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One Year Until Retirement

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caratkake
  4/27/2016 23:18 EST

I will retire in March 2017 and plan to move to Panama. I am 67 years old and live alone. What can you tell me about the following areas: vista alegre, chorillo, arraign, and vacamonte. I think I may want to buy a small house there. All of these areas seem to be affordable, but I don't know about safety. I like the idea of being very near the city, but not in the city. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

XSMEMORIES
  4/28/2016 09:38 EST

Hi, I.m Sheila, personally I wouldn't live in any of those areas. Sure their is good people there but also a lot of gangs. The houses are so close together you can shake your neighbors hand. You should come down for a visit and check out this country it's not for everybody. [email protected]

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Panabud
  4/28/2016 14:35 EST

Do a scouting trip first before deciding anything. Those places you mentioned are from not so nice to dangerous ghetto. Unless you want thrill and adventure daily it's best to stay put in your home country. Visiting overseas is great but to expatriate is a whole different game. Know what you are getting into first.

dumluk
  4/28/2016 15:18 EST

I second that advice..........and the farther away from Panama City/Colon you are, the better, safer and cheaper it gets......

panamaexpat
  4/28/2016 16:07 EST

Hope expats do their homework and don't believe everything they read here. For example, several expats, had they survived, would not agree. They were "befriended" and "helped" by Wild Bill, another "friendly" and "helpful" expat, who robbed them of their properties, monies, their lives, and finally burying them. And this happened very far from PC. Beware expats!

ranadelnorte
  4/28/2016 16:08 EST

@dumluck
This is quite a sweeping generalization about Panama City. There are many neighbourhoods here that are as safe as anywhere in the country. The OP just didn't pick the good ones. Lumping Panama City together with Colon is totally inaccurate.

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Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.
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jonoyakker
  4/28/2016 16:28 EST

I guess you could say the same thing everywhere in the world if you want to worry about that kind of thing. I am from the States and there is probably a better chance statistically to die there in an incident of road rage, drive by shooting, or a mass shooting by a deranged person. I have benefited from the help of many expats and Panamanians alike. Frankly, you sound paranoid.

panamaexpat
  4/28/2016 16:34 EST

Your opinion. Most people here would agree in that farther away from PC does not mean safer. Expats or expats to be can take it or leave it.

caratkake
  4/28/2016 21:11 EST

Thanks jonoyakker. Actually, I've been to Panama three times and I have an attorney there as well. I was just curious about those areas, but I never expected to get such responses. Do you know much about living on Isla Taboga? I will probably spend a few days there on my next trip.

ranadelnorte
  4/28/2016 21:55 EST

Isla Taboga is lovely and charming, but the cost of living there is high because everything, including drinking water, must be shipped in. Check out www.panamaforreal.com for a budget snapshot of this location.

jonoyakker
  4/28/2016 21:55 EST

I am somewhat familiar with all those areas EXCEPT Toboga island. Chorillo is a ghetto near Casco Viejo-not safe. The others are areas a bit west of the canal not far off the InterAmerican. It's a fast growing, bedroom community area. Honestly, none of those are my cup of tea. For me, they are too hot, congested, and noisy. Is that what you want? What is your purchase budget? I recommend an extended visit in a rental before purchasing.

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Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in PanamaKovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.
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caratkake
  4/29/2016 00:19 EST

I realize I said Chorillo but I meant Chorrera. I think Chorrera is near Vista Alegre and Arraijan, I would like to be close to Panama City. I really like El Cangrejo but I think that area just may have gotten too expensive for me.

Panabud
  4/29/2016 12:08 EST

jonoyakker: going to have to call out your nonsense comment about the States. Now that's paranoia. If you are sold on Panama then great, good for you. Enjoy it. Objectively speaking the infrastructure in Panama is much worse than in the States. Efficiency, service, quality, cleanliness, safety, amenities, conveniences, etc. are superior in the States. Those are quantifiable facts. By moving to Panama you gain a few perks but give up many benefits also. To some people the trade off is worth it, but to others it's not. That's what it boils down to... what each individual prefers.

kimbattlincoln
  4/29/2016 12:27 EST

and all current perceptions may change depending on who wins the US elections. Panama property values may skyrocket!

golric
  4/29/2016 15:36 EST

@ caratkake

If you will be an expat woman leaving alone in a foreign country my first question is...... do you speak Spanish fluently. If the answer is yes that will help you a lot.

There are other areas in the city that have apartments for rent or sale and are good areas and not very expensive. I know a lady that lives in a new apartment complex in the city but not in the center. She mentioned that having a security guard makes her feel better. No guarantee that all will be good but ,,,,,,,,

And last but not least Panama is not cheap regardless of what that magazine IL said. I live here and came knowing the good, bad, and ugly and learning every day that either you take as it is or stay where you are.

caratkake
  4/29/2016 20:34 EST

Hi,
I appreciate your comments. Yes, I do speak Spanish and I have been there a few times so I am somewhat aware of the costs. You are correct in everything you say.

caratkake
  4/29/2016 20:38 EST

I often wonder why people will make such comments but they remain in Panama. Do you not like it there?

jonoyakker
  4/29/2016 20:39 EST

Panambud: not sure which nonsense comment of mine that you are referring to but maybe the one where I said I thought I was safer here than in the States? And where I said that things in Panama are improving while things in the States are going down hill? What's the problem?

caratkake
  4/29/2016 23:03 EST

I did not say anything regarding nonsense. You seem so argumentative. I am just asking if you do not like Panama.

StanleySankey
  5/1/2016 15:27 EST

Caratkake

The one thing that I would recommend for you is do not be in a rush to buy something. Rentals are inexpensive and available in many areas. Many can be found online on Encuentra24 or OLX . Prices vary from under $1000 per month to over $3000 per month. depending on the area. I know you said you prefer to be near the city but if you consider some of the smaller areas in the interior rentals are super cheap. For example in Los Tablas a 2 bdrm unfurnished house will run $200 a furnished 3-bdrm will run $350.

The real estate market in Panama is not as liquid as many think and if you purchase something and decide you don't like the area after the honeymoon period wears off you may be stuck for quite a while before you can get out.

Renting will give you the option to test drive your new locations for a few years to sure that is really what you want without being stuck.

caratkake
  5/1/2016 23:36 EST

Great idea StanleySankey. Thanks so much. I won't be coming back to Panama until I retire next year. But at that time I will be able to check out more areas.
Thanks again.

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