Why Panama

Media sources from Modern Maturity to Conde Nast have given Panama high ranking as a spot for retirement and/or second homes.

Panama has almost everything: rain forests, a diverse eco-system, pristine beaches, fertile farmland, highlands with nice climate. Requirements for the pensionada visa are almost not at all. You only need to prove that you have good health, no criminal record, an income of $500 per month ($100 additional for each dependent).

Buying a home for $200,000 or more, no matter your age, you can get a residency visa. If you prefer, you can buy a home and enjoy many privileges on just a tourist visa. At the end of 90 days, you make a brief trip out of the Republic of Panama then come back. you can do it for years.

The pensionada program lets you bring in your household goods without paying duties, and you can bring import a new car for personal use every two years. You have a 20-year tax holiday on a home here if Panama is your only residence. You can enjoy discounts of 15% to 50% on hotels, restaurants, movies, many professional services.

New highways have been built and most older roads are routinely repaired. The currency is the U.S. dollar. Another plus - Panama has numerous English-speaking, U.S.- trained doctors, and medical care is exceptionally good.

THE PEOPLE OF PANAMA The population of 3 million, half of whom live in Panama City, are a mix of African, European, Arab, American, Chinese and Indian. The majority are mestizo, 14% are black, 10% white and 10% Indian. Seven Indian tribes live in Panama.

With the highest per capita income in Central American, Panama has a large middle class who use cell phones, drive SUVs and live much like U.S. citizens. However, unemployment is high, with estimates ranging from 13% to 20%, and the World Bank estimates that half the population falls below the poverty level..

LIVING IN PANAMA The larger expat communities are in Panama City, Coronado beach, Gorgona beach, Punta Barco Resort, Chame Village, Penonome Village, El Valle in the highlands outside Panama City. Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast, Boquete and Volcan in the highlands in Chiriqu' Province. Whatever lifestyle you're looking for, you can find it here. You can have the big city or the serene countryside and beaches or, conceivably, both.

Panama has several different climates. At sea level, it is typically tropical, hot and humid, though Panama Citys climate is tempered by sea breezes. At the higher elevations, you'll find year-round springtime and homes that don't need heat or air conditioning. The Caribbean side has more rainfall and humidity than the Pacific side. There are basically two seasons, wet (mid-April through December) and dry (January through mid-April). Panama has escaped severe earthquakes and is considered to be outside the hurricane belt.

PANAMA CITY Panama City is more modern than most Central-American cities. But it's overall infrastructure in architectural terms is first class. It has modern freeways and excellent telecommunications."

Restaurants here serve all types of ethnic foods as well as excellent seafood. Shopping is comparable to that of any large city. There's plenty of entertainment, too. The music scene includes traditional Panamanian music, salsa, jazz, reggae, merengue and rock, classical music, There are Direct Tv, Cable. Also there are nightclubs, cantinas, casinos.

The old city is Casco Viejo, , built by the French and somewhat resembling the French Quarter of New Orleans or old Havana, Cuba.

If Panama City bores you, you can get out of town or out of the country in a hurry. There is good surfing less than one hour and half in Palmar Beach or Malibu beach. You can fly to any number of islands in 20 minutes or less.

El Valle This resort town is in the cool highlands only 90 minutes from Panama City, and just 45 minutes from popular Pacific beaches, including Gorgona, Coronado, Santa Clara, Playa Blanca, Punta Chame, Costa Esmeralda, Playa Blanca, and many others. Temperatures average about 75 degrees and humidity is low. One can see for hundreds of miles.

Coronado, Gorgona, Costa Esmeralda is less than 1 hour from Panama City for the nightlife and the international airport and ther is a domestic ariport in Chame village 5 minutes from these beaches. Temperatures here average about 75 degrees, with very little humidity, and from some areas, it’s possible to see both oceans. There are pine trees, waterfalls and hiking trails as well as such conveniences as hight speed Internet connections, direct TV, cable tv and a heliport.

Source:

Living Aboard http://liveabroad.com/articles/panama.html