by Patricia Daugherty
October 2001
The perfect place to retire

My husband and I have been roaming the world for almost thirty years; his career with an oil company has taken us to locations in Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa. Over the years as we traveled we have kept our eyes open for the perfect place to retire but have never made a decision until now. Neither of us (I’m British and Jeff is American) wish to return "home" where, as long time expatriates, we now feel as strangers. We were looking for a location that would enable us to continue our "expatriate" lifestyle among like-minded people who wanted more out of life than suburbia and the rat race. Affordable local help in the house and garden would be a bonus - I haven’t practiced much housekeeping in the past! We were not looking specifically for new adventures, as we are familiar with remote and challenging locations, but rather a safe haven with good communications. Our ideal location should be somewhere visually attractive, with a good climate, clean air and pleasant, welcoming local people, but most of all safe, also affordable so that we can continue to travel and have fun. Quite a list of requirements! As it turns out, I have just described Boquete, and more specifically Valle Escondido.
A "two-stepper"
Valle Escondido is a delight. Its location, angled off of the main Boquete valley, results in shelter from the wind and catches the sun, in effect a microclimate. The air is pure and clean, the climate is not extreme in any season. The crystal-clear stream (Jeff calls it a "two-stepper" ) tumbles noisily over the rocks and boulders, edged with wild impatiens. Many homes in the valley will enjoy the sound of the rushing water from their decks. The area was formerly a coffee plantation, and many of the stands of coffee are left by the developers between the building lines of the lots. (I didn’t realize coffee grew so tall!) When the coffee is picked and roasted, homeowners will share in the Valle Escondido coffee beans -- just the gift to take back home on visits! Meanwhile the sun glistens on glossy coffee leaves, and the ripening red and green berries shine like jewels, providing a feast for the eyes. Trees of all kinds fill the valley, even up the steep walls. When the orange trees blossom, they will only enhance the aroma of this pristine paradise. The rich, black, volcanic soil is a gardener’s delight. Don’t leave a garden tool in the ground too long -- it might sprout leaves! You only have to look around Boquete to notice the flowers, even roses, and impatiens everywhere! I can’t wait to plant a garden.
Purchasers are from several different countries
The developers have thought of everything. A 9-hole golf course, pool, tennis courts, riding stables, a "pueblo" with country club, coffee shop, shops and more. Homes will have access to Internet connections and TV. A wellness clinic will be run by an English-speaking doctor. He trained in the U.S. and has a local practice. We met this charming man and feel sure he will be an asset to the valley. Security is provided naturally, by the high valley walls, and by a security post and gate at the entrance to the valley. Small homes with assisted care are planned for residents who wish to stay in the valley but who may require additional help. A manager will take care of all properties while owners are away, even watering the house plants if the keys are provided! We were told that purchasers are from several different countries and include some Panamanians.
Local people smile and welcome foreigners. Our experience worldwide has taught us that this is not always the case. The developers of Valle Escondido did not stop at the end of the valley. The local community has benefited from their entrepreneurial skills. The opening of local businesses such as restaurants, Internet café, travel agent, real estate agent, etc., has provided jobs, and the smart new buildings are slowly proving an incentive for local people to upgrade their establishments. Since the fall in the price of coffee, the opportunities are very much appreciated by the local community. So the spin off is that, as part of this development, everyone is made to feel especially welcome. The Panamanian economy is in need of investment, so their special "pensionado" package for retirees is generous. This program has been described fully in other issues by those more knowledgeable -- it just sounds good to me. The fact that this is a dollar-based economy also makes purchasing a home much simpler -- no exchange rate loss for example. Mortgages can be arranged locally for qualified buyers.
Pacific and Caribbean shores are not far away
Boquete is a small town with a few restaurants, bars, and small shops, but with a pleasant ambiance. You can still see local people riding horses to town. However, just 35 minutes down a well-paved road is David (Dah-Veed, with the accent on the last syllable), the third biggest city in Panama, with its airport, banks, dry cleaners, and supermarkets -- including Price Smart/Costco (U.S. cards accepted). Our friends who have followed our quest for the perfect spot ask, "Won’t you be bored?" We don’t think so. The Costa Rica border is just over an hour away, but the coastlines don’t change so the diving and watersports are spectacular in Panama too. We are exploring the possibility of a beach cabana on either the Pacific or Caribbean shores (neither too far away) , or maybe keep a boat at the marina on the estuary in David. Deep-sea fishing is great, but you can always cheat and visit David’s fish market. We also tasted local freshwater trout (delicious) so will investigate trout fishing too. For the more adventurous, there is whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding and walking in this beautiful area. And you can always weekend in the big city. Panama has just about everything and is less than an hour’s flight from David. Most of South America and the US is in easy reach from there.
This area seems to provide all that we need and is secure and affordable
The equable climate requires neither heating nor air-conditioning, so there is a considerable saving in installation and running costs, although I am looking forward to having a fireplace for rainy days. Whether it is the location, the climate, or the clean air, we were told that people live long lives here, centenarians are commonplace. There must be a secret ingredient -- perhaps no stress! We are excited that our duplex will soon be finished, and within the next two years, we can use it while we slowly plan and build a home on one of our lots on the ridge. As we had wished, this area seems to provide all that we need and is secure and affordable . A big plus if you, like us, need a safe base for continuing a nomadic lifestyle.
There is always the danger that we shall be so content in Boquete that we won’t want to leave! Beware! A visit to Valle Escondido may make you feel the same way!