Panama has warm, friendly people, a stable democracy, a dynamic business sector and an unusual variety of terrains.

Modern Maturity, the American Association for Retired Persons magazine, rated one region as one of the top four places in the world for Americans to live abroad.

International Living, rates Panama as the number one country outside the United States for a second home- based its outstanding safety, infrastructure, climate and beauty.

Panama is even blessed by nature- it has none of the disastrous hurricanes and earthquakes that plague its Central American neighbors.
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. There are a number of good reasons.

First of all, is safety and security. Panama has the highest rating for tourist safety from prestigious Pinkerton Global Intelligence service. In Panama, there is no need to be constantly on guard against being robbed or assaulted, as is the case in so many Latin American countries. The crime rate is low and you can visit nearly all the places you want to, even at night, without fear.

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 school 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 TGI Friday'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. There are plenty of problems here like anywhere else. But the time has passed, especially post 9/11, when one can presume that for quality of life, up North is the only place to live.

Links to other Web sites:

The Panama Canal http://www.acp.gob.pa/
The Panama Municipio http://www.municipio.gob.pa/
El Casto Antiguo de Panamá: http://www.cascoviejo.gob.pa/