Hello. We are also considering retiring to panama in a few years with 2 children aged 15 and 12. we are going on vacation there in february and are going to check property prices, cost of living and locations. If you would like us to let you know what we find out, or about anything we've researched, write back. Everything we have read suggests the Chiriqui province near Volcan and Boquete has the best weather. Hope to hear from you!!

Post a Reply

00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

Learn More Get a Quote

Hi. Just came back from first trip to Panama. Considering retiring with 6 year old. Just did tour of Panama City, Bocas (wouldn't live there with children), and the rain forest (also not for kids). Seems that schools in Panama City are best. Didn't get to Boquete. Please let me know if there are any reasonable schools out there. Have fun.

Post a Reply

00abuse

To the family from Montana: Thanks for your post, we are also considering the areas you mention, please e-mail us after your vaction my email: fleabis2000@cs.com, hope your vaction is enriching! Thanks and let us know

Post a Reply

00abuse

You want a school for American children, to live near English speaking communities but NOT to live in Panama City.

That will be very difficult because the only schools teaching in English are in Panama City. Boquete has a small English speaking community but mostly of retirees, with no shopping malls, video arcades or bowling alleys and your 11-year old would be incredibly bored from the rural lifestyle (just wait till he or she reaches 15!).

For more on schools see the postings in "elementary schools" and see the postings throughout this forum.

.

Post a Reply

00abuse

We are also considering a move to Panama with our three children (2, 5 and 10yo). Have only done internet research, but will possibly visit mid-2002. Chiriqui province holds most interest at this point. Would love to hear from anyone considering the same: nicandduff@hotmail.com

Post a Reply

00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

I must concur with 'VOLUNTEER', most of the english/spanish schools are in Panama City, but, if you are concerned for the children, they usually adapt and learn the language quickly, especially when fully-immersed.
My wife is from a small town near Boquete and I would not recommend retiring to Boquete/Volcan with children. You may want to consider an area closer to David which is about 45 minutes south of Boquete, possibly Dolega.
Also my wife tells me that there is a bilingual school in David.

May I suggest joining an email discussion group of people that live, have lived or desire to live in Panama:

http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/viviendo_en_panama

Buen Suerte!

Post a Reply

00abuse

There are many beatiful places to live in Panama, and the cost of living is almost nothing compared to the US. I lived there for a year in the 80's. And spent 6 weeks there last year. I am planning on building a house in Santa Catalina.If you have any questions my e-mail is skeksie809@hotmail.com

Post a Reply

00abuse

Why not Bocas for children? just wondering about specifics. Thinking about taking a visit with my 3 year old and wife....

Post a Reply

00abuse

[quote] bigdaddy0415 3/30/2002 Why not Bocas for children? just wondering about specifics. Thinking about taking a visit with my 3 year old and wife.... [/quote]

Not a bad idea. Young kids adapt easily to any environment. The question is when kids reach schooling age and they need something more than a school with a blackboard and a few notepads (the paper kind). I read something in the paper about a bilingual school run by the Chiquita banana company but it must be in the mainland at Changuinola, where other schools are also located.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Hi guys

I would recommend you Boquete better than Volcan is Closer to David and their is a growing expat community here, the cost of living is cheap and there are projects catering to expart from differente ranges of prices. you can have a meal from $1.25 to 6.00 and in David (30 minutes ride ) you can find a Price Cotsco and very good supermarkets, really everything is very close, if you have any other questions please to not hesitate to contact me at infboquete@hotmail.com Demetrio

Post a Reply

00abuse

Greetings - or as they say in Panama - Hola (ola)
Let me give you some straight advice about Panama. I lived for 2 years in David, which is down the hill from Boquete. David is a nice little, laid back town. There are a couple of very good markets in town, however, be wary for the meat - sometimes it is not the freshest. The cost of food - if you want to eat like an American is higher than it is here because everything has to be imported. There are some nice homes in David for rent. I was renting a 3 bedroom, two bath for $600 per month. Electricity is very cheap there. You can actually live very nicely on $2,000 per month. For schools, there are many and a couple of real nice private schools. Remember, all the students must wear uniforms. Girls must wear skirts and boys, white shirts and ties. And of course, the language is Spanish. It would be advisable to take language courses here before you go down there. You can import up to $10,000 worth of household goods and one car without paying import taxes. You must also register with immigration in David. You can get extensions to your visas and after 1 year apply for residencia status. That has to be done by a lawyer. There are several that will try to charge lots of money for the service and tell you it takes months. I got my residencia status in one day and paid only $300. It is a hassle, but it can be done. I will close this for now, but if you have any more questions, you can e-mail me at: ezflyer36@yahoo.com. My name is Lee. I also have a friend in Washington state that goes down there often. If you are interested, I will get his e-mail address for you

Ciao

Lee

Post a Reply

00abuse

Hi Lee,

I was reading your reply to the coupal with one child. My husband and I are considering at least partially retiring to the mountains of Panana Bouquete or Cerro Punta area. We will be visiting again in Feb./03. We are a little leary of being ripped off by real estate agents. We don't want to live in an English enclave as we feel it's important to blend in to the comunity and culture.

Do you know of any good real estate people we can get ahold of? If your friend in Washington state knows of any one we'd also like to hear from him too. We also live in Wa. state and want to be snow birds living in Panama during the winter months. We understand the govt. of Panama is quite liberal about partial retirement.

Any help you can lend Lee, would be very
welcome! While you lived there, what did you miss the most?

Rene

Post a Reply

00abuse

Hi, read your e-mail regarding the bilingual school in David. Would you be able to give me the name of the school? We also have 2 young school age children, and would like to get some more info on english and/or bilingual schools. I know of the ones in Pan. City, but would prefer to live a little farther out.
Thx for the help...I feel one step closer now.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Hi Corina. We are also a family with school age children considering partial retirement in the area of David. Could you please let me know what you find out? Any information would be greatly appreciated as we want out of the Rat Race for awhile.
Thanks so Much
Susan

Post a Reply

00abuse