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