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