You have to do what you have to do!

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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.

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Don't worry about leaving. The world is big and wonderful, there are plenty of great new places to live. You will find new people to relate to and new things to do. We left with a few suitcases and have made a new life that we really enjoy.

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Don't worry about leaving. The world is big and wonderful, there are plenty of great new places to live. You will find new people to relate to and new things to do. We left with a few suitcases and have made a new life that we really enjoy.

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Don't worry about leaving. The world is big and wonderful, there are plenty of great new places to live. You will find new people to relate to and new things to do. We left with a few suitcases and have made a new life that we really enjoy.

June or July is a good time to move. Find a place to be, rent, and take a good long time to look around. We know a couple who are both 80 who have made a successful transition and are enjoying a nice new life.

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I certainly d9!'t want to talk to you. I ju/t wonder if your time is so valuble, why did you bother respond

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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.

So sorry for your financial woes. Are you asking if a couple can live comfortably on $3600 / month in Panama? Yes, if you live in a smaller city or the countryside. It will be tight in Panama City over the long term. Economic growth in Panama has been averaging 8% a year, and is predicted to be 7% in 2015. Such growth brings inflation which takes its toll on fixed incomes. Better to live below your income at first so as not to have financial worries in the future. Do not overlook that it will cost a few thousand dollars to establish yourselves in Panama: lawyer and immigration fees, airfare for 2 or more trips, rental deposits, etc.

People emigrate for all kinds of reasons: some are pushed and some are pulled. You sound like you fall into the push category as an economic refugee. Is there anything that attracts you to Panama in particular? As others have said, for your own happiness and peace of mind, my input would be to try to embrace the change. With all respect, right now you sound like you are still grieving your financial losses from 2008, and are finding it hard to move forward.

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Zoemax1,

3600/month is more than enough! Unless you have a lot of debt or medical care to cover! You should look at Bocas del Toro, Pedasi, Gorgona/Coronado. Also look at getting the Pensionado Visa too once you are here for sure for sure!!!!!

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But don't spend money on residency visas until you have been here for awhile. You can stay on your tourist visa for 6 months. Yes, you can live well anywhere except in the city on $3600/month. The mountains will allow you to escape high elec. bills (no ac) And if you forgo owning a car which is very doable you should be in very good shape.

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If you can't make it on $3600 a month in the USA you have some serious issues and won't be happy anywhere else anyway. In most of Latin America people live on $360 a month.

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Hello,

Your situation is a lot like many. You can live in most parts of Panama on that income. Not sure where you are coming from or what you require to be comfortable. I live in the Boquete area so I really can only tell you what I've experienced. I know about other areas as well, but better you talk to someone from that area.

Boquete has some spendy areas but also some affordable areas. Please come to Panama and rent for the first year and see how you like it. In Boquete we have a great Expat community and lots of things to keep you busy. Also, in the town of David we have a great hospital and fine Doctors. Our town has MANY fabulous places to eat. Not to mention great coffee.

Our temp. is varied. In the town Boquete it averages 70 to 83 during the day and 65 to 73 at night. These are averages and sometimes a little hotter, sometimes a little cooler.

Where in the U.S. are you coming from? I just touched on a few points. Please google Boquete to see for yourself and if I can be of any help,,,,Just let me know. Good luck in your search of places to live and welcome to Panama.

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I guess you haven't been in the good ole USA in a while. $3600 will get you a nice new grocery cart so you can put your belongings in and an O'bama care health plan with a $12,000 deductible.

I'm exagerating a little on the cart, but not on the health plan. Sure there are couples living on $42,000 a year, but they are not retired because they must get part or full time jobs to make it. My wife and i are both 69 and did very well having owned a couple of hotels and counted on them being our retirement nest egg until the reccession came along and lasted 6-7 years depending on where you lived. If you think the American retirement dream can be had on $3,600 a month in the USA, you've had your head in the sand since 2006.

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Curious where you live because it seems like it would be doable to live in small town, rural USA for 3600. And even more so if housing (mortgage) is already paid off.

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The truth is if you have us3500 monthly your bank account will grow yearly living in Panama. If you plant.fruit trees have a garden and harvest.rain water well....

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It's refreshing to hear some of the good comments from you and others, that truly are happy with their choice. There are others that share some of the trying times they went through. That's all to be expected. It's the negative comments that seem to say "stay away from here", you won't possibly be happy in Panama, that pretty much have no idea what happyness is. They take their angry pills each morning and lie in wait for a comment or question they can attack from a newbie. Again thank you to those who have some patience with us and remember what it was like when you were the ones asking the questions. We appreciate the good and bad, but not the ones that take the angry pills.

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With $3,600 for a couple you will live fairly comfortably. A lot of Panamanians couples do it with less and they enjoy life, go out somewhat and are having fun. I am currently in Panama visiting, its not the cheapest country to live however the benefits for jubilados (you are over 65 therefore you qualify) are enormous. Every meal out 25% off except for alcohol. New taxes added to a lot of stuff including beauty parlor are impacting the bottom line of many people. Panama is a growing country with the greatest industry in the world---tourism!! the industry without chimneys. Most tourists are not from the USA--they are from other latin american countries and there is not stop on sight. Start packing I believe you will not regret your decision.

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$1000 per month is considered a decent salary in Panama. On your income you should live like a king. Panama City is a bit more expensive but the rest of the country is still pretty reasonable.

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great job hosting this site. Where would people look for help without you?---Not much more around. We are not subsidized sincere and without any economic interest trying to share our knowledge with the ones that are looking into joining our community.

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You don't have to be a legal resident of any other country to be excluded from the Affordable Care Act. All you have to do is prove you have been out of country for a majority of time during the past year, I think it is about nine months. Passport stamps can prove that easily.

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I cannot imagine not being able to live on US $3600. per month. I am a single male living in Calif. on $1800./ month after taxes. I must be doing something right - or you are doing something wrong?

And our Greater Recession is still continuing, despite what the liars club in D.C. is saying. A recession or depression simply means our (US) growth rate is depressed lower than the expected 3-3.5% annual growth rate.

If you are really hard-pressed financially, what have you got to lose by getting a round-trip ticket to Panama and just trying to live modestly for a couple of months "out of suitcase"? You will definitely find out if you can adapt to Panama.

If you choose to leave the USSA, sit down and write out, on paper, everything you need to cover your bases (leave no debts in USSA just in case you decide to return). Talk to your spouse about your proposed move! Get their input and feelings on the move, too.

Some of my friends look at me as if I am crazy for thinking of moving to Panama, but I have to live with myself and march (or dance) to the tune I hear!
I am sure you will be okay with whatever you choose to do.

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My wife and I live a 5 star existence on $2000 a month in Panama. That same existence in the States was $8000 a month. $3600 a month would give you lots of perks.......You would have way too much money to leave for your kids!

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What area are you located? What is your monthly rent?

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As always, "Attitude is Everything"!
Yes, you can live well on what you make. Do yourselves a favor & come down to rent and explore for several months before you make a decision on where you want to live. Panama City area is more expensive than many other areas and there are lots of undiscovered great places to live. That's one thing that makes Panama such a great place to live. Take your time, and immerse yourself in Spanish! Knowing the language makes a huge difference and Panamanians really appreciate that you are trying.
You can order some really good books on Amazon such as the Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish and a really good dictionary. Good luck!!

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My wife and I live in Volcan and you can live very comfortably on what you have with A LOT left over! We have found that life in the highlands is preferable to city life and is even nicer than the beaches due to the heat, humidity and "bugs". You have all you need in Volcan....there are ample services and conveniences and you have no traffic at all and lots of opportunity to interact with the locals.

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I echo Joel1949's comments exactly. What you have in your social security or retirement pension is plenty to live on, in Volcan or Boquete, anywhere in the highlands in the West. Life is cheaper and most of us agree, way better......or we wouldn't live here.

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Most or many or few - one thing is sure. I agree that life in the city is fantastic!

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Agree with Life in PC is fantastic. A word of caution: there are expats trying to make a buck out of expats or expats to be, by putting down PC, so they can sell, rent or make a commission out of referrals.
On another note, 3-4 November Atlapa Convention Center will hold a Panamanian Festival 10am-10pm. I copied this out of the internet:

Vive Panamá will promote Panamanian traditions with tourists.
Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4, the ATLAPA Convention Center will host the Vive Panama Festival, an event featuring gastronomy and handicrafts along with a program of events that includes music, folklore dance presentations and bands.

The “Tribute to Panama’s Identity” is one of the event’s main draws, taking place November 3 in Atlapa’s Anayansi Theater at 7:30 p.m. The festival extends throughout November with a nationwide tour of folklore presentations on weekends.

This event was created by Panama’s Tourism Authority (ATP) to showcase Panamanian identity and promote the country’s month of independence as a tourist attraction.

To see the full program of events, visit Vivepanama.pa."

Guess I should post this on a separate thread... See you there!

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Zoemax,

You can live a very good life here on your pension.
I could live any where in the world, I choose Panama and the town of El Valle, Anton,
No desire what so ever to go back to the states and have not found a better place for me to live. No ac, no heat, town has all amenities, close to city. Come check it out!

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I have been reading this thread and find it very interesting ! I too am anticipating a move to Panama in 2015 if all goes as planned. My son and his wife live in Volcan. Don't want to live "with" them but in the same area. Would love to get more info from expats living in Volcan to get an idea of life there. I am a retired lady with about $2100 per month income. Thank you.

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Why you leave is somewhat insignificant. What you are looking for is a better life. We all wanted that initially, for whatever reason. Most of us found it. Yes, you can live comfortably on that income. You have to choose where to live and how you want to live, but you can do it. I have a friend who just rented a house in the center of San Carlos 15 min walk to the beach, three bedrooms for under $1k a month long term. Always look for long term, you will get significantly better prices. Also, the further you are from the city and the ocean the better the prices. Food will run you the same or more, it's not significantly cheaper here even if you eat mostly Panamanian brands rather than American. It doesn't make a lot of difference. Some of the time it's cheaper to eat out then eat at home, if you find a good, inexpensive restaurant. Cars are more expensive, so budget that carefully, and you can only drive for three months on your visa, even if you're here on a visitors for 6. There is a huge fine if you're caught otherwise. Talk to people privately about how to get around that, there are ways. Also, get a good lawyer here so you do things right the first time and don't spend unnecessary monies. Again, many people here have some great recommendations. I have been here a little more then a month and I can tell you that my expenses have been much higher than i was told to prepare for, so make sure you have emergency, oh no, how could that have happened money in the bank. Or, come by the seat of your pants and just make it work. People have done it both ways. We did the latter. And we are still flying so to speak. However, I feel it was the best choice for our family and the lifestyle we wanted to have, despite all of the minor (and if they are not life threatening, in Panama they are minor) inconveniences, challenges and extra expenses I am still happier than I have been in ages. I absolutely love it here. I am making friends with expats and locals and immersing myself into life here. If you want to live a richer life that is a good way to do it. More people/experiences and less costs. It's amazing how little people can live on financially and be happy here. I don't regret for one moment our choices. I wish I had budgeted more for unexpected expenses and food but otherwise everything is ok. And I'm a three minute drive to the beach, which really makes it all worthwhile. Do what is right for you! And only you can know that. We can only advise you as to what worked and did not work for us.

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Interesting post. I have visited thailand 4 times in the past two years, and also constantly here how you can live on a song. Sure its a hell of a lot cheaper than san francisco, but if you want to live a normal interesting life, have a few hobbies, travel a bit etc i recommend you budget significantly more than you read on line. You can always live on air, but we didn't work our whole lives to simply exist someplace. My first trip to panama in two weeks. I know i won't like PC and worry it will be too hot for my tastes, but i am looking for a part time home not full time. Maybe columbia or equador cooler?

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Ok, if that was to me, let me clarify we are not living on air. There is no way to live here on nothing. You must have some funds. But I do think a couple could live, especially in the interior, on some $3600 a month and be comfortable. It's the beach, and the large condo that cost much more than people initially advise. I am fortunate, my husband still does consulting and brings in a very generous salary, however, I do know people who are living on far less. It's all a matter of how you want to live and where.

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Since you say you lost it all during the recession ... I'll assume you have zip in savings. Moving to Panama and shipping any kind of personal items such as your household will also set you back quite a bit. Didn't read if you posted where you cuurently live, I'll assume you live near a major city since you can't make it on $3600 monthly. Instead of moving to Panama, move to the country in the south ... or cowboy town in the west. $3600 bucks will go farther ... and moving just a few states is much cheaper than moving between countries.

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Richard Detrich just posted a new article on his blog titled "Live better for less in Panama" http://richarddetrich.com/2014/11/05/live-better-for-less-in-panama/.

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