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Welcome to CHOOSE CHIRIQUI
Reasons to choose Panama as your Retirement Destination
Why choose Panama as your retirement, second home, land or investment destination? And if you choose Panama, where in Panama should you focus upon?
There is definitely more to Panama than a waterway between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea / Atlantic Oceans!
Panama is one of the world's top retirement destinations already and featured in so many reports, studies and publications as such. It is promoted as the world’s number one Medical Tourist destination. It is also a world class Tourist destination ~ particularly for adventure and more so for its ecotourism.
Long has it been overshadowed by its neighbours such as Mexico and Costa Rica where mass tourism is now the norm. Panama has been relatively unknown except to travellers with special interests such as the world record deep sea fishing, fantastic birding, all five classes of white water river rafting and the rain forest experiences. All these exciting opportunities together with wonderful beaches and great surfing, kayaking, snorkelling and diving, ensure Panama has something literally for everyone.
It also has an interesting cultural background, from the stone age indigenous peoples (still in evidence) through the history of the Spanish Conquistadors, Pirates and gold hunters to the now its modern society with an infrastructure that is first world.
Panama is still a country where, by all reports, boasts one of the worlds richest and most diverse flora, fauna and animal life. From the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, imagine the choices on your doorstep! In addition Panamanians are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. All this [and more] makes Panama and ideal location or relocation for retirement or a second home.
Recent reports and statements from the current President Martin Torrijos state that Panama is very much unaffected by the worlds credit crisis. Admittedly, the currency is closely tied to the US dollar but cost of living indexes and land / property prices are very stable indeed in comparison to other countries.
American, Canadian, European, Russian, Chinese, etc, really do need to safeguard or protect their savings / investments and Panama can provide ‘real’ and firm answers.
Bargains are still easy to find. The door remains open to inwards investment and retirees.
Even more reasons to Choose Chiriquí
There are so many excellent reasons and very many wonderful places in Panama but none quite match up to the province of Chiriquí. Chiriquí is THE rich and diverse area where it is impossible to make a list of all the persuasions! However, here are just a few pointers, to begin with:
To live in Chiriquí is to be lucky to be living in and amongst such a wonderful and unique environment and people.
The properties listed on the site ~ www.choosechiriqui.com are genuine and loved homes ready to move in to or, parcels of idyllic land ripe for spectacular development or rare opportunities to build or develop Eco Resorts with a difference.
The properties featured on Choose Chiriquí are presented by the Owners which ensures potentially huge savings in Real Estate Agency commissions typically around 6% to 10%.
Many in Panama speak or understand English. English is Panama’s second language.
The official currency of Panama is the Balboa, but the US dollar is accepted everywhere in Panama.
Panama has excellent health care provision and certainly on a par with the US, Panama is the No 1 Medical Tourist destination in the world. For Americans, there is a Johns Hopkins Hospital in Panama City, as well as other reputable clinics/hospitals throughout the country, and all of them accept major US/European Medical Insurance policies. People come to Panama from all over the world to partake of the healthcare service provisions here.
It’s so very easy to purchase property in Panama, and the fees are simple and reasonable, too [if you have to pay them at all].And don’t forget all the existing property tax incentives.
For those retiring to Panama there is the unique Pensionado Visa where you get so many advantageous benefits on top of a wonderfully warm climate and very, very low cost of living.
The Panama Canal is undergoing a $6 billion investment enabling it to be widened and adding further ‘locks’, increasing Panama’s potential for prosperity. This staggering development will also bring even more retirees to Panama enabling social circles to be widened still further.
Property prices are very, very low indeed especially compared to the UK and Europe.
Cost of living expenses are also very, very low indeed when compared to the UK and Europe. I couldn't believe my first electricity invoice of $25 for a full and busy month, $3 per month for my water and gas prices running even cheaper than that.
International travel is developing with KLM and Virgin scheduling direct flights from Europe. David Airport is due to be converted in to a full International Airport thereby uplifting Chiriquí’s accessibility In Panama
There is always something wonderful to see and exciting to do. But in Chiriquí it is especially so. Here there are majestic and beautiful mountains, white water cascading rivers, tropical rainforests, mountainous cloud forests; the most diverse flora and fauna than almost anywhere else in the world and you are never very far from its incomparable beaches on either the Pacific Ocean coast or the Caribbean Sea.
If you are bringing school-age children or grandchildren with you, Panama has such good schools and private schools.
Panama is breathtakingly beautiful, wherever you look, but Chiriquí is quite spectacular within all of this beauty.
So, to sum up;
Panama is STILL the leading country to consider investing, retiring or sheltering hard earned cash reserves or incomes. Panama is STILL the most stable environment for land, business or property purchases with prices either holding or appreciating ~ this is in comparison with many countries where depreciation of land, property and buildings is becoming the norm. Panama is STILL the most diverse habitat for wildlife and physical activities.
Choose Chiriquí as a website, has been developed with all the above in mind and to provide Owners who are selling their properties with an interactive and human contact resource rather than the normal Real Estate Agency, automated, robotic responses and static sites. Owners need to have confidence in that their properties are being marketed actively and not just being showcased. It is therefore important to understand that good For Sale By Owners websites should be more than just a brochure or a gallery for nice pictures. FSBO sites should provide easy access to the purchasing processes. Be efficient and cost effective. Be run for the benefit of Owners AND Buyers alike in eliminating the huge costs from high Real Estate Agent commissions. Owning your own home in Chiriquí is special…… you have to try it to believe it. Choosing Choose Chiriquí as a portal to viewing property or even asking for help and assistance is what the website is all about. If a Buyer has a particular set of preferences they can certainly make contact with Choose Chiriquí…. And if a Buyer is attracted by a property they need to be assured of prompt and honest attention. Choose Chiriquí as your favoured site for finding your property, development, business or your new home.
Written by Michael Boase
michael@espritliving.com