9 Reasons I Decided To Buy A Second Home In Panama

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Travel Awaits | November 18, 2021

https://www.travelawaits.com/2710092/reasons-i-bought-a-second-home-in-panama/

The country of Panama — important to the United States with the stewardship of the Panama Canal until December 31, 1999, and to my family based on people we’ve met through The Carter Center and President Carter — remains a wonderful place for expats to live overseas as described here.

Since control of the Panama Canal reverted to Panama, it has blazed a trail of economic advancement and prosperity. Panama City bustles with new growth, from skyscrapers to additional metro lines. And it’s expanding to the country.

Long before I’d read that article, I’d decided to buy a second home in Panama, in Playa Caracol, the best surfer’s beach in the country, we think, just an hour west of Panama City.

Those of you who’ve followed our story know that I purchased a property in Dublin, Ireland, and live there when I can. This was a high expense choice, with a higher cost of living than the United States made because of family education needs and heritage. Three of my eight great-grandparents have Irish roots.

But, much as I love Dublin, and I do, the winters are long and dark and sometimes dreary. Tommy Graham, a fast-talking, fast-walking tour guide who’s also the editor of History Ireland once said about Ireland, “Where many are cold, but few are frozen.” He’s spot on.

So when I was offered the opportunity through Irish-born Ronan McMahon to purchase a condo in Playa Caracol, with a group discounted rate from the builder, and performed my due diligence, I jumped at the chance.

You see, this area was farmland until just a few years ago when the family agreed to sell it to a trusted developer. And the Path of Progress, Panama’s government’s way of increasing tourism and improving infrastructure, was underway, making the trip from Panama City to Playa Caracol enjoyable.

The developer’s goal was to recreate what life was like living in 1950s Huntington Beach, California, but with high-speed internet, cable TV, and cell phones.

And the initial phases of development prove he’s done it.

These are my reasons for buying a second home here:

1. Lower Cost Of Living

After experiencing higher rather than lower cost of living in Dublin, I really enjoy the “kick back” lifestyle of being at a beach, a surfer’s paradise no less, and not thinking about the expenses the way the electricity meter turns — whirring away oh too quickly.