Well, like I said before in a previous article, one of the first great things about retiring in Panama is the weather. Escaping from the freezing cold of a North American city in the winter has to be one of my main reasons from getting the hell out of there in my old age, if you call 54 years old, old. My bones feel the cold too much now, so that’s why I decided to retire in Panama.
There were other reasons why I decided to retire in Panama. You can get some great deals on property in Panama and the government of Panama makes it relatively easy for foreigners to retire in Panama. Other countries make it kind of difficult to retire or else they’ve got political instability and who the hell needs that when you retire? So I like the hot weather, the beaches and the people of Panama. And, I kinda like a peaceful environment for my retirement and who doesn’t. Your working life is full of struggles and who needs the hassle. Retirement in Panama was an obvious choice.
What’s some more great things about retiring in Panama? Well, it’s got a lot to offer. Business wise – Panama has great business capabilities. There’s the Panama Canal the gateway to the Pacific to the Atlantic. Its got some economic free trade zones, which is good for business and shopping.
It’s got an abundance of luxury resorts, spas and hotels which are open for tourism in Panama and also close to Panama City. The Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa is only 15 minutes away from the capital city of Panama. There are some fantastic rainforest properties and resorts near at hand. There are properties available in the mountains and villages such as Boquete in Chiriqui province. There is thriving and lively cultural scene in Panama and lots of history.
The way of life is a blend of Latin American/American. The people are so friendly and laid back. It might be the fact that they are close to the beaches, they have a sense of enjoyment of life. It might be because of the time when the Americans were here. They love the festivals, the good life. They call Panama City – the “second Miami”. Sounds good to me.
There are plenty of beach front properties available for your retirement in Panama. Many of the best properties are a couple of hours’ drive from Panama City. The beaches are stunning, and if you like sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling or even surfing, you’ve come to the right place. One thing good about the beach front property in Panama is the price – it’s still affordable and you can even find properties for under a $100,000 US. If you’ve got more in the bank, you can afford higher end real estate, townhouses, villas and more luxurious condos in Panama.
You can buy property on the Atlantic coast of Panama and one of the most popular places to buy is in Bocas del Toro but the property prices are climbing and sometimes you will have title issues on some parts of the Atlantic/Caribbean side. There are still some good deals in real estate on this side of Panama, but you’ll have to take your time in finding them. Buying beach front property on the Pacific side is easier and the prices are more reasonable.
Oh, if you’ve stopped by here recently, you’ll notice that I put up a couple of nice photos from Panama which I found on the web. They are taken by a guy named Seracat. I emailed him and he said it was okay to use them. To me, they are the perfect retirement real estate properties in Panama – I guess I like the simple life. A little hut on the beach in Panama, close to the water, fishing, peace and all the modern amenities, a spoiled old guy like me needs is perfect for retiring in Panama.
Showing posts with label retiring in Panama.retirement in Panama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retiring in Panama.retirement in Panama. Show all posts
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Sunday, December 7, 2008
My Decision to Retire in Panama
When I first decided to retire in Panama, there was a lot of research to be done, talking to people who were thinking about the idea, people who were actually retired and living in Panama and searching on the internet for information for retirement in Panama. I discovered this company called International Living.
I had heard things about living in Panama and buying property in Panama, like “buyer beware” and you’d better either speak Spanish or else hire a lawyer from Panama. So I was a bit of a doubting Thomas, very wary of, well, everything to be quite honest with you. No sense draining my life time savings and getting screwed at my age.
Nevertheless, I was a bit cynical, but I knew I wanted to retire in Panama. I signed up to this company for a three day real estate tour which promised to show many quality properties during their three day real estate presentation. Let me remind you, I was feeling kinda cynical.
Passing through customs was relatively easy. Once on the other side of customs, I was looking for the guy from the company. I figured no one would be meeting me at Tocumen International airport as promised but it was sort of encouraging when I saw the guy at the terminal holding up the sign for his company. As promised.
A hotel room was booked for those attending at the Miramar Intercontinental Hotel, a luxury hotel for sure, not a doubt about it. We got to sleep in a bit the next morning at the hotel because the event the company was running wouldn’t start until 1:00 p.m. The event started right at 1:00 p.m. Promptly. As promised.
Two guys gave the welcoming address about retiring in Panama, safety, stability, climate, reasons to retire and invest in Panama. A lawyer then gave a speech on the legal aspects of retiring and conducting business in Panama. There were further presentations on investments such as investing in teak forests and how to finance property in Panama. So much valuable information. I was ready for a break. Next up on the schedule: a reception by the pool. Cocktails in the sun. Ah! Panama. As promised.
Next day it was an early start to the day. At 8:00 a.m., a bus was waiting outside of the Miramar to take us to the Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa. This is some luxurious hotel, a 5 star hotel resort in Panama. Beautiful! It’s on a private secluded beach. As promised.
The first presentation was a speech about economic development in Panama. After that, we headed to Playa Serena, a beach front paradise on the Pacific side consisting of two and three bedroom apartments from 699 to 1,205 suqare feet in size in two 20 story buildings. With a view on the ocean. More beautiful – as promised.
Well, we were here to see properties in Panama and the next property we were taken to was named Vista Mar. We had lunch here followed by a tour. Again, fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean, designer kitchens, stainless steel appliances. Talk about attention to detail.
The night was to be spent at Playa Blanca. White hotel with blue roofs. Here they have two high rise condo buildings under construction. Dancers and bongo drums greet us. A resort on the Pacific. Another nice one. Great buffet and dancers. Beautiful sunset.
Nighttime. A show was put on at the resort. Dancers singing broadway songs. More bongo drums.
Santa Clara and Coronado were next on our itinerary. Santa Clara and Coronado are quiet communities surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on one side and beautiful tropical forests and foliage surrounding the community. From $130,000 to $800,00 US, you can buy two to four bedroom homes. More beauty. As promised. For peaceful and quiet retirement in Panama, this is all about location, location.
Other properties we were taken too included Tucan Country Club for breakfast. This property is a 180 acre community, still under construction, consisting of 500 town homes, villas, and terrace condominiums built around an 18 hole, par 72 professionally designed gold course. This property is just across the Bridge of the Americas, a short drive from Panama City. Other high rise condos presented to our group included the Grand Bay Tower, Bayfront Tower, Destiny Panama Bay, and Sol Marina with spectacular views of the city skyline and the ocean, and furnished with all the modern amenities you could desire. There’s lots of building going on in Panama, especially for those who are thinking of retiring there.
The three days ended back at our hotel in Panama City – the Hotel Miramar. The properties I had seen had all been tempting. The presentation had boosted my goal to retire in Panama. It was an exhausting few days in Panama, you know, places to go, people to see, but I had seen some properties I was definitely interested in looking at further. There seems to be something for everyone interested in retiring in Panama whether it be a property on an ocean front, a quiet spot in the mountains, or the bustling city of Panama itself. As promised.
I had heard things about living in Panama and buying property in Panama, like “buyer beware” and you’d better either speak Spanish or else hire a lawyer from Panama. So I was a bit of a doubting Thomas, very wary of, well, everything to be quite honest with you. No sense draining my life time savings and getting screwed at my age.
Nevertheless, I was a bit cynical, but I knew I wanted to retire in Panama. I signed up to this company for a three day real estate tour which promised to show many quality properties during their three day real estate presentation. Let me remind you, I was feeling kinda cynical.
Passing through customs was relatively easy. Once on the other side of customs, I was looking for the guy from the company. I figured no one would be meeting me at Tocumen International airport as promised but it was sort of encouraging when I saw the guy at the terminal holding up the sign for his company. As promised.
A hotel room was booked for those attending at the Miramar Intercontinental Hotel, a luxury hotel for sure, not a doubt about it. We got to sleep in a bit the next morning at the hotel because the event the company was running wouldn’t start until 1:00 p.m. The event started right at 1:00 p.m. Promptly. As promised.
Two guys gave the welcoming address about retiring in Panama, safety, stability, climate, reasons to retire and invest in Panama. A lawyer then gave a speech on the legal aspects of retiring and conducting business in Panama. There were further presentations on investments such as investing in teak forests and how to finance property in Panama. So much valuable information. I was ready for a break. Next up on the schedule: a reception by the pool. Cocktails in the sun. Ah! Panama. As promised.
Next day it was an early start to the day. At 8:00 a.m., a bus was waiting outside of the Miramar to take us to the Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa. This is some luxurious hotel, a 5 star hotel resort in Panama. Beautiful! It’s on a private secluded beach. As promised.
The first presentation was a speech about economic development in Panama. After that, we headed to Playa Serena, a beach front paradise on the Pacific side consisting of two and three bedroom apartments from 699 to 1,205 suqare feet in size in two 20 story buildings. With a view on the ocean. More beautiful – as promised.
Well, we were here to see properties in Panama and the next property we were taken to was named Vista Mar. We had lunch here followed by a tour. Again, fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean, designer kitchens, stainless steel appliances. Talk about attention to detail.
The night was to be spent at Playa Blanca. White hotel with blue roofs. Here they have two high rise condo buildings under construction. Dancers and bongo drums greet us. A resort on the Pacific. Another nice one. Great buffet and dancers. Beautiful sunset.
Nighttime. A show was put on at the resort. Dancers singing broadway songs. More bongo drums.
Santa Clara and Coronado were next on our itinerary. Santa Clara and Coronado are quiet communities surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on one side and beautiful tropical forests and foliage surrounding the community. From $130,000 to $800,00 US, you can buy two to four bedroom homes. More beauty. As promised. For peaceful and quiet retirement in Panama, this is all about location, location.
Other properties we were taken too included Tucan Country Club for breakfast. This property is a 180 acre community, still under construction, consisting of 500 town homes, villas, and terrace condominiums built around an 18 hole, par 72 professionally designed gold course. This property is just across the Bridge of the Americas, a short drive from Panama City. Other high rise condos presented to our group included the Grand Bay Tower, Bayfront Tower, Destiny Panama Bay, and Sol Marina with spectacular views of the city skyline and the ocean, and furnished with all the modern amenities you could desire. There’s lots of building going on in Panama, especially for those who are thinking of retiring there.
The three days ended back at our hotel in Panama City – the Hotel Miramar. The properties I had seen had all been tempting. The presentation had boosted my goal to retire in Panama. It was an exhausting few days in Panama, you know, places to go, people to see, but I had seen some properties I was definitely interested in looking at further. There seems to be something for everyone interested in retiring in Panama whether it be a property on an ocean front, a quiet spot in the mountains, or the bustling city of Panama itself. As promised.
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