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 16

One neighborhood of particular interest and charm is the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter), a neighborhood once neglected and run-down that is now being lovingly restored by both Panamanians and foreigners. Cobblestone streets and quiet plazas with churches and colonial buildings resemble San Juan (Puerto Rico) in early stages of redevelopment. The neighborhood, which is surrounded on three sides by ocean, is truly an historical and colonial oasis in a sea of modernity. Panama’s tourism minister calls this neighborhood home. Americans and other international second-home owners are renovating properties. Buyers here should be interested in the project of restoring an old building rather than flipping a property. The neighborhood is still a work in progress, so don’t expect to have a sanitized look and feel. Besides the charm, the major benefit is location. The Casco Viejo is in the middle of Panama City, with easy access to almost anywhere, and breathtaking vistas of the evolving skyline on one side and ships entering the Canal on the other.

The Amador Causeway is a narrow strip of land connecting several islands built on material dredged from the Canal during construction. The causeway was previously “off limits” to Panamanians when the Canal was under U.S. control but is now prized real estate. It’s a recreational hotspot during the weekend, with outdoor cafes, discos and shopping. The one highway that goes along the causeway is studded with palm trees and pedestrian walkways, providing breathtaking vistas of the city and canal. Land is limited in this area, but several new construction projects are under way there and offer views in all directions.