Posted on 02/23/2008 7:31:45 PM PST by Lorianne
ALTOS DEL MARIA, Panama -- In a lush valley hidden in the coffee-producing hills of Panama, the sounds of tropical birds singing and burbling brooks compete with the rumble of cement trucks groaning their way uphill.
The steady convoy of trucks is ferrying labor and material to the hundreds of sprawling, ranch-style homes being built in this new gated community an hour and half outside of Panama City, many by U.S. retirees.
While precise figures aren't available, a compilation of data and anecdotal evidence suggests that aging Americans aren't only interested in buffing their tans or improving their golf swing, but are actively seeking out lower living costs in places where the much-debilitated dollar still reigns.
(Excerpt) Read more at realestatejournal.com ...
I Hope they take along armed guards
From what I heard, Panama is safe.
Every little tienda, camera store, restaurant, etc. had some guy, usually in uniform, with a big ugly pump shotgun standing out front.
Wayne LaPierre would have such a woodie in Guatemala.
It's the only place I've ever seen an armored beer truck complete with armed guards.
Still, in all my time in Guatemala I never saw a single act of violence. It happens, I know it does, because the locals complain about it and the recent election turned on it.
But when I was there it all seemed mellow.
I remember enjoying a lovely dinner in a steak house in Antigua. After clearing our table the waiter inquired as to whether we would like coffee, dessert or an after dinner drink. He had this big, ugly, three foot long stun gun swinging from his belt. He had been working the door earlier in the evening. He couldn't have been nicer.
Seems risky. Crime is rampant in all third world Countries, especially Latin America. These old guys, they are especially vulnerable.
I guess when you are old, living in gated community doesn’t feel like living in a Prison.
I can’t imagine they can roam freely everywhere and not get targeted by criminal element.
An armed society is a polite society.
Well, except for that a**wipe who picked my pocket on the subway in Mexico City...
The US created the country of Panama to build the canal and imported former slaves for cheap labor. These workers did not leave after the canal was finished. Parts of Panama are really rough. Costa Rica a bit north is a nicer place in my opinion.
I'm retiring there this summer. It is beautiful, tropical climate, and the people are very nice.
President ObamalamaDingDong is going to spark a boom in South American real estate development. Adios Barry.
Did they move Panama overseas?
Good riddance.....
They had to. They needed it to be colocated with the Panama Canal.
Ah, so that’s where the “tail gunner on a beer truck” originated.
Dammit, try to keep this a secret before you drive up real estate prices.
The southern part of the Phillipines is where the fanatic muslims are at but Manilla is pretty nice. I prefer Thailand though...
Only in some Muslim areas, which are easily avoided. Most of the country is Roman Catholic and likes Americans.
I will never leave my country to live somewhere else permanently. I lived overseas while in the military and I had a great time there but only because I could appreciate it knowing I would be home in a few years. I cannot even imagine being happy making another country my home. I don’t feel like this is even my country anymore, it certainly doesn’t represent most of what I believe in, but somehow I still can’t imagine leaving it for good. I keep hoping it will change back to being the country I once knew.
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