Panama Is #1…But It’s Not Always Best

Jan. 16, 2012, Panama City, Panama: Panama remains the world’s top retirement haven, but Ecuador is one of the world’s cheapest places to retire, and Medellin, Colombia, is a better good weather retirement choice.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

We say (and we believe we're right, based on long experience with this stuff) that Panama remains the world's top retirement haven. That is, in this New Year 2012, Panama is the best place to think about living or retiring overseas...as it has been for the past half-dozen years at least.

However, that is not to say that Panama is the world's best place for all things for all people. For example:

Ecuador is cheaper.

Speaking in round numbers, it'll cost a retired couple US$2,000 per month, including rent, to live comfortably in Panama City or about US$1,100 a month, again, including rent, to live in Las Tablas (our preferred budget destination in this country).

But Isn’t It Expensive To Live There?

Jan. 15, 2012, Panama City, Panama: Cost of living in retirement is a relative, highly controllable idea that depends greatly on how you decide to live in retirement.

Also This Week: Why Would An American Want To Leave The United States?...Medellin Versus Panama City—Two Top 2012 Havens Compared…Three Best Colonial Cities In Colombia Compared…

Dear Overseas Opportunity Letter Reader,

"But I'd think that France would be more expensive," remarked my interviewer Friday afternoon.

"More expensive than what?" I had to ask.

Few things in this world are absolutely expensive. Most things are only relatively so, compared with something else.

The gentleman interviewing me on Friday for the book he's writing was wondering about the reasons an American would think about leaving the United States and living or retiring overseas. Cost, I explained, is a big motivator...the need to escape a high cost of living and the desire to go in search of a more affordable one.

One Foreign Property Market Where You Can Borrow To Buy

Jan. 13, 2012, Penonome, Panama: Panama is one of the few markets in Latin America where it is not only possible but also relatively straightforward for a foreigner to arrange local bank financing for the purchase of property.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

Kathleen and I are considering a further real estate investment in Panama. Specifically, we're thinking of buying a house in Panama City that could work for our office here long term. So we're looking at financing options.

Panama is one country where a foreigner can get a local bank mortgage for the purchase of real estate, even as a non-resident.

The question you have to ask is whether or not you want one. Is a Panama mortgage worth the cost and effort?

Medellin Versus Panama City—Two Top 2012 Havens Compared

Jan. 12, 2012, Medellin, Colombia: Medellin, Colombia, and Panama City, Panama, are two of the world’s top overseas retirement havens.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

In the spirit of our New Year's comparative analysis agenda, let's look today at Medellin, Colombia, versus Panama City. Panama City is my current home base, the headquarters for our Live and Invest Overseas business, and a long-standing top retire-overseas choice. Medellin is an emerging option that has captured my attention completely over the past 18 months.

In many ways, these two places are the retirement haven yin and yang of each other.

Arriving in Panama City, you recognize instantly that this town is open for business, pushing for growth, and embracing prosperity. Your heart rate quickens, and your mind works quicker, too, trying to keep up with the commotion all around.

Three Best Colonial Cities In Colombia Compared

Jan. 11, 2012, Cartagena, Colombia: Colombia boasts many beautiful, pleasant, and historic colonial cities, including Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Popayán, each very different but all appealing retire overseas options.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

"There's almost never any debate, when the subject comes up, over which is the finest colonial city in Colombia," writes Latin America Correspondent Lee Harrison. "Nine out of ten people will tell you it's Cartagena...and with good reason. But in my travels around the country, I've come across some small but quite-vocal pockets of disagreement on this point. And the dissenters make a good case.

"This is because there are several colonial cities that could be considered 'best in class,' each in its own way--including Cartagena, yes, but also including Santa Marta (also on the Caribbean) and Popayán, in Colombia's southern mountains.

"Cartagena is clearly one of the world's treasures. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's one of the few remaining walled cities in the world.