Panama is one of the fastest growing property and investment opportunities in the world. While the real estate in Panama offers tremendous value – it is the low cost of living that really attracts people to Panama.

The Panama Collection selected Ocean Ridge Estates for its pristine natural beauty and ideal location. Located just 1 hour from Santiago and 3 ½ hours from Panama City it is perfect for retirement and investment real estate.

Ocean Ridge Estates is picture perfect, bordered to the north by the Rio Negro (Black River), mountain views in all directions, and the Pacific Ocean four miles to the west.

Lots 4,5 and 6 are pretty similar. All are bordered by the Black River, the largest river in the region (see photo).

All of them are large parcels, around 7 acres, perfect for putting together your very own country estate. You can have up to three horses, fruit orchards, large gardens, walking trails, etc. About the only limitation is your imagination.

All three lots offer some ocean view, but the main visual appeal will be the vast mountain views (see photos). Monkeys, parrots and many other animals are common here on the project; it’s easy to see why the name of this area is actually Paradise !

Jay Stafford
www.thepanamacollection.com
954-309-2837 cell in Florida
507-6679-7540 cell in Panama

Hola besinos, it seems like we’re just starting to get enough people that maybe it would be worth sending out a regular update on things that are happening in the area. Entonces (therefore), welcome to the very first issue of The Ocean Ridge Report. Once a month or so, we’ll send out stuff that we think you might find interesting regarding the project, things happening in Mariato and/or Santiago, etc. This could be huge – eventually I might send this out to all the gringos in the area, and charge big bucks, but don’t worry – you lucky people will always get this valuable information for free. I know, I’m a hell of a guy.
 
In this first issue I have four items that you might find interesting:
 

1. I’m writing this email from Rancho Paraiso (yes, we’ve named our place), using our new service, which is called Claro. Claro is a relatively new provider in Panama, with new technology. We have a 3.5G connection up here; so far it’s fast, reliable and pretty cheap at $38/month. It’s much better than anything that was available previously, so we should be in great shape by the time any of you move down here.
    
2. We’ve recently been notified that after two years of pounding away, the government has granted official approval to put asphalt on the hills bordering the project. This will only be on the main road for now – the side road will get a layer of tosca (high quality gravel), and the MOP (same thing as the Department of Transportation in the states) will maintain it. Apparently getting government approval is by far the most difficult step; it may take awhile, but now it will definitely happen.
    
3. President Martinelli has recently put a new program into place, called Seguro al Turista (insurance for tourists). When you get off the plane at Tocumen, they hand you a card that gives all tourists complete health insurance coverage for 30 days. It’s actually quite good – any sickness or injury that occurs while you’re in Panama is covered 100%, up to $7000. If you break a tooth, dental coverage kicks in, up to $500. There are lots of other provisions, which are explained in the brochure that is attached to the card. Patricia called the number, and it’s completely legit, which I think is a great thing. Unfortunately, if you get hurt while drunk you’re not covered – let’s face it, that could be a problem for this group!
    
4. Last but not least – I know that probably none of you are as nuts about wildlife as I am, but that’s too bad. You’ll just have to share my excitement at our first agouti sighting. The agouti is a very shy elusive critter that is sort of a cross between a rabbit and a pig. They mostly reside in the deeper rain forests of Panama, but we have one that likes to run through our back yard. He’s been too quick to get a photo, but he looks just like this:
   

   Panamanians like to eat them, but since that’s not allowed on the project I have high hopes that they’ll thrive and become Part of the community. You have to admit, they’re pretty cute.

 
That’s it for the first issue. what do y’all think?  (That y’all was just for Claudia)

Jay and Patricia

To learn more about Ocean Ridge Estates in Panama:
http://www.thepanamacollection.com/about-panama-collection/ocean-ridge-estates.html

Panama Real Estate:

Let’s save the best for last; you can purchase land in Panama for a fraction of what it would cost you in Costa Rica. The same large six acre lots with ocean views and riverfront that I’m selling in Panama for around $150,000 would cost at least $500,000 in Costa Rica. Land in Costa Rica is roughly five times more expensive than comparable land in Panama. There are expensive areas in Panama, like Boquete, Anton and Panama City, but for the most part real estate is extremely affordable throughout the country.

Another big difference between the countries involves squatters. In Costa Rica if you buy land and squatters move onto it, in three months they actually have rights to your property, and protracted legal action is required to get rid of them. Incredible, but true. In Panama squatters have no legal rights whatsoever. If you buy land in Panama leave it alone for ten years, and upon your return people are living on it, you can have them removed immediately.