I have a lot of reasons for choosing Panama, but it boils down to this: I'm able to live a million-dollar lifestyle while only spending a fraction of that.  

There are people who move to Panama to live on their social security. If you want to live like a local, it can be done (and I'll write a blog about it in the next few weeks), but I'll be honest...I like the finer things in life. My decision to move to Panama was mainly because I could live a luxurious lifestyle without the premium price tag. 

For those of you who enjoy a simple lifestyle, skip this blog. This is my brag-blog where I get to tell you about my champagne and caviar lifestyle. I know it's not for everyone, so just be patient and I'll write about a more normal lifestyle in few days.

For those of you who crave luxury, keep reading. After I tell you all of the details, I'll actually reveal to you how much I pay to live like a millionaire in Panama. (Plus, I'm going to be honest in a way that people in America rarely are when it comes to money.) 

Here is a bit about my life in Panama.

My Apartment

I live in a luxury beachfront apartment that has more marble than the Taj Majal. We have so many amenities that I recently spent an entire blog post listing them all. (Click here to see a full list of amenities at Casa Bonita.) Although my apartment might be expensive by Kansas standards, it's laughably cheap when compared to other luxury beachfront resorts around the world. Just for fun, I compared my condo to other properties in comparable communities. I literally searched through dozens of properties that were similar in size, features and amenities so I could do an apples-to-apples comparison. My apartment is 1,475 square feet (137 m2) with marble floors, granite counters, high-end appliances, and a great ocean view. The Price Tag: I paid $370,000 for my apartment, I have a 20-year exemption on my property taxes, and I pay $400 per month for my HOA. Here is the price tag on comparable apartments.

• Miami Beach, FL: A condo in Sunny Isles Beach costs $1,050,000 for 1500 square feet (139 m2). Taxes are $8,915 per year, and HOA is $712 per month. Plus, homeowner's insurance costs about 1/10 in Panama than in Florida because Panama has no natural disasters, but I'm not including this in my comparison. My Savings: $680,000 on the condo and $12,659 per year in property taxes and HOA fees. 
• San Diego, CA: A comparable beachfront condo in La Jolla is $1,413,000 for a 1500 square foot (139 m2) condo. Plus, HOA fees are a whopping $2,050 per month, and property taxes are $26,837 per year. My Savings: $1,043,000 on the condo and $46,637 per year in property taxes and HOA fees. 

I enjoy going to white tablecloth restaurants. Dining out for me is not just a time to put food in my mouth, but it's a chance to have a memorable culinary experience. Plus, I love to be pampered, so I prefer to dine at restaurants that have elegant ambiance and attentive servers. 

When comparing prices across the board on lifestyle expenses (such as restaurants, massages, live events and other forms of entertainment) Panama comes in about 25% to 50% less than a mid-tier city in the US--such as Dallas or Orlando--and 50% to 75% less than big cities such as New York, Chicago or San Francisco.

Price tag: I spend about $300 a month on fine dining and elegant entertainment for our weekly "date night," getting together with friends a few times a month, and regular spa treatments. One of the reasons I'm able to have so much fun on such a small budget is because I utilize Oferta Simple (the daily deal website in Panama) for discounts on restaurants, spa services and other entertainment, as well as my Royal Card for 50% discounts at local Bern restaurants. (The Royal Card is a perk for living at Casa Bonita.) This doesn't include my wine budget... but that's a topic for a different blog.

Many of you will be coming to Panama with your spouse, but if you're single,  you'll find this part of my lifestyle interesting. Being a North American in Panama gets you extra points in the dating world, just for showing up. It's not a secret that older American men often come to Panama to find hot young Latina sweethearts, but I didn't realize it worked for women as well. Within days of moving to Panama, I started dating a man who is a decade younger than I am, and who looks like a Hollywood movie star. 

Since I'm being painfully honest, an American man this beautiful would never look twice at me in the US... unless I had a Swiss bank account number tattooed on my forehead to sweeten the deal. 

Part of my million-dollar lifestyle is the beautiful man who is now my husband. There isn't a woman on this planet who can find a hubby more handsome than mine, no matter how many zeroes are in her bank account. Plus, because of his family-oriented Latin upbringing, he is loving, chivalrous and completely devoted to me. Price tag: Priceless!

Now, here is the good part. The price tag for my million dollar lifestyle in Panama... about $50 thousand a year to live the life I've always dreamed of. Honestly, moving to Panama is one of the smartest moves I've ever made.

If you want to learn how you can live like a millionaire in Panama, click here to send me an email. We can chat about options that fit your needs and your budget.

To give you a taste of my lifestyle, here are a list of amenities available to the other residents who live in Casa Bonita in Playa Bonita Village.

• Beach: You are just steps away from the private Playa Bonita beach. You can enjoy a walk along the beach, take a swim, kayak around the bay, or just relax on a lounge chair and listen to the sound of the water lapping at the sand.
• Pools: The resort has 8 Swimming pools, including a rooftop pool with the most spectacular view in all of Panama. Walk down the beach to the InterContinental and there are even more pools to try.
• Gyms: We have 2 gyms, including a rooftop gym with breathtaking views of the Bay of Panama.
• Saunas: There are 2 saunas on the top floor of Casa Bonita, and a third in the Pearl Club spa.
• Steam room: An amethyst steam room in the Pearl Club spa
• Jacuzzis: Multiple Jacuzzi', both hot and cold
• Game Rooms: One game room is "active" with a ping-pong table, billiards table, poker table, plenty of comfy couches, and a flat-screen TV. Perfect for families or a group of friends to watch a big game. The other game room is more cerebral. It has a poker table, shuffle board/bowling table, a variety of board games, comfortable couches, a flat screen TV. Bring your own low-ball glass and adult beverage.
• Spa: A 5-star spa with full menu of spa services, from massages and facials to manicures and pedicures. Aquabella is the water portion of the spa and is free for residents. It includes 3 Jacuzzis of different temperatures, 2 Vichy showers, a sauna, a steam room, a relaxation area with fruit and hot tea, and a Pediluvio stream for reflexology.
• Restaurants: A dozen different restaurant and bars on the Playa Bonita property, including buffets, an informal grill, an Asian fusion, a steakhouse, and even a sushi bar
• Room Service: A menu for apartment room service from the Westin Resort.
• Bakery: A variety of freshly baked breads available from the Westin Bakery.
• Ice Cream Parlor: An ice cream and sweet's shop has everything you need to satisfy every sweet tooth, from plain vanilla ice cream to a triple chocolate mousse cake.
• Poolside Cabanas: Privacy and shade are available at one of the many cabanas at The Pearl Club (our private beach club). Plus, you can get poolside beverage and food service for the ultimate in relaxation.
• Party Room: A party room is available for private events for a nominal fee ($100) for any event you like, from a wedding to a birthday party.
• Playgrounds: Two play areas for kids
• Water Sports: Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards for ocean recreation
• Deli: A deli that not only serves a variety of snacks and small meals--everything from empanadas and dim sum to cake and coffee--but is also a meeting place for residents
• Free Wi-Fi: In many of the social areas, you can stay connected for free. 
• Books: An honor library allows you to read the real-deal books. Enjoy the feeling of turning pages without having to buy any new books. 
• Rain forest: Even though you are beach front, you are surrounded by a thick gorgeous jungle with dozens of shades of green. Enjoy the rolling mountain view, or get up early in the morning to meet a few of our friendly inhabitants. We have sloths, monkeys, parrots and a wide variety of beautiful birds.
• Royal Card: One of the big perks of living in Casa Bonita is a Royal Card that gives VIP treatment and deep discounts on everything that is owned by Bern in Panama, from restaurants and hotels to tour packages and spa treatments. Not only can my husband and I go to one of the restaurants on the Playa Bonita property and get 50% off of our dinner, but we can also get discounts on a spa treatment in the city, Sunday brunch in the rain forest, or a hotel room near the airport.

Coming Soon

• A tennis court
  
• A private movie theater
  

The thought of moving to a resort community from suburban Dallas is what brought me to Panama. When I was in the throes of moving my life from Dallas to Panama, I would close my eyes and visualize my new life. I pictured morning walks on the beach, afternoon swims in one of the many pools, and sunset cocktails with friends. This idyllic daily vision called me like a siren. I had a full life in Dallas, but I was missing the sight and smell of the ocean, as well as the ability to be outside year-round.

After moving to Panama, it took me an entire year to stop pinching myself. Every day was like Christmas morning. I would bounce out of bed before dawn, not wanting to miss even a moment of the tropical sunrise. I then planned my day so I was on my balcony or sitting by the rooftop pool to enjoy the sunset.

Now that I've lived in the Playa Bonita resort for over one and a half years, I have finally normalized my experience. I still like to get up early to watch the sunrise... but I do sleep in from time to time. I take walks on the beach... but not every day. I enjoy watching the sunset with a glass of wine in hand... and I admit, I still do that every day.

Subscribe to my blog so you will find out every all of the amenities offered in my next blog post.

The most common question I get asked is "Why Panama?" I'd love to think that people really want to know about me, but the truth is they want to know my reasons only so they can figure out if Panama is right for them.

The reality is that most people move to Panama for just two reasons.

1. To save money.
2. To enjoy year-round good weather.

There are a lot of individualized reasons, but all the other reasons tend to fit into one--or both--of these categories.

I grew up in California, and let's face it... if I wanted to have good weather, I could have moved back to Santa Barbara. But when you compare the price of living in Santa Barbara to the price of living in Panama, they aren't even in the same set of zeros. 

You can live well in Panama... or you can live like a local. The choice is yours. But the reality is that your cost of living will decrease by about 50% for a comparable lifestyle if you live in a cheap part of the US or Canada. If you live in California or New York or Seattle, you'll feel like you won the lottery when you move to Panama.

The next few blogs will be about luxury living in Panama. Consider it a series, if you will. For those of you who want to come to Panama on a budget, I'll do a series for you next!

I'm a naturally impatient person, which means I hate to spend idle hours in a doctor's waiting room. Because of this, I have to be really sick before I'll put myself through the agony of going to the doctor.

After almost two years in Panama, the day finally came when I realized I had an ear infection and needed antibiotics. I drove to a nearby medical clinic and was pleasantly surprised at what I found.

• I was given forms to fill out, and an English-speaking nurse asked if I needed help filling out the forms. (I didn't, but it was nice of her to ask.)
• As soon as my forms were filled out, a nurse took me back to take my vital signs. It was more thorough than anything I'd done in the US. The nurse took my weight AND my height, my blood pressure, my temperature, and the oxygen level in my blood. 
• When the doctor saw me, she asked me typical questions in English and listened to my lungs, looked into my throat and checked my ears, all in a squeaky-clean exam room.
• My doctor prescribed antibiotics and something for the pain.
• I went to the front and asked for my bill. I did a triple-take when I saw the doctor visit was only $20!
• The pharmacy was part of the same facility, so I didn't have to drive somewhere else. I walked four steps and handed my prescriptions to the pharmacist.
• Instead of having to wait, she filled my prescription within 2-3 minutes. 
• I paid another $21 for two prescriptions and was back home before my coffee had time to get cold.

Wow, what a painless experience. Maybe I won't wait so long to go to the doctor next time.

If you've been wanting to take an affordable get-away to Panama, now is the time. 

This is a brand new apartment in a new resort community. Because it's new, the owner has given me crazy-low pricing so you can check it out. You can rent this gorgeous condo for just $500 per week. Here is what is included:

• 1 bedroom
• 1 bathroom
• Great oceanfront balcony
• Balcony access from master or living area
• Access to all resort amenities, including pools, restaurants, spa, hot tub, steam room, sauna, tennis court, basketball court, secure parking, and more

Click here to see more photos. 

Listen to Melissa Darnay Chat About 
"Why Americans are Moving to Panama" 
on Smart Women Talk Radio Show with Katana Abbott & Victoria Trabosh

Get the Scoop About Panama...

If you want to know what all the buzz is about, tune in tomorrow to hear Melissa Darnay interviewed about Panama.

When: Tuesday, September 9

Time:   10 am CST (11 am in New York; 8 am in California)

Go to Smart Women Talk Radio to listen. 

Be sure to request a complimentary copy of my book, "Panama Uncorked: Everything You Need to Know to Visit, Live and Invest in Panama." Click here to get your copy before the show!

If you've ever ridden a ferry in Seattle, you know what a relaxing experience it is. That same experience is now available in Panama from the premier ferry company, Sea Las Perlas. 

The old ferry system in Panama meant sitting on a hard wooden bench. With the new luxurious ferry from Washington State The Island Express 3 you can sit on a deck chair on the top deck, walk around, or enjoy the comfort of theater-style seating inside. Plenty of room between seats means there is room to walk around and enjoy the scenic ride. Plus, there is more storage and expanded leg room.

The speedier ferry travels at 30 knots, which takes you from the Balboa Yacht Club Marina in Panama City to the closest Pearl Island destination in one hour and 25 minutes, a full 20-minutes faster than the older ferries.

The new ferry can hold up to 92 passengers and is used on the busier weekend travel days--Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

One-way passage on the ferry is only $45 for adults and $35 for children. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sealasperlas.com, at their kiosk in Albrook Mall (Dolphin entrance), or at their storefront location on Amador Causeway.

Don't be surprised if you see dolphins traveling with the ferry. In whale season (July through October), ferry travelers often see humpback whales splashing in the waters around Contadora.