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| Which Panama City Neighborhood? |
2008-03-06 08:10:00 |
Panama City, Panama is an interesting place, to be sure. It is not your typical "circle shaped" metropolis. Instead it meanders around the Bay of Panama and across the Panama Canal. This makes for pockets of densely populated areas towards the water and original sections of the city, and wide-open spaces of water or land in between newer areas pushing inland. Actually, there are 59 protected nature reserves in the whole country. The Metropolitan National Park in the heart of Panama City [comprising around 295 hectares of protected land] is a renowned bird watching paradise. But if you are not into our feathered friends, or any kind of nature walks for that matter, you might at least appreciate the variety the city`s landscape has to offer.
 Other than the protected land and ocean, the other geographical issue affecting the shape of Panama City´s urban spread is the abundance of small mountains. Though quickly disappearing, there is still no shortage to the green mountains that dot Panama City. Communities are built on or around them. Sometimes the construction gurus bring in the heavy equipment and simply remove the offending topographic inconvenience. I hate to see mountains and greenery disappear, but I suppose it is a matter of course in a growing capital city such as this.
In the Bay of Panama itself there has recently been some `reclaimed land` construction. Though a relatively new occurrence, I have no doubts such building will continue as the demand for high-end housing in this prestigious quarter of the city continues to rise. Sadly, it also means people who bought a gorgeous view a few years ago will soon find themselves nose-to-nose with their new neighbor`s laundry room window.
In most places in the world, neighborhoods vary according to prestige, size of property, and nearby amenities. The same is true for Panama. You have your older sections of town, which include the more downtrodden section of the population, as well as the nicer houses that have been preserved for generations. Most residential areas are teeming with trees and greenery. Newer areas are somewhat better planned than others, and therefore are better organized and have better amenities. However, it is important to remember that Panama City is very small. Wherever you choose to live, you are rarely far from anything you could need - be it medical care or supermarkets. Below is an overview of neighborhoods you might be interested in looking at when buying a home.
Punta Paitilla
Paitilla is considered one of the most upscale areas of the city. Its high-end properties are a testimony to this, especially the newer construction projects that are springing up. These in particular are being built with space, view and luxury in mind. There are many ocean-front condos and homes, taking advantage of the peninsula Paitilla perches on. You will find many wealthy Panamanian families have chosen to live in Paitilla, including two former Panamanian Presidents.
Also in the area is a large, popular synagogue. It follows, then, that there is a large Jewish population. No surprise - Paitilla is home to the Kosher Deli, which happens to be the largest kosher emporium outside of Israel. Paitilla includes several other commercial conveniences, including: restaurants, MultiCentro Mall, the locally-famous Arrocha pharmacy, as well as two hotels and a casino.
The downsides to this up market location mostly involve traffic. It can become very congested, and the planning of the roads [as well as residential construction] can cause some serious bottle-neck traffic. This translates to limited access and difficult exits during rush hour.
An unusual downside to such a wealthy area is the smell. The smell? Yes, I said smell. The ocean-front that creates such wonderful views also creates a distinct smell, though usually at certain times of the day. To be fair, it is said you cannot generally smell this offending aroma above the 7th or 8th floors.
There has been talk of cleaning the Bay for many years, and finally the government has awarded the project to a Japanese company. This cleanup project is no small deal, either. It is being funded by the IDB [
Inter-American Development Bank] for over $140 million. Two sewage treatment plants are currently being built. Once online, only treated sewage [otherwise known as "gray water"] will be pumped into the Bay. After that it will only be around two years before the current pollution is all flushed [ha, ha] out by the natural tide movements. It is said that in four to five years, the Bay will actually be fit for swimming again.
Punta Pacifica
Not far from Paitilla, in fact so close some consider it one and the same, is the wonderful Punta Pacifica. Built on the site of the former domestic airport, it now is home to the prestigious Multi Plaza Pacifica Mall. Multi Plaza includes a hotel, dozens of high-end stores, everything from Mont Blanc to Tommy Hilfiger, and several popular restaurants. Next door to the mall is the internationally-prestigious Hospital Punta Pacifica; the only hospital in the entire Latin American and Caribbean region to be affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. The area includes several tall office buildings, and other commercial interests, not least of these the coming Trump Ocean Club. You just know an area is booming when Trump moves in!
In terms of residential properties, almost all of this area is newly developed. There are very few single-family homes to be found, but they are available. More favored are luxurious high-rise condos with almost every amenity you can think of.
As popular as Punta Pacifica is becoming for living and simply shopping, access is becoming limited. And still, there are more high-density projects currently in construction or planning. Some would say it is such a nice area that it`s worth suffering a little traffic.
Marbella - Bella Vista
If Punta Pacifica is to the left of Paitilla, Marbella and Bella Vista are to the right. Okay, it`s not that simple since the city snakes around the Bay, but it`s a pretty fair description! Marbella is almost synonymous with Bella Vista, though some consider them distinctly different. If I had to choose, I would say Bella Vista is an older, formerly wealthy part of town that is still trying to hang on to its heyday. The nicer parts of it seem to overlap or entwine with what is known as Marbella, so perhaps that explains the meshing of names. Regardless, these areas are known to be upper-crust.
Yes, another wealthy residential and commercial district. There are the usual office buildings, banks, ocean-front condos and the like...but it interjects these with many very nice [and often very large] family homes, some of which have been around for many a decade.
Despite the relatively homey surroundings of this area, you find here the hub of Panama City`s nightlife. There is one square block where virtually all the best restaurants and clubs can be found. What can not be found is parking! Marbella is another well-known traffic trap, and most city dwellers will avoid it if they can.
La Cresta
Even though there are many hill communities in the greater metropolis, it is somewhat rare to find one in the heart of Panama City. La Cresta is just that. This elevation gives some stunning views both of the city and ocean, in almost any direction. This area is described as an upper-middle to upper-class residential area. It mainly consists of older condos and houses, spaced fairly close together.
Being a bit of a pretty [as opposed to "sore"] thumb in the middle of the city, it is not overly prone to traffic congestion. Some would say it is fairly convenient due to its nearness to the main vein of Via Espana and its proximity to an entrance of the toll highway known as Corredor Norte.
San Francisco
My boss suggested that there is merely "growing" traffic in this pleasant and aging part of town....but I cannot tell a lie, it`s not growing, it`s just as bad as everywhere else! To be fair, I do drive through it virtually every day. It is not as bad as some places in town, but it is bad. Even the nearby toll highway "Corredur Sur" is famous for its massive morning traffic jams, and it was built to help relieve traffic congestion!
In San Francisco you find many large, clearly expensive homes. And yet you will also find a tiny, neglected old house and everything in between. Maybe this is why I consider it one of the most interesting parts of town, as I like the visual variety. But I also like greenery so maybe it`s the fact there are still so many nice green lawns to behold, or the centerpiece - Park Omar. This public park is not large by most standards, but with a perimeter of about 5km, it is nothing to sniff at.
Originally a golf course, former President [and biological father of the current president Omar Torrijos] reclaimed this land and gave it to his people. It is a nice, open, green space where families go for picnics, and the health conscious go for daily jogs or walks. It`s the jewel of an area steeped in history.
Though, yes, it is an older part of town, there is a lot of new development to be found in San Francisco. It`s questionable, at least by people who know of such things, whether the infrastructure has the capacity to sustain it all. Nevertheless, build they must. High-rise condos with stunning ocean views are quickly eating up the single-family dwellings of the past. The Sheraton Hotel, across the street from the Atlapa Convention Center, has recently been refurbished. Everything, it seems, is being renewed and redone in the name of progress and demand. Still, San Francisco remains a rather nice area of the city.
Obarrio
Practically kitty-corner to Marbella is the esteemed Obarrio. It consists of middle to upper-class residences and businesses. Other than the traffic, which is congested most of the day, it is a pleasant area. The buildings are mainly low to mid-rise and somewhat older, but there are several single-family dwellings. Obarrio is highly commercial to be sure, but is conveniently located downtown, between Calle 50 and Via Espa?a. It has a "must learn" one-way road system that can be tricky, and makes access all the more challenging. There are many popular restaurants and shops to be found, including some lovely jewelry shops. It is also the home to the landmark Sanctuario Church [Iglesia Sanctuario] which is a lovely piece of architecture, whatever your faith.
El Dorado
El Dorado is a mish-mash of commercial, residential and even industrial areas. Fed by a road locally named Tumba Muerto [actually called Via Ricardo J. Alfaro], there are a few factories hidden amongst the hilly, residential areas. To my knowledge these are not noisy or overly polluting factories, though sometimes the transit trucks can get in the way of traffic flow.
Speaking of traffic in this area, El Dorado has an ebb and flow like any other place in Panama - normally related to rush hour times. However, road works, pay days and shopping seasons [holidays such as Valentine`s Day or Christmas] make it much worse. It`s a touch and go situation. Sometimes you can expect mega-traffic and drive on through in a flash...others you find yourself within the same 30 feet for 20 minutes. It`s definitely worth learning the back-road short cuts to your destination. This includes the best routes to and from the Corredor Norte, conveniently located behind El Dorado, with two exits and entrances to choose from.
The houses are of mixed size and classification. There are small bungalows, three-floor duplexes, newer high-rise [and high-end] apartments, and everything in between. Some properties, no matter the class, have lovely views of the city. You can even get an ocean view if you look hard enough. It is a nice, safe and quiet area. Saying that, there are some gated communities springing up.
Commercially, the center of it all is the SuperCentro Dorado, a low-end plaza. I suppose it is officially a mall, but anywhere without air conditioning is a plaza to me! Such is the main, older section of the mall. This commercial center has been steadily changing, recently adding two casinos and a newer [and thankfully well-air conditioned] section that includes a rather nice food floor. Frankly, it`s nothing compared to the main two malls of Panama City - namely Albrook Mall and Multi Plaza - but it is worth a look. What it lacks in high-end stores it makes up for in variety. In fact that probably sums up El Dorado pretty well!
Costa del Este
This is a very new section of Panama City. It juts off from Panama, somewhat between Tocumen International Airport and Panama City. It contains many gated communities, mostly luxurious single-family homes, town houses and condos. There are many new apartment projects in the works. Their location ensures fantastic ocean and city views.
Costa del Este is almost like another world, though so near to downtown Panama. Perhaps because it is so new, the improvement in the urban planning is clear: plenty of green, open spaces; wide roadways; schools and amenities. There are a couple office parks, but these you will find to be quite unobtrusive.
All in all, this area has a great reputation. But.....[you knew it was coming!] I hear there is an insect problem. Due to its proximity to water both fresh and salty, I would guess the offending creatures are of the biting kind. But, where there are bugs there are birds and, personally, I love birdsong. Some mosquito screening and bug repellent...you probably won`t notice the insects.
And now, to traffic. You can use the main free roads, but a lot of people prefer to use the adjacent Corredor Sur. Sadly this toll-highway was not built to accommodate rush hour traffic. You might find it is more of a hassle than a help until they make the necessary improvements.
El Cangrejo
I couldn`t tell you why this area is named "the crab". I have never noticed an abundance of seafood. It is a relatively unremarkable neighborhood sitting between El Dorado and Via Espana. An incredibly convenient area, it`s close to all necessary amenities, as well as the main centers of nightlife. It has several hotels, universities [both private and the National], casinos, cafes and restaurants. NY Bagel Cafe is alleged to have the best bagels in the country.
Other than its commercial side, this is a busy, middle to upper-class residential neighborhood with all sizes of buildings, both new and older. While there are a few older houses sprinkled into the mix, many have been or are currently being converted into commercial properties. Some might say this is a shame, but actually it makes for a more interesting area, and preserves [however modestly] the history of the neighborhood.
Via Argentina could be said to be the heart of El Cangrejo. I´d say any road in this neighborhood constitutes a city-center thoroughfare. Thus the near constant congestion! With all the nightlife and other commercial attractions, there is nary a parking space to be found - day or night. I suppose that is why Man invented apartment buildings with parking garages because otherwise you might find living in this area too stressful. In the end, I suppose it depends on what you want. If you are seeking peace and quiet, this might not be the area for you. If you like to be at the center of a bustling city-scene and near every amenity you can think of...it certainly is.
Clayton, Albrook
Just between you and me, if I could choose any part of Panama City to live in, Clayton or Albrook would be it. Perhaps that`s the North American influence working on me. I suppose it is no coincidence, then, that these two neighborhoods were previously Panama Canal "Zone" areas. For those who don`t know, I will explain that that means they used to be part of the U.S. Military Bases. Though initially when these areas reverted back to Panamanian control, much of it was protected [and promised never to be sold] by ARI [Autoridad de la Region Interoceanica]; they have steadily been auctioned off, rebuilt and resold, or resold and rebuilt. In fact, ARI has now been dissolved and the area is under the control of the MEF, Ministerio de Economia y Finanzas. Regardless, the area is stunning. So far there remain huge expanses of open fields and forest. There are children`s playgrounds at regular intervals. You will often see wild deer in you backyard. It is a lovely area to visit, let alone live.
The houses in the original Zone lots are much better [as in wider] spaced apart than the new developments. Some of the remodeled houses are very beautiful, and large. It is still possible, though rare, to buy an original Base house and remodel it however you would like - at a very reasonable price. However, if remodeling [which has its own challenges, believe me] is not your cup of tea, there are many new and often gated developments to choose from. These include high rises, low rises, town houses, condos and single-family housing projects.
Not only is it a beautiful and growing area of the city, it`s surprisingly convenient. There are several easy-access points, including that of the Corredor Norte. It is a short drive from the fabulous Albrook Mall. There´s a new and ever-expanding commercial center with an
El Rey supermarket,
Arrocha pharmacy, and even
Dunkin Donuts [mmmmm]. There are a couple schools [including Balboa Academy], Florida State University, Panama; as well as the illustrious City of Knowledge which, amongst other things, hosts the local UN and UNICEF offices. And let`s not forget it is the new location of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate.
If all that weren´t enough, Clayton and Albrook are close to Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal, and the Marcos Gelabret Domestic Airport. Of course Albrook Mall includes the Gran Terminal Bus Station, so from virtually one location you can hop a bus, ship or plane! These areas would seem to have it all, space, nice housing, shopping, and transportation.
As with all these neighborhoods, you will just have to come see for yourself. I can`t imagine anyone buying a property sight unseen, so no doubt you will explore all these areas and pick your favorite. To get the whole picture, try to visit your prospective Panama property at various times of day. This way you won t have any surprises later, be it barking dogs, rush hour or party-time neighbors!
Whichever neighborhood you choose, you are never too far from anything. Yet, you can easily appear to live well outside Panama City and avoid the hustle and bustle if that is your wish. And there´s no need to take on the house-hunting task alone...We can help you, whatever kind of dwelling or location you desire. Let us guide you to your perfect property.
Think Panama!
For All your Panama Neighborhoods, Panama Lifestyle, Panama Travel or Panama Real Estate needs, contact
Douglas M. Choy at
ThinkPanama.com. They will be happy to provide any guidance and information you may need.
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