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Since the country’s founding, Panamanians have been escaping the city crowds and the sweltering lowlands to relax in the scenic highlands.

"I have a great life in Panama and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else," says Joyce Newton. Joyce always loved to travel, and from her new home town in David she has that freedom. David's airport is small but an hour-long flight will take you Panama City, with regular flights to the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Imagine stepping out on your balcony and taking in the deep blue waters of Panama Bay. You can see some of the city's most iconic towers across the water. In the distance, there are a few boats, perhaps making their way to the famed Panama Canal. Glance down and you see your building's gym and spa area…the sun-warmed pool beckons.

My first year in Panama City—known to locals by its airport call letters, PTY—I started my mornings with a 15 cents cup of strong, dark coffee. For breakfast I would buy a little bag of fried plantains or corn fritters (torrejas de maiz) for 25 cents.

Growing up in Oregon, I spent the summers at our beach house on the ocean. For most of my life, I’ve lived inland, away from any coastline. So every vacation, my first preference was to go somewhere with an ocean. When I decided to move out of the U.S., top of my list was sun and sand. I found that and more in my new hometown of David, Panama. Although not directly on the coast, David is close enough that when I start craving sand between my toes, a short drive takes me to the beach and the wonderful salt air.