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As a diabetic that recently suffered a pancreatic attack,
good medical facilities are very important to me. However,
inexpensive medical service is not the only reason to
consider this fascinating tropical destination.
My reasons for retiring in Panama were:
1) I was looking for a tropical climate
with NO HURRICANES. Ever since
Hurricane Katrina, I have avoided any place that was in a
hurricane zone. Panama has never had a
hurricane since they began keeping
records in the 1800's. It is below the hurricane belt.
There has never been a damaging earthquake or
tsunami, and the last volcanic
eruption was over 350 years ago, so it's geologically
safe.
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The climate ranges from hot, humid rain forests,
dry beach zones, a desert to perpetual
spring in the mountains. Temperature does not vary
much in Panama throughout the year - it varies more by altitude.
Places like El Valley in the mountains of central
Panama enjoy spring- like temperatures - 70
to 80 degrees (F) all year round. The Dry
season in Panama is December to May. Even the wet season is
quite pleasant. It rains (pours) for an hour each
day and at night - otherwise the sun is
shining. Some mountain areas are subject to flooding
in the rainy season. The Central Corridor
mountain range runs the entire length of the country
from Costa Rica to Colombia. They cause the clouds to dump their
rain on the Caribbean side which is much wetter than the
"South Seas." aka the Pacific
Ocean.
This is an
interactive map. Click on the arrows in the upper left hand
corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and
click on the +/- signs (more than once if necessary) to zoom
in and out.
2) I wanted to be somewhere I felt personally
safe. I feel safe here. There are parts of Panama City I stay away
from, but that can be said of any major American city. Panama is
the safest country in all of Central America including Mexico and
it is much safer than neighboring Costa Rica. Petty theft is
common in Panama, but violent crime is rare, and rarer still
against foreigners. However, violent crime is increasing in Panama
City.
3) Reasonable cost of
living: I don't want to work just to live for the rest of my life.
Food, clothes and staples are very inexpensive here - domestic
beer is thirty-five cents, Chilean wine is less than five dollars,
rib-eye steak is $2.59/lb. Mondavi Woodbridge is
$8.89. All prices are US as Panama has used the US
dollar as the official currency since 1904. That is
another plus point - no currency fluctuation to worry about.
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Hammock in My Backyard |
Crowded Beach |
The biggest expense is electricity = $280/month
on average with air conditioning running most of the time. There
are no property taxes. Water is $10 - $12/month (watering the
gardens, filling the pool, showers, etc). Propane gas (two large
tanks covers us for six months - $28 per tank.($10/month)
Gas is $2.05 a US Gallon right now. Diesel is $1.98. Phone is
$27/month. I use a pay as you go cell phone. Direct TV is
$45/month with high-speed internet. Our three/four bedroom house
with 2 1/2 baths, on 1/2 acre, fully landscaped, fully furnished
including color TV, all stainless appliances, BBQ, and a Jacuzzi
tub, 14 x 30 foot pool (eleven feet deep), separate 20 x 25 foot
coach house, circular drive, fully fenced with an electric gate -
within 300 meters of the ocean was $395,000 USD. I
have been offered $450,000 for it this year (declined). Lunch for
two can cost under $5.00 if you eat local food at a "fonda"
(roadside stand - very good food - typically rice/beans, chicken
and soda). In a nice restaurant entrees will run $8 - $12. Lobster
is $15 - $20. A bottle of Chivas Regal 750 ml is $27.15.
Veuve Clicquot champagne is $56.80.
Panama, Continued....
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