Panama City is the capital of Latin America’s fastest growing economy

While being a resident in Panama City, Panama over the last few years has had its ups and downs, of late I’ve had a newfound love for living and working here in Panama.  Here are a few of the reasons:

1. Yuk Yuks

Unlike some other Latin countries I have visited or resided in, life in Panama and Panamanians as a people are just plain funny.  They have a fantastic sense of humor, a quick wit and a wonderful ability to play on words.  As somebody who appreciates a good joke, this makes life in Panama all that much more enjoyable.

2. Entrepreneurs By The Bucketload

There are a fantastic amount of business upstarts in Panama.  They are young and old, local and foreign. For a small business junkie, this is paradise.

3. Apart From The Sweating, The Weather Ain’t Bad

Sure, Panama City is HOT, but there are multiple climates througout the country from which to choose.  From the hot, dry weather of the Pedasi, the chilly nights of Boquete and Penonome to the intermittent rainy seasons of the Caribbean and Pacific coasts…there’s something for everyone, so long as you don’t expect snow.

4. Zagat’s Would Be Proud

A constantly improving dining and cocktail scene in Panama City makes for a fun place to entertain. With a steady stream of foreign investors starting businesses from around the world, the restaurants offer a fantastic variety.

5. Like Lisa Simpson’s ‘Perpetual Motion’ Machine

There is an electric sense of change, improvement and unlimited potential for what could be the future of Panama. There are so many projects across a variety of industries that it’s hard to keep count. Foreign investors, multinationals, entrepreneurs and local business people are all betting big on the future of this tiny nation.  It has resulted in an environment where nearly anything feels possible.

6. A Fashion “Medina”

Panama is surprisingly hip.  Not quite a “Mecca”, but say…below New York and above Hackensack.  With so many recent immigrants from all corners of the world, there is a fashion sense that is markedly Panamanian.  With so many affordable fashions available courtesy of The Canal and free trade, even the common folks are sharply dressed.

7. Ethnic “Sancocho” Pot

There are not many countries as confusing (in a good way) as Panama in regard to ethnice makeup.  It’s like a great soup recipe your grandmother handed down: a little of this, a dash of that.  The various generations of immigrants to Panama represent all parts of the globe.  The food, culture and music are a reflection of this incredible diversity.  Among a few of the notable cultures present:

Indigenous
Spanish
Afro-Caribbean
Mestizo
Indian (Hindu, not Native American)
Italian
French
Russian
Middle Eastern (Israel, Syria, Lebanon)
North American (gringos unite!)
Chinese
Korean
Colombian (they were here 1st)
Misc. South American (Ecuador, Peru, Argentina)

The result is a culture where you simply never know what you’re going to get. I’m no longer shocked when I meet a blond haired, blue eyed guy named Hank Greenspan who is third generation Panamanian and speaks spot-on Panama style Spanish.  It makes living here extremely enriching.

IN SUMMARY…”Panama Good, Fire BAAAAD!” — frankenstein’s monster

Panama is an exciting, vibrant and endlessly interesting place to call home. It appeals to a wide variety of individuals, industries and nationalities.  As a thirtysomething business guy, there’s no other place I’d rather be.

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Filed under: Culture, Living & Retirement on June 24th, 2008