Retirees Find More for Less in Panama

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-retirees2feb02.story
THE WORLD
Retirees Find More for Less in Panama
Tax breaks, lower prices and a laid-back lifestyle draw a growing community of Americans to one of the nation's small towns.
By Chris Kraul
Times Staff Writer

February 2, 2005

BOQUETE, Panama — Golf course manager John Sutton had had enough of lawyers, telemarketers, several of his neighbors and the federal government. So the San Diegan and his wife took early retirement, sold everything they owned and moved to Panama.

The Suttons, who bought a house here last summer, exemplify a wave of American retirees who want to get away — far, far away — from it all. Each month, about 20 of them are turning up in this remote coffee-growing town nestled in the mountains of western Panama, buying houses and starting new lives. It's the latest hot spot in Central America, a region that over the last decade has attracted increasing numbers of U.S. retirees.

"Boquete gave us the opportunity to have a great, comfortable lifestyle," said Sutton, 50, who with wife Dinah put $5,000 down on their brand-new house without even seeing it. The subdivision is named, appropriately enough, Hidden Valley.

Loading groceries into his car in front of Romero's, the local supermarket, he said, "This isn't Albertson's, but it's close enough."

Other U.S. retirees are making similarly radical moves, attracted by Panama's favorable tax treatment of foreigners, a carrot dangled by most Central American governments; the relatively low cost of living; the lush surroundings; and the eternally mild climate.
<snip>

[Ian David]

1. What's the POLITICAL climate like down there?

Repressive government?
Rebel armies marching through?
Crime?
Corruption?
Draconian laws?
Access to infrastructure, medicine and doctors?


I'm not criticizing, I'm asking if anyone knows.

Also, how high above sea-level is it? You need to be at least 20-50 feet above sea-level if you want to live there 20 years from now.

[classof56]

2. Before the election, we were checking into Panama

Got a lot of info on it. My spouse swore we'd move there if * was elected. For me, it's way too far from my grandkids, but it does sound great and I'm not ruling it out. I've taken an oath that my grandsons will not be sent off to fight one of *'s inevitable wars, but need to make sure they can't be conscripted from a foreign country if I spirit them there.

Tired Old Cynic

[Ian David]

3. More from the article

Scott and others say they appreciate the welcoming embrace of the Panamanian government. Many newcomers say they felt driven out of the United States by the government's intrusive policies.
<snip>

Does Boquete have any downside? Residents pointed out that there is no urgent-care hospital, the closest being a 45-minute drive away in the provincial capital, David.

But Ted and Louise Harrison, emergency-room doctors from British Columbia who bought property here last year, are working on a project to build one. They say that meanwhile, the level of regular medical care is good in Boquete and elsewhere in Panama, because many of the doctors got their training in the United States.

<snip>
The biggest savings are in health insurance. He and his wife pay $50 per month for government health coverage that would cost $1,200 in San Diego.

[papau]

4. if I just did not like snow so much! :-)

:-)

[oneold1-4u]

5. Info links? E mails?

About, visas, SS payments, homes for purchase or rent, prices on necessities, contacts, American groups?

[oneold1-4u]

6. found more than enough

Although income req. for moving there is only $500, the needed expenses, food, clothing etc, along with housing could be double that easily. Guess it depends mainly on how you live here on $500. One cannot "live" here on that amount without some form of subsidy; housing, food, medical-medicare, food stamps, which would not be available there.
I too would like to leave this country that is no longer "yours or mine", but better isn't always Shangri La.