In the last 10 years, Panama has become a hous hold word for baby boomers, retirees and for an escaping generation that is looking to leave the rat race now rather than later. Why has this Central American country that was not too long ago only known for its Tailor, its corrupt dictator and its bananas now the hottest destination for Canucks?
To answer the question, let’s first list the features and benefits of Panama, the country that lies just north of the Columbian border and is home to the largest Pacific to Atlantic passageway in the world.
For one, the weather is always warm and the sun shines 300 days of the year. While Panama has a rainy season and a dry season, the rain does not stop anyone from enjoying the outdoor living that makes the country so attractive. To a Canadian who spends 60% of the year battling the weather and the traffic, the climate is truly the number one attraction, but there is more. Panama deals in USD currency. For Canadians who did not see a devastating real estate market drop and on the whole did not lose half as much as their US neighbours, this means great deals on real estate and a much lower cost of living. An average couple can live very comfortably without a mortgage for $1600/month in the beach area of Panama. This includes not only all utilities, food, car and insurance, but it also includes dining out twice a week, golf and entertainment.
There are now direct flights from Toronto to Panama on two popular charters and daily flights on Copa, a Panama airline that has just recently opened its doors to Canada. A direct flight takes just over 5 hours and makes it just as easy as a trip to Florida for any snowbird.
Why would a Canadian trade in their socialized medical care for a privatized system? For one, the medical care is extremely inexpensive and those of us that can pay will have MRIs booked the next day, rather than 4 months down the road. The medical facilities are state of the art, the patient care is top-notch and results are back within hours or minutes and not days. A trip to a local hospital including blood tests is $26, and the patient walks out with the results in their hands.
The current administration has brought about improvements in waste management, has introduced the first subway system to Panama and saw a 7% increase in economic growth in 2010, which is expected to be the same if not more in 2011. Ricardo Martinelli is the current president and his philosophy is simply, ”I don’t want a fat government and a skinny people, but the other way around.”
I am a Canadian, I now live in Panama. I am not retired, actually far from it. I am part of the escaping generation who left the rat race for lush gardens, long beaches and fabulous sunsets. While living in a Central American country has been challenging at times, it is my expectations that have made it so. My North American expectations needed to be put aside. Our way of doing things is not always the right way, and I quickly learned that there are many ways to get the simplest of things accomplished.
I am a Canadian, this is where I am from and I am so proud of my citizenship. My neighbors are from all over the world, and we are all quickly coming to realize that we are here for a reason and the reason is simple or rather, it is simple for me. I had to give up the life that I had planned or that was planned for me and be willing to live the life that was waiting for me.
Of my expatriate friends here in Panama, 70% are Canadian...eh!
Sources
- Erik Jackson, Martinelli Unveils Election, Panama News
- ABC.es, Panama: 7% Growth in 2010, Central America Data
Karyn Saunders - Health, balance and always laughter
