Girl with the Panama Hat

I've got lots of time on my retirement in Panama to rummage through things. I've gone to some private sales, what you might call "yard sales" and come up with some interesting finds. Kind of like antique shopping. I came upon this photograph that kinda held my attention for a while so I thought I'd share it with you.

It's a photograph of a girl in one of those famous Panama Hats. I don't know anything about the girl or how old the photo is, but it kinda looks old because it's clearly not in the best of condition. It kind of drew me to it. An unknown woman, I don't even know who she is or who owned the photograph but I thought I should put it on my blog. She might of been a woman from Panama or maybe not. It's just a kind of weird photo. Made me think of Panama in the old days.

When one thinks of Panama, one of the first things that come to mind are, besides beaches, besides My Panama retirement (LOL! of course!), besides hunting for real estate, you would probably get an image of a Panama hat.

Something I know is that Panama hats aren't even made in Panama. I heard they're made in Ecuador actually. I know the best Panama hats are woven so fine that they can even hold water. Correct me if I am wrong.

Just something I found on my search for curiosities in Panama, this interesting photo of the girl in the Panama hat. I might get a frame for it. It's just a very interesting photograph of Panama.

The Future of Panama Retirement

I suppose you’ve been wondering what I’ve been up to lately, enjoying my Panama retirement and reading the news of the long cold winter north of here (feeling just a little of that "schadenfreude" - just a little), specifically in North America and the global economic crisis. I’m sipping my coffee, a coffee grown in Panama, on the slopes of Volcan Baru. It’s organic coffee here. They don’t use chemical pesticides for the coffee, all the weeding is done by hand. It’s a delicious, smooth coffee with a slightly nutty flavour. Mornings in Panama.

If you’re wondering about the effects of the global financial crisis in Panama, the country is actually not doing badly. I’ve been reading that the government expects economic growth and a budget surplus this year. Not like everywhere else. During the last five years in Panama, the economic growth in Panama has been positive. This prospering in Panama was assisted by the booming Panama real estate market, the profits of the Panama Canal, tourism and the booming banking business here in Panama City. However, it is expected there will be a drop in tourism to Panama as tourists cut back on their vacation spending.

The unemployment rate might be soaring in other countries such as the United States, but here in Panama, the unemployment rate was 6.5% last year. In 2004, the unemployment rate sat at 14%. So things look relatively good for Panama. The government here is experiencing a surplus for the third year consecutively – not like the other governments of other countries around the globe. I’ve been reading about this in the newspapers.

However, obviously, Panama real estate is experiencing a slump. Panama real estate was fuelled by North American and European buyers, but lately, they are not coming to Panama to purchase property because of their own declining economies. As a result, prices of real estate properties in Panama is declining. As recently as a year and a half ago, people were buying properties in Panama for $200,000 and then selling them six to 12 months later for double the price. There is now a bounty of high priced condominiums which can’t be sold because the numbers of buyers looking for Panama property is just not there currently.

There has been a decline in the number of ships passing through the Panama Canal. The Panamanian government collects tolls from the shipping that pass through. But because of the world wide recession, there are less cargo ships these days travelling through the Canal. In the meantime, Panama has been expanding the Panama Canal locks to allow larger ships to pass through. This mega project has created thousands of new jobs for Panamanians and is an investment in the future of Panama.

Another good fact is that since end of the Noriega regime in 1989, Panama has experienced peace. Peace and stability are great forces when it comes to a country prospering economically. I’ve got no time for dictators. That’s why I chose to retire in Panama.

There are still people who are suffering economically though, selling fruit on the roadside or stealing scrap metal to resell because economic prosperity has not trickled down to enough to the people who need it. Like many parts of the rest of the world, wealth sometimes remains concentrated in a few hands. The cost of food is going up as well, but this is an international problem.

Problem for all the baby boomers who had hoped to cash in their retirement funds and sell their houses is that most of their retirement funds were invested in the stock market and they lost a lot of their cash. Also, selling houses in North America is not worth it right now because you couldn’t get the price you want for your house. Most of the baby boomers have decided to put off their decision to pack up and leave and buy a house or condo in Panama till they get a better return on their investments. Getting a loan from the bank is almost out of the question.

Looks like a lot of people are waiting for the recovery.

I’m glad I decided to retire to Panama when I did. I’ve been here a few years now, speaking Spanish like a native, living in an apartment in Panama City. I’ve looked around for some Panama properties to purchase, but I’m holding out till I find the perfect spot. I want a house on the beach for my retirement in Panama and with the prices declining for Panama properties because of the lack of buyers, I’m ready.

Retire in Panama | A Dream Come True

To retire in Panama is something that many people around the world dream of these days. The sunny weather, miles of beaches and low cost of living are some of the attractions that is drawing retirees to this beautiful country. A peaceful retirement in Panama coupled with the lure of plenty of ecotourism and adventure is something that you can look forward to in Panama.

For a long time, Panama was overshadowed by some of its Central and South American neighbors. It is not the case anymore with Panama fast becoming the most preferred destination of retirees from various different parts of the world. People can look forward to a peaceful retired life enjoying myriad activities ranging from bird watching to deep sea fishing or long strolls along sandy beaches in Panama.

With so many attractions on offer it is no wonder that Panama is ranked as the top destination for retirement these days. One of the reasons for this popularity is the sheer variety of landscape available in Panama. On the one hand you can find palm fringed beaches stretching for miles together, while on the other hand you can find mountainous areas offering you the best of rainforest experience. Moreover, whatever may be the kind of landscape you are looking for the common factor of affordability is another reason for the immense popularity that Panama enjoys as a retirement destination.

The government of Panama has realized the potential of the country as a perfect place for retirement and has left no stone unturned to tap its potential. Panama City, the capital, for instance boasts of world-class infrastructure, complete with a skyline full of high rises along with huge shopping malls and plazas. The combination of urban infrastructure coupled with natural splendor is something that is the unique selling benefit of Panama. In fact Panama City must be the only place in the world where there is a rainforest right outside the city.

The city offers plenty of beautiful apartments facing the sea with all modern amenities, at a fraction of the price that you would get them in other cities. Most of the modern apartment complexes here come complete with swimming pools, walk ways and even spas. Panama City also has a number of first class hotels, classy restaurants and numerous fast food outlets, making it a dream destination for those looking to lead a peaceful life. To make brief, a Panama retirement allows you to enjoy everything that a modern city has on offer while enjoying abundant nature, miles of unspoiled coastline, without burning a big hole in your pocket.

Panama Retirement The Perfect Destination

More and more people getting on in life prefer retirement in Panama. The low cost of living and the wonderful scenery are among the contributing factors for this trend. High cost of retirement in places such as the United States of America and Europe is driving a large number of people to look for other foreign destinations. While there are many places which can rival Panama when it comes to natural splendor, the country has comparatively got some other advantages, making it a favorite with retirees.

The popularity of the country can be gauged from the fact that the country has been voted the number one destination for retirement for the last seven consecutive years. For many, the clinching factors, apart from the low cost of living, are the endless miles of beautiful beaches that the country has. This apart, the landscape of Panama also boasts of many mountainous regions too. The weather too is just about perfect, with year round sunshine on offer. There is a rainy season, but you will find even in the rainy season, it will perhaps just rain for a few hours in the morning.

Although there are other places with similar weather in Central and South America, what makes Panama different is that it offers a unique combination of excellent infrastructure, safety and solitude. For those wanting to spend the last years of their lives in a peaceful paradise, there could not be a better place to choose than Panama.

All said and done, most people flock to Panama because of its low cost of living. A comparison of the real estate prices in Panama in relation to some parts of the United States and Europe would give you a good idea about how cheap this country really is. For example, a house with your own private swimming pool would cost you around $100,000 - $200,000. This is something that is next to impossible in many European countries or in the United States. Similarly, you can watch a movie in a modern cinema complex for just $4 and an average ride in a taxi would only set you back by $2, things which you can’t even imagine in many other countries, offering so many facilities.

Panama boasts of world-class health care facilities which are another reason for the country being a preferred choice of retirees. The infrastructure is modern with many beautiful shopping malls dotting the skyline in the capital, Panama City. The country is also one of the most important banking centers around the world. With the Panama Canal being of high economic and strategic value, the country’s economy is only predicted to become even better in the near future. To put it in a nutshell, a Panama retirement is something that you cannot find in any other place on the planet.

Retirement in Panama | What To Expect

There's a whole lotta of people just waiting to convince you that there's much more to retirement in Panama than you might think, and these people have put together a beautiful info packages that highlight the advantages of this country as a place to retire in. It will leave you convinced that's there's more to this tropical paradise than just the Panama Canal.

Panama Real Estate

One of the first features that will attract people considering a Panama retirement is the abundance of different types of real estate that's available here. Of course there's the opulent places like the Dupont Towers in Punta Pacifica, the most chi-chi neighborhood in Panama where luxury apartments rival anything you could find in any other cosmopolitan city selling in the high $200,000 range. Of course in that range you'll get a terrific view of the Panama City skyline and easy access to all the shopping malls and other amenities.

Of course there are those who will be looking for something a little more downscaled and for them, retirement in Panama offers an assortment of homes on the outskirts and beach homes that are more reasonable priced. However, there are other considerations that you'll want to look at before you decide to take the step of Panama retirement and you'll want to get to know what you can about the infrastructure first.

An Overview of Retiring in Panama

Retiring in Panama doesn't mean that you will need to give up any of the modern amenities that you might be used to. The country enjoys a large trading association with the United States and the major industries are tourism and the export of construction materials. With an exclusive right to use American currency at par, Panama also enjoys a boisterous economy. Still the Panama is a diverse place and the plentiful beaches provide an oasis for the retiree who loves the warm tropical coastline.

For those with a sense of adventure Panama offers marine museums and other snorkeling experiences that can't be found anywhere else in the world. It's important to remember that if you're considering retirement in Panama, you'll be paying much less for beachfront property that you might be in other parts on the Pacific or Caribbean coastlines.

People are taking notice of what Panama has to offer as well. The city of Boquete has recently been rated the fourth best retirement destination in the world since it offers such a unique diversity. If you are seriously considering spending your retirement in Panama, get all the information before you are ready and visit your local Panamanian consulate for all the details. There is much to consider before you actually retire in Panama but you won’t regret your choice one bit.