jimmills
1/30/2017 09:20 EST
I am one year (+) from retiring after 38 years in education. My wife and I are very interested in Las Tablas as a retirement destination. I'm new to the forum postings. Can anyone help me get started with the basics? I appreciate it.
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ranadelnorte
1/30/2017 11:22 EST
Hello and welcome to the forum.
Why not formulate some specific questions? Your request for information about "the basics" is too broad. Also be aware that basics have been covered many times, so just use the search function to get information. You could start by searching for Las Tablas, for example, and read all the posts referring to that search term. And as everyone advises, best to make several trips to Panama to see if you think it could work for you before starting your immigration proceedings.
Good luck!
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SunsetSteve
1/30/2017 18:42 EST
Yes, it's difficult to discern what you mean by the basics. The basics of forum posting, Las Tablas as a destination for retirement, the basics of getting a pensionado visa? If the latter, first step is to google search panama pensionado visa generally, then dig in from there. Lots and lots of info out there. And in here!
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stgibson
1/30/2017 21:44 EST
Basics 101
#1 Come to Panama and rent a place for 3 months,explore, practice your Spanish, see how things work. #2 Go home spend 3 or 4 weeks and then look in the mirror and ask. If the answer is "that wasn't too bad", then come back and spend 6 months, explore some more, practice your Spanish some more and as an educator, do your homework. #3 Go back home, spend 3 or 4 weeks and then look in the mirror and ask. If the answer is "what am I doing here?" then you are ready.
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PanamaJackie
1/31/2017 23:39 EST
You should consider Chitre too. It is very affordable, has many more amenities, and does not have the water problems that Las Tablas/Los Santos province has.
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jimmills
2/2/2017 10:01 EST
I checked it out. WOW. There are SO MANY retirement destinations to choose from. I think my wife and I may visit this summer for a few weeks and check them out. I think as of now we are both sold on Panama, somewhere. Thank you so very much
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PanamaJackie
2/2/2017 10:15 EST
I have lived in Panama for six years and absolutely LOVE it! You should come check out Panama.
There is such a variety of different places to live and a place to fit any budget.
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jimmills
2/2/2017 10:23 EST
I am so excited. I may move my retirement date up. Any suggestions on "do not miss" destinations if we come and stay for a few weeks to explore? Thanks again.
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StanleySankey
2/2/2017 11:30 EST
Good day
I would assume that you have been doing your research. I found this book to be a good source of info, but is getting a bit dated
https://books.google.com.pa/books?id=BsK_daKuHZ8C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false
I would certainly start with visiting if you have not already before deciding that this is the best destination for you to retire to.
Don´t be in a rush to make decisions that are difficult to undo, do not buy property until you have been here (or any other location for that mater) until you have lived there for a long while. Your impressions of any place will change as the months and years pass.
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jimmills
2/2/2017 11:47 EST
Your input is GREATLY appreciated. My wife and I hope to come this summer and spend a few weeks exploring and do the same next summer or when we vacation. Thanks also for the recommendation of the reading material.
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XSMEMORIES
2/2/2017 16:12 EST
Hi you're summer is our rainy season. I think you need more time, but at least you'll see the rain a lot! Check out the Lonely Planet book on Panama;; That may help with a area; Blue Cross and Blue Shield ins., is available only at certain hospitals, if you have military retirement different story. Local doctors are reasonable if they speak English or not, in the area of Cocle there is three docs., that speak English. My web site is wwwxsmemories.com my e-mail is xsmemories@hotmail.com I have been here for 25 yrs. and may be able to help with questions, good luck. Sheila
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StanleySankey
2/3/2017 08:07 EST
Going on five years on the ground and still renting. Owned a farm for a while but sold it again.
I am in the interior just out of Chitre. The rental prices are so low that it doesn´t make sense to buy. I can get a 3 bdrm unfurnishe for as low as $125 per month. Granted that is Panamanian style house meaning no a/c no hot water, but you can have that installed for under a 1k if you want.
To buy a similar house in this area unless you are way off the beaten track is $65 ' 100K. Meaning you can rent for 25 years for the price of buying, not counting for inflation. Also here real estate prices are dropping so I feel it is a better strategy to wait for the right property to come along rather than be in a rush to buy.
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jimmills
2/3/2017 08:23 EST
Thank you. We currently own a house in small town Georgia and are debating selling or renting if we relocate. We will exist on my 2 pensions from 40 years of teaching in Florida and Georgia plus our social security. We anticipate roughly 5K a month. Are there rentals with most of the comforts we enjoy now. I know the rent would be greater. You are a great asset. I truly appreciate your comments. Jim
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PanamaJackie
2/3/2017 08:48 EST
When I moved to Panama, 6 years ago, I rented a 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath house on a small coffee farm. It has vaulted ceilings, lots of natural light, hot water at all faucets, even walk in closets -- this is what is called a north american style rental ( versus a Panamanian style rental). $600 a month for a furnished house included eletricity, internet, cable tv, weekly gardener, trash pick up and unlimited water.
So, yes, in most areas in Panama you can get North American style rentals and Panamanian style rentals. You'll pay a little more for the amenities in a north american style rental but it sure will make your life more comfortable.
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jimmills
2/3/2017 08:57 EST
You are a wealth of information. I can't thank you enough. I think I would be happy with local rental lifestyle but I'm pretty sure my wife will want as many creature comforts as possible. $$ will not be an issue (to a point) but I want the local flavor and lifestyle. Again THANKS
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StanleySankey
2/3/2017 09:46 EST
Not to worry, there are available rentals of virtually any kind conceivable. However, the issue here is that most rentals are not advertised in any kind of coherent manner. So you really need to be on the ground and beat the bushes to find what you want.
Also, I would caution you about sharing your income and other personal details on an internet forum or when you are on the ground here (or anywhere for that matter) most people are honest but there are others you will meet here that make their living from plucking new arrivals.
Not to scare you off just don´t leave your situational awareness at the airport, which too often happens when people are away from home.
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