| Ever dreamed of owning a foreign vacation home, | | | | THE NEW FLORIDA?Inexpensive real estate, a low |
| living or retiring in an exotic land? You're not alone. An | | | | cost of living, breathtaking scenery and First-world |
| ever increasing number of Americans and Europeans | | | | perks should put Panama at the top of your list if |
| are being lured abroad by a lower cost of living and | | | | you're considering living or retiring abroad.Home to |
| higher quality of life. Some are returning to their | | | | Central America's most vibrant and attractive capital |
| ancestral countries or to places where they once | | | | (Panama City), Panama is slightly larger than the state |
| vacationed, worked or studied. Others are being | | | | of Florida. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the |
| enticed by generous retiree perks and attractive tax | | | | Pacific Ocean, it is one of those places that can |
| incentives. Outside of reading about it, you probably | | | | seduce you through its sheer natural beauty. The |
| have never given the notion any serious thought. | | | | seemingly endless stretches of picturesque coastline, |
| These three beautiful and affordable slices of paradise | | | | lush green valleys, near-perfect weather and friendly |
| could change your mind.NOVA SCOTIA: THE HIDDEN | | | | people make it one of the most livable places in the |
| GEMNot all expatriate destinations are created equal. If | | | | world. If you like Florida and the Caribbean, you'll love |
| you're on a budget, tired of crowded beaches and | | | | Panama.Outside of its scenic charms, Panama is one |
| packed supermarkets, love seafood, and have a | | | | of the best places anywhere for expatriate and |
| 19th-century mindset, you may want to consider Nova | | | | retirees today, offering one of the world's best |
| Scotia, the Canadian province which is becoming one | | | | discount programs for retirees. AARP rated Panama |
| of the most sought after vacation home and | | | | "the fourth best retirement place in the world." When |
| retirement havens in North America.Nova Scotia is | | | | stacked up against traditional Latin American |
| beautiful. With some of the world's most beautiful | | | | retirement havens such as Mexico, Costa Rica and |
| scenery, it boasts something for every taste: historic | | | | the Dominican Republic, Panama has more amenities, |
| small towns, picture-perfect countryside, and a bustling | | | | lower costs, and less crime, red tape and government |
| capital with attractive suburbs, not to mention 3,600 | | | | interference.In addition, Panama has put together an |
| miles of enchanting coastline dotted with charming | | | | impressive list of incentives to attract newcomers, |
| fishing villages, inexpensive lots to build on, and | | | | including:Expatriates who buy or build a new home pay |
| opportunities for outdoor recreation of virtually every | | | | no property taxes for 20 years.No taxes on |
| type. Deeply steeped in Scottish, Irish and Acadian | | | | foreign-earned income (Social Security, pensions or |
| (creole) heritage, the province feels like New England | | | | business profits).Investments in the tourism industry are |
| 100 years ago, and the entire province's population is | | | | exempt from import duties, construction materials and |
| less than one million so the place is anything but | | | | equipment costs, and income, real estate and other |
| crowded.But that's not all. With government-funded | | | | taxes for a period of 20 years.The pensionado |
| healthcare, comfortable spring and summer | | | | (retiree) programYou don't need to be retired to qualify |
| temperatures (with milder and less snowy winters than | | | | for the program (anyone over 18 may apply for |
| many northern U.S. states) and real estate prices | | | | benefits). The only requirement is a guaranteed income |
| considerably lower than anything on the coast in the | | | | of $500 per month ($600 for a couple). It must be a |
| United States, Nova Scotia is well worth considering. | | | | pension from a company or government agency (e.g. |
| The growing American and European expat population | | | | Social Security, disability, military pay, etc.). After |
| obviously agrees.For Sale: Your own slice of the | | | | becoming a Panamanian resident "pensioner," you are |
| breathtaking coastline and tens of thousands of acres | | | | immediately eligible for the most comprehensive |
| of quaint countryside at unbelievably low prices. Live | | | | program of expatriate benefits in the world, including |
| like a prince in a peaceful and private haven. Enjoy | | | | discounts on everything from doctor's visits and |
| universal healthcare, friendly people and Cuban cigars | | | | mortgage closing costs to restaurant meals and |
| (they're legal here). All this in a pristine, under-developed | | | | entertainment (movies, theaters, concerts, sporting |
| storybook setting. But hurry...the word is out now | | | | events, etc.). |
| (you're not the only one reading this article).PANAMA: | | | | |