This month’s newsletter deals with a subject I’ve become familiar with during my thirteen-year stint in Florida. Last year, right around this time, I visited Florida on business from mid-August to mid-September and wrote an article in Panama’s La Prensa (*) newspaper about my experience during the visit.
Three hurricanes passed nearby during my sojourn. Thanks God none struck the city of Pembroke Pines where I lived for seven years. I had to set the shutters on all windows and doors during three consecutive weekends and pray that nothing would happen. Other than this inconvenience, we were very lucky nothing did in fact happen.
In 1992, I lost my home in Cutler Ridge, Florida, to hurricane Andrew, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. I remember the plight associated with this terrible experience and having to move to a senior retirement community (where I was the youngest tenant by approximately thirty years) because there was no other available housing alternative in the area.
Why do I mention all of this? There will be 75 million Americans retiring during the next decade and in their quest for a warmer climate, most are attracted to the underbelly of the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. All of these areas are in the hurricane belt. Panama is not.
Moving to Panama meant the peace of mind associated with no fear for hurricanes, in addition to significant savings in the ever-rising hurricane insurance premiums I had to pay every year in Florida. And because part of the U.S. is in the hurricane belt, the local housing codes are ever stricter thus increasing the cost of housing in a market where homes are at an all-time high.
To me it is true peace of mind to know that I live in a land free of hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes. This is another very important reason when selecting a retirement or second home destination. Read the Why Panama? Section of our website to learn about the other reasons. And when you decide to come to Panama, let Panama All In One be your one-stop for all your needs.
