Cheapest Places to Live?

George Carlin Dead

2008-06-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Totally off topic and nothing to do with this blog but I need to pause and honour one of my all-time favorite entertainers and comedians, George Carlin who died yesterday of Heart failure as reported in Los Angeles (AFP)

George Carlin had been in show business for 50 years. He made 22 albums and won four Grammy Awards. He died at age 71.

As a teenager I can remember listening with my big brother to his album AM/FM and later becoming all too familiar with his now infamous "Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV" routine. Some of the news articles today say that is what he will be most remembered for. I really hope it is the biting anti-establishment brand of humour he refined that people will remember.

An icon for free speech and using your brain I take this moment to pause and give thanks to George Carlin for reminding us all that common sense and humour can change the world if we just slow down long enough to think.

Canada's Best Places to Live

2008-06-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

Canadian Business Money Sense Magazine ranks the 'Best Places to Live" in Canada each year. Here's the line up for the Top 10 Best Places to Live in Canada:

Ottawa-Gatineau, ON
Victoria, BC
Frederickton, NB
Kingston, ON
Levis, QC
Moncton, NB
Winnipeg, MB
Burlington, ON
Halifax, NS
Vancouver, BC

The introduction says, "If you've ever wondered about picking up and moving, you've probably pondered what makes a community a good place to live. Is it climate? Salaries? Real estate? To be honest, it's probably a bit of each of those factors, plus many more."

MoneySense's third "Canada's Best Places to Live" list has a lot of data to help readers sift through some of the most important factors in choosing the Best Place to Live. It may not exactly come out and say, "Hey, here are the Cheapest Places to Live!" but at least it provides some criteria whereby you can figure out what kind of lifestyle you might be able to create.

To see the complete list and read all about it go here - The Best Places to Live in Canada.

Obama Launches FightTheSmears.com

2008-06-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

OK, I know I'm being quite political today but let's face it the US Election is one the top of everyone's mind and a focal point of many conversations whether you live in Panama or the United States this election is a hot topic. It's also bringing some interesting ideas and points out in the open. One of the things many American expats say they left the U.S. for was a distain of the politics particularly the negative smear campaigns which seem to have become part of the routine. Here's some freshing news -

The Obama campaign just launched a new website, FightTheSmears.com.

Now you may be thinking 'Ya, it's just another gimmick. Just businesses who hide profit motives behind charity gigs. But, let's face isn't it time we all 'FightTheSmears'? Regardless of political affiliation I believe this cause is a winner and worth supporting. So, here's the line right from my.barackobama.com -

"So, if you've ever recieved a smear email, heard a false rumor from a friend or acquaintance, or come across a website propagating lies, and wondered how to fight back, now you know what to do: visit FightTheSmears.com and take direct, productive action to push back on these mistruths."

CNN Reports on Obama-McCain poll

2008-06-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

CNN’s Jack Cafferty about the close race between Barack Obama and John McCain

In today's Cafferty file, John Cafferty of CNN asks, "What does it mean if Barack Obama and John McCain are less than ten points apart in the polls?"

The latest CNN poll has Obama ahead of Panama born McCain by just 5 percentage points at 48% to 43%.

New Wall Street Journal and NBC polling puts Barack Obama 6 points up, thats double what his last lead was. It’s smaller than the 16-Point spread the Democrats’ had when voters are asked what party they want to see in the White House.

One poll gives strengths and weaknesses of both candidates. For Obama, he is ahead of McCain among Catholics, African-Americans, Women, Hispanics and Independents. Even the blue-collar segment favors Barack Obama. He's ahead, 61% to 19%, among the primaries Clinton supporters.

John McCain beats Obama as a favorite among white men by 20%. The senator from Arizona also leads Obama among white suburban women. But Barack Obama leads John McCain among all white women.

McCain's greatest challenge may be President Bush. One pollster for the democrats says the president is a huge ball and chain for McCain. Many voters surveyed say they are looking for a leader of change vs one of experience.

Discover Panama on DVD

2008-05-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Thinking of Retiring to Panama? Here's an affordable way to discover what Living in Panama is all about before you buy the plane ticket!

Shot in gorgeous high definition (HD) video, Director Sasha Owen shows you how you can buy the home of your dreams in one of the world's most sophisticated and affordable countries: Panama. In this 60 minute video, they take you from the gleaming luxury high rises of Panama City to the laid back tropical island paradise of Bocas del Toro and introduce you to expats who are living the life they've always dreamed of, for far less than they would have paid in their home countries. They also take you to the beautiful mountain oasis of Boquete Panama, which has long been regarded as one of the world's best places to retire. Watch interviews with many expats, the people who've made Panama their new home and we follow one couple, Kay Owen and Larry Mattison, as they search for, and ultimately find, the luxury apartment of their dreams in Panama City. Also learn from interviews with attorneys, real estate agents, developers and other experts who give you the inside scoop about how to get the best property deals in the country. They explain the process and reveal the secrets for making a profitable and wise investment in a country that is truly a nexus of the world. Whether you're looking for a quiet country retreat or a cosmopolitan luxury penthouse in the sky, Home:World Panama shows you how you can retire or buy the affordable second home of your dreams in this spectacular country in Central America.

Customer Reviews

Beautiful presentation with very well balanced information, definitely neither hype or negative., September 12, 2007

By R Marrero

(Tampa, Florida USA) -

"Anyone interested in Panama, especially to relocate or to invest in property, should definitely consider get this DVD. It's non-bias approach, colorful scenery & up to the point information will help you get a better picture of what this country has to offer. It also provides with suggestions/do's & dont's on how to succeed there. Although not touristy oriented, it provides with some sightseeing of the main areas. At roughly one hour, it makes you "crave" for more. However it's well put together. Also it's in wide screen format, for awesome viewing on our flat screen TV. It's worth the money."

Panama Video

2008-04-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of videos I came across from our friends at Prima Panama. Unfortunately, Prima is no longer offering their Premium Passport service, which I must say was excellent. I believe the airport VIP greeting is still available through a different group. I will let everyone know on the Learn About Panama Blog as soon as I have additional information. For now enjoy these scenes and interviews by our friends at Prima.

Part 1

Part 2

Panama Travel and Tourism

2008-03-25T14:50:00.001-07:00

Here's a great video I came across recently on YouTube. This was put together by IPAT - Instituto Panameno de Turismo. In just 3 minutes it captures the beauty and diversity of Panama, enjoy!

Panama YouTube Video

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Panama is becoming the Business Capital of the Americas

2008-03-11T16:11:00.001-07:00

Very interesting article from Nancy Hanna at PanamaInfo

March Panamainfo Update‏

Blogged with the Flock Browser

FYI - Here's My Travel Map from Trip Advisor

2008-03-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Boquete, Panama

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Batchawana Bay, Ontario, Canada

London, England

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jasper, Alberta, Canada

Ephesus, Turkey

Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada

Naramata, British Columbia, Canada

View my profile

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Visit TripAdvisor.com

We're Back! from Panama

2008-02-25T15:40:00.001-08:00

Hey! We're back from our latest Panama adventure.

Check out this beach!

I took a ton of pictures and plenty of video too. Rather than post them all here I find it easier if I just put it them in one spot where you can find everything.

For photos I use flickr.

Go to - Flickr.com/LearnAboutPanama

And Here's a little sample of video -

For more videos, I upload those to my YouTube page here - YouTube.com/PanamaMark

Enjoy and let me know what you think! I'd really like to read your comments.

Mark

San Blas is Calling!

2008-01-16T11:13:00.000-08:00

After getting the book '1,000 Places to See Before you Die' for Christmas I realized I have been so close to one of those places but have never gotten around to visiting. I'm talking about the San Blas Islands in Panama.

That's all about to change. On February 4 I'm off to San Blas! (Watch the blog for updates of my journey. I even plan on getting some video on here.)

This opportunity is just another one of the reasons I believe Panama is the Best Place to Live. It also makes Panama one of the Cheapest Places to Live - you might be thinking... what? Well, here I have the chance to visit one of the '1,000 Places to See Before You Die' and it's really going to cost me very little. For $60 I get picked up at Playon Chico and taken by canoe to the small island lodge; I am fed 3 meals a day; taken by a guide to deserted islands and other locations each day and stay in a fantastic cabana - check out the pics!

If you want to read about San Blas and why I'm so excited you can check out this recent article which appeared on the New York Times -

New York Times Explorer | San Blas Islands, Panama

Oh, and Watch the Blog for photo and video updates. I may even get around to figuring out how to do a PodCast!

Panama Real Estate Property Tax Exemptions are Back

2008-01-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

Great News from the Government of Panama! Just before Christmas the following article appeared in La Prensa -

La prensa – december 22, 2007

BRIEFS. Real estate

Property Tax exoneration extended

The Consejo de Gabinete has approved an extension of the 20-year property tax exemption for apartments and houses, according to minister of Housing Balbina Herrera.

The measure applies to projects whose building permits are issued before Dec. 31, 2009. Herrera explained that the measure extends the property tax exemption that expired in August.

Iván Carlucci, president of the Asociación de Corredores de Bienes Raíces (Acobir), said that "this change is healthy, and it is a sign that the sector will continue to grow dynamically."

Carlucci said that the waiver, which will benefit all types of buyers, gives Panama a competitive edge over other countries in marketing real estate projects.

Read more about the changes and Panama Real Estate Opportunities at the Learn About Panama Blog.

LA Times Hot for Boquete Panama

2007-10-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

The LATimes.com Business News recently posted an article praising the benefits of retiring to Boquete Panama. Although there are some inaccuracies overall the post creates a positive and clear picture of this beautiful Panama town which was bestowed the honour of being ranked the Best place to retire in the western hemisphere by AARP's Modern Maturity magazine.

A friendly town among the hills

By Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 21, 2007

Excerpt -
For expatriate retirees, Panama offers big discounts on plane fares and hotels, good healthcare and shopping. All foreign income -- such as U.S. pension benefits or Social Security -- is exempt from tax. And for Americans, financial matters are simplified because Panama uses the U.S. dollar as its currency. The atmosphere is friendly and more pro-American than many other Central American countries.

"The cost of living is much lower and the roads much better than places like Costa Rica," said Shirley Bynum, a former Huntington Beach resident who moved here two years ago from Gracia, Costa Rica, after she was robbed. "And the tax system is more favorable."

Follow this link for the full article - Boquete Panama - A Friendly Town Among the Hills

Tax Haven Savings

2007-09-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

Thinking about the cheapest places to live typically involves looking at how much the basics of life cost. However, it's often the unseen expenses that take the biggest chunk out of your lifestyle.

More and more we are all becoming aware of the role taxes can play in making or breaking the bank account. Wouldn't it be nice to live in a place where property taxes are waived for five, ten, even up to twenty years? How about no taxes om interest income or income derived from sources outside of the country? Fantasy? Not in Panama. If asset protection and tax savings are a high priority for you than the benefits of living in Panama make it best place to retire.

Panama continues to be recognized as one of the leading nations for asset protection and tax savings. In his popular blog, The Way it Looks from Here, Bob Bauman reminds us that Panama still ranks at the top as a world class tax haven.

In this recent blog post Bob also shares some insights into International Living and the recent price hikes in Panama City Real Estate. Take special note of Bob's comments, "the big downer in Panama at the moment is the upward spiral of real estate prices, mainly in condo-saturated Panama City." and, "There are still many good bargains in beach front and mountain properties away from the city, but you have to be careful and do your shopping."

Bob praises the strengths of Panama and also comments on the difference between a simple retirement destination vs one which can provide the added benefits of asset protection and tax savings. You may be thinking, I don't have enough money to worry about that. This stuff is just for the big cats with loads of cash. I encourage you think, read Bob's blog and think again. In todays volatile world we all need to be thinking asset projection and looking for ways to save taxes. 'cause it ain't gonna get better anytime soon!

To Learn About Panama and how this safe haven could be a very smart investment sign up for our Free 'Letters from Panama'.

Cheapest Places to Live

2007-09-13T10:36:00.001-07:00

On search for the cheapest places to live my wife and I settled on Panama. We discovered there are so many nuances which make for a cheap place to live. It’s not just about house prices or the price of gas. It’s all about what motivates you to spend money and how you spend the money you have. In Panama we found we could live on a small fraction of what we lived on in Canada and all without sacrificing a thing. In fact, during our Panama retirement we found we were truly living like royalty. Fresh fruits and veggies are so much more flavourful and healthy than the ‘manufactured’ food we pay a fortune for in America. We dine out on gourmet fare – fresh fish and fine wine for under $25 - and thats for two! Then there are the tax benefits and the great discounts which come with a ‘Pensionado’ Visa. And you don’t even need to be retirement age to get one!

See more progress on: Find the Cheapest Places to Live

A Panama Retirement at 18!

2007-09-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

Did you know Panama is one of the Cheapest Places to Live because you can become a Pensioner at 18 years of age? It's true. Foreigners can apply for the 'Pensionado' Visa as long as they are at least 18 years old. You have to prove you have a monthly income of just $500 to get the visa. Once you have it you get all kinds of incentives and discounts on just about everything! It really helps make Panama a a Cheap Place to Live.

Another cool part of this visa and living in Panama is that you can still run your own business. Due to the tax laws in Panama you can run a business as long as no income is derived on Panamanian soil. You may be thinking, Huh? What it means is you can't own a typical business but you can have a virtual business. Internet based businesses are ideal because the income comes from all over the world. You can save even more by taking advantage of Panama's extensive offshore banking community.

I encourage you to take some time and Learn About Panama. It may just open up a world of possibilities for you like it did for em.

P.S. I'll pass on more details about the Pensionado Visa in my next post.

Cheapest Places to Live

2007-08-31T10:37:00.000-07:00

Frugal vs Cheap

I've always been frugal - but not cheap. In fact my friends describe me as being quite generous. So, why would I be so interested in finding the Cheapest Places to Live?

In Search of Cheap Places to Live

Well post 9/11 my wife and I became very interested in what was going on outside our country. After just a little research it become very apparent that there are many cheap places to live without losing any of the comforts of home. Really? Most people think everywhere outside North America offers a sub-standard quality of life and a lower standard of living. It's simply not true. We are fed the myth that the '3rd World' exists everywhere else but North America.

Behave and Pay Your Taxes

I learned early on that one of the biggest perpetrators of this myth is our own government. What would happen if all of a sudden people woke up and realized they could have twice the lifestyle for half the taxes or in some cases no taxes in other parts of the world? How about quality Health care for a fraction of the price? Housing, groceries, entertainment all for far less!

Discovering our Piece of Paradise

Although our initial research led us far and wide - from the United States to Australia, Europe and even Africa - we kept returning to Latin America. It seemed there were some exciting things happening in this part of the world and the benefit of staying a little closer to family and friends was apparent. One country in particular which kept showing up on our radar was Panama. We really knew very little about this little country. Have you noticed how the media does an amazing job of presenting us with 'shock and awe' and interestingly buries the follow up story in the back pages. In the case of Panama our most recent memory was of a drug crazed Noriega led dictatorship. He was removed in the 70's but what of Panama now?

To Know and Not To Do is Not to Know

Spending weeks and months on the internet or buried in books certainly offers an amount of intellectual understanding but for me the only true way to 'know' something is to experience it. So, in January 2003 my wife and I packed up our suitcases and two young sons and headed off to explore what was purported to be one of the cheapest places to live and what we discovered to be the best place to retire.

The Rest of the Story

In future posts I am going to share our real life experiences and practical research to unveil if Panama truly is one of the cheapest places to live in the world.

If you want the full story about our Panama travels you may want to check out our website and sign up for our free newsletter at LearnAboutPanama.