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Panama City is one of the safest cities in Latin America. You'd be shocked at how advanced it is. Everyone I've told about it has given me a look that says, "Why the fuck are you moving to the jungle?" but that's simply not the case. This is an international banking hub, for starters (not to mention a decent place for "asset management" or whatever you want to call a tax shelter); there are three internet cafes on every street (no bullshit) so there is no lack of tech industry; the US dollar is the official currency, and the skyline looks like NYC.
Real estate is pretty interesting down here as well -- I've been looking at 3-bedroom rentals with swimming pools and balconies overlooking the Pacific. The average price has been around $1200-$1500 a month. Not bad considering that these are all huge condos in new high-rises, but I think you can get even better deals if you don't go through an American realtor. I'm not looking at buying or building anything, but I've heard that if you build a new place, there are no property taxes for the first 20 years.
The government here is more stable than you might imagine. Sure, they've had some problems in the past *cough*Noriega*cough*, but the bottom line, as Rick wisely said, is that the US government would nuke any country in the world before they let someone fuck with the Panama Canal. 5% of the entire world's goods float through that big-ass ditch, so no one is going to let the government get too out of hand around here.
You should fly down here and check it out sometime, Digipimp. Perhaps around the Curucao show.
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