Pereira is known as Colombia’s second “City of Eternal Spring” and is one of the three cities that make up this country’s coffee triangle. This region of Colombia is exceptionally picturesque, with rolling coffee fields to the horizon punctuated at intervals by small pueblos. This is an area of bountiful natural resources that offers great opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and photography.
[See: 10 Affordable Places to Retire Overseas in 2016.]
The Spanish discovered this region in 1540, but a permanent settlement wasn’t established until 1691. In 1816 two brothers, José Franciso and Manual Pereira, took shelter near the settlement after the defeat of Simón Bolivar. In 1863, a priest founded what is now Pereira on the site of what is now Plaza Bolivar.
Pereira and the rest of the coffee region were colonized by people from around the Medellín area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The settlers grew large quantities of high-quality coffee in the volcanic and mineral-rich Andean soil here. As a result, Pereira and the coffee region in general are very culturally close to Medellín.
In fact, you could say that Pereira is similar to Medellín 10 years ago, before all the positive press helped to change the world’s view of Pablo Escobar’s home town. Both tourism and investment in Medellín have increased dramatically over the past decade, while Pereira remains completely undiscovered. Both cities are in the mountains at about 5,000 feet, and both boast comfortable year-round climates. One big difference between the two sister cities is the cost, both of living and especially of real estate. Property in Pereira is 20 to 25 percent cheaper on average than in Medellín.
Pereira could also be described as more livable than Medellín in some ways. It’s smaller and more easily navigated. Depending where you base yourself, you could live in Pereira without owning a car. The city is very walkable and also less congested. It doesn’t have the pollution that can be a problem in Medellín at certain times of year.
[See: 50 Affordable Places to Buy a Retirement Home in 2016.]
Here are eight reasons Pereira is a top retirement option that no one is talking about:
The weather is perfect. At an elevation of 4,829 feet, Pereira enjoys beautiful weather all year, with warm, balmy days and cool, pleasant nights. The average daytime high is 80 degrees and the low is 62 degrees, with only 1 degree of seasonal variation. Pereira is room temperature every day, year-round, much like Medellín.
It’s part of the coffee region. Nearby hot springs, picturesque pueblos within a couple of hours and countless small farms and country homes in the surrounding areas make for great getaways from the small city. Pereira is also a jumping-off point for a pair of the top nature preserves in Colombia: Parque Ucumarí and Santuario Otún Quimbaya.
It’s a first world environment. The city’s water is drinkable, and it boasts well-maintained roads, dependable phone service, electricity and high-speed Internet. You’ll find many shopping options, from mom-and-pop stores to upscale boutiques, as well as large, modern shopping malls, including Parque Arboleda mall, which rivals the best malls in much bigger Bogotá and Medellín. The banks and financial services in the city are the same as you find in bigger cities in Colombia, and they are solid and dependable.
It’s naturally beautiful. Pereira, specifically the region known as Pineras, is built on lush hills with tree-lined streets, green parks and meandering roads with mountain views in every direction.
It’s a pleasant place to be. The comfortable climate, friendly people and beautiful surroundings all add up to a very pleasant place to spend time.
The real estate market is active and undervalued. The real estate industry in Pereira is well-organized, and the inventory of quality properties is good. Construction standards are high — even in older buildings — yet prices are among the lowest in South America and even the world. Properties are a good value, considering the quality of life on offer.
It’s off the typical trail. Pereira is not a typical tourist destination in Colombia, and the city doesn’t get much press. As a result, not many foreigners have discovered or visited Pereira yet.
[See: 10 Ways to Reduce Your Housing Costs in Retirement.]
The cost of living is a global bargain. You can rent a modern two-bedroom apartment in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city for as little as $300 per month. A couple could retire here on a budget of as little as $1,200 per month at the current rate of exchange between the Colombian peso and the U.S. dollar.
Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group.
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A Top Retirement Haven No One is Talking About originally appeared on usnews.com
