Known as the heartland, the Azuero region is less populated by expats than other regions in Panama. It’s the kind of place where you’ll need a bit of Spanish, where you can live on less than $1500 a month, and where tradition and folklore are very much alive.
The town of Coronado is growing and fast becoming a hub for surrounding communities. Just an hour from Panama City, uncrowded beaches, fresh seafood, and sunny mornings are the norm. And now, convenience and amenities complete the laid-back lifestyle.
Ingrid Senne moved from South Dakota to the Panamanian beach town of Pedasi. She discusses the elements of success you’ll need to start a business in Panama, and suggests opportunities you could pursue right now. This 15-minute video presentation includes Ingrid’s tips, business ideas, detailed slides and a Q&A session with a group of North Americans considering starting a business in Panama—asking the questions you'd likely want to ask yourself.
It’s so easy to find yourself stuck on the treadmill of life…trapped in an endless cycle of work, eat, sleep; work, eat, sleep. Long commutes in heavy traffic, soul-killing work and the constant fear of lay-offs and downsizing. If you’ve ever asked yourself, is this all there is, we’re here to tell you no, it’s not. There is a better life waiting for you—and the weather is a lot better there too. Best of all, you don’t have to wait until retirement age to live the life you love…thousands of Americans with an entrepreneurial spirit have traded in their daily drudgery in the U.S. and headed for sunnier climes and a brighter future abroad. In the process they have found not only new livelihoods, but new lives.
In this month’s feature story we reveal how you can have a life of white sand beaches and swaying palms for as little as $1,500 a month for a couple renting. If you have ever dreamed of retirement on a tropical island, turn to page 20 where our experts from around the world present the top five tropical islands for retirees on a budget. As well as great weather and the kind of relaxed island life that lowers the blood pressure, these destinations have the infrastructure and amenities you need for a comfortable life. Among our choices you’ll find state-of-the-art hospitals, expat community groups, any number of great restaurants, deserted beaches where you can plant your flag and high-end homes complete with swimming pools and ocean views…
Over the last two years, the gold price has dropped 30%, while the silver price has been cut in half. Well, let me tell you, I think both metals are set up to surprise to the upside in 2015, especially silver. Industrial demand for silver keeps ramping up. The Silver Institute, which represents the global silver industry, expects silver demand to grow about 5% per year over the next few years. The biggest growth opportunities are in photovoltaics (solar), automotive and ethylene oxide (EO, an essential ingredient in plastics). Longer term, just in photovoltaic solar panels, demand is expected to rise to 109 million ounces by 2018 from 88 million ounces consumed in 2013.
For as long as they could remember, Doug and Diane Jones’ retirement dream had been a small organic farm in the Oregon wilderness… So it came as a surprise when, nearing retirement, they realized that they were tired of working sun-up to sundown on the farm and a new and unexpected retirement dream—of living in sunny, rural, authentic southern Italy—had taken its place. “We worked most of our lives because we didn’t come from money and we had to work for it. We always spent our vacations visiting family—you know, the guilt-trip thing. We never took trips abroad. We were too poor in both vacation time and money.”
"I love the greens and blues,” says Washington native Deb Crofutt of her new life on a tropical island. “I love the smiles on the faces of everyone I make eye contact with. I like being away from the hustle and bustle of home and the pressure to own ‘things.’ I spent so many years working in the corporate world just to have stuff. This is a simpler, better life.” Imagine the feel of the warm sun on your shoulders as you walk along a pristine white sand beach stretching to the horizon, fringed by palm fronds and the sumptuous blue ocean.
Panama is a small country that packs in a lot. From the vibrant social scene of Panama City—with its multitude of bars and fine dining at affordable costs—to the peaceful mountain serenity of Chiriquí province and the tropical paradise of Bocas del Toro, this retirement haven can cater to any lifestyle and budget. As if Panama’s low cost of living weren’t enough of an incentive to move here, the country’s comprehensive pensionado program enables you to get discounts on just about everything, from restaurants to entertainment to health care.
A populace that appreciates art, a local government that supports artistic endeavors, and a network of galleries to show your work…these are key ingredients for artists choosing a place to live. Surroundings that inspire creativity, whether through architecture, natural beauty, or indigenous influences, are also important. Finally, affordable accommodation and studio space are vital as well. A place where you can live well on a little income and concentrate on your work. Fortunately, even as artists get priced out of metropolises like New York City and Paris, other cities have stepped in. These havens can be found around the world. And even if you’re not a painter or sculptor, these cities are great for those who love and appreciate art…not to mention perfect places to sample new styles and snap up unusual pieces at bargain prices.