About politicalsciencefiction

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

About politicalsciencefiction

I'm currently a manager for a large oil and gas company. I've been in that industry for my entire career, but now it's time to do something else. I am actively planning for retirement in the Boquete, Panama area, and intend to make that my permanent residence.

Favorite Cuisine:

Deep fried anything

Favorite Museum:

Smithsonian Museum of American History

Favorite Book:

Atlas Shrugged

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: Another Potential Panama Newby:

Without knowing any of your preferences or your budget, it's pretty hard to steer you in a particular direction. If you prefer big city life, Panama City is your only choice. Beach life with amenities are very popular in the Coronado area west of Panama City and within a couple of hours of the Panama Canal. Mountain living (and the cooler temperatures that accompany that) is exemplified by Boquete which is at least a solid 6 hour drive from Panama City if conditions are perfect. There are countless smaller communities everywhere, but you would need to consider the distance to hospitals, shopping, etc. Elevation absolutely dictates the daily temperature range anywhere in Panama. So, if you have a preference for "permanent summer" or "permanent springtime" you narrow your search options accordingly.

Panama: visitor visa for Panamanian to USA:

It is much harder to get a visa than to simply walk across the border from Mexico. Millions have done the latter with no consequences!

Panama: return ticket necessary for permanent resident?:

The airline will require you to show your permanent visa at time of purchase.

Panama: Moving in September and have questions:

Great questions, but you actually don't need all the answers now for what you intend. You have plenty of time to visit on your tourist visas to see if you want to pursue your futures here in Panama. You definitely can renew/extend your tourist visa by border crossing at Costa Rica. It's an adventure, and it's not evenly enforced (sometimes it's pathetically easy, and sometimes takes a day), but people do it all the time. There are many posts here and elsewhere on the specifics, but don't sweat it. You can easily comply with all the "return flight" documentation shortly before you need to renew the tourist visa. I just did the Friendly Nations Visa and don't need to do border crossings. The process is somewhat complicated, and you do need to retain a Panamanian lawyer. There are several ways to qualify for one, and owning property isn't mandatory. Opening a bank account is, and that takes time. Don't pursue this route until you know that you want to stay.

Panama: Costs to live in Boquete:

Thanks for the dental recommendation in Boquete. As a new resident, I haven't picked a dentist yet. $30 is a good price.

Panama: My recent trip to Panama conclusion:

Sept-Dec spans the end of the rainy season, with October usually being the wettest. That doesn't mean it will rain all day or everyday, but you should expect a period of rain everyday, and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't. After October the transition to dry season begins and postcard weather begins. Your mileage may vary depending on where you are in the Boquete area, as microclimates are very much in evidence.

Panama: Border Hop Information for Perpetual Tourists:

You didn't misunderstand. The Friendly Nations visa requires that bank account (not usually a quick process), plus either a job offer from a Panamanian company, or as an investor owning your own Panamanian company. I have been working on the paperwork, including getting all paper notarized and apostilled for the last 6 months in order to apply next month before my FBI clearance is considered "stale." The whole process is a lot more complicated than it's usually described.

Panama: Early stages of Panama retirment research:

I saw a Taco Bell somewhere on the west side of Panama City. That's a bit far to drive from Boquete for lunch, though.

Panama: Expats Employing Panamanians:

That sounds like a pain in the butt if an expat would like to hire a housemaid weekly or bi-weekly to come for a day of housecleaning. It's not so much the additional cost, but the additional bookkeeping required that I'm looking to avoid. An easier workaround might be to swap housemaids with a friendly neighbor every six months.

Panama: Medical Care and Pain Management:

I will be completing my move to Boquete early next year. I am in pain management for a crush injury and will require something less than morphine, but still a controlled drug. I hope I don't have to go to a hospital monthly!

Date Joined:

5/26/2013

Total Posts:

33

Posts/Day:

0.02