About xtine0311

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

United States

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: phones/cars:

True, US phones won't work here unless you pay high fees for roaming. Just a suggestion...we rented our car at the airport and then drove out of PC. It was not fun. I'm not sure where you are headed in Panama but the bus system is excellent....to get you out of the city and to other places where you can rent a car. For instance you can rent a car in Chitre, or David. Again, not sure where you headed and how much of an adventure you are looking for. For me, driving from the airport and through PC....UGH! You can easily get a taxi to Albrook bus terminal from the airport and go from there.

Panama: I need advice!:

I don't know about working here but I'd highly, HIGHLY recommend you learn a little Spanish. We came here knowing very little and it's been very difficult. We bought a couple of small pocket translators to get us by but once you get them to understand you, you probably won't understand their reply. Everyone has been very patient with us but life for us would be much easier if we had learned more Spanish. Doesn't matter where you are, in the city or in the country, very little English is spoken....from what I've seen so far. Good luck.

Panama: Renting a car:

we rented a car in Costa Rica and we had the option of paying for a navigation system which we did do. It was excellent. Might be cheaper in the end for you to just buy one. We have a Garmin Nuvi here in the states and just ordered the cable and the softward online for Panama so before we leave we'll just update our current GPS system. Not sure where you'd get a better deal on the GPS, home or in Panama but if you do buy before just go to their website and it will walk you thru updating it Panama navigation. Good luck.

Panama: Buying Car and getting Insurance:

Hello all, we'll be arriving the middle of May in Panama. We'll get a rental car at first but want to buy something within the first week or 2. Can anyone direct us to the best place to look for a car and also how we go about gettint it insured? We want to get our licenses too which I understand is a 2 day process. Any information on this would be a great helpl. Thanks everyone. Christine

Panama: Need A Rental House - HELP:

Hello, My boyfriend and I will be arriving the 2nd or 3rd week of May. We are having the hardest time finding someone to help us find a rental home. We want to rent for a few months before buying something. We are interested in the Azuero Peninsula anywhere between Chitre and Pedasi. Can anyone help us or direct us to an agent to help us. Oh I shold mention we have a VERY well behaved dog. We also are looking to rent something for around $500 a month. We are very responsible people and will take excellent care of the property. Thanks so much

Panama: car import and furniture:

can anyone direct me as to how I can find out what the import tax will be on a vehicle. I've call the consulate in NYC, the Embassy in Washington and sent several emails to various customs brokers. No one can even give me a ball park. Also, should we ship our furniture or buy new there. What are costs and quality like? Thanks everyone

Panama: The Azuero Decision:

Hello Lolita, I just read your post on expant. Great to hear what you said. We are finding the same problem. We can't pin anyone down to help us find a rental property when we arrive. We want to rent for several months on the Azuero before purchasing. Would you be able to share who you worked with when you shopped for property so that I can contact them? Thanks so much, Christine.

Panama: Storage in Panama:

We do plan to get a container for our household goods, furniture, etc. However, we want to take our time in shopping for a house. Are there storage warehouses in Panama where we can keep our stuff until we have an address? Thanks.

Panama: Bringing truck to Panama:

Does anyone have experience with the 'roll on - roll off' option on a cargo ship? We have a full size truck that we'd very much like to bring but wondering the best way to ship. Also, am I correct in that Panama won't charge a heavy import tax on the vehicle if we become residents? Costa Rica is estimating around 15,000 just in taxes. No way!!

Panama: Panama vs. Costa Rica:

Hello, my boyfriend and I have our houses on the market in the US (Connecticut) and once they sell, we are on our way. Our org. plan was Costa Rica and to rent in various areas before buying and settling down. On our recent visit a week ago, a couple expats said 'go Panama'. We hadn't really considered Panama until now and have done some research on line. Looks like importing is easier and cheaper (car & household goods), looks a bit easier and cheaper to obtain a residency status. I do love CR tho. Does anyone have any experience living in both countries? We are little fish. We want to buy a house for around $200,000 and a boat. We want to live on about $2000 a month which we'll get from our small retirement/investments. We are in our mid 40's and just looking to get out of rat race and live simple and fish a lot. Also, I'm getting mixed messages on the time I can spend in Panama as a tourist...1 month or 3? Is it easy to get the extension to 3? After 3 months can I leave for a few days and come back and start all over? This is not my long range plan but I do want time to explore and shop real estate. Thanks ALL.

Date Joined:

3/15/2010

Total Posts:

14

Posts/Day:

0.01