Now the market in Boquete does offer some good buys again but one of the best buys is right next door – this area is just like Boquete but offers pre-boom prices!

Panama’s highlands are spring-like…their hillsides covered with wildflowers.

Look in the right places (like Volcan, below) and you’ll also find quiet village streets with homes that start at $37,000…

Find the Most Affordable Retirement in Panama

It’s a stunning drive to Volcan—and that’s not just travel writer hype. As the road winds up into the mountains, one vista after another unfolds. I have driven this road many times over the past four years, and it’s still as invigorating as ever.

As I reach 3,000 feet, I turn off the air-conditioning and roll down the windows; the air is fresh and clean. The roadsides are festooned with thousands of red, pink and white impatiens. They look like they were carefully planted by a talented landscaper, but they’re a simply great gift of nature.

Passing through the small village of Cuesta de Piedra, I get a glimpse off to my right of the majesty that is Panama’s highest peak, the 11,400 foot Baru Volcano (pronounced “bah-ROO”). The jagged peaks of this sleeping giant carve through a swirl of clouds and mist.

Volcan sits in a valley that opens westward onto a wide plateau. At 4,200 feet, it’s easy to see why the town is famed for its “eternal spring” climate. It is framed to the north by the Tizingal Mountain and to the east by the slopes and volcanic plain.

The combination of spring- like weather and abundant fresh fruit and vegetables has led some writers to describe the area as the “Shangri-La Valley.” A brief look at the gravestones in the local cemetery reveals that many residents lived well into their eighties and nineties.

Volcan is a bustling town of about 10,000 people, of which about 250 are expats from the U.S. and Canada. The town has four supermarkets, four hardware stores, three banks (two with ATMs) and over 30 places to eat. If there is a global recession, the people in Volcan haven’t heard.

The local economy has been buoyed in part by nearby hydroelectric projects. This will soon make Panama virtually energy independent and pump millions of dollars into the local economy. But agriculture is the real driving force behind the provincial economy. Chiriqui provides up to 80% of all the milk, meat and vegetables consumed in Panama.

The greatest savings here stem from the climate. There is no need for air conditioning, fans or heating. I use an electric washer, dryer and dehumidifier, but my average power costs stay low at around $68 a month. I cook with gas that costs me about $2 a month; my water bill is $4 a month; and garbage pickup is also $4 a month.

At Dalys’s restaurant a bottomless cup of coffee will cost you 40 cents. A hearty breakfast is about $2.50. Dalys’s is famous for serving an enormous glass of wine for $1.35. If you want to eat tipico, or “typical fare,” for lunch, a tasty mound of beans, rice and chicken will set you back a princely $1.75.

Volcan’s supermarkets offer just about everything that would expect to find in North America. And at the local organic kiosk you can walk away with a bulging bag of vegetables—the freshest in the county—for less than $8.

Prices for homes range from $37,000 to $150,000, and there are also lots available on  which you can build the retirement home of your dreams. If your pocket book is well funded, then the clear blue mountain sky is the limit; there are large land tracts, trout-bearing rivers and streams, and views to die for. If you are spending over $150,000, you’ll have a selection of North American-style homes to choose from.

Note: This is the very last day you can sign up for the Ultimate Overseas Retirement Plan. It’s the complete package for anyone interested in Panama, including the new edition of the Panama Owner’s Manual…a special report detailing a step-by-step guide to The World’s Best Retirement Program…and a collection of recordings from a special seminar held in Panama.

The recordings are a real bonus—they include presentations from expats, experts, doctors, and retirees about living in Panama.

This entire package is worth more than $170…but you can get it for just $79 if you sign up with this link -
Ultimate Overseas Retirement Plan

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A few weeks ago I suggested some dates for getting a group together to tour Panama.

Well, I heard your feedback loud and clear!

The consensus for the best date is the week of November 28.

So, that’s when we’ll go!

Check out all of the details here -

http://www.learnaboutpanama.com/tropical-pathway-to-panama.html

Oh, and you’ll find the tour e-mail and phone number on that page. So, if you have questions about anything at all related to Panama give us a ring. We’ll answer all of your questions and I guarantee ‘NO pressure’ – we’re just here to help.

This is a great time of year to visit Panama!

The time to invest and do your research couldn’t be better!

I often tell people ‘Green Season’ is the best time to visit Panama and we’re just at the tail end so you will get a chance to experience a little of our Panama rain.

• It’s off-season so you can typically save money on air fare.
• It’s quiet in Panama so you don’t have to worry about the tourist crowd.
• Plus, it’s the “Green Season”. You can see for yourself why the locals love and prefer this time  of year and why you will too!

Learn all of the reasons and the best strategy I know to make it happen.

GO HERE -  http://www.learnaboutpanama.com/tropical-pathway-to-panama.html

You’ll discover how to Safely and Quickly get in on the ‘Best Place to Retire in the Western Hemisphere’

…All Without Spending years of research, countless return trips and thousands of dollars figuring it out on your own!

And some more exciting news!

But I’ll leave that for you to read…

HERE – http://www.learnaboutpanama.com/tropical-pathway-to-panama.html

See you in Panama soon!

Save up to 70% on your airline ticket to Panama booking with Flight Network

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Of course, it’s not really “hidden.” In fact, some of Panama City’s oldest and most affluent families have been coming here for years.

But if you’re not in-the-know, you’d probably never hear of this place. Jessica gives you the scoop, below.

Panama’s Best Kept Secret

by Jessica Ramesch

A cool breeze tickles my neck as I take in the view from Gaital Hill. The sky is a gingham pattern of crisp blue and white now that the mists have dissolved in the afternoon sun. The fauna is deeply green and seems to cover everything. At the foot of the hill lies my destination…“the valley.”

Panama's Hidden Valley

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The drive into El Valle is my favorite part of visiting here. In the morning mist, the view of the Gaital Hill and Nature Reserve seems to appear out of nowhere as I follow the road that snakes into the town. The houses below are camouflaged by trees, so all I can see is green and more green. That is, until I reach the famous market, a riot of color bursting with flowers and sweet tropical fruit.

From its once-mighty volcano to its minuscule golden frogs, El Valle is a treasure of a town. Residents, many of them retired members of the Panamanian elite, rave about the strategic location and Spring-like climate.

Perhaps the best kept secret in Panama, El Valle is tucked into a crater five miles wide. About 2,000 feet above sea level, El Valle boasts fertile volcanic soil and a misty mountain clime. The combo makes this a gardener’s dream. Best of all, this cool oasis is only 45 minutes by car from Panama’s best Pacific beaches.

A tiny town, El Valle has grown in past years and today hosts a growing expat community, including North Americans, Europeans, and South Americans. Though there’s not much of a night life, the expat community in El Valle and the surrounding beaches has become much more active over the past two years. Expat events in the region include festivals and charity work, concerts and gourmet cooking classes, and much more.

Plus, El Valle is a true paradise for lovers of the outdoors. Whether or not you’re a bird watcher, you’ll marvel at the sheer variety of species. Tanagers, hummingbirds, and rare birds such as the mottled owl are frequently sighted here. It’s also the perfect place for plant lovers; city dwellers flock here to buy orchids at the weekend market.

One of the nicest places to visit is El Nispero Plant Nursery and Zoo. You’ll find more than 200 orchid species, as well as peacocks, storks, serpents, crocodiles, and the famous golden frogs that are unique to Panama.

Panama's Famous Golden Frogs

If the walking trail at El Nispero doesn’t whet your appetite for adventure, there are more challenging trails on Cerro Gaital. Or hike to the 125-foot waterfall, Chorro El Macho. The waterfall empties into a cool creek, the perfect spot for a swim or a summer day picnic. Or seek the therapeutic heat of the thermal springs and mud baths just off the main road to El Valle. Locals sit in the springs and then plunge into cold river water.

If you’re interested in indigenous culture, visit the El Valle Museum or La Pintada, a site where undecipherable petroglyph baffle historians.

Round out the day with a gourmet dinner at the hotel La Casa de Lourdes, known for its tasteful Tuscan décor.

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–Recommended  Reading –

Going Fast: $30,000 Homes as Forgotten Peninsula Becomes Exclusive Retreat

A famous French architect is about to transform a quiet tropical peninsula into one of the world’s most exclusive retreats for the rich and famous. New York Magazine has hailed it: “the latest eco-playground with panache.” And now a torrent of big-name Hollywood stars have begun to descend on the area including Mick Jagger, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Eddie Murphy, Brad Pitt, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. But you can still buy homes today along this peculiar piece of paradise for as little $30,000! Read More Here!

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Not so. The town of Cerro Azul, where Paul lives, was one of the trendiest places to have a home until the late 1980s or early 1990s. Then, for no apparent reason, the elite turned its attention to beach locations like Coronado, making Cerro Azul feel like something of a ghost town. From 2004 to 2008, when real estate prices all over Panama were steadily rising, Cerro Azul stayed surprisingly affordable. This was probably because expats flooding the country didn’t know about it. They were too busy in trendy locations like Boquete and Bocas del Toro.

But little Cerro Azul couldn’t remain a secret forever. Word got out, little by little, and a small expat community began to grow here. Today, Paul says at least 70 expats live in Cerro Azul. The effect has been a revitalization of sorts. Members of the Panamanian elite have rediscovered Cerro Azul as a weekend destination—just 30 minutes by car and you’ve left the city and its madness behind. And the full-time population continues to grow…

I went recently to check it out. The drive out of Panama City was easy, thanks to the excellent road. As we ascended, it seemed we were driving up, up, up into the clouds. Passing dairy farms and ranches, we came upon a colorful Chinese arch—an exotic accent amid the greenery and a signal that we were there.

Some people say that Cerro Azul is an “energy center,” and that in certain areas you can watch your compass go haywire. Perhaps this is why local groups come here for yoga and other spiritual retreats. Or perhaps they come simply because the pines and mountain peaks are an uplifting sight, complimented by jewel-toned hummingbirds and ginger flowers as tall as a ten-year-old.

You will find plenty of property for sale here, and if you get here now, you’re sure to uncover some real bargains. One lot for sale is just off an unpaved road and has water and energy service already installed. The lot is in a residential zone and is well over a half acre. Asking price: $17,600. For $40,000 you can get a half-acre lot in a gated community. A creek runs through the lot, which is in a cul-de-sac and has a distant ocean view.

If you prefer to buy a house and move right in, you’ll find even more options, from inexpensive cottages to big mountain mansions. One home is on offer for $80,000 and comes furnished. The four-bedroom, two-bath home comes with maid’s quarters with separate bath and a covered terrace. Another four-bedroom home is on offer for $90,000. It sits on a lot of nearly half an acre and comes with a pool, storage locker, and two covered terraces.

If your budget is in the $100,000 to $150,000 range, you will have even more options to choose from. One Swiss-style chalet is $120,000. It has four bedrooms and two baths, a balcony, and a patio.

Almost anything grows in abundance, from orchids to bromeliads that pop up wherever you look. It’s close to Panama City and to the international airport, but quiet and peaceful. Far from the city’s light pollution, you can actually see the stars…and there’s no noise to keep you from hearing the nightly symphony of frogs and crickets.

Most importantly, Cerro Azul may be right for you if you want breathtaking views but don’t want to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for property.

Where did I find these great property listings? Here!

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As more and more people catch on to what Boquete proper has to offer, you need to look elsewhere in the region for the best deals.

That said, you can still find good deals on older, established farms and tiny pockets of property near Boquete, but sellers can have unrealistic ideas of what prices should be. Remember, in markets like this one, you’ve no reliable way to do comps. So owners don’t have any real idea of what their land is worth. They take their chances when a gringo buyer presents himself.

Some believe the market has gone beyond itself in Boquete. I’m not so sure but still I think it’s important to stay informed and why I’m looking beyond Boquete.  I’d like to  introduce you to another town in Panama’s inland Chiriqui region offering the same pleasant, spring-like climate of Boquete it’s called –Volcán.

Volcán doesn’t have all the amenities and infrastructure of Boquete…but neither does it have the developed (some might say inflated) pricing. You’ll spend half as much to own here as you would in Boquete…and you’re buying the same spring-like climate year-round, the same fresh mountain air, and the same beautiful scenery.

The small mountain town of Volcán doesn’t boast a big expatriate community, grand housing developments, golf courses, or a thriving social scene, but, at 5,000 feet elevation, it does offer a cool climate (something that can be a welcome escape from hot, humid Panama City) and great outdoor activities. It has a comfortable and refreshing small-town feel. This is an area I’ll be paying close attention to in coming months…and that I think is worth a look from you, too, if Panama’s interior is of interest.

I explored this area recently and here’s what I found:

* An old, rustic blue house on a 1/2-acre lot just outside town–on the market for only $10,000. It’s in need of repairs and restoration, but it’s just off the main road and a two-minute drive to town.

* A 2 1/2-acre lot along the roadside a bit closer to town. This one isn’t dirt cheap (it’s priced at $120,000), but it could be the perfect site for a restaurant or small cantina.

* Just outside town in an area called Paso Ancho, with a view of Volcán Barú, I saw 15 acres for sale for only $200,000. With that much land, you could create your own private haven…or invest in your own small development.

* Right in the town of Volcán, I saw 1 1/4 acres, on which is sitting an old, bright green, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in desperate need of a paint job. But it’s priced at only $50,000. You’d pay at more than twice that in Boquete right now.

I’m going to be watching this little town and its emerging market closely. I’m sure that, in the coming months, I’ll find even more and better deals.

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Almost anywhere in Panama is affordable provided you know how to begin your search  and how to make contact with reputable vendors. Whether you long for active city living, a warm and laid back beach lifestyle or the cool and comfort of Boquete in the highlands of Panama you will find  most anything you’re looking for – all in an affordable range when compared to that of other countries. In addition to cheap real estate, it’s important to know the many reasons why Panama is such as great place to live and why it can save you so much money.

You may be surprised to hear that Panama is actually one of the cheapest places to live. There are many other great things about this county- including property rights for foreigners guaranteed by law to exceptional retiree discounts. You can live in Panama for a fraction of what it costs to live in many other countries and the best part is that you don’t have to sacrifice.  With the moderate climate and abundance of fresh local produce and sea food you can live better in Panama on the same amount of money than what you did in your home country. If you buy or build a new house in Panama, in some cases you don’t even have to pay property taxes for up to 20 years!

There are other areas where you can save by living in Panama, too. For example, have you ever thought about your food expenses and how much it costs you to buy those “convenience” foods all the time? You can save on your food costs as well since many fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables are available and very affordable. They are also healthier than manufactured foods. In addition to great housing at affordable prices, there are also numerous off-shore tax benefits to living in Panama.

When it comes to Panama weather you can enjoy a pleasant tropical climate which is mild and sunny most of the year. Not only is this a pleasant place to spend your time but it also helps you save on heating and cooling expenses that come with living in other parts of the world. Panama adopted the US currency back in 1904 and has not printed its own money since. If you are already from the US and moving to Panama, this will be an easy adjustment for you. There is also the added bonus of a Panama retirement and you don’t have to wait until you are 60 to make it happen.  Moving to Panama is a smart decision for anyone looking for a cheap place to live in the tropics.

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Boquete Panama, a unique community in the western highlands area of Chiriqui is 30 to 40 minute drive north from David Panama the capital of the Chiriqui Province. The Boquete climate is temperate and the population is a mixture of ethnic groups from all over the globe.

As the world economic melted down has been happening many are wondering how it is effecting Boquete Panama Real Estate market. Janeth Gomez-Suarez of Casa Solution is one of the most visible real estate brokerages in and around Boquete Panama.

Janeth says houses and properties are selling and even though the prices have fallen in the US and in Panama City to it is surprising to discover that Boquete Real Estate is alive and doing well. People are still arriving in Boquete to shop for houses. Most prices are still in the $200 to $300 thousand dollar range. Sellers are a becoming more open to entertaining an offer and some are accepting less than asking price. However, most vendors feel no pressure to sell just becauase  prices are not increasing. Boquete properties are not being offered or sold at fire-sale prices.

Also, there are many prospective buyers waiting to sell in the US so they can move. When the re-sale house markets in the US recover the Boquete Real Estate market is sure to boom.

The big question is ‘How Come?’ There are many buyers coming to Boquete who are not affected by the current politics or econmics.  People who are realists and some who are just looking to change their lives. The politically disaffected come in cycles as the politics in US changes. Many Boquete ex-pat residents left the US under George Bush and the new group equally dislike the new Obama administration.

More interesting are those baby boomers who now realize they have less. Lower equity in their homes, less money in retirement savings, but also less need to consume and a great desire for a chance at change in exchange for a simple lwo-cost lifestyle.

Boquete land and homes are certainly not the least expensive in Panama. The cultural and environmental aspects along with a new pro-investment government are becoming encouraging indicators of future growth. The crystal ball for Boquete seems pretty clear, growth is happening now, growth will continue and accelerate.

In July Business Week called Panama the “New Florida”, their reasoning is a mirror of mine and a harbinger of a bright future for Boquete Panama. Certainly still the one and still thought of by many as the Best Place to Retire.

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If you can do it properly, the time to buy may be now. Recognized as one of the Cheapest Places to Live and Best Place to retire Boquete Real Estate just got better.

The new government is committed to giving occupants title to their land protecting their rights and creating a stable environment for investment. President Ricardo Martinelli said in his inauguration address that “We will begin a massive land titling program, so what I can tell everyone who’s listening who has possessory rights, prepare these rights because you’re going to have your piece of land titled.”

The new governments first attempt at improving the titling process, Law 23, 2009, is a promising piece of legislation that equitably accounts for the needs of residents, investorsand government. Even if it isn’t implemented as well as it’s conceived, it’s only a matter of time before all ROP land is titled.

Purchasing Panama ROP Real Estate can pose  Challenges

Some of the best Panama property is claimed under the confusing ROP system instead of being fully titled. The best deals will be for land that isn’t fully titled. This is one thing that makes Boquete Panama one of the Cheapest Places to Live and Best Place to retire. Once titled, the competition for prime Panamanian properties will be much greater and the price much higher, but the risk will be much lower.

Under the ROP system, it is quite possible to find several conflicting claims to a plot of land, both registered and unregistered. This can cause a situation where the person selling the ROP may not actually be in a position to sell. The difficulties that some developers have had with ROP has scared a number of potential investors, but it has also educated people about the risks so they can now do something about them. There isn’t much Boquete Real Estate that falls into this category but there is plenty of property on the Caribbean Coast that does.

Trick to Investing in Panama ROP Real Estate

All it takes to discover these problems is a little investigation. Competing claims typically come from family members and neighbors so it is fairly straightforward to send investigators in to a potential land purchase to interview and get signed affidavits from  the family and neighbors.

Even with the recent correction in real estate prices, Panamanian vacation and retirement properties have a lot of promise. Tourism continues to grow and so do the number of foreigners looking to buy a holiday property in Panama and Boquete Panama in particular. It’s possible to buy ROP land quite safely with a little knowledge and effort and soon those ROP holdings will be fully titled.

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