A modern, metropolitan city bursting at the seams with hot real estate deals awaits retirees in the form of Panama City, Panama, where 450,000 people work, live, and play. The city is growing in popularity with foreign retirees, businesspeople, and investors, and the reasons may surprise you. Panama has the vitality of other international cities such as San Francisco, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Hong Kong. Here are some reasons why retirement here is a good idea:• The Panamanian economy is thriving and is one of the most stable in Latin America. Because of the constant cash flow generated by industries supported by the Canal, business is thriving and cash is readily available in Panama.• The American dollar is the currency. Panamanians call it the “Balboa,” and retirees are glad they don’t have to deal with conversion tables or new currency.• Panama also boasts a varied climate that would suit any retiree. From miles and miles of dry, windy beaches to hot, sunny lowlands up to the cooler mountain climes of Chiriqui.• The people of Panama are friendly and use to foreigners.• Compared to the United States, life in Panama is relatively inexpensive. Though prices are similar to those in the U.S., the quality of life here is good by any standard. Products from all over the world can be found in Panama City at real market prices, thanks to the Canal.• Panama also has a great discount program for seniors. That’s 50 per cent off just about everything from doctor’s visits to air fares, electricity, theater trips, restaurants, and mortgage rates.• With fiber optic telephone lines and ASDL Internet, communications in Panama City are becoming more and more reliable.• If you speak English, no problémo. English is widely used.• The modern American infrastructure makes Panama City seem like a home away from home. One of the advantages of living in Panama City is that it has the many familiar services and comforts of home.• Panama is as safe as any city its size.• Many real estate opportunities await investors, and you just might find the gem you’re looking for.
Porto Seguro Real Estate – A Dream Come True
Owning a holiday home or living in a quiet coastal town without the rush and pollution of modern cities but with all its conveniences need not be just a dream. You can make that dream come true by finding the property of your choice in the Porto Seguro real estate market.Porto Seguro which is a port city located in the southern coastal area of Bahia will be on the itinerary of most tourists in Brazil.The earliest people to set foot on this land of abundant natural beauty described it as a paradise of beaches, rainforests and colorful cliffs. Things are so unchanged that this description will fit the place very well even today.Location And FeaturesChartered flights from Europe also occasionally operate from this airport. The town is well connected by bus services to the other cities of Brazil and the journey from Salvador will take around 12 hours. It can also be reached by using boat services as well.Porto Seguro is located almost midway between the cities of Salvador and Vitoria, 707 km and 613 km from them respectively. There is an airport at Porto Seguro from which domestic flights operate connecting it to major cities of Brazil.The town is one of Brazil’s oldest tourism destinations with many small hotels, beautiful clean beaches and a pleasant climate throughout the year. The neighboring places like Arraial d’Ajuda and Trancoso are just a short ferry ride away.Arraial d’Ajuda is a nice village with little Portuguese style houses and nice little streets which offer food and shopping opportunities. Arraial gives good relaxation options with a golf course as well as many quiet beaches some of them bounded by high cliffs and vegetation.The pleasant weather along with the relaxed atmosphere is ideal for both Brazilians as well as international tourists who come here for long stays.Porto Seguro is all set to become the largest tourist destination in Bahia and thus real estate in Porto Seguro becomes very attractive both from an investor and a home buyer’s point of view.Porto Seguro, The Starting Point Of Brazil’s HistoryAgriculture which produces a variety of fruits, rubber, coffee and spices has been the main economic activity here. Fishing is the other major economic contributor and now tourism is all set to overtake the others as the driving force of the economy and development.The name Porto Seguro was given by Pedro Cabral, the Portuguese explorer who discovered Brazil and came ashore here. The reason for choosing this place as the landing spot was the peaceful bay with calm waters which he named Porto Seguro (meaning: safe haven).Cabral was very impressed by the beauty of the place and so will anyone today. The clear waters, sandy beaches, dunes, coral reefs with many kinds of fishes, turtles and even a rainforest close by is a testimony to the fact that things have not changed much on the nature front.The city is split into two parts. The upper area is dotted with culturally important monuments while the lower area is the modern part of the city with restaurants, bars and shops.This is the active part of the city and is famous for its shopping opportunities, carnivals and night life with dancing and music all year round. The residents are warm and friendly making everyone feel comfortable and wanting to join the fun.AttractionsThe historic city is the area that has some of the first buildings like houses and churches built by the Portuguese. Here are some of them:• Marco da Posse is a monument that marks the claim of the Portuguese on Brazil. It was brought along by the early explorers.• The museum shows a good example of the architecture of that time.• Igreja da Misericrdia, a church which features an image of Christ on a cross.Porto Seguro Real Estate OptionsApartments range from $56,000 to $140,000 with an average price of $80,000.There are all types of property options like apartments, houses, land and farms. The following information will give an idea about the pricing.Houses will cost anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000 with the average price of $230,000Porto Seguro real estate is very popular with the Brazilians who own close to 90% of the properties here. The government has made sure that development does not convert this place into a concrete jungle by restricting all construction to just two floors.The prices are currently reasonable and though this area has developed quite a lot, there are plenty of opportunities.