Panama versus Argentina

[bigbadwolf]

A while back someone submitted a post on Panama. Was it Chris? Or was it Sergio? One of these two gentlemen, I think. So I've decided to make a two-week trip in August to see whether the streets there really are paved with gold. In the meantime, I've found an interesting site which is quite candid about the situation there:
http://www.noriegaville.com/panafaq.php
Folks, I have the sinking feeling that Argentina is about as good as it gets in Latin America.

 

[bigbadwolf]

A couple more pieces on Panama from those intrepid souls who think the grass is greener on the other side:
1 and 2

 

[Grazie]

Hi, BBW. That would be me, Grazie. I was the one that posted the original Panama thread. I did so because of an elderly couple that I knew who went there and liked what they saw - and they did the Argentina comparison as well. I guess it is always a case of to each his own. They liked it and you didn't, I can respect that.
But at least an alternative is in the horizon should the noise get really unbearable in Argentina and prices get even sky rocketing higher, people are wise, they will know where to go when the right time comes.
Panama is where the elderly couple live now and they seem to like it. California was just too expensive for them to retire in. But thank you for keeping us well informed on other perspective of the Panama issue. You are as always a very good source of info. Good to see you posting here again.

 

[syngirl]

LMAO at the 13 ways to be a Panamanian...
The fact is, wherever expats go it's not like home. And there's reasons why it's the more expensive / uncorrupted / predictable countries that always hit the top few places to live...
Here's a pregunta -- for those of you that are looking to move away and retire -- why not New Zealand? I think their dollar's dropping again, it's usually around 65 cents to the USD. It's a beautiful country, lovely weather, not too many people to deal with in general. If you're on the west coast of the US it's just as far to Auckland as it is to Buenos Aires, if not closer (12 hrs from LAX). No language problems (well, ok, some language problems, but nothing like english - castellano
For those of you on the lookout for places, check out escapeartist.com. You'll see that you're not the only one doing it and that every few years a new place becomes the trend (ie remember when everyone was heading to Prague? These days BA seems to have hit it big with Americans fresh out of college who somehow have the crazy idea they can get decent jobs here...)
For retirees it's been more the Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Argentina circuit for Americans and the Malta, Spain, Greece, Turkey area for the Brits. Germans and Danes hit Spain / Portugal / Malta, French do Morocco / Tunisia, Japanese = Hawaii, Aussies / Kiwis = Islands in the S.P.
We should get together and try and figure out the next big place -- we can be the first to build some residences and drum up the business and then sell out at the peak and move on...

 

[bigbadwolf]

Hi, BBW. That would be me, Grazie. I was the one that posted the original Panama thread. I did so because of an elderly couple that I knew who went there and liked what they saw - and they did the Argentina comparison as well. I guess it is always a case of to each his own. They liked it and you didn't, I can respect that.

I'm not saying I don't like it, Grazie: I haven't visited the place yet. Ask me again in 6 weeks' time, though I think two weeks' worth of experience would be way to slender to form the basis of an informed opinion.
I do feel Argentina is maligned way too much on this forum, considering the alternatives in Latin America are probably no better and frequently quite a bit worse.

 

[danc]

Panama is definately exploding. I have residences in Seattle and BA and my goal was to find something in the middle to break up the trips. I went there last July and saw about as many construction projects in progress as in Shanghai in the mid 90's, it is truely impressive. My friends who decided to punt on Panama, made money and got out. I was looking for something a little more long term and less chaotic, Panama City was not for me, at least in its present state. 10 years from now it could be wonderful, but for now i was not interested. I plan to have a looksy at Nicaragua next. Land north of punta del este is interesting as well....

 

[Granadaiscool]

What do you do in wintertime in Punta?
Panama is a big hub, it shouldn´t be to difficult and expensive to explore Central and South America from there

 

[mcaffa]

Wintertime in Punta is great if you are looking for a little rest and relaxation. I'd enjoy the fact that the city is not overflowing with tons of tourists, like in the summer. You can check out the stores, boutiques and restaurants at your own pace, without having to battle the crowds. The Conrad Hotel and Casino tends to have lots of year-round events and concerts too.
Instead of going to Punta, I would rather advise one to head to the Uruguayan interior instead and rent a nice chacra. There you can enjoy the countryside, make great asados and stay warm with the help of mate or a couple glasses (or bottles!) of Tannat.

 

[Granadaiscool]

Wintertime in Punta is great if you are looking for a little rest and relaxation. I'd enjoy the fact that the city is not overflowing with tons of tourists, like in the summer. You can check out the stores, boutiques and restaurants at your own pace, without having to battle the crowds. The Conrad Hotel and Casino tends to have lots of year-round events and concerts too.
Instead of going to Punta, I would rather advise one to head to the Uruguayan interior instead and rent a nice chacra. There you can enjoy the countryside, make great asados and stay warm with the help of mate or a couple glasses (or bottles!) of Tannat.

I would probally be bored to hell in wintertime in Punta.
I heard from a guy who has lived in Uruguay for 5 years that there are some good bars, but I didn´t see them. The guy also think it´s good to go out in MVD all day, and that is definitly not that way(in BA neither)