A former bartender from Hampton and New Mexico reflects on life in Central America after moving to Panama.

George Stampp, a former bartender, is comfortably living in Panama after moving from New Mexico. Stampp rents out two houses as Airbnbs, supplementing his income in a country with good healthcare. He noted that Panama has a strong infrastructure, lower living costs, and many of the same stores as in the U.S.

George Stamp, 65, worked as a bartender and bar supervisor in Long Island and New Mexico for decades.

Realizing that his retirement savings could be more beneficial in another country, he settled in Panama. In 2006, he and his wife bought a plot of land on the outskirts of Panama City, paying $37,000 in cash for it, while traveling back and forth until retirement.

As the cost of living rises due to increasing housing prices and still high grocery bills, many American retirees are looking for opportunities to retire abroad.

• Leaving the US, Stamp grew up in the Hamptons on Long Island and eventually worked as a bartender for 15 years.
• Having lived in the increasingly expensive Long Island, he decided to move to Santa Fe, where he had a cousin at the time.
• In 1993, he moved to Santa Fe with his then-girlfriend and her two children.

He got a job at a luxury hotel in the city center, working his way up to bar supervisor.

For many years, he managed a bar, creating income charts. While traveling through Central America, he visited countries such as Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama.

After a long search, he noticed that property prices could be cheaper through signs on houses than through real estate websites.

He bought a plot of land for $37,000, which had a house on it, and built a house at the back of the lot. After moving there permanently, he noted the growth of Panama's infrastructure and the conveniences of living there, but also emphasized the importance of adapting to the local culture and respecting the neighbors.