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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.
He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.
In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.
Global Real Estate Project
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Chile: Looks like California... but CheaperThere are many stereotypes linked with the countries and the place they occupy in the world. When we say a Developed country or First World country we almost always have in mind either America-style suburbs or New York-style skyscrapers. On the other hand, when we say a Developing country or a Third World country, we usually imagine starving people, more or less brutal regimes, corrupt administration and many other things that prevent the country of becoming developed . Chile, a country that once many considered to be developed (it was just 50-60 years ago), in the 70s experienced many brutal political changes that throw it into the Third world. In the 80s and 90s it tried to reach the level of the more developed nations so today it's considered to be neither developing but still not developed country. Some visitors (presumably old-aged) compare today Chile with California of early 50s, the epoch when the cars weren't so numerous, the prices were more moderate and the life weren't so complicated. For US and Western European baby-boomers Chile can offer very affordable life with a possibility of property appreciation in a long term. Consider these figures, a house of 3,000 sq.feet in a countryside can cost less than $100,000, the annual property taxes will be less than $300. The monthly bills for such mansion will be as following: electricity ($50-60), water ($30), phone ($35), internet ($20), cable ($30). A full-time nanny will cost $250 a month, the kindergarten $100 a month. Food in Chile, especially outside the big cities cost almost nothing (from US and European point of view). For a family of two the prices hardly can exceed $100-150 per month. There is one more reason to compare Chile with California the vineyards. Instead of $15,000-20,000 per acre as is in California you can find a vineyard in Chile for as low as $1,500 per acre. There is an additional bonus for those foreigners who decide not only to invest but also to live in Chile. This country is known to be least corrupted among all the Latin American nations and also is ranked among the least corrupted societies in the world. As some observers note, it's almost unthinkable for the road police in Chile to take bribes (in some other Latin American countries it's almost unthinkable for the road police NOT to take bribes, but this is a different story). Chile is also known as a country where property rights are well protected. Given the small size and population of the country, the foreign investor confidence is shown by the US investments figures, which exceed $10 billion. Today foreign investors can't expect to have 1000% and more appreciation of their properties as was the case in the 80s simply because there is a political stability and nothing endangers the property rights as was in the early 70s when the country was ruled by a leftist government. Nevertheless Chile can try again to become a First world nation, which is easier than in any other Latin American country. To do so it has to liberalize further its economy and foreign trade that inevitably will stimulate foreign investments both individual and institutional. Are there any specific problems for the foreign investors in Chile, coming from the United States and Europe? Sure there are many and unfortunately some of them can't be fixed. How about celebrating Christmas in the midst of the summer?
----------- Chile
(CIA World Factbook 2001) --------------------
See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Chile.
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