About Bobo

Currently Lives:

San Diego, CA, United States

Citizen of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: Twenty somethings moving to Panama:

There is a lot of information out there for retiree expats but I have not found much for young people interested in moving to Panama. My husband and I are 27 and we want to move to Panama City in 12-14 months once we have paid off debt and saved some $ for living expenses down there (plus U.S. student loans). Since we are not retiring we are going to look for work while we are down there. We really have no idea where to start. I work at a non-profit and my husband is a lawyer. Is it difficult to find employment? Are there opportunities other than teaching English (i have taught English in Chile). We are also going to use it as an opportunity to improve our Spanish. Can you recommend some Spanish tutors or institutes that are inexpensive? Apartment prices in Panama city? My brother in law is living there now and pays $300 for a furnished 1 bedroom but it's on super loud Via Argentina. Can we find something nice in a nice neighborhood for $500 or less? Would you reccommend a furnished or unfurnished apt? I would rather decorate myself but is that going to cost a fortune? Thanks for reading :) I hope you have some insight for us!

Panama: Looking to move to Panama - Please Help:

Hi there, Unfortunately I cannot answer your question but I am also looking to move to Panama in the next 12 months. My best advice would be to contact a Real Estate Agent in Panama maybe they can help. We checked out some Real Estate when we were down there on vacation and met a really nice lady who lived abroad in Canada for a while (perfect English). If you go to www.compreoaluile.com and go to InterHoliday Real Estate maybe you can contact her (don't remember her name though). I have heard it is difficult to get employement but not sure. If you get any helpful news about working down there will you let me know? kimberlymatranga@yahoo.com p.s. I used to live in SF :)

Chile: Work in Santiago?:

Hi! Well I have some insight for you and I hope it helps. I actually studied abroad in Santiago in 1998/99 and then returned in 2000 after graduating college and taught English. I found it very easy to find a job teaching English. My plan was to stay only 2 weeks to visit friends but they convinced me to stay so I walked up and down the main street (Alameda, I think) dressed nice with my resume in hand and walked into several English Academies. Some require TEFL and some don't. I did not have TEFL certification. I ended up walking into ACPEN Academy and luck had it they were interviewing for English teachers that day. I interviewed with the owner (in Spanish ironically) and he offered me the job on the spot. My classes consisted of adults and my students were great. You either had grammar or conversation courses. Because it catered to professionals classes ran from around 2-10pm. The other teachers were all wonderful and from all over the world. I was paid $5 an hour which was low even then but I had guaranteed classes and I wasn't certified. They paid in cash. If you want to teach English down there I say go for it and my strategy of walking up and down the street worked :) Feel free to email me at kimberlymatranga@yahoo.com if you have any other questions. Kim

Date Joined:

2/7/2006

Total Posts:

3

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