I've made a few posts in the Other Countries section, and I'll do a major update soon.

The expats and retirees I've met here in Panama City all like it a lot, but they all bought before the big housing boom started two years ago. Property prices have escalated dramatically, and rents have nearly tripled ($550 per month to $1400 per month).

The government is also trying to change the retirement visa to reduce the number of guarnteed renewals, but that may changed. They shortened the tourist visa to 30 days and there were so many complaints that they went back on it almost immediately.