" i am a single retired female Interfaith minister who would like to connect with other retired expats by email for advice and suggestions regarding retirement & relocation. i have a few standard questions, primarily in the areas of residency requirements- is pensionado status a possibility for immigration?, which is wisest- to apply for residency here in the USA prior to immgration, or after arriving?, availibility of inexpensive rooms, etc. specifics: my sole income is $USD550.00 a month, a rather modest budget by American standards, aka poverty level. as a result, i need honest, accurate, and realistic information on whether i can realisitcally survive frugally on this amount abroad. everything i have read so far on the internet and retirement abroad books indicates you need at least $1000.00 a month to live comfortably- yet i survive here in the USA on $550.00 a month by living very frugally. any idea how well others with similar incomes to mine are managing abroad? i would require only a room to rent, but would dearly like to be as close to the beach as possible, for i do my best writing at the beach. *g* lived in florida years ago, and must admit that the high humidity really got to me. lol is there somewhere close to the beach that offers relatively low humidity, or is this just wishful thinking on my part? *chuckle* i would sincerely appreciate any info on what renting a room costs- price range, average(s), etc. i do need to be close enough to the local market that i can either walk or use public transportation. i am well educated, quiet, well mannered, dress conservatively, would prefer to eat local food, etc. i also would like to connect with other expats abroad occasionally. i am currently in the process of relearning the spanish i haven''t used in several decades before i move abroad. :-) unfortunately, i keep running into articles that talk about investors being warmly welcomed, but my situation is the complete opposite of that, and i haven''t run into articles for folks at the other end of the economic ladder. *chuckle* if you can be of assistance, or know someone who can, please feel free to contact me at bid4auction@yahoo.com. thank you very much in advance for both your time and consideration in this matter. Rev. Jandi Dunlap email: bid4auction@yahoo.com "

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" Pensionado status is available if the $550 you receive are provided by the Social Security Administration or an accredited pension fund. . Living on $550 a month is tough but not impossible. That is twice minimum wage in Panama. Living by the sea will be difficult because, except for 3-room beach homes built by realtors, most coastal areas lack sewage, running water, are far from medical services and during evenings are ruled by mosquitoes and gnats. Petty theft can be an issue. . Foreign retirees seeking beach homes live in communities that have most urban facilities and even cleaning personnel at a hefty price. . Next best thing to not being by the beach is living the ""Lonely Planet"" lifestyle by renting a room with an Interior or Panama City family and heading for the beach during weekdays. Retirees with proper ID can get discounts of up to 25% on restaurant meals and other services. . As a retired Interfaith minister, churches can give you a head start to connecting you with people. Lists are available at: . <a href=""http://iglesia-de-cristo.org/congregaciones/Panam%C3%A1/Panam%C3%A1_S.htm"">http://iglesia-de-cristo.org/congregaciones/Panam%C3%A1/Panam%C3%A1_S.htm</a> . <a href=""http://www.panamabooks.org/orderpage.htm"">http://www.panamabooks.org/orderpage.htm</a> Hope this helps... "

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" mucho gracias para la informacion! yes, my income is Social Security, and I really appreciate your suggestions. Lonely Planet lifestyle it is then. *grin* "

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Supporting only yourself, you should be able to find a reasonable place to live in Panama for $550US per month. It is also much simpler to retire to Panama than some other countries.
Try this email discussion group: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/viviendo_en_panama
It is a group of people that live, have lived, or desire to live in Panama.
Buen suerte!

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