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One thing I love about David is all the numerous fruit and vegetable stands that dot the commercial districts and neighborhoods. David is lucky enough to be close to Cerro Punta where most of the local fruit and vegetables are grown. That means you have the ability to buy produce in some cases the same day it is harvested.

I have scouted out several vegetable stands and as found my favorites. I buy from the convenient stands near where I live when I am not choosey about what I want. If however, I am on a veggie buying frenzy I head to local stands that I know carry literally everything. I would like to tell you about my four favorite places in David that sell vegetables and fruits.

The first stand is a block off the Plaza el Terronal mall on the old highway to Boquete, right on the road. The place is small inside but they have recently reorganized and have a great selection of vegetables. The prices are great too. These people are kind, friendly and helpful.

The second is located on the road to the right of Super Baru. Go just past the stadium and turn right. They are half way down the block on the left. This place is huge and always has everything I want. They also carry bulk beans and many hard to find vegetables. Their produce always looks good, not wilted, over ripe, damaged or bruised.

The third is located on Avenida Central and Calle C Sur. For those who don’t know street names, it is on the street the David Municipal building is on, going toward the hill, it is on the corner of the one way street with the water department directly across. This location has several open air stalls with different selections of fruits and vegetables and plenty of parking. A great place to just pop in and out of.

The fourth is the new market. The Mercardo Público. It is on Avenida 9 de Enero. If you are traveling on Calle F Sur past the old Super 99 going toward the police station, turn right at the old church a couple blocks before the police station. The market is straight ahead a few blocks.

This massive structure is air conditioned, clean and neat. Several locals sell their vegetables/fruits here. But in addition, you can find several fish and meat markets. There is also a food court here with a variety of restaurants serving all kinds of different meals. This is a great place to bring people to just look around buy something and grab a bite to eat.

The opportunity to shop for fresh vegetables and fruits at local stands is one of the pleasures of living in David. Shopping at the local stands also offers better quality, selection and sometimes half the price of the grocery chains.

© 2015 Magda Crespo Panama Realty

The city of Concepción is located on the Pan American highway, nineteen miles from the Costa Rica border and is the gateway to the fertile valleys of Volcan and Cerro Punta.

The largest city in the Bugaba District is La Concepción, the capitol. The population of Concepción is around 22,000 people and is the second largest city in the Chiriquí Province. The size of this small city makes it ideal for those who want to live and invest in a smaller community yet be close to David.

This city still retains its downtown center as the major shopping area. Around the newly remodeled central park, Manuel Amador Guerrero, are stores, banks and restaurants. This is a bustling city, drawing people from all over the district for services, shopping, education and medical needs.

The city is best known in Panama for its cigar making business which has been around for generations. The area around La Concepción has the perfect soil and climate conditions to grow great tobacco.

You will not find lots of new housing construction La Concepción like you do in other areas of Chiriquí. However, you do find expats falling in love with the smaller neighborhoods and older homes in this area. The expat population here is small but growing as more and more people are exploring this city.

Most neighborhoods are within walking distance of town or a short easy bus ride.  The buses in La Concepción run to all areas of the province, making easy access to everywhere.

Prices for homes here are less than in other parts of the region, which is an attraction in itself. In addition, it is cooler than David and the neighborhoods are generally shaded with mature landscaping.

La Concepción is a smaller scale version of David. It offers all the same amenities but with lower prices which is why many expats are investigating this city as a place to invest and live in.

© 2015 Magda Crespo Panama Realty

Housing options in David are plentiful. There are older, well established Panama neighborhoods which are mostly near and around the center of the city. These homes though older, have a unique charm. These homes are well maintained with mature landscaping and easily accessible to anywhere by way of bus or taxi.

On the outer edges of the city are neighborhoods or urbanization’s as they are called here, of homes which are around twenty years old or newer. Many of these urbanization’s have their own central park and are close to local schools and churches.

On the outskirts of David, are many new developments of homes, townhouses and duplexes. These have been built with newer construction methods and extras not found in some of the older homes.

Apartment buildings in David are rare, but as the need for this type of housing grows, more are being built. There are a few gated communities of condos which are popular with the North Americans.

Rental and sales prices are lower for homes in the David area because of the larger selection available. The selection is greater for mid to lower budgets, yet David also offers many stately older homes with generous square footage and grand manicured yards.

Housing prices can start as low as $50,000 and go up substantially for the new larger modern homes. Rentals for homes both furnished and unfurnished start anywhere from $300 and up.

David offers something here for every budget and taste. The housing market here is strong as the economy continues to grow and attract more Panamanians from all over the country as well as expats.

David is becoming home to more and more expats who enjoy being close to shopping, great restaurants, health care, movies and more. With a low crime rate, great Panama neighbors and low cost of living, David is a great place to live!

© 2015 Magda Crespo Panama Realty

About thirty minutes from the Panamanian Highway in Concepción and thirty minutes from David, one will find the small town of Volcán. The road to Volcán curves back and forth through small towns along the way, climbing in elevation with beautiful foliage lining the road.  As you get closer, you will notice that Volcán is located on the opposite side of the Barú volcano from Boquete.  Volcán lies in a small valley with a main street that is only a few blocks long. Taking a right at the end of the town will take you up to Cerro Punta. The valley is the agricultural growing area for all of Chiriqui. This area produces a variety of vegetables and fruits such as strawberries grown on local farms. In addition, one can find a large number of greenhouses growing flowers that are shipped all across Panama for beautiful floral arrangements.

Cerro Punta is noted to be the place where the climate and lush grass makes it possible to raise championship horses that are raced nationally and internationally. You can see Haras Cerro Punta and its lovely white fences encompassing 230 acres of beautiful grazing land as your eye is drawn over the valley. This area has always been a destination getaway for Panamanians who want to escape from the city and enjoy the  fresh air and cooler climate. Being the gateway to La Amistad Park and Volcán Barú National Park, nature lovers come here to enjoy the hiking, trout fishing, birding and the array of bountiful flora growing everywhere.

Although Volcán is smaller than Boquete, it still has many of the same amenities; grocery stores, hardware, banks, medical centers, pharmacies, bakeries and gas stations can all be found in Volcán. Yet, it is small enough that most people know each other and the town boasts a quieter charm than Boquete. Volcan is a peaceful and safe place to live, with expats welcoming newcomers to their quiet lifestyle with open arms. A local community group has been started by expats and local events and gathering are being organized on a frequent basis. For those who want to purchase Volcán real estate or rent, they will find the cost of living here much less expensive than Boquete. The cost of Volcán Panama real estate is very reasonable, with properties available for all budgets. Not yet full of new subdivisions, most homes just outside of Volcán are on larger lots with spectacular views.

At this point in time, buying here is an excellent investment, as Volcán will become even more popular over time and prices will increase. This is an area worth investigating as an alternative to the larger city of David or the bustling town of Boquete.

© 2015 Magda Crespo Panama Realty

The highlands of Chiriqui Province are among the most desirable locations in Panama, and perhaps all of Central America! Among foreign retirees and expats, Boquete is by far the most favored place to live, and for good reason. With spring-like weather year-round, this cool mountain town is known for its scenic beauty, coffee farms, and outdoor activities.

These near-perfect conditions have made Boquete a haven for expats, and there is always something going on! Civic groups built a fantastic new library, volunteers help needy families and stray animals, and social clubs of every description abound! The Boquete Community Events Center hosts a weekly market and frequent musical and theater productions. While the town itself is quite small and unassuming, the surrounding hillsides are dotted with little communities, indigenous people and family farms. Nestled among the trees you’ll spot awesome custom-built homes and country estates along the winding roads.

New construction has slowed a bit in and around Boquete, but some new homes in small developments are available. The re-sale market is hopping here, with a wide range of properties on offer from $200,000 and up. Real estate prices in and around Boquete are higher than elsewhere due to its popularity, and the cost of living tends to be higher as well. Rentals may run as high as $1500 per month here and the demand is steady.

Between its spectacular scenic beauty, wonderful climate and wealth of things to see and do, it’s easy to see why Boquete is such a hotspot today.

© 2015 Magda Crespo Panama Realty

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