In the unfortunate position of finding myself and my children homeless, our local authority housed us in what they call 'safe, suitable temporary accommodation'. This is where we have lived for four months now. There are two rooms and a kitchenette for myself and two teenage boys with a woefully inadequate and unhygienic shared bathroom on the landing.
All of the other residents are in the same position as myself, some get through it with the aid of illegal drugs and some, such as the Polish residents, feel they are living in a veritable palace. I personally cried when they told me where I was going. Don't think me ungrateful, I was glad of a roof over my head, but this place was frequently in the news.
There had been accidents with children through exposed pipe work, drug and gang related fights and numerous break ins, so you can see why I wasn't exactly looking forward to it. The day I moved in, my car was broken into and my purse stolen. When the police came out it seems they already knew the entrance code because they are always there.
My front door was already kitted out with a total of ten assorted locks, chains and bolts as well as metal reinforcement after a previous robbery. This doesn't come under the heading of 'safe, suitable accommodation' in my book. There hasn't been more than 48 hours without a police presence in this building. So, this week I open the local paper to find that after investigations into this property, it has been condemned as unfit for human habitation. I could have told them that four months ago!
It is proposed that the building is proving too costly to bring up to standard and that it is to be sold off to developers. They have already seen the potential in this building as an investment property and their intention is to pull it down and put a virtual estate of tiny houses in its place and sell them on for a fortune.
This is the intention of the so called 'garden grabber' property developers these days. Investment properties come in many forms but the trend at the trend at the moment is to buy up buildings, particularly the older style that usually come with a little more land, and then bulldoze them and start again.
This creates large estates of miniature properties which may be more affordable for first time buyers but are a little useless unless you are a fan of sliding doors and you don't have a cat to swing. It does, however, provide a multitude of investment properties for landlords who are looking for properties to rent out to those that cannot afford to get a foot on the housing ladder.
New builds are usually, in themselves, good investment properties as they have to conform to much higher standards than in earlier years. They have to be more environmentally friendly in the area of energy saving and are constructed to relatively high standards.
The only area where this type of investment property is difficult is for those with families. There really is no space in a doll's house for a baby and all the clobber that they bring and if a couple have just managed to indulge themselves in this type of investment property when they fall pregnant, they could very quickly find themselves on the move again.
As shown by International Living's recognition of Panama for six straight years as the top location in the world for retirees, many have come to view Panama as the perfect location to relocate. This is not only true for retirees but for families and investors looking for the best place to spend their money. Panama has many of the same features as the US and Europe but without the political problems and stressful lifestyle. In addition, Panama's weather and wildlife are absolutely incredible, and the cost of ownership for Panamanian real estate is far below anything found in North America.
Panama is geographically superior to most of its Central American neighbors. Below the hurricane belt, Panama is not affected by the annual hurricane season. Panama is bounded on south by the Pacific Ocean, the north by the Caribbean Sea, the east by Columbia and the west by Costa Rica. The country has 1,600 miles of ocean coastline, a ridge of extinct volcanic mountains that make up its backbone. The weather varies depending on where you are in the country and this diversity only enhances the variety offerings in Panama's real estate.
Panama, though only the size of South Carolina in the US, has an abundance of available real estate options that provide values you simply cannot find in the US. Whether you want city life or a rural setting, a condo or a farm, Panama real estate has something for you. Investment opportunities abound as families and retirees abandon the US and Europe for a simpler way of life and a lower cost of living. As homes in the Chiriquí highlands spring up and luxury condos are built in the prestigious parts of Panama City, Panama real estate continues to be an excellent value, both for your home and for your investments.
In addition, it is estimated that 14% of Panamanians speak English which makes the transition from the US, Canada or Europe much easier. The big differences between Panama and these other countries, however, are in real estate. Panama real estate is much more affordable than that in North America or most other places in the world.
Panama real estate offers a wide range of living and investment options. Panama City is alive with real estate opportunities; houses, condos, townhouses and apartments are being built so rapidly that the skyline of the city seems to change almost daily. Throughout the country's nine provinces you can find great real estate possibilities. From the Darien province on the Columbian border to the Chiriquí province on the Costa Rican border, Panama real estate is home to many great deals with prices being well below the rates in Europe or the US.
What weather do you like? Do you prefer the mountain air or a sultry, tropical climate? Either way, you can find what you seek in Panama. If you are looking for investment beachfront property or even luxury condos, Panama is still your destination for affordable investment options. All of the natural beauty is at your fingertips along with the promise of a laid-back lifestyle. Those searching for a great real estate value will agree that Panama offers everything they desire and more. Now is the time to go after that property you seek and the place to go is Panama!
Both Catherine Harvey & James Quin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Catherine Harvey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Home and Wedding Gowns. Property expert Catherine Harvey looks at the business of buying up and if it's still viable.. Catherine Harvey's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.
James Quin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Investments, How To Grow Wealth and Home Improvement. http://www.panamarealestatesearch.comA site dedicated to information about Panama and Panama real estate.. James Quin's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.