A perfect climate was a major requirement for Brandy and Bob Gregory when they sought their overseas retirement home eight years ago. They found their ideal weather in the highland town of Boquete, in western Panama.

“We’re from Nashville, Tennessee, and we wanted to move to a place that’s not too cold and not too hot,” says Brandy. “When we came to Panama and I saw Boquete for the first time, I said to Bob, ‘This is paradise.’”

Bob, a former naval officer, and Brandy, a registered nurse, have been living in Boquete since 2008. “It was Bob’s idea to move overseas, and I just went along,” says Brandy. “He wanted to live someplace different and we did lots and lots of research, especially comparing climate data. We didn’t want to have any heating or air conditioning bills, and Boquete is just perfect.”

Boquete’s perfect weather is due to its altitude, as it lies at about 3,300 feet. The highlands across Panama are formed by the mountains of the Cordillera Central, and the highest of these is Barú Volcano. At 11,400 feet, it towers over smaller peaks in Chiriquí Province, and its rain forest environment is responsible for Boquete’s cool temperatures and abundant rainfall. With daytime highs in the 80s F and nighttime lows in the 60s F, it feels like springtime throughout the year.

“We visited Panama for a week, because I had to smell the air and feel the dirt before I could make any decisions,” says Brandy. “We looked at the house, went back to Tennessee and talked it over, then bought the house and came back to do the paperwork.” The couple bought a home in Alto Boquete, a short distance from the town center off the main highway. “We have amazing neighbors. They’re just wonderful, friendly people, and we’re the only foreigners who live in this neighborhood,” says Brandy.

Another major difference is their cost of living, which is noticeably lower. “I would estimate our monthly budget to be less than $2,000. We own our home and we have three vehicles (one is Bob’s ‘pet project’ Land Cruiser). We have solar panels, so our electric bill is only about $40. Internet and cable service run about $90, and we spend about $500 a month on groceries and necessities. We go out to eat with friends and attend some of the music and theater productions, as well,” says Brandy.