| For the last ten years, Panama has continually been in | | | | Panama City can be hot and sultry and the air a little |
| the top five lists of recommended retirement | | | | bit on the polluted side, but this is no different from |
| locations. International Living magazine, the American | | | | any other major world city. As you get out into the |
| Association of Retired People, Modern Maturity | | | | countryside the weather gets cooler and more |
| magazine, Retire and Invest Overseas, and a | | | | pleasant. Favorite retirement areas like El Valle de |
| multitude of other newsletters and publications have | | | | Anton and Chiriqui Province offer pleasant |
| praised the benefits of retiring to Panama. | | | | temperatures year round. If you like the beach, you |
| So, why should YOU consider retiring to Panama? | | | | can live on either the Pacific coastline or the |
| There are probably as many reasons as there are | | | | Caribbean. |
| people considering it, but below I give you eight of | | | | Number 5: You can choose a city or country lifestyle |
| my personal lifestyle reasons. | | | | (and you can drink the water) |
| Number 1: It is only hours away from the U.S. | | | | Approximately half of the Panamanian population lives |
| mainland | | | | in Panama City. The city is vibrant and exciting. You |
| Panama can be reached from both cities in the | | | | can choose to live in the older sections (like Casco |
| Eastern and the Western United States with relative | | | | Viejo), or in the newer sections near the downtown |
| ease. When I make by trips to Panama, I generally | | | | business sections. If the city doesn't suit you, it is off |
| leave from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and within two | | | | to the interior. But you do have a choice. |
| and a half hours, I am landing in Tocumen Airport just | | | | Number 6: Affordable healthcare |
| outside of Panama City, Panama. I still have a living | | | | The cost of medical care in Panama is considerably |
| parent, children, and grandchildren in the U.S. and I like | | | | less than in the United States. A large portion of the |
| the fact that within a few hours, I can be with them | | | | doctors have been educated in the States and in the |
| in case of an emergency. | | | | Panama City area, you will find some of the best |
| Number 2: The cost of living is relatively low | | | | medical facilities in the world. A number of these are |
| I say the cost of living is relatively low because you | | | | associated with leading U.S. hospitals like Johns |
| can live any lifestyle you want in Panama. If money is | | | | Hopkins and Miami Children's Hospital. |
| no object, you can live in a modern, three to four | | | | Number 7: Panama has a stable government. |
| bedroom condominium in an elite area with all the | | | | Due to the importance of the Panama Canal, the |
| amenities you could hope to have in the States. | | | | United States government has pledged to protect |
| There are however many retirees who are not so | | | | Panama's sovereignty. The government is a |
| fortunate and must live on a reduced income. There | | | | constitutionally elected one and has no standing army. |
| is a place in Panama for them too, especially in the | | | | For those who still think of Panama in the same |
| interior (all the country outside of Panama City). | | | | breath with Noriega, forget it. Those days no longer |
| Prices vary by location and by neighborhoods as they | | | | exist. |
| do elsewhere, but you can retire to Panama within | | | | Number 8: You can retire young if you meet the |
| the income which Panama requires you to have to | | | | income requirements. |
| stay in the country. | | | | You can retire as early as 19 years of age if you |
| Number 3: Communication systems such as internet, | | | | meet the retirement income requirements. You don't |
| cell phones, and satellite/cable TV are readily available. | | | | have to wait until you are in your sixties to retire. So, |
| There is a wider range of communication system | | | | for those with sufficient income, the benefits of |
| possibilities in and around Panama City, but high speed | | | | retirement living in a tropical environment can be had |
| internet, cell phones, satellite TV, and cable TV can | | | | in your prime productive years. |
| readily be found in most parts of the county. | | | | Panama is my number one choice among retirement |
| Number 4: The weather is perfect: beaches, | | | | destinations. Yours may be different, but you can not |
| mountains, and cities | | | | go wrong by checking Panama out. |