Читать книгу Cashing In On a Second Home in Central America: How to Buy, Rent and Profit in the World's Bargain Zone - Tom Hammond Kelly - Страница 15

Panama City is the only city in Central America with a true skyline. Parts of it have a first-world look and feel and its variety of buildings is impressive. It is a melting pot, reflecting the various cultures in its history, from Asian immigrants who labored to build the canal to Latin Americans who call Panama their second home. Thriving Muslim, Jewish and American communities live peacefully. The dozens of international bank headquarters make for a true international finance center.

The city is densely populated which gives it a Manhattan flavor but also gives it Manhattan-style traffic jams during rush hours. To alleviate congestion and flow, two toll roads the Corredor Norte and Corredor Sur, traverse the city to more efficiently move traffic, but several choke-points still back up during rush hour. The government plans to expand the Corredor across the Bay of Panama near Punta Pacifica and near the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo), which will move traffic more efficiently but change the ocean views from nearby new condominium towers.

Due to the presence of the U.S. military on lands adjacent to the Canal, Panama City was landlocked for years. Now the “reverted lands” have opened up brand new areas of the city, most notably the Punta Pacifica area, an old airport where high-rises and cranes are sprouting up like weeds.

This thriving metropolitan area has something for everyone and U.S. visitors will feel at home. Two shopping centers, Multi-Plaza and Multi-Centro, feature department stores, cinemas, food courts and many US restaurant and retail chains. Existing and new high-rises meld together nicely with older buildings and homes. Housing alternatives range from U.S. suburban-style homes to high-rise oceanfront condos to restored and funky colonial neighborhoods. Here are some popular areas in metropolitan Panama City that offer opportunities for value appreciation.