check out places like Colonia...and some of the towns further north of there if you want small town living.
By all means, check out Colonia -- full name:Â Colonia del Sacramento -- the old Portuguese fortress town just south of Uruguay's chief agricultural belt.
This is small town (27,000) living, but not just any small town.
It's a coastal community whose "centro" is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site with remarkable historical features.
It's just a 45-minute boat ride* from one of the major metropolitan centers of Latin America -- Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Colonia even has a casino.
And it's pollution levels are low, low, low.
Daily high temps range from 59-71 F. most of the year, warmer in the summer, so it's comfortable. Keep in mind that in the July-August winter period, Colonia typically gets only half as much daily sunshine as during December-January high season.
And don't forget your camera.
cccmedia in Quito, Ecuador
*Since BA-Colonia is an international "paseo," you'll need to leave extra time for customs, security and paperwork...so bring a book, or your Kindle if that's you're planned route to Colonia.