International Living Community

jramesch

Hi Lisa,
Sounds like you've yet to complete your application process but please do come back and post about the experience once you've gotten your residency and ID card.
Best of luck with all your Panama plans.
Regards,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

jramesch

Thanks Doug, I'll add that Casco is romantic, beautiful, and fun, but it's also pricey by local standards and filled with tourists and revelers, so it's worth booking a longer stay to see how you feel... some expats adore it and don't mind the tourists while others prefer to visit often but live elsewhere. Happy exploring...

jramesch

Hi Jonathan,

Though it's true that Coronado may not look like much on the surface, the below summary and below linked article can perhaps give you a better idea regarding why so many expats from the US, Canada, France, and beyond dug in and chose to stay.

That said, if it didn't grab your heart, we get it. There are plenty other places with nice beaches and happy expats, so keep reading and find the perfect one to suit your needs and wants... everyone is different, and what a wonderful world it is, with so many great options listed right here in the pages of International Living.

Summing Up Coronado:

There's pretty much nowhere else in the world you can find such affordable property in a place that's also convenient with excellent supermarkets/restaurants, home improvement shops, and pretty much every other service, plus golf, pickleball, etc., and:

close to a true cosmopolitan world capital (Coronado is a 1.5 hour drive from Panama City, the only such city in Central America. The drive is along a stellar stretch of the recently expanded... again... PanAmerican Highway)
close to the region's best and busiest airport hub (the Hub of the Americas in Panama City, aka Tocumen International Airport)
close to more than a few of the region's best hospitals (including the John's Hopkins International affiliate, Pacífica Salud, with two locations in Panama City, and the prestigious JCI accredited San Fernando, with a hospital in Panama City and a satellite in Coronado)
A 45-minute drive from 2 cool-weather mountain towns with hiking, hot springs, and more.
On a warm, tropical ocean (the Tropical Pacific)
But completely outside the hurricane zone
Sunny all year
But without extreme weather
Friendly and welcoming locals
Large (active, well-established) English-speaking expat community
Pristine secluded beach (generally no hawkers/tourist groups, uncrowded, clean)
Plus in a desirable country (relatively safe, politically stable, US dollar, diversified strong economy even without the canal), wealthiest in Latam (ranks among top for best infrastructure, internet, cell service, salaries), low taxes (from "big ones" like property taxes to the "they add up" ones like taxes and markups on luxury items like wine and fine imported foods... try buying a car or bottle of wine elsewhere in Central America and you'll understand), close to the US (3 hour flight from Miami), same time zone as much of the US and Canada...

First-time visitors may not be impressed with Coronado’s meandering lanes. Unlike the colonial towns that dot the countryside, Coronado doesn’t have a main plaza set in the center of an orderly grid. Not all of the roads are well-paved, and houses run the gamut. You’ll see humble little cottages, mansions on grand fincas (large plots of land), and everything in-between. There’s a security gate between the commercial and residential area, but most visitors’ cars are waved through with little ceremony.

But don’t be deceived by Coronado’s unassuming appearance. Many of Panama’s wealthy families have homes here, and the full-time expat community is extremely friendly and welcoming. Over the past decade, Coronado has grown into this region’s most convenient hub and arguably the most convenient "have it all" beach retirement destination in Central America.

https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/june_2022/4063847/

I'll just repeat this here again, because it's worth re-reading:

If Coronado didn't grab your heart, we get it. Once you get all your nuts and bolts info, the decision if you're choosing between two or more equally appealing destinations will often simply be an emotional one (a connection that you simply feel when you get there).

There are plenty other places with nice beaches and happy expats, so keep reading and find the perfect one to suit your needs and wants... everyone is different, and what a wonderful world it is, with so many great options listed right here in the pages of International Living....

Thanks and happy exploring.

Best,

IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

jramesch

Hi Doug, there's a rundown of neighborhoods in the Escape to Panama book (chapter four). If you don't have the book, the neighborhoods I mention as worth checking out include:

1- Ancón: Graced by Ancón Hill, this “Canal Zone” area includes the sectors of
Amador, Clayton, Albrook, and Balboa, to name a few. Filled with family-friendly
neighborhoods and private schools, this is one of Panama’s most expensive,
sought after districts.

2- Greater Bella Vista: Includes major arteries Calle 50, Balboa Avenue (and the
promenades and bike paths of the lovely Cinta Costera, which lead into Casco
Viejo), Via España, Via Argentina, and Federico Boyd. It also includes the sectors
of Bella Vista, El Carmen, Carrasquilla, Obarrio, and El Cangrejo; and perhaps the
most upscale: Paitilla, Punta Pacífica, and Marbella. Filled with restaurants, malls,
and more, this is a trendy, ultra-popular district.

3- San Francisco: Includes main arteries Via Porras, Calle 50, Via Israel (turns
into Balboa Avenue), Avenida Santa Elena; the Omar Park; and the San Francisco
and Coco del Mar sectors. Take the Corredor Sur highway to get from here to
the elite Costa del Este sector, the airport, and more. The bustling San Francisco
district can be loud but it continues to attract new residents with its big park and
many apartment buildings.

There's a lot more detail in the book but nonetheless this is a good list to get you started.

Tours/ground transportation: There are many providers offering road trips, tours (day tours, eco-tours, etc.), ground transportation, airport pickups, trip planning assistance, etc. Here are a few options, and you’ll find more on review websites like TripAdvisor:

• Ancon Expeditions anconexpeditions.com
• Roadrunner Panama panamaroadrunner.com
• Inside Panama transport@insidepma.com
• Namu Travel Group namutravel.com
• (Coronado beach region) Services Coronado servicescoronado.com

Have a great time!

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

estevens

Hi Bart, are you referring to IL's guide on housesitting for luxury homes? If so, you can find it at this link. It looks like we're having some technical issues with the introduction section of that link right now, but if you click on the other sections on the left (such as "What is House and Pet Sitting?") you should be able to access them as long as you're logged into your IL account.

If you were looking for something else, please let me know, and I'll try to help you access it.

estevens

Hi Lloyd! Thanks for reaching out to the IL Community Site. IL has numerous resources you can use to help familiarize yourself with retirement destinations overseas. If you're looking for somewhere relatively close to the US, I'd recommend you check out some of our resources on Belize. You can find a quick overview of the country at this link

jramesch

jramesch

Hi everyone,
How's your day going? I hope you're doing great!
Did you know... you can post photos here too! As you're getting out there and living the life international, don't forget to share & inspire your fellow ILers!
Here's one from me... a photo of the view from my balcony in Panama (I'm STILL pinching myself three years in) and a favorite quote from this month's issue of IL Magazine...truer words...!
How about you? Share a pic from your travels!
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

jramesch

Hi LCURRYTALK2001,
While International Living covers destinations outside of the US and Canada perhaps some of our Canadian readers can weigh in on Vancouver which while lovely is indeed one of the most expensive cities in the world. If you're looking for somewhere beautiful with more affordable real estate and where English is the national language you may want to read our website section on Belize (https://internationalliving.com/countries/belize/).
Or if you're looking for somewhere with similarly seasonal weather you'll find plenty of info on Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Uruguay, and Argentina at the main website www.InternationalLiving.com.
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

jramesch

Hi Michellene,

Indeed you posted to "new member introductions" instead of the General/Destinations thread so we've just discovered your post buried here... but don't worry at all!

The more you use your IL Community Site the more familiar you'll get with it all...glad you're starting the journey with us here!

As for your question, International Living is all about helping you find the "no cold weather" beach destination of your dreams.

The Annual Global Retirement Index can help you rule out countries that don't meet your criteria AND start to develop a short list of the countries that sound right to you.

I recommend starting with our article titled Discover The World’s Best Retirement Climates: Top 6 Countries For 2025, which you'll find here: https://internationalliving.com/the-best-climates-in-the-world/

In there you'll find great info and links to the index and further resources!

We aim to make the research exciting, fun, inspiring, and actionable, so please enjoy every step of the journey.

Happy exploring...

IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

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