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Panama: Moving / Shipping Company in Panama:
Nick,
I moved from FL and heard plenty of bad stories about containers being held for "ransom." We used Panama International Packers. Our container was p/u and hauled to David for Customs inspection, then driven to Boquete. There the workers (6-9 of them) unloaded and put things together, like tables that we took apart to ship. I called Cari, the owner to tell her what a great experience we had. She speaks English and said that she has to try hard to have a company like her's in a man's world. caridad@ptypackers.com 507-232-7154 office, Cari's cell 507-6-617-8581 Turns out she is 25 year friends with our attorney. Mention our name, and let us know how you were treated.
Regards,
Joe & Linda Hart
Panama: Gringo factor:
NOT EVERYBODY GOES THROUGH HECK IN IMMIGRATION. WE HIRED A 1ST CLASS ATTORNEY IN PC. HER ASSISTANT TOOK US IN A CAB TO IMMIGRATION. WE WALKED IN AND SHE WENT RIGHT TO A DESK AND GAVE OUR PAPERWORK TO A CLERK. THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF OUR "WAITING IN LINE." A YOUNG AMERICAN COUPLE CAME UP TO US FOR HELP. THEY WERE THERE ALL DAY, AS WELL AS THE 30 + OTHER PEOPLE WAITING, SPRINKLED WITH SEVERAL NUNS. WE TOLD THEM WE HIRED AN ATTORNEY TO DO THIS AND HAD NOT A CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON. 30 MINUTES STANDING AROUND AND WE WERE OFF BACK TO THE OFFICE, AND DONE WITH IMMIGRATION. THE BEST INFO I CAN GIVE IS FIND A POWERFUL ATTORNEY, (ONE WITH A BIG OFFICE) AND NOT THE CHEAPEST ONE. WE ALSO HIRED LOCALS TO DO OUR "BIDDING" AND HAVE HAD GREAT RESULTS. THE FIRST TIME WE WERE IN PC, I WALKED INTO A STORE AND LOOKED AT A LEATHER BELT. NO PRICE TAG, WHICH IS A VERY BAD SIGN IF YOU HAVE BLUE EYES. SHE CALMLY SAID $50. IN PC WE MADE FRIENDS WITH OUR CAB DRIVER. WE HIRE HIM FOR A DAY, TAKE HIM TO LUNCH WITH US, AND HE DOES OUR BUYING. WE SAY "CELL PHONE" AND HE GOES IN, BUYS THE PHONE, SETS UP THE MINUTES, AND WE ARE DONE. wE ARE GOOD TIPPERS WITH HIM, AND THE WHOLE THING IS WELL WORTH IT. WE FOUND A CAB DRIVER THAT SPOKE ENGLISH, AND E-MAIL HIM WHEN WE WILL BE IN TOWN. HE IS THERE AT THE AIRPORT WAITING FOR US. GOOD LUCK, AND IF I CAN HELP, LET ME KNOW.
JOSLIN
Panama: Coming to the Boquete Area Soon:
Diamondwild,
We should be in our Boquete home by the end of June. Would love to get with you then Keep my name and I'll keep yours.
Also I need a digital camera with interchangable lenses. Any suggestions for an inexpensive camera?
Regards,
Joslin
Panama: Moving to Panama, David:
Michita,
Sorry to hear of your victimization. I have some friends in Boquete that had their house was broken into, while they were sleeping, and that happened twice to them. That would be unnerving! I see lots of iron bars on houses in P, and that is not a sign of a friendly community. By the way, a home invasion is an armed robbery of your home. You were burglarized. I know that will not make you feel any better, but that's the retired cop in me. I would have guessed the disparity between Gringo's income vs theirs would be the cause. You have visited more Latin American Countries then I, and think not, so I yield to you. Don't give up on all because of a few.
Regards,
Joslin
Panama: In Panama right now!:
My wife and I are spending 2 weeks in Boquete Panama along with a lot of money furnishing our new house here.
Thursday we are meeting with an attorney to get our visa started. After we sell our houses, we will be coming back for good. In case you and I have not contacted each other, we have been to Panama about 6 times in the last 5 years, always to Boquete. That is the only city other then Panama City, that I know anything about. If ya'al have any questions or reservations about the big "P" fire away.
Regards,
Joslin
Panama: Considering a move to Panama...:
Martyman,
It is common sense to capitalize on your strengths. I am an adjunct college instructor w/30 years experience in Criminal Justice. We have a house and are planning our move eatly 2010. I can not get a job there. Panama's gov't is much smarter then our's. They prohibit you from taking a job from a Panamanian, by not allowing you to get a job there. There are exceptions, but on the most part the answer is no. If you start your own real estate agency, that is ok, but you can not hire your best friend as an agent.
That is the general rule, but I know nothing about the real estate business in the US or "P" so consider that too. I would be very surprized if anyone told you anything different.
Also check prior texts in the forum. Tons of info there.
Good Luck,
Joslin
Panama: Tuition Opportunities?:
RedGirl
My wife and I have been going to Boquete Panama for vacations about 5-6 years. We are retirees, but have talked to many expats and Panamanian citizens. I have been told to get a job there, you would have to have a trade or skill that is in great demand. Panama does not want you to take a job away from a Panamanian. The exception would be for you to start a school, then teach English at that school. Your best friend (another expat) could not be hired by you as an employee. The Panamanians are smarter then the Americans. We open are borders to the poor and down trodden. In Panama, for you to stay longer then 90 days at a wack, you need a Visa. You must show a guaranteed income so that an expat would not become a drain on their society. This month my wife and I will be going through the Visa hoops. I am told that a blood test is required to show that you do not have AIDS, and you are to supply a no criminal history record check. Panama has it all over the US when it comes to allowing people into their country.
If anybody thinks different then what I said about obtaining employment in Panama, please let me know.
Regards,
Joslin
Panama: Vaccinations:
Mover92
You are experiencing exactly what I had when I went on the internet to find a place to live at $1,000 per month. I narrowed it down to Boquete. Some internet nut said that you can not eat the fruit, you need shots, don't eat the ice. The next guy would say just the opposite. I was confused and told this to some guy I was exchanging messages with. Bill said what's your telephone number, I'll call you. Bill called me and said he had lived there for years, and all the stuff from the other guy was nonesense. We met Bill in Panama City, drove up to his house in Boquete in his car. We had supper with him and his wife. They WERE perfect strangers. No longer. The nicest people on Earth. Bill has since Passed, but let me tell you my experiences. The water is better then my city water in FL. You don't have to worry about "catching" nothing. I for the life of me can not figure out why some internet nut would boldface lie about Boquete. My wife and I are world-travelled and some of the nicest people on Earth are in Boquete. We own a house there, but can't move as we are trying to sell our house in FL. We will be in Boquete Oct 16 to 30th. This will be our 2 week stint for the 5th or 6th time. I will offer you the same deal. Send me your telephone number and I will call you from FL or after the 16th from Boquete. By the way, either phone call for me would be the same price....free! I couldn't get over that either!
Regards,
Joslin
P.S. I'm not selling nothing either! Please join our forum.
Panama: Rental house or apartment:
robrewer,
Forgot to mention that Nov. is a bad time to go as lots of holidays. Rooms are harder to get and stores are closed. That's bad for people living out of a suitcase.
I don't have the holiday schedule handy, but I am sure you can do a search to find out. Boquete as their own holidays too.
Good luck,
Joslin
Panama: Cost of living:
tharin4prez
First, I wish YOU would have won the election!
I think the best way to see what is for sale/rent is to go there. You're looking at sites that are geared toward rich "gringo." There are plenty houses for sale or rent for less. I recall one house for sale that caught my eye. It was an $80k Panamanian house for sale for $225K. Yet I have seen houses w/property for sale in the $70's in the mountains. You can't do this from your computer at home.
Good Luck
Joslin
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