Ron and Kathrin Sagaert, Don Smith and Ann Hoffman. Ray Holt. Linda Koenig. Arthur from Ft. Myers. These are new friends that share a common interest with us: living and/or investing abroad. All of us attended and met at the 2011 International Living Ultimate Event in Quito, Ecuador.IL's Ultimate Event spanned 4 days and included presentations, workshops, cocktail parties, networking halls and vendor sponsored luncheons. So many resources and so much practical material is provided it can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, attendees receive a hefty information pack and access to all audio and power point presentations to revisit will be available shortly. In fact, those same audio publications will soon be available for purchase for anyone exploring the expat lifestyle.
The people we came to know during the event were quite diverse: married and unmarried, employed and retired and the risk averse and as well as risk tolerant. All have expanded their sphere of future possibilities to include what is available beyond the borders of the good ole USA. Ray wants to take a closer look at Panama, the Sagaerts like Ecuador, Arthur is planning on a visit to Uruguay, Linda is pursuing investing and Ann is heading to Mexico sooner rather than later.As I mentioned before, IL does a fantastic job providing plenty of options. We heard about beaches in Belize, mountains in Ecuador, highly populated hot spots in Brazil and villages in Nicaragua. No worries if Latin America and the Caribbean aren't for you, cherished France and Italy are options too.
About midway through the conference, Doug and I took the morning off to clarify our priorities for a part or full time overseas destination. We want personal and financial safety, political stability, internet access, moderate cost of living, liquidity and flexibility, proximity of an international airport and quality food. Secondary concerns include having access to arts and entertainment, healthy lifestyle (gyms and organic foods), education (language), services (legal, professional and shopping) and craftsmen.With this as our criteria, Uruguay heads to top of our list. Based on discussions we had with others during the conference, it is agreed that Uruguay certainly has many attractive qualities for the expat. What most find unattractive about Uruguay is the distance from the US - 9 hour or so flights from Miami. While Mexico and Costa Rica are enjoying growth from the "late majority", Doug and I realize Uruguay is rich with potential for "early adopters". How cool - it isn't frequent one gets to be on the front of a curve!
We were excited to find the Sugar Loaf development, one we found prior to the conference, among the vendors in the networking hall. Doug and I enjoyed an instant affinity with their agent Alex Garcia, who also provides services with Uruguay Property Tours. Generously, she provided us leads for short term rentals and other professional services in her home country. Fischer & Schickendantz , a foreign investment consultancy among other things, peaked our interest about investment opportunities in Uruguay's farming industry. They also assist expats with living and residency needs.After several presentations and meeting with F&S at their booth, we will be heading down to Uruguay to meet with J. Frederico Fischer and explore the country.
Uruguay has a fan in Lee Harrison, IL's Latin America Roving Editor and presenter. Living in Punta Del Este, Uy, he is also an authority on Ecuador (where he lived prior to Uy), Brazil (where he has a second home), Columbia and Argentina. And Lee has a fan is us. Lee's presentations helped all attendees with such pertinent information as timing your retirement, language, moving/utilities/insurance/finding craftsmen and more.
Lee presented profiles for Uruguay, Brazil, Columbia and Argentina. We realized part of determining where you want to go is to discover where you don't want to go. Brazil's Fortaleza is enticing, Columbia is frightening (to us) and Argentina is costly. Uruguay might be just right.Lee Harrison was just one of the event's great speakers. Really, who would not want to live anywhere once you've heard Steenie Harvey describe it. Gregory Adams widened our eyes about financial risk and volatility. I actually understood JGAM's Peter Laub discussing multi-currency investing strategy. If Tuey Brady-Murdock doesn't impress upon you the need for title insurance in Latin America, nobody will. The Zimmermans make Cuenca sound so charming. Pathfinder International proves themselves to be a trusted source for real estate services and investments.
When we weren't meeting and talking all things expat, we managed to fit in some fun in Quito.
Gianduja Chocolate tour
www.giandujachocolate.com
Small world...Chocolatier Jeff Stern gave some valuable back story to the real estate market in Cotacachi, Ecuador.
Dinner out with the Sagaerts at Azucar on Plaza Foch.
Virgin of Quito aka Woman Of The Apolcalypse.
More excellent chocolate at Republica Del Cacao in the La Mariscal district.
Enjoy Living Internationally's Ann Hoffman.
Roses, a major Ecuadorian export - and Valentine's gift.
Heard at IL Ultimate Event VI
"Six months from now you could be living in paradise."
'The current administration wants to stop offshore investing."
"You can't wish it to happen. You have to take action."
"The only way you know if a place is good for you is to go there."
"Go when you can not when you're comfortable."
"When you move abroad, it is a lifestyle not a deadline."
"Spot markets not products."
"Uruguay is Latin America, with European first world comfort."
At the end of the conference, friendships were born, hugs were given and cards were exchanged. The event was great value for our money but the people we met were priceless.
