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Panama: Eight Destinations in Which to Spend the Winter Months

Why Panama?

Panama is now the second in an ongoing series of blogs that examine destinations in which expats, snowbirds or tourists can spend the winter months.

The first was "Mexico: 23 Destinations In Which To Spend the Winter Months"

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lobo/9/1233502800/tpod.html

To get a good feel for that 55–part series of blogs read: Mexico – The Epilogue

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lobo/excursions/1263577153/tpod.html

“I am Canadian” – as the Molsen Canadian beer commercial says. I come from a cold country and Canadians have been leaving in droves during the winter to escape our brutal winters. We are not the only ones as Americans and Europeans (especially with this cold winter in Europe) look for warmer climates.

“Snowbirds” are people, usually retired like myself, who spend all or part of the winter months in warmer climates following the example of the migrating birds. Most rent but many have bought second homes in the sun belt of the U.S. or other countries.

For example someone living in Detroit, Michigan who goes to Florida for the winter months would be a “snowbird” but not an “expat”. (pronounced like the name “Pat”)

If you leave your own country in search of warmer weather than you are an “expat” which is an abbreviation of “expatriate”, meaning a person who lives in another country temporarily or permanently.

A big inspiration and source of information for expats has been websites like “International Living” or “Live and Invest Abroad”.

International Living

(http://www.internationalliving.com/)

For example, they deal with the question “Where to Retire If You Can't Afford to Live in the States Anymore”.

http://www.internationalliving.com/Publications/Featured/where-to-retire

According to MSN Money, which cites International Living as its source, in 2009 the top five countries for expats or retirement living are in order:

1. Ecuador
2. Mexico
3. Panama
4. Uruguay
5. Italy

Here is International Living’s take on Panama:

http://www.internationalliving.com/Countries/Panama/Retire

A competing website “Live and Invest Overseas” whose publisher Kathleen Peddicord used to be the driving force behind International Living, is even more bullish on Panama as they rate Panama the No. 1 destination for retirement in the world.

http://www.expatfocus.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=903

If you aren’t convinced here is another link:

http://www.liveandinvestoverseas.com/events.html

You can’t get more positive than this. Where do they find writers who can write like this?

For another look at why retirement in Panama is advantageous:

http://panamapropertyforsale.com/retire-in-panama.html
 

So what is my role in all this?

I don’t endorse any of the information or websites cited above and I consider a lot of it as hyperbole but they do provide the inspiration for my travels.

What I can do is provide my impressions and above all, like no other website, provide a multitude of photos. If the old adage is true that a “picture is worth a thousand words” then the website says a lot.  

My present knowledge of Panama is very limited and the purpose of this blog will be to share my experiences, observations and opinions during the course of my trip. This is not intended however to be an authoritative source of information, this is a blog.

The official title this series of blogs is PANAMA: EIGHT DESTINATIONS IN WHICH TO SPEND THE WINTER MONTHS
(my early blogs incate 7 destinations but DAVID has its advantages that must be considered)

1. Panama City
2. Coronado
3. Valle de Anton
4. Pedasi
5. Bouquete
6. Volcan/Cerro Punta
7. Boca del Torro
8. David

Since my spouse Barbara is still has a job back in Victoria, British Columbia, we are not ready to become expats but in the meantime I can certainly spend part of my time doing what I love doing – travelling, writing and photographing – in the search of the perfect place to retire.

But yes, I have dealt with that as well in previous blogs – there is no perfect place to retire but there sure is enjoyment in looking for it.

Feedback: travelswithlobo@yahoo.com

Note: Your communication does not appear in the blog.

Coming Soon:

PANAMA – 8 DESTINATIONS IN WHICH TO SPEND THE WINTER MONTHS