The capital of Ecuador beckons to you, understandably so: with contrasts between old and new creating a culture of its own, Quito spells out a rich, stimulating life for an expat. Reflecting Quito’s diversity, the city offers an array of accommodations. Which is best for you?
At what cost can you become a Quiteño? Roughly $400 to $500. Depending on the exact location and things such as utilities, that number will rise (in some cases to as high as $2,000) or fall (don't expect it to drop much below $250, though). But for $450 you should be able to rent a perfectly decent accommodation in Quito. To start your search, try El Comercio's Sunday newspaper edition online as well as bulletin boards in La Mariscal's internet cafes. When walking around neighbourhoods where you might consider living, pay attention to any signs posted on buildings that say 'se renta' and 'se arrienda'. Even more importantly, engage expats and locals into conversation, as word of mouth is how most Ecuadorian owners rent out or sell. See a building you like? Ask the guard on duty. And who knows, you might make new friends! If you're gregarious and flexible, sharing rent is an option that will limit your cost outlay, and may even help you begin a social life sooner than later.
New Town
One of the main things that will cause real estate prices to fluctuate is location. New Town has long been the popular choice for expats who like to be at the heart of activity. Living in New Town means being mere minutes from shopping areas, restaurants, nightlife, cinemas ' you name it. If this sounds appealing to you, particularly pleasant districts to consider would be Gonzales Suarez, Bellavista, and Parque Carolina. On a larger scale, New Town is very well-connected to other parts of Quito too, via an excellent public transport system.
Condominiums are the most common type of accommodation for expats in this section of town. Condos in New Town tend to be very modern and reminiscent of condominiums in the US or Europe, from the furniture to the services included, with the majority offering 24h security. Rent here starts at approximately $450, depending on amenities and age of the building. Asking prices to purchase condos such as these range from $80,000 to $250,000.
Old Town
The Old Town, in comparison with New Town, enjoyed a seedy reputation for quite some time. Both the government and private sector invested millions to rejuvenate the area a few years ago, prompting a Renaissance of sorts in this historical treasure, known as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many ancient buildings have been renovated with a view to developing heritage tourism while including modern standards on the inside, whilst the colonial façades have been preserved per the UNESCO requirements. Now Old Town is called the new New Town! In spite of this novel cachet which has been attracting hip artists and in-the-know young businessmen in spades, it's still very possible to find a bargain in this neighbourhood. Rent is still 20% to 30% lower than in the actual New Town. As far as purchasing, remember that UNESCO must be consulted for all renovations, and expect any property you buy in Old Town to have high upkeep and maintenance costs.
Suburban and outlying areas
Quito's suburbs have exploded in recent years, not only due to the population but also because of the construction of the new airport near Tumbaco and Puembo north of Quito. New construction of gated housing neighbourhoods and guarded condominiums have been seen recently all over the valleys both north and east of Quito and can be less expensive than New Town or even Old Town Quito. Shopping centres have also cropped up all over these areas as residents have begun to populate the areas all around Quito, so a resident choosing to live outside of Quito proper won't feel isolated or without amenities. As many Quiteños do live outside the city proper, be prepared for gridlock traffic in the morning coming into Quito and in the late afternoon leaving the city.
Useful links:
Precisions about Quito's address system
How Old Town is to be born again
Gabino Home
Casa Trovit
Ecuador Home Sales
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