Well, I don't have children (yet) but I rent a 2 BR/1 bath apartment in an older building -centrally located- for $400 a month, plus utilities. Since you want rural surroundings you may find a fairly large place that rents for around $600-800, depending on location.

As for utilities, water and gas are relatively cheap. Electricity, however...

Depending on the amount of appliances, especially air conditioning and electronics, and how often you run them you may pay up to $100 or more per month. A little piece of advice on the electronics: use a power strip and shut them off completely when not in use; remote-controlled devices guzzle power even when "off". Yes, the clocks on them will all blink "00:00" but you'll save a LOT.

Groceries will likely run about $400 or so a month since you're a large family (my sister and I spend about $180 or so, but I tend to indulge in gourmet delicacies *blush*).

If there's any other questions you have I'll gladly answer as best I can.

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We are also a family with 2 kids hoping to relocate to Panama for a few years..my partner is over there at the moment having a look. Just wondering where you from in UK and have you made any plans...where you thinking of in Panama and do you know any one else there with children? Why Panama ....? umm...
We also looking rural and safe but dont want to feel isolated
Take care
Jenny

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Hi Paola, I am from Panama. I must say that Panama is the safer country in the region with an increasing economy specially in the real state, construction and banking sector. Myself, I live in Panama City but if you are looking for a rural area you may like Chiriqui 6 hours in car away from Panama City or 45 mins in plane. If there is anything you may want me to help you just send me an email lcbfuentes@yahoo.com Panamanian people is very friendly so you and your family will have no problem to make friends.

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We stayed this winter for 7 weeks in Panama with our two small kids -our girl 2 years old and our baby 10 months old. We live in Norway and wanted to escape the winter. It was a success and we liked it so much that we now are making plans to relocate, first for one year and then see.

The area we stayed in for 6 weeks (one week in PC) was Costa Arriba. It is the caribbean side about 1.5 hours drive from Panama city. We rented a house about 20 minutes before Portobelo. We liked it because it was safe, very pretty and close to civilisation, and we didn't feel isolated. 20 minutes to huge supermarket and 30 minutes to good doctors. Although small, our kids enjoyed it and the oldest was taken cared of the other kids and families living in the area. No one got sick except for the first 5 days we had to recover from the long journey/flight. Here in Norway they get one cold after another but there not.

Groceries and food is cheap and a lot to choose from. We rented a car from Rifty which is about 20 usd a day, a maid helped us for 10 usd a day. The most expensive part was the rent for the house. In that area there aren't so easy to find vacation rentals but there are a few starting from 200-300 usd a week.

Paperwork for residency I don't know much about. We found the people to be very friendly and liked children.
So as said we plan to go back for a longer period next time and if you have similar plans you welcome to contact us at fallenius@gmail.com

Mats

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