Win a Dream Retirement...For A Month

If you of (or close to) retirement age and wondering about where you should spend the rest of your days after leaving the workforce, then listen up!

Cuenca. Credit: Hugo Ghiara

InternationalLiving.com is looking for two people to spend a month living in Ecuador to experience retirement living in the city of Cuenca. This was named the top retirement spot in the website's 2012 Global Retirement Index, thanks to its low-cost of living, ideal climate and friendly locals.

Basically, the winners will get the spend 30 days relaxing, shopping, dining and exploring, and then writing about the experience for International Living. (Plus, they'll get paid for the article.) It seems like a pretty sweet deal. This might be the only time that I will ever say that I wish I were at retirement age.

So, for those who can enter this contest, you have to post a three minute video on YouTube explaining why you would like to retire overseas and why you want to try Ecuador. The deadline is March 15.

Winners get free airfare, a place to live for four weeks, plus $1,500 in spending money.

So, is Cuenca worth it?

It is the country's third largest city and is located within the Andes region. It is known for its cobble-stoned colonial streets, where you can view its old-world cathedrals and parks. It is also famous for producing more notable writers, poets and artists thatn anywhere else in Ecuador--so there are plenty of museums and sites dedicated to those individuals. It has an eclectic, bohemian nightlife, with incredible bars and restaurants. And there are dozens of hiking trails in the countryside just outside the city where you can explore its natural beauty.

I have always wanted to go to South America, and I certainly would love to check out Ecuador. Although, I think Chile and Argentina are higher up on my list. But if I were to be sent to Cuenca, I certainly would not complain. It sounds like an incredible city, especially considering its literary background. As far as retiring there, I'm not so sure I would want to live there for a long period of time. But I'm sure many others would be eager to kick off their shoes and stay a while in Ecuador.

Where Will You Retire?

The thought of retirement is far in the future for me, considering I have only just entered the workforce and have not even reached a quarter of a century in age. However, my parents are very close to that stage in their life, and knowing they will have the freedom to go wherever and do whatever makes me a little jealous. Then I read an article saying that more and more Americans are retiring abroad, and it made me wonder if my folks would ever make the move.

They have talked about buying a villa in Tuscany and living out the rest of their days sipping wine and speaking Italian. To no one's amazement, I would be absolutely ecstatic if they did, but I am not so sure that plan will pan out. They still have so many responsibilities here in the states and a lot to handle after retirement. I am not so sure they could leave it all behind. However, many retirees have packed their bags to spend their golden years overseas. There is not an exact number, but it is estimated that nearly half a million American seniors have moved abroad to retire. According to the Social Security Administration, Americans receiving benefits overseas has jumped 32 percent since 2002. And retirees seem to have no common destination. In fact, they have spanned the global, venturing everywhere from Caribbean islands to the French countryside, from the jungles of Panama to the gated communities in Thailand or Malaysia.

This trend has bolstered an entire industry that makes its profit off selling the good life overseas. The retire-abroad business includes everything from real estate agents, investment advisers and transition specialists, all trying to attract the retired demographic to various shores around the world. Companies like International Living and Escape Artist have magazines and websites that  promote good property deals and give advice on how to make the move.

It is understandable why so many people choose to retire outside of the United States, especially in a down economy. The cost of living is much more appealing, and, let's face it, the environment and landscape of many locations far exceeds what anyone could find in America. If nothing else, it certainly stirs up a sense of adventure that many retirement-age folks may have subdued during all their years in the work force.

I already know that when I retire, it will be in Italy, on a lovely vineyard in Tuscany. I will spend my days reading, writing, exploring the country, cooking, shopping and drinking wine. It is my ideal golden years scenario. So where will you retire?