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pan2021
  7/15/2016 08:24 EST

HI, I have been doing a lot of research and think Panama is where I will retire. Probably Boquete. I lost my life savings in the crash in 2008 so I will be living mostly on social security. I'm trying to save right now and this is why my retirement will have to wait till 2021. I thought I would get a start now and try to make some contacts and get some current info. on life in Panama and Boquete . I am not a materialistic person so I have no desire for a big house or lavish lifestyle . I just want a place where I can live a spiritual , peaceful existence with a few good people for company. I am a music lover. I play the drums (not a pro but I'm not bad ). I enjoy hiking and exploring as well as biking, photography and snorkeling, Like I said in the topic title, this is just a start so I am open to whatever advice or comments you have to give about life in Boquete, renting a house, whatever you think is good to know.......Thank you in advance !

pan2021
  7/15/2016 09:36 EST

some things that I thought of I might need to know would be what to bring with me and what to leave behind. I also like to ride my motorcycle. anybody else like to ride?
:?)

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stgibson
  7/17/2016 15:03 EST

If you plan on living in Boquete solely on SS income you had better have close to 2000- 3000K/month. Boquete has gotten expensive. There are areas outside of Boquete that are still inexpensive. My suggestion is to come down for 3 or 4 weeks, get your feet on the ground and look around. My wife and I get by fine on $1250/month but then I had the cash to buy property and build a house so we have no rent. There are a couple of bike clubs here and most get together on Sunday mornings and ride.

pan2021
  7/17/2016 18:11 EST

Hi ! My name is Mike. Thank you for the info. I am planning a trip to Panama in 2017. I don't have a definite date yet. Boquete is I guess a starting point for me. It looks as if it has everything that I'm looking for. To bad the cost of living is so high but If I have to I will live as close as I can, if that is where I decide to live. probably somewhere between David and Boquete. I am trying to save money now to buy a house. I have worked as a carpenter for many years so a fixer upper would be great ! We will see what I can save and what I have from selling things. Really, I don't mind living a modest life. Most of what I enjoy doing doesn't cost much or is free. An afternoon playing chess or going for a hike will please me greatly. Can I ask how long you have lived in Panama and did you leave everything behind or did you ship your things? Thank You again
MIke

BoqueteGirl
  7/18/2016 09:30 EST

You have lots of options for "life style" in Boquete. Depending on how you want to live. We have friends who rent a small casita and love it. They pay around $600. a month. They love to eat the fresh veggies and fruits brought in daily by the farmers, Also buy off the fresh fish trucks that park in town almost daily. Chicken is great and can find some inexpensive chicken in some of the small markets around town. Eggs are reasonably priced. Now if you want filet mignon, you will pay a higher price. Pork is reasonable as well.

You have options of living down the road from Boquete in several smaller communities that are quite nice. Need to come and explore. The further down the hill you go towards David, the HOTTER it gets. And howdy!!!!! Take your time and don't make any rash decisions. This will be your life and you must make the right decisions based on YOUR needs.

pan2021
  7/18/2016 21:37 EST

Sounds nice. I won't make any rash decisions. I have 5 years and I'm already researching. If I do move to Panama it might be for good or if I choose to , after a while I'll try something else. I would like to travel a bit anyway. Can I ask you how long you have lived in Panama? Maybe where did you move from? I don't know what is to personal on this forum. I just would like to hear about other peoples experiences moving to panama. Thank you for your time.

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CarrieW
  7/19/2016 09:09 EST

Hi Pan2021,
You are right to do much research. Before we moved to Boquete, from California, we researched for 5 years! I asked a lot of questions on this forum and received some great advise. Keep in mind that there are two seasons...high season which is around December to April. Low season is May through November. If you come at low season, you can probably find less expensive places to rent (in Boquete and surrounding areas).
By the way, we love it here...have been here 6 months and feel it is the best move we ever made!
Good luck with your research and feel free to PM me if you have further questions.
Carrie

JonCates
  7/19/2016 12:23 EST

C. WHERE N CALI. WE LIVED N
SFRAN N TAHOE N WANT TO
VISIT BAGUETTE TOO. DO U RENT. HOPE TO VISIT SOON
JON N LVILLE

CarrieW
  7/19/2016 19:52 EST

Joncates,
We came from San Jose, CA. Grew up in Los Altos...town next to Palo Alto (think Stanford University). We are renting in Boquete. It will be nice to meet a fellow Bay Area person!

Lamastus
  7/19/2016 21:20 EST

Sorry, I'm from San Diego

BoqueteGirl
  7/19/2016 21:54 EST

@pan2021

We have lived here for almost 5 years and love it. Take your time and decide if you want cool nights and warm days or hot days and nights on the coast. We have friends who have condo's in Coronado and love the heat. But love their escape to the mountains for coolness. Please visit all options and decide what is best for you. My husband and I love the mountain weather coming from the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.A.

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bakerlady
  7/20/2016 12:03 EST

Hi Carrie, So glad to read that you are from California and love Boquete. We moved from CA to Las Vegas and have been very unhappy for the past five years. Desert life is not for us. We've been to Boquete, loved it. Our son lives in Panama and encourages us to move there. We lost our home here in the mortgage fiasco, nothing holding us back. We have a comfortable Social Security and could live very well in Panama. We're hoping to "take the plunge" and move at beginning of October. Will it be difficult to find a rental? My husband is a retired animation artist and I'm retired from catering. Would love to meet new friends and get involved in Boquete. Regards, Pat W.

SunsetSteve
  7/21/2016 10:30 EST

Bakerlady (and others) - re Boquete rentals: you will find that the good rentals come up in April/May, as the snowbirds begin to return to North America. The best plan, if you plan to go in the Fall, is to find a temporary place to stay and be patient until the Spring when you will find a wider choice of accoms.

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