About Panamagal

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

HR/Relo
Professional:

Provider of Expat-Related Services & Products

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: Starfish Reef resort:

My friends own that resort. If you are talking about the one in Bocas del Toro. They would like to sell it. What would you like to know?

Panama: Moving to Panama:

The short answer is, First you need to come on an extended visit with your son. Together you can decide what area you like. Then people from that area will be glad to assist you in finding what you need.

Panama: visiting Panama Dec 15 - 28 2014:

In Panama City you can probably rent a car online

Panama: Needing more beach:

Hi, If you want to be by the beach you are going to have to accept warmer temperatures. However, near the ocean also means ocean breezes which we find keeps us plenty cool. On the few occasions there is no breeze we get in our boat and go for a ride and make our own breeze. We go out a lot more than that since we love being on the water. Just make sure that whatever house you buy or build is built for letting the breezes blow through. We also have fans in every room and AC in the bedroom. We find that if we put it on on hot nights for a couple of hours, it stays cool the rest of the night. We live in Bocas del Toro but it's kind of in the boonies and some services and things are not available. We've gotten used to that and have our ways of dealing with it. There are services in both David and Panama City who provide a buying service. They get what ever you want and send it to you for a fee. Well worth it. You could try some of the towns outside Panama City along the Pacific coast if you want more convenience like Gorgona or Coronado. On the Caribbean there is Isla Grande. If you really prefer cooler temperature you will have to live at elevation a little away from the sea. Try Dolega above David but below Boquete. The expat community won't be as big but I'm sure there will be some. You have to not mind locals as your friends and neighbors as well as expats. Decide what's most important and see where you can fulfill the most of it. Good luck.

Panama: insulation:

Yes, they sell foam core in Panama and many people do insulate their roofs. In fact, they build whole houses out of it with a product called m2 or covintech (sp?). We keep as cool as needed for about $50 a month and of course if you have solar it costs nothing.

Panama: Rental sites in Panama:

For those of you looking for rentals in Panama check Encuentra24.com or Viviun.com

Panama: Cost of gas in Panama:

Here in Bocas del Toro where we live gas is $5.50 per liter

Panama: Highland places:

Check out Santa Fe area for a highland home. Now that the new road is paved they say it will be the next Boquete and you can get in on the ground floor. My husband and I went there for a few days last January and really enjoyed the small town feel and beautiful countryside. Lots of rivers so plenty of swimming holes. We live in the Bocas del Toro area because we like the Caribbean ocean and warm weather.A friend of ours has a coffee farm in Santa Fe and is developing a small community of about ten homes where you can buy in the high 100's. Another great place is Portorillos a little ways below Boquete but not as developed. Another friend is developing lots and homes there. there is a small expat community and you can go to Boquete in about 20 minutes where there is a large community. We don't have a car and are glad of it. we get around by bicycle, on foot, buses, taxis and plane. You can go 6 months your tourist visa an then leave the country for 3 days to have your passport stamped and go back for another 6 months. some people have been living here for years that way but we are getting the new Law 412 residency that is easy to get and inexpensive. You do new a good lawyer though. good luck in your travels and if you decide to come to Bocas, visit us .

Date Joined:

9/14/2012

Total Posts:

11

Posts/Day:

0.01