Top 5 Best Retirement Places

Are you retiring in 2011 and have not figured out where you will spend your retirement years? As retirement benefits remain steady and cost of living soar, you may be considering retiring outside the United States in order to make sure that your golden years remain golden. However, because of global changes, the best retirement places may have changed. Here are the top 5 best retirement places that you should consider for 2011.

1. Panama – Panama, especially Panama City, has the best infrastructure in Central America.  If you think that Panama City may not be affordable,  Las Tablas and Boquete are great alternatives. Panama has been on top of the list of retirement havens outside the United States because it is the most accessible. You can go to key points in the United States without any trouble, so visiting your family and relatives are still doable. Panama also has a solid benefits package for senior residents and you even have the opportunity to not pay taxes both in Panama or the United States without feeling like you’re a felon. The United States bases improved on Panaman infrastructure leaving behind them highways, shopping and entertainment areas, amenities, and health care that are close to United States standards. Because the currency is in dollars, you will have no trouble converting your retirement pension as you would in other countries. For those who value convenience and a lifestyle that is similar to the United States sans the US cost of living, Panama is your best bet.
2. Mexico – If you want a taste of adventure, then you can try Mexico, particularly Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta has retained its Mexican roots giving your overseas retirement a different flavor. Puerto Vallarta offers a wonderful nightlife and restaurants that will surely feel like you’re on vacation the whole time.
3. Malaysia – An Asian living experience is waiting for you in Malaysia. It is the only Asian countries offering tax incentives to expatriates who would like to retire in this exotic destination. Malaysia also has state-of-the-art facilities and great highways. However, it may be farther out than Panama is because it is located in Southeast Asia. 
4. Belize – Having gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, Belize is a fairly young country that is full of promise and it has English as its official language. This means that for retirees who do not want to learn another language, Belize is a great place to retire outside the United States. If you opt for areas other than Ambergris Caye, you’re sure to find affordable places to retire.
5. Nicaragua – A recent revamp of Nicaraguan policy on foreign retirees may make this place more attractive. Because of the low cost of living, acquiring a beachfront property in Nicaragua can be a breeze and surprisingly affordable. 

So here you go, folks. The top five retirement havens for next year. If you’d like to retire to Panama, here’s one of the best Panama retirement guides I have seen. Enjoy hunting for the perfect haven to spend your retirement years.

Top Tips on Retiring to Panama

Retiring abroad may be the last thing anyone would do in their retirement. It is thought of as expensive and might be more stressful since you have to adjust to a lot of things. But retiring abroad is not hard as you think. In choosing the right place, retirement will be easy and relaxing.

One of the best places for retirement is Panama. It is situated in Central America, where it has the Carribean Sea on the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is a place where one can relax because of its picturesque views and beautiful scenery. It is the third largest economy in Central America and is one of the fastest growing economy as well. You won't have to spend a lot of money to retire in Panama, as the cost of living is not very high.

To make your stay in Panama easy and stress-free, here are some tips:

1. Check the environment first. Visit the place where you want to stay and imagine yourself staying there. Even just staying there for while, say three days or a week, will help you make a decision if this is the right place for you. Try getting to know the local people and see where the shops are, if they are accessible and easy to reach. Then, make sure to check all documents before finally looking into Panama real estate.
2. Learn the language. Panama is a Spanish-speaking country, and if you only know English, you might have difficulty in communicating with the locales. Learning a new language may seem tough, but some foreigners who decided to stay in Panama discovered that learning something new keeps their mind active. Plus, when you hear Spanish often in your community, you will easily pick up the language and be fluent in no time.
3. Reassess your lifestyle. The cost of living in the States may be expensive but in foreign countries like in Panama, you can afford housekeepers or gardeners. The prices are usually lower and you can choose to eat a meal at only $1 per person. But don't take advantage of the low cost of prices, as splurging on them is not ideal either. Reassess what you need and don't need, and think carefully if you can afford these luxuries or not.
4. Inquire about taxes. You may benefit from some tax exemptions, like Panama's Pensionado program, wherein foreign retirees can get pension or property tax exemptions for new construction. It pays to know about the benefits that you are entitled to.
5. Apply for health insurance. Because your health insurance in the States might not cover you when you're in another part of the globe, finding a health insurance in Panama is best. Quality health insurance is usually more affordable in other countries. You may research for good health insurance policies or ask among the locales what health insurance they have to give you a better idea on what to get.

Retirement is the time in your life where you can relax and enjoy what life can still offer you. Going in another country like Panama can be a refreshing start to anyone who wants to experience something new and different. This might be your next great adventure, so don't hesitate and jump on it! You may want check out this ebook on retiring in Panama.

Three Best Places to Retire in Panama

There is without a doubt that Panama is the best place to retire, especially if you’re looking forward to a fixed retirement income. You won’t have to worry about medical bills eating up your retirement income and you won’t definitely die of boredom in Panama. But where exactly in Panama are you planning on retiring? It really depends on your personality. Here are three of the best real estate finds in Panama:

Boquete: Mountain Beauty
If you’re the type who likes peace and quiet, then Boquete in Panama is right for you. Boquete is in Panama’s Chiriqui region which is mountainous and has an elevation of about 3,500 feet. The place is lush and quiet without the crowds that define every city. You’ll find mountains to climb, rivers and waterfalls to enjoy. Its green hills are covered with red and purple flowers. Because it is coffee country, you’ll find that the Indians will come down from the hills when it’s harvest time. They’re a joyful people who sing as they work. Children play in the streams and run through the fields as their parents harvest coffee.

In Boquete, it’s always spring. During the day, the temperature is comfortable with its cool breezes. Nights are chilly. Houses in Boquete are affordable. Custom-built houses that have three bedrooms start at $138,000 and the ocean-view lots are about $30,000 and lower.

Pearl Islands: Beach Paradise
If you’re looking for some sand and sun, then Panama is perfect for you. However, Contadora Island which is the seventh biggest of the Pearl Islands archipelago contains the best beaches in Panama. Contadora is just off the coast of Panama City in the Bay of Panama.

Contadora looks like a travel magazine’s living picture. It has turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and secluded coves. Fishing boats in sunny yellows and fiery reds dot the waters and palm trees and cashew trees sway along with the breeze. You’ll see pelicans, hummingbirds, parrots, and sea turtles frolicking in its pristine waters. If you’re lucky, you’ll find gray and orca whales swimming. You’ll never run out of mangoes or coconuts in this island. This is one of the best-kept secrets in Panama. Beachfront villas may start at around $160,000.

Panama City: Convenient Living
If you love convenience, you’ll love Panama City. This First World city is one of the least expensive places in the world. You’ll find restaurants and other luxuries in one city but for about half of the price that you’d pay if you’re in a U.S. city.

An abundance of furnished studios can be had for less than $60,000 and beachfront condominiums may be from $77,000. If you want more space, a 1,300-square-foot apartment in a building that’s complete with a pool and gym may be around $150,000. Add $10,000 to that price and you’ll have a two-bedroom apartment with a view of the bay and a maid’s quarters. If you’d like to rent, you can have an apart,ent for $1,100 a month.

So there you have it, folks. Three different places to retire in Panama for three different personalities. Which one’s the best place for you to retire? I say Panama.

Panama’s Avenida de Balboa

A trip to Panama is never complete without walking Panama’s most famous promenade called Avenida de Balboa. This thoroughfare stretches along the waterfront located between the Old Town or Casco Viejo, the financial district, and Punta Paitilla. It has experienced expansion to accommodate the burgeoning real estate buildings that line the roads.

Found along Avenida de Balboa, the Vasco Nunez de Balboa Park stretches along the coastline. It boasts of a mosaic wall that features several intricate images of sea creatures, such as the seahorse. The famous statue of Vasco Nunez de Balboa, a famous Spanish explorer and conquistador, also resides in this charming little park.

Avenida de Balboa is the home of several modern high rises, among which are condominiums that retirees can purchase at an unbelievably affordable price.  Imagine yourself as you walk alone along Avenida de Balboa as you watch a spectacular sun set. The cargo ships queue in the waterway and their running lights glimmer off the dark waters.

Panama City is indeed a dream come true for most people. With an affordable cost of living, retirees from the United States or Great Britain can live out the rest of their retirement days in luxury. Because of the real estate boom in the early 2000s, Avenida de Balboa has been busy with the construction of several  tall buildings. The bustling thoroughfare is now alive as several foreign investment come in, filled with hope about Panama’s rebirth to become a retiree’s paradise.

The Best Panama Retirement Guide

If you’re looking for the best Panama retirement guide, look no further. I have discovered the best value for your buck when I read this Panama retirement guide. I spent a month vacationing in Panama and only have good memories of that place. Panama. The word itself conjures an exotic air of mystery. Imagine living the rest of your retirement days in this paradise.

If you ask me what’s my ideal place for retirement, I imagine sandy beaches, a comfortable lounge chair with a margarita in my hand. That’s why when retirement loomed, I started researching about the best places to retire in. I found out that my “ideal retirement” can be spent in Panama.

Panama is the friendliest place when it comes to senior citizens. You can enter this country with a senior citizen visa. All you need to do is to submit a police clearance, proof that you have $500 minimum of retirement pension and you’re good to go.

When I say friendliest place for senior citizens, I mean really, really friendly. Not only are prices for entertainment and transportation in Panama cheaper than in the United States or Canada, they are even discounted for senior citizens. Everything from movies to bus tickets is discounted when you are a retiree in Panama. The government in Panama really knows how to pamper senior citizens like us.

Aside from the discounts, you also get health services that equal hospitals in the US or Canada. The doctors and nurses in Panama hospitals are also friendlier. They’re always smiling and you feel like you’re with family instead of in a cold hospital. If you ask me, I’d be willing to pay an extra just to have this kind of service. But I don’t have to. In Panama, I get topnotch service and quality healthcare at a price that can’t be beat even by US hospitals.

I could go on and on about retiring in Panama, but if your interest is piqued, start researching. If you don’t have the time to research, then I recommend this Panama retirement guide. It has everything you need to know about retiring in Panama. I wish I had this when I retired. You’re lucky you can purchase this Panama retirement guide and learn about Panama without spending hours in the library or online.