Best Place to Retire in Panama

Beyond Boquete Panama?

As we now know the cool climate, fresh mountain air, and lush valleys you find in Boquete are no longer Panamas secret. Ive been telling you about this idyllic valley for years. More recently, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and others have also alerted their readers to all that Panama–and particularly the Chiriqui province where Boquete is located–has to offer.

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, youve no reliable way to do comps. So owners dont 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 Im looking beyond Boquete. I’d like to introduce you to another town in Panamas inland Chiriqui region offering the same pleasant, spring-like climate of Boquete it’s called –Volcn.

Volcn doesnt have all the amenities and infrastructure of Boquetebut neither does it have the developed (some might say inflated) pricing. Youll spend half as much to own here as you would in Boqueteand youre buying the same spring-like climate year-round, the same fresh mountain air, and the same beautiful scenery.

The small mountain town of Volcn doesnt 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 Ill be paying close attention to in coming monthsand that I think is worth a look from you, too, if Panamas interior is of interest.

I explored this area recently and heres what I found:

* An old, rustic blue house on a 1/2-acre lot just outside town–on the market for only $10,000. Its in need of repairs and restoration, but its 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 isnt dirt cheap (its 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 Volcn Bar, I saw 15 acres for sale for only $200,000. With that much land, you could create your own private havenor invest in your own small development.

* Right in the town of Volcn, 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 its priced at only $50,000. Youd pay at more than twice that in Boquete right now.

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

Filed Under Americans in Panama, Best Places to Live, Boquete Panama, Panama Government Incentives, Panama Real Estate, Volcan Panama | Leave a Comment

Top Places to Live

Why is Panama considered one of the Top Places to Live?

If you are looking for a great place to retire, vacation or invest you may want to consider Panama. This small and often overlooked country has something to offer people from all over the world. Over the past five years people from the United States and Canada have been discovering Panama to be a great place to live and many consider it the best place to retire.

The official language of Panama is Spanish with English being the official second language. Many native people of Panama are bilingual and with plenty of shop owners, taxi drivers, police and government officials speaking English. If you are not comfortable rediscovering your high school Spanish or playing charades with the locals then you may want plan on spending more time in Panama City. However, adventuring out into the interior is nothing to shy away from. Just make sure you carry a good Spanish-English dictionary and a playful heart. The people of Panama are very friendly and gracious. They will go out of their way to understand and to help you. If you are planning to move to Panama, your best bet is to learn at least a little Spanish so you will be more comfortable in your environment and better able to blend in with the community.

Panama uses the US currency which makes it very easy to shop and get around in Panama. No hassles with exchange rates and no worries over the ever changing value of the dollar. The one thing you will notice right away is that everything is cheaper. It’s often unnecessary to break a $20 bill for a nice dinner and thats for a party of two. Food is cheaper and so is travel and accommodations. If you decide to move to Panama you will discover Panama Real Estate for a fraction of what it would cost in other places. You will find beautiful Panama City condos, ocean-side properties, cool mountain retreats and much more.

A booming Panama City is another reason why Panama is considered one of the top places to live. Dont mistakenly think this country is underdeveloped or underprivileged just because it is so cheap to live there. The capital city of Panama has been a major financial center for two decades and it is continuing to grow each day by becoming a popular vacation and retirement spot. New shopping centers, restaurants, night clubs and other attractions are being built in this beautiful area, giving you plenty to see and do.

The sense of community in Panama is strong and vibrant. The people are very friendly and peaceful. Community members work together to achieve common goals and to help their fellow neighbors. Neighborhoods are safe and residents look out for one another. Just another reason why Panama is one of the Top Places to Live. For more Panama information visit LearnAboutPanama.

Filed Under Panama, Panama Investment | Leave a Comment

Boquete Panama

Boquete is a small town tucked into the green mountain highlands of Panama, in western-most Chiriqu Province, about 60km. from the border with Costa Rica. Because of its altitude, some 1,200 metres above sea level, its climate is refreshingly cooler than that of the lowlands. Its scenic location, temperature, and natural environment make it extremely popular with Panamanians, and with tourists from all over the world.

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Best Places to Live in the World

It’s that time of year for International Living to release the 2010 Quality of Life Index highlighting the Top 10 Best Places to Live in the World.

Boquete did not make this index but it has been a favorite many times on the International Living Best Places to Retire list.

Check out the blog for more details on the 2010 Best Places to Live in the World!

Filed Under Best Places to Live, Boquete Panama | 1 Comment

H1N1 Swine Flu - Cover-up

OK. I know this is not about Boquete Panama, living in Panama, investing in Panama or anything at all about Panama! BUT, and it’s a BIG BUT - this is an issue which affects everyone on the planet. We need to get educated about the H1N1 Swine Flu scare tactics that have created mass hysteria in the U.S. , Canada and many other parts of the world. Please go to mercola.com and listen to this interview - Swine Flu — One of Most Massive Cover-ups in American History.

Here are some highlights:

Dr. Blaylock is a board certified neurosurgeon, author and lecturer. For the past 25 years he has practiced neurosurgery in addition to having a nutritional practice. He recently retired from both practices to devote full time to nutritional studies and research.

Dr. Blaylock has written and illustrated three books. The first book was on the subject of excitotoxins, Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills,and how they are related to diseases of the nervous system.

Since the publication of his first book he has been a guest on numerous national and international syndicated radio programs.

  • Pregnant Women NOT at Special Risk from Swine Flu
  • Initial Studies Show H1N1 NOT Dangerous or Highly Contagious
  • Much Fear Mongering
  • Australian and New Zealand Experience Prove U.S. is Wrong
  • ICU Hospitalizations
  • Majority of Children Respond POORLY to Flu Vaccine
  • Flu Vaccine DOUBLES Risk of Getting H1N1
  • Obese at Six Times Higher Risk from H1N1 Complications
  • H1N1 Vaccine is NOT Made the Same as Regular Flu Vaccine!!
  • Pregnant Women NOT at Increased Risk, Obese Women Are!!
  • Recent NEJM Study of the American Experience
  • Underlying Medical Conditions
  • Underlying Medical Conditions Risk Factor for H1N1 Deaths
  • Pediatric Flu Deaths by Year Made WORSE by Flu Vaccine
  • Every Parent Needs to Know Other Vaccines INCREASE Risk of H1N1
  • Risk of Serious Illness from the H1N1 Mutant Virus
  • What about the Danger to Pregnant Women? The American Experience
  • Smoking and Obesity Increase Risk of H1N!
  • Bacterial Pneumonia and Swine Flu
  • Pregnant Women Given Vaccine Have Babies with More Health Problems
  • How Many Cases are Really Swine Flu?
  • Actually LESS Flu Deaths this Year
  • What Do They Not Know About This Vaccine?
  • Vaccine Safety Testing Only Done for ONE Week

Filed Under Health News | 2 Comments

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