We have most of the conveniences we had back in southwest Florida, including high-speed internet provided by several local companies—plus Starlink. Pedasí also has WhatsApp groups, blogs, and plenty of social media communities where people connect and share information. There's always a lot going on.
We feel healthier here—and we are. Fresh fruits and vegetables are grown year-round in Panama's fertile soil, and trucks deliver produce several times a week.
Pedasí sits on Panama's "tuna coast," so there's almost always fresh fish available. Chicken isn't pumped with hormones or antibiotics. The weather is beautiful, and it's easy to get outside, and stay active.
We walk the beach with our three rescue dogs, enjoy colorful sunrises, and watch playful whales offshore. We're also lucky to see turtles return to the beach to lay their eggs.
Expats and locals volunteer side by side and show up for the good of the community. In Pedasí, volunteers coach gymnastics, judo, karate, soccer, music, basketball, baseball, Spanish, English, and art.
There are two animal-volunteer groups, plus a team that helps local residents improve their quality of life through home renovations.
Together, locals and expats celebrate Panama's polleras, the abundance of fruits and vegetables, the cowboys and the children, the artists, and the cultural footprint of this region.
In Pedasí, expat and local children play outside in the neighborhood.
The town has a nationwide reputation as calm, happy, and safe. If you ask Panamanians in Panama City what they know about Pedasí, they'll often mention the beaches, the tranquility, and the security.
Housing costs are much lower than in the US, whether you choose to live near the water or in the village. Panama offers exceptionally low property taxes, affordable insurance, and no hurricanes.
Average house prices in Panama City come in at about $337,645. Property taxes for a North American style home are typically less than $1,000/year. We pay approximately $900/year for full automobile coverage.
We can hire local help at reasonable rates for housekeeping, massages, gardening, and household projects. We can still shop on Amazon, and the logistics company we use, Ofernet, delivers to Pedasí two to three days a week.
As the Azuero's popularity grows, more amenities are becoming available. There are more scheduled flights—often on larger planes—from Panama City to the Azuero (Chitré and Pedasí), and the flight time is about 30 minutes.
Life Just Keeps Getting Better and Easier
Medical care used to be limited to the local government hospital. Now there's a private clinic in Pedasí offering an English-speaking doctor, plus rotating specialists in dermatology, gynecology, urology, cardiology, and more.
There's also a new 24-hour urgent-care clinic and a new hospital in Chitré. The Red Cross recently opened a facility in Pedasí and equipped it with life-saving services and an ambulance.
Pedasi has abundant restaurants for a small village. Locally owned restaurant options include Peruvian, Italian, fish, steak, BBQ, Chinese, Cuban, French, and the Arenal beach cantina serves fresh fish and shrimp and $1.00 beers.
On Fridays, there is an open-air market on the property of Coucou Crazy with over 30 artisans and food vendors.
The prices are very accessible, for example: cappuccino ($2.75), smoothies ($3.50).
The coffee is sourced from Panamanian fincas up in Boquete, Volcan, Santa Fe, and Volcancito. Vendor offerings include tasty and fresh locally grown treats: small excellent red tomatoes ($4/lb) spinach ($3/lb), potatoes ($2/lb), fruits, vegetables, fresh baked breads ($4-$6), freshly made bolognese, vegetable lasagna, pork and ham with gravy ($8/per portion), ossobuco ($12 per portion), focaccia bread, yogurt, cottage cheese, pretzel bread ($1), local cheese, homemade jams, desserts, dog and cat treats.
Life just keeps getting better and easier in Pedasí. We still think of it as a small fishing village—one that has greatly improved the quality of life for both locals and expats. It's a good life for both body and soul. Come visit and see whether Pedasí—or another town on the Azuero Peninsula—is right for your retirement.
No comments:
Post a Comment