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In the June edition of Smart Money magazine Panama was rated as the No.1 place in the world to retire abroad. With one 'baby-boomer' retiring every 6 seconds in the US a lot of people are looking for a new, better, cheaper (in some cases, safer) place to live.

This rating was based on the low cost of living, a stable government, clean air, great climate, low crime rate and outdoor recreation.

Panama has all the appeal of the beautiful Caribbean but with no hurricanes.

With 30 per cent of its land set aside for conservation and 940 bird species (more than in all of North America), Panama possesses 12 national parks and 1,518 islands, is bordered by both the Pacific and Caribbean oceans, and has some of the finest birding, snorkelling, surfing and deep-sea fishing in the Americas.

The US economy and many others around the world are in a downward spiral, while Panama is on the up and up - so quit your job and move to Panama! For instance, Panama has an annual income of one billion dollars just from the Panama Canal. Imagine that much money spread amongst 3.3 million people! It is significant. Tourim in 2007 brought in $1.1 billion and this will increase over the next few years.

Whether you want to just have an incredible holiday or move abroad, Panama could well be that place you are looking for

If you are a nature lover, Panama is perfect.

The rain forests are magnificent, with a large variety of birds (including colorful Toucans and parrots), monkeys, waterfalls, gorgeous trees and vegetation of all kinds. Pick your own bananas and other fruits, and go swimming under the waterfalls on your hike or go kayaking through the many picturesque streams running through Panama.

Many are discovering the beautiful panoramic mountain region of Boquete, with its year-round spring weather,brisk, clean air and home grown coffee. Go to the Boquete link for more.....

Your American dollar goes 3 times farther then in the US. Panama does not have to print it's own currency, so they save a massive amount of money to the banks and printing costs. The American currency has been floating freely here since about 1904, so you never have to get your money exchanged in one of those exchange shops, or get raped at the ATM if you have American dollars.

A couple can live somewhere like Bocas, very comfortably, with an income of $1200 a month!! Even in Panama City where rents are much higher a couple can do the same on $2000 a month.

Talking about 'bang-for-your-buck', here's a sampling of what Panama offers right now......

Many restaurants have a wonderful fresh fish dinner for under $10.00, in most bars a beer is 50 cents and a rum and coke for a buck. Rather go to the movies? see live bands? Go to the theater? then you can do that too AND much more at 1970 prices!

Panama is a place where you can own a corporation or buy island property and still have enough left for the best rum, cigars, fine wine and seafood money can buy... or spend the day marlin fishing!

Talking of food! The choices are of anything European, Thai, Chinese, French, Spanish or American! The seafood is great, espcially the lobsters. Panamanian coffee is the best coffee you’ll ever have in your life! For more go to the link for Food in Panama.

How about purchasing your dream home?

You can still buy 1 acre of beach property on the ocean for your new home for under $40,000. Be a bit wary of the condo 'gold rush' though, we have all seen how that little bubble can burst by looking at Florida.

As far as real-estate goes in Panama, picture Costa Rica 15 years ago, only with the property actually being title deeded. Real estate prices are estimated to be around 20% of what they are predicted to be in a few years time, so this is a great time to invest. If you buy to rent in Panama City you can earn between 10-15% return as rents are high.

Once you visit don't be surprised if you end up singing, So… bye, bye, Miss American Pie!

Want your money to be safe? The banks are more reliable than in most countries because they will not tax it and keep it confidential. Off-shore banking & investing takes a back-seat only to Switzerland worldwide.

Here’s a fun little tidbit… You can invest in a home in Panama and not pay property tax for 20 years! There are many other incentives and tax-breaks for setting up a business in Panama, such as 20 years tax free for investing a minimum of $50,000 in tourism. Go to the The Law on Tax Incentives link for full info on that.

Surfing in Panama is among the best in the world. (see surfing link)

It’s difficult to summarize Panama in one neat little box, because it offers so much variance in climate and lifestyle. You can be sure that the climate is warm and comfortable all year round at approximently 85 degrees. It is tropical, so some areas receive more rain and humidity. All the highland areas have cooler temperature and less humidity. You can live in the country or the heart of a metropolitan city.

Let’s take a closer look at each area.....

We’ll start with Panama City. Over 30% of the 3.3 million people that live in Panama live in this wondrous modern city. Panama City has all the features that people look for in a big city. It has the feel of a place like Miami or a warmer Boston.

Donald Trump has just built a 21st century skyscraper here, and there are many more on the Manhattan-style skyline - if that’s your thing. If you prefer shabby-chic French Colonial check out the beautiful suburb of Casco Viejo.

If you enjoy elegant restaurants that offer all types of food and large wine lists, large grocery stores with American–style choices, going to theaters, and lots of bars with live entertainment, broadband, 90+ channels of cable TV, great doctors, good hospitals, then living in the capital city may be for you.

Click on the Panama City link for more....

But if the noise and the traffic of the big city get to you, you can choose something more laid back.

Go to the Bocas del Toro link, Bocas Islands link or other areas for more.....

Do you want to learn to Speak Spanish? Click Here!