Retiring & Living in Panama

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Most people will tell you that you are out of your mind for considering this country… and that is why you can be a pioneer in the World’s Next Best Retirement Haven: Panama.

The exciting thing is that very few people have figured this place out yet.

And today, because this country is in the middle of a short-term economic crisis, the opportunities for you—as an investor, a retiree, or someone looking for the perfect place to live or work full- or part-time—are...well...almost too good to be true.

As a potential investor, particularly if you're looking for real estate or business opportunities, this country's recent troubles offer a short-term window of opportunity.

Right now, you can purchase real estate in this country for a fraction of what we believe it will be worth in coming years. We expect some properties, for example, to appreciate by 100% or more in the next few years.

There are some good reasons this will happen...

First, we expect the sinking real estate prices will turn around quickly as the country moves out of its current recession. Second, as this place becomes a sought-after retirement haven, prices will rise here, just as they have in other places which American retirees have been attracted to—for example, Mexico, Ireland, and Costa Rica.

As a potential retiree or part-time expatriate, this country offers advantages unequaled anywhere else in the world: near-perfect weather, a low cost of living, one of the world's best offshore tax and banking systems, First World infrastructure, luxurious restaurants and hotels, a stable political and economic situation, and the world's best discount program (on everything from mortgage rates to utility bills) for retirees (better than Costa Rica's famed Pensionado program of the 1980s).

If this sounds like an opportunity worth considering...we would like to give you the whole story...and show you the best way for you to begin investigating this situation for yourself...

This country's economic crisis equals opportunity for you.

Panama, you see, offers certain advantages over every other Central and South American destination advantages for the investor, retiree, and resident. Tax advantages. Privacy advantages.

Not to mention the fact that you'll find some of the world's most beautiful mountain, beachfront, and island property here. Add to all of this what we consider The World's Best Incentive Program for Retirees and you've got something worth paying attention to.

Panama is the safest place in Central or South America and the Pinkerton Global Intelligence Agency recently gave Panama its highest rating for tourist safety. And it's the most developed country south of the United States (home to some of the top companies in the world, including over 80 banks, among which are some of the world's biggest, and also other giants such as Federal Express, ExxonMobil, Citibank, Continental Airlines, Marriott, Price Costco and Bell South).

Panama has a stable government, a stable currency (the U.S. dollar since 1904), and virtually no inflation. In other words, this country is the exception to the rule in Central America.

As The Economist recently reported, in Central America, "Panama has stood apart, sustained by its canal, banks, and free-trade zone."

In short, Panama has its act together. Yet very few foreigners, particularly Americans, consider Panama as a travel destination...and even fewer think of it as a "retirement haven."

Panama has a long way to go before it can rival its northern neighbors Mexico and Costa Rica, as a tourist destination. But this is good news for investors...because it means... prices are still very low. And the upside potential is great.

Panama is beginning to be noticed by America's mainstream press:

"Panama is the most beautiful retreat in the world and almost undiscovered," claimed a recent article in Harper's Bazaar.

"Known mostly for its canal, Panama is, in fact, an undiscovered tourist paradise," stated a recent travel article in the Boston Globe.

The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and National Geographic have also published long travel articles this year praising the undiscovered delights Panama has to offer.

Not only is Panama receiving more tourists, it is also becoming one of the focal points for a trend that is taking shape in the United States. Living and retiring overseas, something that was once reserved for a few very wealthy individual - is now an idea that mainstream America is catching onto.

Panama is going to be at the top of the list for Americans and other foreigners looking for warm, inexpensive, and adventurous places to retire and live in. In fact, it already is.

The May/June 2001 issue of Modern Maturity (the largest consumer magazine in the world, with more than 20 million readers) rated one region of Panama the fourth best retirement destination in the world, following such perennial favorites as the Costa del Sol in Spain, Cinque Terre in Italy, and Provence, France. And the magazine ranked Panama City among the top five places in the world for an "inexpensive" retirement.

Panama City: the least expensive cosmopolitan city

If you prefer city life, Panama City is probably the world's least expensive First-World metropolis.

In fact, it's one of the top choices in the world if you're looking for inexpensive cosmopolitan living. Here you'll find world-class restaurants, every imaginable luxury, hundreds of multinational businesses, and all at about half the price you'd pay in Miami, or in any other U.S. city for that matter.

It's not just Panama City's skyline (which is more reminiscent of New York than any Central American city) that looks First World. It is also the fact that things here work.

Your international phone calls go through the first time every time and electricity runs 24/7. If efficiency and reliability are important to you - give Panama City a close look.

Most people are surprised to learn that we have just about everything here that you'll find in all of the world's major cities, from first class hotels and restaurants to shopping and entertainment.

Panama is also one of the best offshore havens in the world. If you're looking for a private, offshore bank account, a tax-free corporation, a trust, or other offshore structures, Panama is one of the few places in the world worth considering. Nearly every major world bank has a full-service branch office in Panama, such as Lloyds, Citibank, HNBC, BNP/Paribas and Dresdner to name a few.

Third, Panama has what we consider to be the World's Best Incentive Program for Retirees.

The Panama Pensionado Visa Program, as it is called, offers retirees excellent tax holidays and dozens of money-saving discounts, such as:

• Tax exemption to import a car every 2 years
• Import tax exemption for furniture, appliances and fixtures up to US$10,000
• 50% discount in movie theaters, and cultural and sporting events
• 30% discount on train, bus, and boat transportation
• 15% discount on loans made in your name
• 1% reduction on home mortgages for personal use
• 25% reduction on your water, telephone, and electricity bills
• 20% discount on doctor visits...and much, much, more.

Plus, in Panama, there is little red tape involved in taking up residence, buying real estate, or starting a business. And the U.S. dollar is the currency. Here, by the way, it's not a case of "dollarization" as a recent experiment as it is elsewhere in Latin America. The U.S. dollar has been Panama's official paper currency since 1904.

The BusinessPanama Group is truly a "one stop full service center" and can help you with purchasing a property, relocating in Panama and providing you expert legal advice, among other services.

For more information or assistance, please contact BusinessPanama .

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