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Panama: Rent A Car 1 mo. in Pan City.. is anyone honest?:
I've rented from National and have never been ripped off - but not because they didn't try, but because I didn't let them (or so I think). The others (Avis, Hertz, Budget, etc.) are likely the same. You cannot back down or they will dictate the terms to you.
My tips from my experience (others may have had other experience):
- reserve online in advance and have confirmation of the rate to show them; I've never seen the agent NOT tried and charge a higher rate
- tell them to get their manager there immediately when the conversation starts to go nowhere; they won't want to
- check your own policy on coverage outside the U.S. and decide whether the risk is worth taking; keep in mind YOU will be deemed at fault in any accident involving a local and YOU will be responsible for paying any damages and collecting later from your insurer (they don't just call State Farm back home and submit a claim and let you go)
- carefully check the car's conditions ESPECIALLY TIRES; they are often dangerous worn;
- most people seem to have less problems at Tocumen than the in-city agencies, although I've never rented at the airport personally
- note that not all National, Avis, etc. agencies are open on Sunday; figure out which ones are open if returning Saturday evening or Sunday (Calle 50 National used to be the one was open later on Saturday and all day Sunday)
- even with coverage from my U.S. insurer, I've always paid for the insurance - not worth the risk to me.
Panama: Retirement Options:
lyonnaise: Regarding your statement "He is worried about the quality of life that will be possible in the US once he no longer has an income..."
Without question he will be better off staying in the U.S. - far better to be a poor American in the U.S. than abroad. There are NO safety nets for expats in Panama.
Panama: Doubt Cast On Nicaragua Canal Project:
I don't think the Nicaragua Canal gets built but not for the usual reasons expressed.
The cost of the project is not a hurdle for the Chinese if they want to support the project. Chump change. Nor would objections by locals be that big hurdle. Compensation could be baked into the plan. (IMO).
The true benefit to the Chinese would be what the U.S. extracted from Panama: multiple strategic sites for air bases and other military posts giving the U.S. military and political control over the canal. With the U.S. bases and posts long gone and Panama rising to where it has come, China simply does not need a new canal to control the seas. Panama's canal could be taken by the Chinese at any time by force or by checkbook. I just don't see the Chinese believe they need the hassle to get what they want.
Panama: Importing Wine:
Start drinking!
Panama: Renouncing Your US Citizenship:
Although growing, the number of citizens renouncing citizenship is not even a trickle - just a few drips - and mainly by the "accidental" citizen who woke up one day realizing they had not filed income tax returns for many years. The economic refugee and middle class are not willing to give up Social Security benefits and potential need for government healthcare (medicare or Obamacare). The extremely wealthy are still forced to go through the "checkout lane" one last time and pay an exit tax, that is, a tax based on a hypothetical sale of all assets. (In other words, a tax on all unrealized gains). The best candidates are those with significant assets with prospect for future appreciation (e.g., large block of pre-IPO stock).
Panama: verbal contract binding:
It doesn't matter about the law or your evidence - justice in Panama is reserved for the elite families and then ordinary Panamanians and then indigenous people and then expats. The Secretary of State in this old report (there may be a newer one but I could not readily find it) makes some very astute observations about Panama's judicial system - something I can attest to firsthand in trying to enforce a written contract with a developer to no avail (excerpted):
The World Bank’s Doing Business 2013 report notes that Panama has slipped from 107 to121 out of 185 countries on the Registering Property indicator– and ranks 125th on Enforcing Contracts.
The judicial system’s capacity to resolve contractual and property disputes is weak and open to corruption, as illustrated by the most recent World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, which rates Panama’s judicial independence as 132 out of 144 countries. Americans should exercise greater due diligence in purchasing Panamanian real estate than they would in purchasing real estate in the United States. . . . Panama enacted Law 80 (2009) to address the lack of titled land in certain parts of the country; however, it does not cure deficiencies in government administration or the judicial system. . . . however, decisions taken by ANATI have reinforced investors’ concerns regarding government administration, corruption, and the ability of the judicial system to resolve these issues.
Panama: Best place to live in Panama:
The beach community you're envisioning does not exist in Panama - a boardwalk, clean beach, walk to bars, shops and restaurants right from your seaside condo or apartment. Most towns on the beach are too small and remote and the large developments require driving out of the compound 10 to 30 minutes for a pizza shop you'd never eat at in the States.
Let me know if you find it.
Ecuador: The Good, The Bad ...the GRINGOS:
I suspect he has advanced propylene glycol poisoning from over-consumption of Fireball Whiskey.
http://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/drinks/yes-theres-propylene-glycol-in-your-fireball-20141029
Ecuador: Christian Couple Thinking About Emigration to Ecuador:
@bentparrot:
I get the idea from this and other threads that "fellowship" to some posters is not religious tolerance but is a process to try and convince persons with equally strong, yet contrary beliefs that they're "wrong." So glad they feel Ecuador needs them!
Panama: Affordable beachside accommodations in pedasi:
Forget the tour - they'll direct you to pricey developments from whom they're paid. Forget Coronado area as it sounds too expensive. Forget Bocas del Toro (IMO) as too remote and too undeveloped for fulltime living. Forget the Caribbean anywhere around Colon to Portobelo. Get yourself out to Pedasi by bus and rent a car there or in Chitre or Las Tablas and drive along the peninsula and explore on your own. I think that in and around Pedasi is a good place for you to check out and where you stand the best chance of finding something affordable and near a beach (You won't find much in terms of on-the-beach towns as living options, but you'll need to scope it out and see for yourself. )
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