A co-op form of community developed by residents, not by developers

Sounds interesting and inviting. I'm game.  We may be visiting in July

Rebecca:
I applaud your entrepreneurial spirit and organization efforts to find like minded “kindred spirits” to create a communal atmosphere. Good luck to you and others that join in your efforts.

What I am confused about is your apparent disdain for “greedy” developers. When you consider the financial risk developers assume investing in infrastructure (roads, water, utilities, and construction) and the interest cost assumed for the three to five years from conception to completion, you have to admit they are willing to accept high risk to achieve a vision. I am not a developer but I do admire the confidence they have in their convictions and willingness to “put their money where their mouth is”.

Finally, in reality are you not the developer on this project? When you eventually sell your property will you ask only for the “out of pocket” cost you incurred?  Or will you seek “current market price” recognizing the cost in time and money you invested in your vision including “management and research”?

My point is let's not be so critical of others that provide a service some, such as yourself, may not fully appreciate.

Maybe you like-minded people could find something like an abandoned movie ranch, cut out the greedy developers entirely.

You could name it....
" Manson Acres "

Hmmm. Sounds a little like a kibbutz.

Hello fdmcd,

I apologize if I offended you by ‘greedy developers.' I can see now that ‘greedy' was not the right word to use without explaining what I meant. I meant big investment corporations by ‘greedy developers.' I called them ‘greedy' based on what they have done in Panama, Costa Rica, and other countries. They have contributed to high inflations in real estate in these countries. Ecuador seems to be their next target.

You admired their real estate investments as ‘entrepreneurship.'  To me, entrepreneurship is only applied, if someone has created a business that does something good for society overall. I would not call their property investments as ‘entrepreneurship,' because their business activities have resulted in doing more harm than good in those central/south American countries. For example, they've made it much more difficult for native people to purchase a house than ever before. They do not help migrating American retirees either, because housing in those countries is no longer affordable. This is why I am critical of large-scale developers in central/south American countries.

Second, you seem to misunderstand our intention. We intend to buy a property in this co-op community in order to have a shelter for the rest of our lives. We don't intend to buy a property and then sell for a quick profit. In fact, if we can survive with our pension income only, without the need of selling our home until death, we hope to donate it to a non-profit organization in Ecuadore. Finally, I am not a developer. We want to participate in building a co-op community as A Member. The developer in my proposal is not any particular individual, but the co-op community itself. I hope this give you some clarification.

Thank you for your comments. Rebecca

Rebecca,
I understand the concept of what you are trying to accomplish, and I think it's a really great idea. It has been done in Ecuador. There was a young couple that had a blog about their community. I'll see if I can dig it up, and I'll pm you if I do.
Of course, the first thing most from N. A. will think of is a 60's style, "Hippy Commune", which ain't a bad thing.
Certainly you will require some very talented people in your group. What you are trying do is a huge endeavor, and there are a ton of issues that will arise, but with determination and hard work, along with some brainpower, you will see your dream come to fruition. I applaud your determination.
Best of Luck!!!
Neil

I like the idea of a cop but is not interested in buying I want to rent in case I don't like it. But being around other American also on society sound wherei would like to be when I move there. The helping each other if needed sure appeals to me.

That sounds very interesting. I always liked the idea of a commune like they had in the movie "The Beach." But of course, that was TV.

I think in reality, it's sort of pie-in-the-sky to make utopia succeed with a bunch of strangers unless they're libertarians that have an entrepreneurial mindset and are willing to keep their noses out of their neighbors' affairs. But with comments about greedy corporations, I can already see that this isn't what's being considered here. This will end up like the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper. Two guys will end up doing all the work while the rest sit around and brag about how well their commune is coming along.

But if you can make it work, then I'll be envious. It does sound like a fabulous place to live.

brainteaser wrote:

I would not call their property investments as ‘entrepreneurship,' because their business activities have resulted in doing more harm than good in those central/south American countries. For example, they've made it much more difficult for native people to purchase a house than ever before. They do not help migrating American retirees either, because housing in those countries is no longer affordable. This is why I am critical of large-scale developers in central/south American countries.

How would building houses cause an increase in housing costs? The law of supply and demand tells us that prices increase when demand outstrips supply. When developers build more houses that increases the supply.

If prices are increasing, then it is because demand is up, not because of anything the developers are doing.

Bob

HelenRudd wrote:

I like the idea of a cop but is not interested in buying I want to rent in case I don't like it. But being around other American also on society sound wherei would like to be when I move there. The helping each other if needed sure appeals to me.

Sure, you like the idea of a cop, but where's one when you need him?

Hey BobH, from what I have read the housing prices are going up because for every gringo hitting the market there are 7 Ecuadorians returning home from making their money overseas.  The idea that building new homes causes a price rise is hard to fathom.