About Melodye

Currently Lives:

Nuevo Bambito, Chiriqui, Panama

Citizen of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: Narrowing Down Locations:

I find it hard to give insights because these areas are pretty different from each other. I was trying to figure what they all might have in common. In other words, what is it you are looking for in Panama? I have been to all these places except for Cerro Azul so if you have any questions, just ask. It would help if you could be a bit more specific.

Panama: climate inquiry, please:

I have never seen any data that says where in Panama has the most sunny days. BUT, all of Panama has enough sunny days for anyone. In my years in Panama I have only whined about the grey skies once or twice. I get grumpy without a lot of sun and blue skies. :) Same goes for the scenery. Lots of beautiful views in Panama. You can be at the ocean or in the mountains within an hour in many places. In the canal area you can even go from Atlantic to Pacific in that time.

Panama: schools in panama:

It would help if we knew where in Panama you were moving to.

Panama: Immigration Lawyer Referral:

There are two attorneys that have been recommended by people I know who have been through the process. Mayra de Ruzzi Reach her at mailto:1crisma@cableonda.net Telephone 507 226-9523 Fax 507 270-1469 Cellular 507618-5436 and Rainelda Mata-Kelly in Panamá http://www.mata-kelly.com An attorney is required to file your paperwork.

Panama: disabled vet:

You do not have to be of retirement age, just have the pension. You will be required to get a statement from the VA as to the amount of your pension and have that authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the U.S. along with the other paperwork required for the pensionado visa. My husband is a DV. We live in Panama.

Panama: Ritiring to Panama:

Your retirement icome is enough to qualify you for a pensionado visa. Your first step is to gather all the paperwork needed to apply for the visa that you will need from your home country. Then come to Panama and find a lawyer that specializes in immigration. They will help you get the rest of your papers in order. You are right, the rent really varies from place to place and it depends on what kind of place you want. I know some who rent for $80. a month and some spend $800. I am not sure what you mean by a large town. Panama City is a large city so maybe you are looking for some place less hectic. To find websites with more information try doing a search with "living in Panama". Many will be commercial websites with something to sell you but you will find bits and pieces of information. You can also search Yahoo! groups for forums on Panama. Two that I know of are Americans in Panama and Viviendo en Panama. The latter is a group I started a year or so ago to share information about moving and living here. They discuss a lot of things - from where to find root beer to best financial investments in Panama.

Panama: Contrast Panama and Costa Rica:

Comparing Costa Rica to Panama has been a much discussed topic in a group about moving to Panama. Many people for as many reasons have chosen Panama as a better place for retirement. Prices are lower, there are retiree discounts on services, less development (so far) than Costa Rica are just a few of the reasons. There are some good places to start for info. The website of the Panamanian Consulate in Houston has a FAQ section. You can find bits and pieces of info on commercial websites. Try a search using "living in Panana" and many will come up. Panama has been discovered and more people are moving here everyday.

Panama: Getting around:

If you have just flown into Panama City and wanted to go to Bocas I would suggest a plane. The drive is very long and drivers in Panama have, well, their own style of driving. It takes getting used to. While in the city I recommend using taxis. Reasonable rates and they know how to get around. If your next stop from Panama City is to David you could fly, take the bus, or drive. There is an express bus from Panama City to David and it would be much cheaper that way. If you wanted to rent a car, which would give you more independence in your travels, you could rent a car in David. Boquete is not a long drive from David and the road is very good. The Panamerican highway is being worked on and most of the worst places have been repaired but to drive from the city is about 7 hours without the traffic delays. Arriving to your destination which you aren't familiar with may not be a good idea. You can also fly to Bocas Town from David. Hotels are plentiful in Bocas Town. There are plenty in David and Boquete also. You can always ask rates and ask to see the rooms once you get there. I have done that many times when going to a place I haven't been before in Panama. Many times I tell them that the room is not what I want or I need something less expensive. Hope this helps.

Panama: Should I move to Bocas Del Toro, Panama??:

Without a monthly pension or investment money it would not be possible to be a resident of Panama. Foreigners are not allowed to work in Panama without special permission or circumstances. So I would agree that ir would not be a good idea at all. In the islands of Bocas del Toro many expats are buying property in hopes of having a successful hotel business or something that caters to all the tourists. The islands are also quite remote still and there are many things that can not be gotten without a trip to the mainland. I expect that many will not be successful. You may want to consider somewhere else in Panama if you can do business over the internet. Not all places have internet access and in some places all that is available is dial up with speeds as slow as 14400. The only expats I know that work in Panama are married to Panamanians, have invested in a business that employs Panamanians and a few that have been hired through a stateside company to work here.

Panama: Boquete vs. Bocas Del Toro:

Boquete and Bocas Town are pretty different from each other. I would agree with the poster that said that you should rent first. Come to Panama and explore first. Being in a hurry to buy rea;l estate could be a big mistake. Lots of mountain areas and lots of beach areas in Panama. I couldn't decide which, and have a place at both. Neither in Boquete or Bocas. I have visited a lot of towns and those two were not very high on my list of best places to live in Panama.

Date Joined:

5/2/2003

Total Posts:

19

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