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Panama: Kathleen Peddicord:
We subscribed prior to moving here, but I found that most of what she addressed was also available on her free e-mails. Sign up for the free e-mails and you'll get what information you might need - just take it with a grain of salt. Please remember that she (and others) get paid to promote certain areas or towns, so visit before making any decisions. We love living here (and yes, there is poverty and there are inconveniences) but have made a conscious choice to embrace the differences and enjoy the experience. It's not for everyone.
Panama: Retiree Rentals in Boquete:
Make sure you know the climate/weather in the area before committing to a long-term rental. There are at least 13 different micro-climates in and around Boquete, and there is something for everyone, but not all the climates will make you happy! Some are hot and will require A/C during the dry season (expensive here) while others are wet most of the time - all depends on what you like!
Panama: Scuba diving sites:
As far as I know, there are NO dive from shore locations in Panama. Bocas del Toro is an area comprised of a group of islands, and Coiba Island on the Pacific side are both great diving spots, but require a boat ride to dive locations. I'm not sure where you heard there is world-class diving in Panama - I would definitely advise you check further, as we don't think the diving here is anywhere near as good as other places in the Caribbean.
Panama: Boquete Expat Meeting:
The Market starts at 8:30 and the Tuesday Talk starts at 10:30.
Panama: Immigration Attorney:
We used Lourdes Miranda of Miranda y Contreras (www.lawandrealty.net) and were very happy, Keep in mind that it isn't just about cost! We have friends who paid less and waited almost a year before they finally got their visa - we had ours in 3 months. Our attorney made sure we had someone with us at every turn to help explain the process and talk with ministry officials (if you don't speak fluent Spanish, you definitely need help!). Again, other friends went to the ministry office by themselves, waited hours to get their photos taken and receive their visas - we were through in 5 minutes because the paralegal went the day before and did all the legwork. Yet another friend was quoted a fee, then was told at each step that there were MORE fees she had to pay.
Definitely get multiple recommendations (use the Search function on this website) and investigate before making a commitment!
Panama: pensionado discount for airline tickets:
The only tried and true method to get the discount on airfare is to use a travel agent. In Boquete, Anavilma at Viaje David Travel does a great job. Located in the Don Vidal building just before the bridge to the Feria.
Yes, it can be a battle to get places to honor the discount, but you need to really know the law - small tipicos are not required to give it, alcohol is not included in the discount at restaurants, the discount is off standard (not discount or promotional) prices, you can't use it at a restaurant if you share an entree, etc.
Acodeco is the authority that monitors the program, so if you feel you should have received a discount, you need to report the business to Acodeco.
Panama: Eggrolls:
There is an Oriental market in David that will probably have them. I can't remember the name of the store, but it is diagonally across the street from EP Furniture on Ave. Obaldia.
Panama: Life in Panama?:
What you find here will depend greatly on where you choose to settle, and what you enjoy doing. At least some Spanish is needed, even in Boquete where there is a fairly large expat community.
For many of us, we retired here so there is definitely less work-related stress, but other things may cause you stress if you let them - for example, the lack of customer service, the fact that people will stop their cars in the middle of the road to chat with friends, the slow pace of restaurant service, and/or lack of first-world items and services (we do occasionally lose power here, lack water for a few hours, and lose internet pretty regularly even if only for short periods).
If you settle in an area with expats around, you will find a great sense of sharing and community, but don't limit yourself - make friends with local Panamanians, too! The people here are wonderful.
I can't comment about what events, activities or charities exist in other parts of the country, but here in Boquete there are many charities and organizations to get involved with. What you choose to do all depends on your likes and interests - we have people who get involved in many things, and others who keep to themselves and don't participate in the social life around town. The choice is yours.
Please don't believe all the printed hype about how cheap it is to live here - most of it is based on living a severely restricted lifestyle compared to what you are accustomed to! Do your pwn research, use the Search function on sites like this to get answers from people who are living and experiencing the change, and visit personally for an extended period so you can judge the impact of a different culture and language on your daily life.
Panama: Retireing in Panama:
Both the areas you mention are safe - assuming you use common sense! Your budget will more than suffice in either location, but the climates are very different. Las Tablas is a charming small town near the ocean with a mostly Spanish-speaking population and is hot and humid all the time. Boquete is about an hour from the nearest beach, but in the mountains where it is much cooler and no A/C/ is required most of the time. I don;t know how large the expat population is in Las Tablas, but in Boquete we have almost 3,000 expats so many of the storekeepers and people you meet speak at least some English.
Panama: "Young" Retiree:
Your budget may be doable in 5 years, but only you can decide what, if anything, you are willing to do without or adjust to in order to meet your financial requirements. Just a few examples: housing can be inexpensive here if you're willing to live in a Panamanian-style house (no hot water in the kitchen, suicide showers, no air conditioning, usually no clothes dryer, very few cabinets in the kitchen) or relatively expensive for American style homes. Prices today range from $300/mo in rent to over $3,000 depending on location and amenities.
Monthly expenses can vary greatly depending on where you settle - here in Boquete we rarely use air conditioning and our electric bill runs about $50/mo., but at the beach where it is much hotter, I would probably have to run the A/C constantly and have a $500 bill.
Gas is a little more expensive here than in the U.S., but many people do a lot more walking and use public transportation. We have many friends who don't own a car.
What do you enjoy doing? Hobbies can be free or very expensive - golf isn't cheap anywhere, for example, but hiking is free on many trails. Beaches can be free, as long as you don't want to use the amenities of a nearby resort (they usually charge a daily fee for use). Depending on the area, there may be clubs or groups of expats who enjoy similar interests and may band together to reduce any costs.
Since you have 5 years to plan and look around, I suggest finding as many blogs as possible and read, read, read! As we prepared for our move, we learned that local expats are the best source of information, and many of them will be happy to answer your questions.
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