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Moving to Panama

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Boomerstwo
  8/16/2017 00:16 EST

We are a retired Canadian couple, Stella and Richard, in our 60's, who presently live in northern Thailand. We want to move to Panama by January and will be coming for a visit in Nov this year. We will arrive in Panama City .Any advice is appreciated. We would especially like to know where we can meet some expats to talk to about Panama.

ranadelnorte
  8/16/2017 07:07 EST

Welcome to the forum. You have some exciting plans for retirement. Here are some random thoughts on your move:
-Always good to make a few visits before you move to see if Panama is for you.
-if your goal is to move by January, you need at least 2 months lead time to get all your Canadian paperwork together for a visa, and at least another 2 months to go through the process, so you're kind of at the limit now time-wise.
-Advise you to read the forum, blogs, books about Panama, etc. to get as much info as possible. Once you do that, you'll have some solid questions to ask. Specific questions always yield better responses from a forum.
-You might benefit from a relocation tour if you're not the DIY type when it comes to info gathering.
-Panama City is a large, international city. I've lived here for almost 4 years and have not found a place where North Americans tend to congregate..
Good luck!

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SANDART
  8/16/2017 11:04 EST

Are you planning to stay in Panama City, or just arriving there?

We have a place in Coronado which has a high percentage of full time residents who are Canadian / USA expats. It is also a popular place to 'holiday' for expats and the professionals from Panama City.

The popular expat locations are much further to the north Bogetta which is in the hills with more moderate weather than Coronado and David which also has an airport for local and regional flights.

panamajames
  8/16/2017 13:37 EST

Boquete has a large number of Canadians because the weather is so perfect. Average 70 degrees with highs into the 80's only, so not super hot for swimming pools, and lows around 60 overnight so perfect sleeping weather. There is an apartment complex in Boquete that is available most of November. You can email me for more information at [email protected] I can tour you around and introduce you to dozens of Canadian and other country expats. Love to have you join us. Have a look at the site............

www.panama-boquete.com

Boomerstwo
  8/17/2017 22:30 EST

Thanks for the info. We will be coming in mid Nov for several new weeks and then start the process from Thailand where we are living in the winter. In the meantime we will be reading as much info about Panama as we can get.

Boomerstwo
  8/17/2017 22:33 EST

We will land in Panama City but not sure where to go from there. Coronado sounds good- except for hordes of tourists and city folk descending on the weekends! It would be helpful to meet up with you there and get the real perspective of living in Coronado. We do want to be near good health care facilities and no climbing hills, so no mountains for us !

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Boomerstwo
  8/17/2017 22:36 EST

We'd love to visit Boquette but not sure what the terrain is like. I have difficulty walking long distances and going up hills. Is Boquette manageable for exploring ?

JessieElMunoz
  8/18/2017 10:02 EST

Hello Stella and Richard:

We also are moving to Panama, in Las Tablas, in the province of Los Santos, we have been going to Panama since 2017, bought some land in 2013 and finish our process of getting our Pensionado Visa and our Cedula. We will be there toward the end of September, we have rented a house at the Uverito Beach until you start building our house. We are moving few household items by Air Cargo and had to find a custom clearance company in Panama (got good info from the website). We have a great circle of friend from Canada, USA, Europe, and other place around the world, we also know Panamanian from Las Tablas and around. Lots of people help us by answering our questions and sharing their experience, and we believe in returning the favor. If you are interested to come and visit us in Las Tablas please let us know we will provide you with our phone number and email address or if you only would like some information we certainly can answer your questions to the best of our knowledge, all the best to you two. Jessie and Geoff

SunsetSteve
  8/18/2017 10:52 EST

Boomers: The town of Boquete is pretty much flat and easy to walk and explore. However, being in a valley it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which limits the out-of-town hiking you will do. (You and I both!)

panamajames
  8/18/2017 11:01 EST

Boquete downtown in the shopping and medical areas is very flat. You won't find hospitals and medical facilities in the mountains that you have to climb to. We have one Volcano and many other mountains, if you decide that one day you want to climb it. But it is not necessary as there is nothing up there but rocks and some trees. Some folks enjoy the challenge to climb to the top. Others just like to look at them. The mountains are in the distance and are very attractive to look at. Some people live in the mountains with cooler temperatures averaging 70 degrees, and they enjoy the views. Quite spectacular in places. Some people prefer the ocean living and very hot beach type temperatures.
Taxi's and buses are plentiful in Boquete if you don't like to walk much. The majority of Panamanians do not own a vehicle. I know of many people from Thailand who have now moved to Boquete............

jonoyakker
  8/26/2017 09:55 EST

If you want cooler temps but flat terrain, El Valle is perfect. It is located in the crater of an extinct volcano so although you are surrounded by mountains, it is flat. Very beautiful and friendly place with about 200 expats and less than an hour to good, quiet beaches.

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jonoyakker
  8/26/2017 10:01 EST

If you want cooler temps but flat terrain, El Valle is perfect. It is located in the crater of an extinct volcano so although you are surrounded by mountains, it is flat. Very beautiful and friendly place with about 200 expats and less than an hour to good, quiet beaches.

SunsetSteve
  8/26/2017 15:41 EST

I visited El Valle - and the hospitable Jonoyakker - last year. It is the principal "competition" to Boquete for a higher altitude, pleasant life style. Not as gringo-esque as Boquete and a more focused community than Volcan. A mus0check-out place.

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