The Future of Ecuador

            When an earthquake rumbles, we are reminded of how human we are. The earthquake that hit Ecuador on April 16 shocked this country. It was unexpected, and the effects will continue to be felt in the upcoming months and years. Over 650 lives were lost, many homes along the coast were destroyed, and thousands of individuals are waiting to figure out what to do next. Instantly, Ecuador was in the spotlight, and the world and citizens of Ecuador responded. Donations continue to be driven in daily, organizations are mobilizing on the ground, and life is resuming. 

            After a natural disaster hits, one of the most important steps in the process of recovery is regrowth. Ecuador is rebuilding. This process will take months and years, but in this span of time, the coast of Ecuador has the possibility to rebuild in a way never before imagined. As families along the coast move towards the city, choosing not to rebuild the small homes in which they had lived, there will be opportunities appearing along the coastline to own some of the most scenic beachfront property in the country. Many of the beachfront properties will be sold for significantly lower prices. Homes and developments that were previously made with cheaper material and lower construction standards have the possibility to be redesigned and rebuilt with more durable materials and with new vision in mind.

            Though the process will take time, the economy of Ecuador will rebound, and the properties on the coast will continue to be some of the most beautiful properties in the world. They will be available at a fraction of the cost of other beachfront views. Homeowners here are starting to envision, through the destruction, a chance to build the coastal communities of Ecuador into well-made, well-designed communities of individuals. For foreign investors, this translates into the possibility to buy properties, at a nominal cost, that have never been on the market before. It is the time to become part of the momentum as Ecuador rebuilds and continues to grow. 

           This country, it cannot be said enough, is a place of immense beauty. Its biological diversity cannot be eclipsed. The climates vary from region to region, with perfect autumn and spring breezes in the mountains, and rejuvenating heat along the coast.In the last eight years, the government has focused on tourism, on rebranding the country, and on building up local systems of education, welfare, and health. To live here is to live in an Eden, a heavenly existence that will continue to move forward, to grow and to expand. Even in the aftermath of an earthquake, the country continues to offer its inhabitants, tourists, and future investors the opportunity to become a part of its incredible paradise.