About volcan357

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: National Migration System offers new online service:

The harder Panama makes it for people to stay here from countries like the USA or Canada then the more money they lose for the Panamanian people and Panamanian businesses. Obviously people from the USA or Canada are not going to work here because of the lower wages so they are only going to spend here money that they have earned somewhere else. The longer they stay the more they are going to spend. I am saying this from the viewpoint of a Panamanian and not an American since I have been a citizen here for over three years. now. We also have illegals working here from other Latin American countries but that is an entirely different issue. As a country we in Panama are competing against other countries for American retirees. In the Dominican Republic for example you can overstay your tourist visa for as long as you wish and you only end up paying a small fine when you leave the country.

Panama: If Cost of Living is top of mind:

If you want to live in a big city Medellin is much nicer and a lot cheaper than Panama City. If you want to live in a small town or the country the there are a lot of nice places in Panama.

Panama: Kathleen Peddicord:

I don't think it is accurate to call Panama a 3rd world country. I visited Mexico several times back in the sixties and at that time it was very much the third world. I mean as soon as you crossed the border it really hit you in the face. By comparison Panama today is quite modern. So maybe you might call Panama the second world who knows. Anyhow remember there are still places in the USA that look like third world. And in Panama too but it depends on where you are. Here in Volcan now that I am fluent in Spanish I find the local people very similar to the hillbillies back in Tennessee where I used to live. The only difference is the language. Many of them live in a run down shack but have a new vehicle parked out front. That is very similar to where I used to live in Tennessee. And just like back in Tennessee they love to gossip or chismos as they say here. I lived in Tennessee for 25 years and here for 17 years. I spent quite a bit of time in Florida and I don't like it all that much. Panama is nicer than Florida and is the true tropics not the sub tropics like Florida. Panama has mountains and is scenic. Florida is flat and ugly with way too many people.

Panama: Learning Spanish:

I was married to a Panamanian woman for 10 years. Never once did she speak a word of English to me. Neither did any member of her family. That worked pretty good. I can even watch Mexican novellas and forget while I am watching them that they are not in English. Never did I actually study Spanish. Just listened. At the present time I hardly have any English speaking friends, just Spanish speaking ones. Of course I do almost all of my reading in English so that hasn't changed. I wouldn't recommend marrying a Panamanian women just to learn Spanish. They are too bossy. Better to look for a Colombian girl.

Panama: Religious and Political hatred:

I think most people come here because they want to retire to the tropics and Panama is a good choice. It has nothing to do with religion or politics. At least for me it doesn't.

Panama: Trump Won - I'm outta here!:

I think Panama may be a good choice as a place to retire but I don't understand how who won the presidency should have anything to do with your decision.

Panama: Self Economic Solvency Visa:

I obtained residency with the economic solvency visa but that was in the year 2000. This visa allows you to apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency which I did. I obtained citizenship 13 years later in Sept 2013.

Panama: Long Term Lease:

I have a house for rent in Volcan, Chiriqui if you are interested. Volcan has a good climate at 1400 meters of elevation. It has banks, supermarkets, etc. bruceinvolcan@gmail.com

Panama: My experience in Panama Residency.:

You know there is an immigration office in David in the Chiriqui Mall and it never has long lines. In addition there are plenty of parking spaces. If you live in Chiriqui you don't need to do it in Panama City.

Panama: Panama or France,which is best to retire to?:

If you are from the USA or Canada Panama is a better choice, If you are from a European country or Great Britain then maybe Spain or France would be better. France has a growing problem with Muslim immigrants which is causing a lot of conflict. Panama is closer to the USA so travel back and forth is easier. Or if in my own case you are fluent in Spanish but don't speak any French that would be a consideration. Europe in general is a more expensive place to live. Even Spain is 40 degrees north latitude which is the same as Philadelphia whereas Panama is in the deep tropics.

Date Joined:

7/21/2013

Total Posts:

488

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0.36