Panama- A Great Place to Live and Visit

Panama is a priviledged country within Latin America. It is fast becoming a preferred location for a second or retirement home for North Americans. For its citizens, Panama is one of the top three of Latin American countries for quality of life: health, education and economic well-being.
First of all, is safety and security. Panama has the highest rating for tourist safety from the Pinkerton Intelligence Agency. In Panama, there's no need to be constantly on guard against being robbed or assaulted, as is the case in so many Latin American countries.

Panama City is called a "second Miami" because of its sophisticated business district, high speed internet connections, the American-style infrastructure and the elegance of many of its neighborhoods. There are endless gorgeous sea-view apartments and numerous suburban subdivisions with lovely Miami-style homes. Few other Latin American cities can boast buildings of such quality construction and so many attractive neighborhoods.

Unlike other Latin Americans, Panamanians don't need to go shopping in Miami. Due to the lowest tariffs in the Americas, Panama is a shoppers paradise whether it be clothes, computers or electronics. Panamanian supermarkets can easily be mistaken for American supermarkets with their large selection of American products. Electronics stores compete in both price and selection with American stores. There are even three Price-Costcos in Panama City and one in the West Panama city of David.

Private education is excellent; there are three accredited international schools and dozens of fine bilingual schools. At the university level, there a dozen universities, including three United States universities with branches in Panama City.

Medical care and hospital facilities are almost on a par with the USA, one of the many happy by-products of the longtime American presence on the Ithmus.

Numerous fine restaurants can compete in quality with almost any large American city. If you are homesick, try Bennigan's or TGIFriday's not to mention McDonalds, Wendys.Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dominos, KFC etc.

If you're homesick, Panama is a short plane ride away from the USA. There are direct flights to and from Panama from 6 USA cities- Newark and Houston (Continental) Atlanta (Delta), Miami (American and Copa, Los Angeles(Copa), Dallas(American), and Orlando (Copa). The proximity also makes it easy for all those relatives who wiil want to come visit you in Panama.

Evidence of Panama's quality of life, there is a reverse migration going on in recent years. Many Panamanians, residents in the US are moving back to Panama because they find the quality of life is simply better here. Not to mention, the 50,000 Americans who used to live in the former Panama Canal zone and called Panama "home". They call Panama their "Paradise Lost". The majority are not happy living back in the United States- that should tell you something.

Even nature has blessed Panama. Due to a unique geographical position, there are no natural disasters -no hurricanes and destructive earthquakes which plague its Central American neighbors.

This is not to say that Panama is a utopia. 30% of its' citizens live in extreme poverty. Corruption is a problem, less than in other Latin American countries but still a problem. But relative to many other places, many well traveled citizens of the world are deciding that Panama is the best place on earth to live.