Country Article / Postcards

Secret Quito

Date: 08/18/2003

Dear International Living Reader,

During a recent Ecuador Discovery Tour, we were shown some of Quito's secrets that even long-time residents of this city don't know about...including a cozy little rooftop restaurant complete with a bonfire, from which we watched the entire Old Town come to life as the sun set.

Old Town Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the first city to be named as such,) with classic Spanish Colonial Architecture, magnificent, centuries-old churches and perfect year-round weather.

I've already told you about Quito's plans to restore the colonial buildings in its Old Town, and how the city is willing to make it worth your while to help (see below for a link to that article) but there's very cheap real estate for sale in Old Town, even apart from the city's restoration scheme.

For example, we saw an old three-story house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a terrace with a spectacular view of the historic center of Quito. It also has a small store that could be rented out for about $100 per month. The asking price is $30,000 (see a photo here) and the owner is anxious to sell. It probably needs between $5,000 and $7,000 invested to bring it up to American standards, after which you could either move in, or rent it out for an estimated $500 to $600 per month.

We also saw a large house, currently divided into four apartments. It's got lots of character, with scrollwork, balconies, and terraces with a view out over Old Town. This one needs some updating as well, and they're asking $80,000 (see a photo here.) For more information on either of these properties, contact Matt Guillory (details below.)

Lee Harrison
For International Living