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Possibly Retire in Panama

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surefire13
  5/27/2015 05:19 EST

Hi everyone, My wife and I just returned from Costa Rica thinking we would move there. Well, upon our return we changed our minds. So..... How is Panama? We would like to live in an area with other expats. Maybe along the beach to just relax and hear the water splash. Have a budget of about $3000 mo total to live there. We want to rent a house or condo not buy. Prefer a gated community. Are we able to get close to $3000? Not into surfing.
Thank you in advance for you help.
Surefire13

capforfun
  5/27/2015 07:45 EST

Let me clarify from the outset that we do not live in Panama..........yet :-)

But, we are studying retiring pater this year to Boquete with a budget of $3,000 per month, like you. From everything we have found out so far we will be ablate do that, comfortably.

Looking forward to seeing the other posts here

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cheryl4209
  5/27/2015 09:13 EST

The good news: (a) with a long-term lease, you can rent a 1-2 bedroom condo in a gated, secure building on a higher floor for $1300-1650 per mo. plus electric (A/C), cable and wifi. (b) beach life along the surf and close to the city and good medical is attainable here. The bad news: (a) food, even when shopping the fruit stands and mercado, is more expensive here. (b) home break-ins are common--bring a safe, take all the security measures you would walking around in a large city. (c) there is a them/us mentality among the locals. Expats are seen as wealthy beyond belief and are expected to share.
I would recommend an extended test-drive, before making a decision. Remember, you can always relocate again---the world is truly your oyster.

rnykamp
  5/27/2015 09:28 EST

Coronado has many expatriates that we found to be very friendly. Also many grocery stores, restaurants, and stores and business' for most other items you may need. The beach front is beautiful and there are many condo and gated community options up and down the beach for miles, both on and near the Pacific. Suggest you check it out.

RAJ484
  5/27/2015 10:32 EST

We love the Gorgona/Coronado area and feel very safe everywhere we go. We walk along the beach every morning and there is a lot to do in the area. We are in a hi rise condo with a security guard and are very comfortable. $3,000/mo would be easy to live on with eating out a few times a week included. There is a lot of good shopping nearby and a lot of expats in the area with many opportunities to do some volunteer stuff if you are so inclined. It is also in the dry arch which means that though there is a rainy season, it is not nearly as rainy as other areas of Panama. We wake up and fall asleep to the sound of the surf.

kimbattlincoln
  5/27/2015 10:45 EST

If you think you might be interested in the beaches near David contact Eric Durocher. He was our realtor, but is also a property manager in the area. A great guy. His email is:
[email protected]

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sueg
  5/27/2015 15:30 EST

do you think that one person could retire in that area on 2,000 a month total budget ? if not, what places would you suggest ? sue

sueg
  5/27/2015 15:33 EST

sorry I did not post in the right order . having $2,000 a month total budget , do you think this would be enough for one person in the gorgona/Coronado area ? if not, any suggestions ? I do not well in the humidity . I have visited panama but stayed in the city . sue

cheryl4209
  5/27/2015 15:41 EST

Gorgona and Coronado, although geographically close, are worlds apart in terms of amenities and culture. Coronado is an expat community with the lofty reputation as the Malibu of Panama. It seems to me that humidity is very high year around, just about everywhere--check the weather channel to see what would work for you. Please see my earlier post in this feed as to costs.

ClintPty
  5/27/2015 15:45 EST

I would suggest looking on www.airbnb.com or www.vrbo.com and booking a couple of weeks in the areas that you have short listed so that you can get a better feel of the communities before entering a long term rental contract.

Communities most popular with expats would be the area between Gorgona and Rio Mar (Coronado area) and Boquete. These areas have somewhat more of a community feel and have the amenities that most are after.

llactivities
  5/27/2015 20:00 EST

Good suggestion ClintPty to do a trial run and stay in Coronado. This is a link to an awesome new Coronado Beach vacation rental - you can see it on Airbnb or contact us directly via the link below to reserve your dates-

http://panama.en.craigslist.org/vac/5045615297.html

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surefire13
  5/27/2015 23:17 EST

You have been very helpful and we thank you all. We will not take your suggestions lightly. And plan to book a two or three week trip to the Coronado area in the near future.

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