Recently, an article was published in an on-line financial column about the advantages of living in Cuenca, Ecuador. It included a couple of charts with questionable data that rated the best places to retire in the world. It comes as no surprises that Cuenca was at the top of the list and rated as the world’s best retirement haven. However, this erroneous rating is based almost exclusively on “cost of living” and not the country’ quality of life. It sounds very enticing that a couple supposedly can live well on $1500 per month. What is not stated is that you are really getting what you pay for, a low cost and a low life.

Unfortunately some of the organizations touting Cuenca have deep pockets and can get a lot of media exposure. Beneath the surface these organizations and individuals promoting the places where they have real estate interests. They know that a certain number of people will find Cuenca attractive because of its affordability. Don’t be fooled by all of the hype! Once again, affordability is not synonymous with a quality lifestyle.

Traditional retirement meccas like Cost Rica offer a hard-to-beat lifestyle with most of the amenities of home. After all, it’s what a country has to offer and quality of life and not just the cost of living that ultimately influences people’s decision to relocate. It is best to stick with countries that have a long track record of dealing with with foreign retirees. Ultimately this will increase your chances of having a successful experience while living abroad.

Ask the following questions before you fall for all of the advertising and be sure to read between the lines to be sure you know the real agenda of those promoting any “too good to be true” country as a place to live.

(1) How long has the place been on the retirement map?
(2) Does the city have adequate medical facilities to deal with the health issues aging retirees will have to face?
(3) Are there expat organizations in the city exclusively dedicated to helping foreigners make the move there? Is there an established expat community or just a bunch of inexperienced newcomers?
(4) Are there supermarket which stock the products from home?
(5) Are there enough activities to stay busy and is there a network of other expats to give you support?
(7) How much experience have the locals had providing basic services for expats?
(8) What type of Internet services are available?
(9) What are your rights as a home owner?
(10) How easy I it to sell a home if things don’t work out and you have to return to the states?
(11) How difficult is it to travel to the capital of the country?
(12) Can you drink the water?
(13) How stable is the government and the economy?
(14) What role does the military play in politics?
(15) Does Venezuela’s deranged leader, Hugo Chavez, pose any threat to the country and is drug trafficking and the resultant violence a danger to foreign retirees? It is very important to take neighboring countries into consideration when deciding where to relocate.
(16) Traditionally, how safe are investments in the country?
(17) Do the people like foreign retirees?