The Pack's Pipedreams .... or plans for the future?

One of the recurring topics of conversation when the Pack convenes is dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the U.S. and the possibility of either "retiring south" or at least spending part of the year in Latin America where the weather is better, your money goes farther and you don't have to put up with the sad state of social affairs the the current embarrassment in chief has created.  Costa Rica and Panama are usually the two most discussed places.

Mike enjoying a sunset

I have a friend who has lived out that dream.  He is a professional musician who also runs a boutique recording studio.  His wife is a retired schoolteacher.  Over a period of several years, they built a villa in Costa Rica paying as they went.   It cost about the same as an average home in America.  (Click on the pictures for a larger view.)

View from the terrace

Now they spend part of their time there every year and part in Tulsa.  His place is about 45 minutes from the beach and is located high enough in the mountains to maintain a pleasant temp year round. They rent it out when they are not there.  I have picked  Mike's brain on this subject many times and I have yet to see a downside.  As the pictures show, the Villa itself is stunning and he rents it for less than a thousand a month!

Mike tells me that the cost of living is very good as compared to the states, the people are friendly for the
most part and do not have a cultural dislike for Americans as many Latins do.  He says the health care system is quite good for Latin America and that Americans who stay there will encounter no problems with either buying into the local government health care program, using their private insurance or both.

Visas are freely granted and the level of violence is no worse than in the U.S.  Like any other place, you just have to use your head and not do stupid things, like walking down dark alleys at night, etc.   High speed internet is available pretty well nationally.  With a high speed internet connection and electronic banking, an old lawyer could sit there on a terrace like that and have a pretty good part time practice, cranking out briefs, contracts and pleadings for stateside "court house lawyers."

One of the pack member's brother spent several years in Latin America serving in the military.  He worked in various embassies.  He is married to a lovely Panamanian lady.  Together, they light up the dance floor at every party they attend.  And of course, like many American ex-pats these days, they are retiring to Panama

I visited Panama in the late 60's/early 70's.  My memories of it were not as a retirement destination.  I remember Colon and Panama City as being two of the roughest, toughest, most wide open sailor's towns I encountered in my time at sea.  Merchant sailors from all over the world were constantly passing through.  Literally anything you wanted from drugs to human exploitation were for sale more or less openly.  And that was while the Americans still controlled the place!  It was a good place to get killed if you didn't watch your step. Recent television documentaries that I have watched indicate that the old drug gang/culture is still alive and well there and still in control of much of the country.

I also remember the climate in Panama.  Americans, even Okies who are used to crippling humidity, know nothing about real jungle humidity.  Part of our unit's mission was facilitating jungle training/acclimatization for troops bound for SE Asia.  The grunts used to stuff their dry socks into condoms to keep theme from growing green fur within hours of going ashore.  They also used to stretch condoms over the barrels of their weapons to keep the bores from almost immediately rusting.  But having said all of that, more and more Americans are reporting that Panama is the "new Costa Rica" for American retirees.    





So, is this all pipe dreams and back  yard conjecture for the Pack?  Who knows?  I can't speak for anybody else, but lately, I could definitely see myself "cashing out" of our U.S. assets and heading south.