Monday, October 10, 2011

Retire to Panama: The Greatest Adventure of Your Life!

Now who says you’re done with adventures after 65? This retirement age never means you’ll have to deal with everything going downhill; you could have the greatest adventure of your life in retirement! One way to do this is to move. Start a new life in a new location, preferably overseas, such as in Panama and you’d see how your quality of life can improve exponentially.

Relocating overseas offers you the privilege to start a whole new different chapter in your life while treasuring the chapters you’ve already lived. Here are five good reasons why you must consider moving abroad:
  1. Get more value from your dollar or euro. Your retirement money is triple the value in other parts of the world, especially in locations considered to be retirement havens. In Asia for example, you could purchase a sprawling estate of a home at an incredibly low cost, say half the price you would pay for a small house in the United States. The cost of living is also quite affordable; as a matter of fact, your Social Security pension alone could make you live life like royalty in some choice locations.
  2. No more worries about cold winters. If winter isn’t your favorite season, relocating to a sunny place is definitely one of the best decisions you could ever make. Imagine having endless springs and summers; you won’t have to worry about the winter cold seeping in through the cracks and dampening your life. Places like Panama and Ecuador are top choices for this purpose, as temperatures in these countries are ideally warm, but never hot, and they never fall within the cold range.    
  3. Live a quiet and quaint life. You’ve been living on the fast lane all your life, so now it’s time to take it slow and breathe in the beauty of life more succinctly. Retiring in a place like Montevideo would make you forget about the issues that torture the globalized world. In retirement havens, you don’t have to hear about stocks plunging to an all-time low; there are so many adventurous things to do and beautiful sceneries to enjoy that the topic would seem vague and unfamiliar for the first time. And if you suddenly go hungry for the hustle and bustle of home, all you have to do is turn on your satellite television or go online and you’d instantly get reconnected.
  4. It’s time for a new you. The retirement phase is the best time to be reinventing yourself. Relocating abroad makes this process a whole lot easier, as you are putting on a new face, and a new personality before a new world. Take up photography, establish a business, or re-ignite your passion for painting. You certainly can try all of these at once, with all the time in your hands and with all the spare dollars in your bank account.
  5. You deserve an adventure. After those hard years of working, raising a family and saving up your money, it’s about time that you enjoy the fruits of your labor and live the luxury and the adventure you’re meant to enjoy.
Getting a new life by retiring to Panama could open a plethora of opportunities for you. Who knows what wonderful things could happen in your retirement haven? It’s up to you to discover and claim the good life that you so rightfully deserve. When you retire in Panama... you're living the good life at a discount.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Tips to a Stress-Free Panama Retirement

Retiring abroad may be the last thing anyone would do in their retirement. It is thought of as expensive and might be more stressful since you have to adjust to a lot of things. But retiring abroad is not hard as you think.

In choosing the right place, retirement will be easy and relaxing. One of the best places for retirement is Panama. It is situated in Central America, where it has the Caribbean Sea on the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is a place where one can relax because of its picturesque views and beautiful scenery. It is the third largest economy in Central America and is one of the fastest growing economy as well. You won't have to spend a lot of money staying in Panama, as the cost of living is not very high.

To make your stay in Panama easy and stress-free, here are some tips:

  1. Check the environment first. Visit the place where you want to stay and imagine yourself staying there. Even just staying there for while, say three days or a week, will help you make a decision if this is the right place for you. Try getting to know the local people and see where the shops are, if they are accessible and easy to reach. Then, make sure to check all documents before finally checking out Panama Real estate as an investment or home. There are many places to live in Panama.
  2. Learn the language. Panama is a Spanish-speaking country, and if you only know English, you might have difficulty in communicating with the locales. Learning a new language may seem tough, but some foreigners who decided to stay in Panama discovered that learning something new keeps their mind active. Plus, when you hear Spanish often in your community, you will easily pick up the language and be fluent in no time.
  3. Reassess your lifestyle. The cost of living in the States may be expensive but in foreign countries like in Panama, you can afford housekeepers or gardeners. The prices are usually lower and you can choose to eat a meal at only $1 per person. But don't take advantage of the low cost of prices, as splurging on them is not ideal either. Reassess what you need and don't need, and think carefully if you can afford these luxuries or not.
  4. Inquire about taxes. You may benefit from some tax exemptions, like Panama's Pensionado program, wherein foreign retirees can get pension or property tax exemptions for new construction. It pays to know about the benefits that you are entitled to.
  5. Apply for health insurance. Because your health insurance in the States might not cover you when you're in another part of the globe, finding a health insurance in Panama is best. Quality health insurance is usually more affordable in other countries. You may research for good health insurance policies or ask among the locales what health insurance they have to give you a better idea on what to get. Don't forget to check out the Pencianado Program.
Retirement is the time in your life where you can relax and enjoy what life can still offer you. Going in another country like Panama can be a refreshing start to anyone who wants to experience something new and different. This might be your next great adventure, so don't hesitate and jump on it!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Exercise Due Diligence when Retiring to Panama

Increasingly more and more people are retiring to Panama and investing in the Panama real estate market and for good reason. Foreign investments get tax cuts; tourism services are world-class and not to mention the interesting Panamanian culture. Many people retire in Panama because of the Pencianodo program.

As investing and retiring to Panama has become easier, the real estate market has become more competitive. That’s why you need to exercise due diligence before you invest or retire to Panama. Some investors fail to use precautionary measures so that their investments will be secure. Sometimes, these mistakes may cost you your hard-earned money. These mistakes take time before you even notice it. Here are a few basic tips on making sure your investments are secure and your retirement worry-free in Panama:
  • Go for brokers that have a good reputation on reliability and security. If you’re planning on investing on real estate, make sure that your real estate agency has a solid track record. Double-check their licenses and do background investigation to see whether they treat their clients fairly.
  •  Establish contacts in Panama. The best thing to do this is to visit Panama and meet persons face-to-face. You might need to visit the place before you invest your money for retirement. Be skeptical about advertisements. Advertisements and statistics may be deceiving. Don’t immediately jump on promotions or bank offers, but check them out first. If possible, visit the property before you invest. 
  • Widen your choices. Don’t limit yourself with choices. If possible, visit the location in different seasons and occasions. This will help you see what the place is like when you’re going to live in it. If you think these ocular visits are expensive, think about your money going down the drain when the location proves very inconvenient at certain times. Compare properties and weigh the features of each property before putting your money down. 
  • Do your own research. Don’t exclusively rely on your real estate broker on the best deals. Chances are, the properties they are aggressively marketing are those properties that they will have a better cut. That’s why you have to choose on your own based on your needs or what you want. This is your money we’re talking about and the only person who’s more concerned about it should be you.
Retiring to Panama means that you should put in some work. However, there are many ways that you can do your research without having to spend endless hours on it. This hard work will pay off in the end as you’ll be able to retire to Panama without encountering any problems, leaving you enough time to live the life you truly want. Peaceful, calming, and completely hassle-free.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Retire to Panama in Style

When you want to retire in Panama, there is a lot to think about. In today’s rising living costs, the foremost question retirees ask is how they’re going to live on their measly retirement benefits. The answer: retire to Panama.  A Business Week article that appeared in July 13, 2009 said that the next hot spot is Panama. Business Week hailed Panama as a “retirement” haven. Here are some reasons why retiring to Panama is your best option:

Panama Has the Best Retirement Benefits in the World
Panamanian government offers a retiree visa to anyone who is willing to retire to Panama. The only requirements are a retirement pension of $500, a health certificate, and a police report.  Here is a list of benefits for retirees in Panama that will make your eyes widen:
•    50% off entertainment, such as movie, concert, and theater tickets
•    50% off hotel accommodations during Mondays through Thursdays
•    50% off home loan closing costs
•    30% off train, bus, and boat fares
•    25% off restaurants
•    25% off domestic and international airline tickets
•    15% off dental and eye exams
•    10% off prescription medicines

Panama has State-of-the-Art Healthcare Facilities that are Affordable
When you retire, you’re primarily concerned with access to healthcare. English-speaking doctors and healthcare providers are highly trained and are available throughout Panama City. Prescription and over-the-counter medication is so affordable but the quality is the same as in the United States.

Panama is Safe
Panama keeps their tourists safe and it’s probably because Panamanians are generally friendly to tourists. Panama has the lowest crime rate against tourists in the region. Of course, there are areas which you should avoid as you would when you’re in another country. Take the cue from multinational corporations who set their base in Panama because of Panama’s high safety rating.

Panama is the Closest Thing to a First World Country in the Caribbean
Think about it. Panama uses the dollar as their currency. You’ve just kissed hours of calculating how much a pair of shoes cost in American dollars. Because of its history, Panama exhibits American-style infrastructure, so you’ll never feel out of place in this country. If you need to get around Panama, you can just get on a taxi and go anywhere for around $5. Highways outside Panama are well-maintained and luxury buses are available for as low as $15.

Panama is Close to the United States

Panama is only a three to five hours by plane and it also offers nonstop daily flights to the United States.  Delta, Continental, American, Copa and Spirit Airlines have daily flights to Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Washington D.C., Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. Air Transit offers weekly chartered flights to Canada, too. 

Panama Has the Right Mix of Culture

Panama has long been a crossroad between North and Central America. The culture is different to make retiring here an endless source for adventure; you’ll never get bored. But the American influences are still strong that you always have somewhere to retreat to when you miss home. In Panama, adventure and comfort is just the perfect mix.

When you retire in Panama you know your retirement dollars will go a long way.