I feel good in being able to actually contribute to a topic in this most excellent forum.
I am defiantely not an expert on Panama, but spent some time down that way recently. Like yourselves..looking for a cheaper and better way. I was VERY impressed.
The majority of my time was spent in and around the city itself. An absolute fabulous place with a drop-dead gorgeous skyline. Think little Hong Kong. Panama city is not 3rd world...far from it. The tapwater is the best I've ever had and while challenging, I could drive there (I live in Honolulu).
The condos on that link are all very nice. Punta Paitilla (sp?) is the upper end and while a very nice area...probably over priced at this time. Some of the other cheaper condos offer similiar qualities...but you have to be careful. The bay is a cess pool. It stinks like the streets of Bangkok. If you were to look at one of these (random) condos on a day that the wind was lite, you may not realise that you would be gagging soon after moving in. Definately a problem Panama needs to solve...and I am sure they will.
I would consider the city a 5 for safety on a scale f 1-10. I would give it a better rating if I spoke spanish. My fault but the fact remains that lack of familiarity adds risk. The casinos suck. I know my way around a casino....and unless you are playing a) alone B) with one dollar bills C) out of your mind...do not play cards in Panama casinos. Their un-ethical tactics are some of the sloppiest I've ever seen. Enough about that.
Some areas, like all major cities, are more dangerous than others. The downtown is fine and the Amador causeway is awesome. An area called (I beleive) El Chorillo is worse than the worst projects you've ever seen. And much bigger. One thing i noticed...or missed, is a lack of organized gangs. I had the feeling thatif anything were to happen to me...it would be random and not an organized or hate thing. That was comforting.
The weather was quite pleasant compared to my other shopping grounds like Viet Nam, Thailand, etc....but like those countries, if I maybe so bold, the women are stunning...especially the columbianas.....I mean, if that's your thing.
Being from Hawaii, I was less than impressed with Coronado and other beaches. but I have felt this way around the world. hard to beat Hawaii's beaches...and if I wasn't so spoiled, I probably consider them quite nice (?).
I had hoped it would be cheaper. Certainly not as cheap as Thailand but probably half of Hawaii. Again, i remained close to the city and seldom shop for value (though I now must start). Depite the stench of the bay....it is pretty clean overall. There is a wonderful, almost constant breeze that keeps the sky clear.
Needless to say it is a very historical place. One can get lost looking at the many ruins and the area of Casco Viejo is charming by day....but one must keep their wits about them at nite. I had no problems and Ruben Blades lives there. There is many great eateries and fantastic vistas.
I grew up in a boxing family and boxed for 9 years. Roberto Duran was my hero and I got to spend a couple days with him and his family while there. One of the highlites of my life. i will definately return to Panama. When you go...(not "if" because you deserve to go), take some spanish with you. I was able to getby....but mytrip would have been 10 x better knowing the language.
BTW....the people were all incredibly hospitible. One of the few places i've been where being an American was actually a good thing. There were signs, much to my embarassment, that stated:
AMERICANS; ALL YOU CAN EAT, ALL YOU CAN DRINK, ALL NIGHT LONG $20.00
I would like to hear more from the OP because it was the high prices of houses and condos that spooked me off. I would prefer Panama over Thailand mostly because of the poximity to the states and the better weather. Also, panama is #2 in the world behind Switzerland in banking. I would feel wayyyy more comfortable investing there. They do not want ANY bad press scaring away BIG business. Put the days of Noriega behind you...Panama has...and wants to prove it.
