So, you´re thinking of leaving your current city. Where to go? Where to go?! What is out there? Will it worth the move? Being 2008... you get online and start researching.

Now you don´t want to go anywhere! When you get online and start researching the cost of living, crime rates and such in cities around the US - it´s pretty terrifying. You might not have known just how bad things are out there. Or, maybe you know exactly how it is "out there", and in your own back yard, and have decided that leaving the US is the only way. Now what? Well, you´ve heard good things about Central America...what about there? And how do you choose which country to pick without visiting each one individually? Let us save you some time and money. The only country worth investigating and ultimately choosing to relocate to is... Panama.

Is Panama Living the Cheapest?

Here are some quotes comparing the cost of living in Panama to other Central American Countries:

• Colombia is cheaper if you don`t mind being an occasional kidnap/robbery victim.
• Honduras is cheaper but there is no infrastructure for medical, phones, Internet, etc.
• Ecuador has little infrastructure but it sure is cheap.
• Belize isn`t so cheap and has little infrastructure.
• Costa Rica is not really cheaper and has a serious crime problem plus there are no longer benefits for e xpats and you would have to pay income tax on your offshore income like retirement, social security etc in Costa Rica.
• Mexico has a serious crime problem with drug gangs executing Mayors and police chiefs their first day in office, and kidnappings are common.

So that brings us back to Panama which is the only country that seems to have it all. - Source: Click Here

What about Miami?

But what if you are not American and really like the idea of living in the U.S? Miami is good, right? Wrong. Here are some statistics:

Miami, Florida Cost of Living Data
The U.S. national average is 100. These are Miami`s ratings:

• Overall: 137
• Food: 107
• Health: 123
• Housing: 190
• Utilities : 105
• Transportation: 110
• Miscellaneous: 105

Source: Sperling s Best Places

The median home value in Miami is currently $614,100. Home appreciation over the last year is 0.67%. It s not looking good for Miami, is it?

Not only is it expensive, violent crime, on a scale from 1 [low crime] to 10, is 7. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The U.S. average is 3. If that weren`t bad enough, property crime, on a scale from 1 [low] to 10, is 7. Property crime includes the offenses of: burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The U.S. average is 3. EEK!

People Who Know

Don`t just take ThinkPanama s word for it...here are some quotes from people who live in Miami.

Miami has lost its "Paradise" appeal. The c ost of living is through the roof. The insurance eats you alive, the traffic is terrible and everyone is stressed out and rude. I was born here and I used to love it, not anymore!! The only thing it`s got going; it has a lot of palm trees; big deal.

Too expensive to buy, rent and live.

You are led to believe that Miami is some sort of tropical paradise, full of beautiful beaches, great nightlife, great women and that Miami is simply bubbling with culture... Miami is no paradise though - in fact, it is about as far from being a "paradise" as you can get.

Source: Best Places

Extreme Climates

Hurricanes affect large portions of the southern U.S. and nearly all Central America. You can`t turn on the news without seeing flooding, destruction and chaos that is the direct result of extreme weather. In fact, the cost of insurance in Miami has skyrocketed, leading many to leave, feeling pushed to breaking point. In fact it is a hot topic in the Florida Legislature. Reality is that the risks of property damage are just too high not to have insurance, or for the insurers [a business, after all] to raise their prices accordingly.

Yet, Not in Panama

Is it the geographical location? The actual shape of the Isthmus? Is Panama charmed or divinely protected in some way? Who can say. Whatever the reason, Panama is free of the weather-woes of other countries in the region. NO EXTREME WEATHER. It is that simple.

Sure, we get rain. If a tropical storm is in the Caribbean gearing up into a Category 4 hurricane, we can tell here in Panama...but only because it is a bit more cloudy and it rains a bit longer!

Not to be flippant, but it is really as if these things just pass us by. There s the odd flood or two, but mostly in poorer areas and/or areas that have not taken proper precautions for the type of land they are building on. There is a tiny landslide or two...but there is yet to be a natural disaster anywhere near the proportions one regularly sees in other Central American countries. Even in the rainy season, the general rule is rain for a few minutes to hours, then glorious sunshine.

Truly, Panama is paradise without the high price of crime, property, insurance, or natural disasters of other countries. You have to wonder why anyone lives anywhere else.

Other Sources:

• About.Com: Miami
• CityRating.Com: Cost of Living
• CityData.Com: Miami Economy
• Yahoo.Com: Real Estate
• Canadian Econoview BlogSpot.Com

For All your 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.