| Ecuador
Real Estate Archive XVIII
Updated July, 23 2005
By
Gary Scott
To help you get a feel of Ecuador
real estate we have posted this special archive that lists many of the hundreds
of messages we have shared with our readers about Ecuador real estate this decade.
Security in Ecuador
There has been a ton of text
written about security risks in Colombia and Ecuador and even the U.S. State Department
has issued travel advisories for certain areas of the country.
Thus it was no surprise when
I received the letter below. Read it and my reply to understand better what is
going on.
"Gary,
My husband has just returned
from a two-week stay in Quito. We have been "toying" with the idea of
retiring there, and so he went to more or less to scout things out and see what
the country had to offer. Like so many others, he loved the scenery, the people,
the shopping, the weather, and so many other things. He spoke to US embassy officials,
realtors, expats, teachers, businessmen, all of whom had grown attached to the
lifestyle and beauty of Ecuador.
One thing, however, soured his
experience and has caused us much concern. Unwilling to totally give up on this
dream, I am hoping you might be able to share some of your experience and insight
on this one issue: crime in Ecuador.
My husband encountered many,
many tourists and expats who had been victims of robbery and burglary while living
there. My husband was attacked and robbed at knife-point by a gang of ten youths,
who pushed him down and left him on the street injured. Expats have told us that
this is common, and that even secure gated-communities are not immune to criminal
intrusion. One woman who has lived there 13 years has had her gated and secured
home robbed twice; both times, her dogs were poisoned and killed during the break-in.
She, and others have told us that Americans are easy targets and will probably
continue to be. My husband was never at ease on the street, even before his victimization,
and he believes it would not be safe for a family to live there.
My question is this, if you care
to answer it: Is it different in Cuenca? Is it different anywhere in Ecuador?
Do you think this is a concern to be taken seriously?
I know you are a busy person,
and may not have the time or inclination to reply. If that is the case, please
feel free to ignore this inquiry. Nonetheless, since I have read many of your
accounts through the International Living sites and emails, I believe you may
have a unique perspective on this issue. I would be most interested in hearing
it.
Thank you for any thoughts you
may care to share.
Warmly,
PG
Here is the reply sent to her.
My Dear Friend, Security is a
concern in Ecuador as it is everywhere and part of the problem is that tourists
(as everywhere) do not know where to go and how to behave.
Having said this I have been
disturbed at the number of stories I have heard about crime this past year. Dollarization
has created real inflation in basic necessities of life and this has put enormous
pressure on the urban poor and for the first time ever Merri and I had a pick
pocket try to rob us in Quito while we were there this year.
Normally I would have said that
this is just a problem in Guayaquil and Quito, but while in Ecuador this winter
I heard stories that crime is moving to Cuenca also. What is said is that Guayaquil
has really cracked down on crime and now there is less there, but the criminals
have fled to Cuenca. I was not in Cuenca this trip so can only pass on this hearsay.
As to feeling safe in the city,
I rarely feel safe in any big city and Quito is no exception. As mentioned, only
once have I had an incident, But I know where to go, what to look like. Of more
than over a thousand people we have taken to Ecuador we have only had a few delegates
that have had their pockets picked. (Though keep in mind we were robbed in London
last November and have had delegates robbed in just about every of the dozens
of cities where we have taken them.)
Having said this, we felt no
danger whatsoever during the time we were in Ibarra (the fourth city of Ecuador)
and smaller villages. Nor have we felt risk when in the country side. We spent
a great deal of time with many American families while there (ranging in age from
a 25 year old couple with a three year old daughter to and 85 year old couple
who are farming). They all love Ecuador and feel freer there than in the U.S.
My last message about Ecuador
shared the writing of a young woman who recently traveled Ecuador's countryside
with no problems at all.
Country people have enjoyed increased
prosperity from dollarization (as the cost of foods they grow have risen in real
terms) and I have received stories from readers that rave about the friendly helpful
nature of their Ecuadorian neighbors, though they do have to be on the lookout
for theft (as we do in North Carolina too. Recently someone swiped our chain saw
right from the middle of our 250 acre farm).
Rather than sway your decision
however my suggestion would be the same as I advise everyone. Security will be
an issue just about wherever you go, and things are worse in big cities. Ecuador
has a lot to offer at very affordable prices. If you have to have security it's
a lot better to be able to buy it cheaply. But to begin rent a place and stay
there for an extended period.
This is the best way to get a
feel of whether this is the right place for ou to put down roots or not.
Good luck in your travels! Gary”
Learn more about Ecuador real
estate and its smaller towns
We have continual Ecuador
real estate tours.
I hope to see you in Ecuador. Until then, good
investing!
Gary
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