. Thus indicate it William (74) and Peggy Hunt, a retired couple who two years ago left Atlanta to live in the resort. "A property tax costs us here $300." In a similar House, in Atlanta, we pay 6,000 ".

Both not surprised to the growth of the community of Americans living in Salinas. William estimated that added together 300, at least that is what have been able to calculate when they meet at the beach to perform social activities.

The figure is not yet supported by the municipality of Salinas. Not until the Tourism Department completes a register on the number of foreign residents. For now, only it is estimated that 40% of foreign 1,500 who visited Salinas last season were Americans. Followed by Canadians, Argentines, Colombians and Peruvians

Social work. Mercedes Guerrera, head of tourism of the area, says he is aware of the increased presence of Americans. It ensures know them well and says that most are looking to leave a social contribution at the seaside resort that welcomes them.

"Currently we are organizing workshops to help them we teach basic English artisans", says. Also collaborate on future recovery of the beach, said the official.

The poor children receive special attention. Tod, Mary, Joseph, Maryann, William, Peggy and other Americans are part of the Expats Helping Kids organization in Ecuador, created with the purpose of helping children living in orphanages in the surrounding area and have no conditions to be able to dress, eat, or go to a doctor.

Guerrera r is convinced that Salinas may continue to grow not only with the work of its natives, but with the contribution of these "men of experience" that chose the canton as their new home.

Expected that the influx of foreigners is greater with the new airport, which demanded an investment of close to $40 billion and which will start operating in the first quarter of 2013.

The first who look forward to this work are the 'gringos' and other foreigners by the miles of travel will save.

Lisbeth Zumba R-. [email protected] - Santa Elena Peninsula

~~~~~~~~~
To see the pictures that accompanied this article and the original article in Spanish
http://tinyurl.com/9l83736

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Salinas: Is the new paradise for retired gringos gringo retireeses el nuevo paraíso de los 'gringos' jubilados

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