About tasnuck

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Some Forum Posts:

Panama: International primary schools in Panama City:

We just left Panama after two years living in the Canal Zone. (Cardenas). Good choice of areas to live. My kids attended the MET for the two years. I do think it is the best school you will find in that Canal Zone. Excellent teaching staff...Progressive in vision and certainly VERY international. Second choice would be Balboa Academy...but much more traditional American education. I'd stay away from the rest unless your going to move to the other side of the city and look at ISP....With regards to fees...it is expensive however most of the good schools are about the same annually. Don't know your situation but maybe your employer covers the cost of school fees for your kids as many expat contracts do. Good luck.

Panama: bank wire from panama to us?:

I have done a few BG wires and a time or two missed the small security question box as the final step. It was then cancelled but there isn't much on the web page telling you this. I am thinking this might have happened as you wire shouldn't be taking this long. Check with branch. I suspect the wire didn't go through.

Panama: Nightmare at the "Do-It Center" - Gringos Beware:

I had a similar scare. I was pulled over, at night by two cops for cutting them off in a roundabout. Well within the reasonable driving of PA I thought. Anyways...I am female and my 16 yr. daughter were alone in the car and we were asked to drive to the dark side of the highway to discuss as I argued my point about the sanity of my driving. We were pulled over in a well lit area on a busy highway and simply refused to move to the other side. I locked myself in the car with my daughter and called my husband. As you can imagine...the cops became infuriated at my noncompliance. I politely said in spanish "I am not comforable or feel safe moving over there in the dark" Well I think steam was coming out of his ears by now and he called for a back up cop and said I was going to jail. My husband showed up and a native spanish speaking friend, spoke with the second cop car (the supervisors) explaining that we were afraid to move for safety....He dismissed the original cops and apologized saying " they asked us to do things no cops should ever ask". Super scary but remember never cave. Hold your ground and don't show any fear.

Panama: Anybody teaching English?:

There are a few private, international schools in the Canal Zone that are always looking for teachers/relief teachers. Not hard to get your foot in the door if you just let them know your out there. International teachers come and go all the time so often there is vacancy that needs urgent filling. They prefer native English speakers so if your that, it gives you an leg up. Pay is pretty poor unless your hired from outside the country. Local sub is/was $90/day. Try Metropolitan School of Panama (Embassy, United Nations, Executive families kids) and The Balboa School (Ciudad Del Saber). Kings College is a British school (K-10). Only big issue is Canal Zone is expensive to live. Many of the teachers take on tutoring after school in these schools. These are private schools and pricey so tend to have financially well off families. They can afford tutoring and going rate is roughly $25/hr. Hope this helps.

Panama: Length of time granted by Immigration on arrival?:

Regarding foreign license validity time...you only need your license accompanied by a copy of your passport iD page and a copy of the last passport entrance stamp. After 90 days... Find some one else that has a newer entrance stamp and make a copy of threirs to accompany your id page. Make sure you don't have your passport and any other visa stamps on the entrance stamp page. It can cause problems. I know many people who do it this way. But don't know what might happen if there were a wreck and you didn't settle on the spot.

Panama: Family Moving to Panama:

Most people with families come here with a job with an international organization or as an executive with a company. These jobs pay well and that allows the families to pay the private school fees and live in the areas safe enough for your expat kids. Coming without a job sounds a bit scary unless you have a lot of savings or have some sort of skill where you work for yourself or from here but overseas. What sort of work are you hoping to find, what area are you thinking of living? That might help me suggest a few things. I lived in canal zone with family of four for two years.

Panama: For anyone considering Panama- we just moved there...and love it!:

Agree fully, I lived in Canal zone for two years. Absolutely hated it after the first 6 months. Had several scary incidences involving cops, corruption, and crime and I had become an angry person with all the daily dysfunction of traffic, garbage, horrible service, and lack of integrity, Too hot to go outside. Best day of my life was leaving and have not had a day of regret for that.. I had done my research...even lived in Chile during the dictatorship era as well as other countries. I speak spanish well... so not a newbie to all this. I did not return back to the US as I .had other options still don't see why any one would stay if they could leave.

Panama: Breaking lease contract:

Hi Expats I am currently breaking a lease on a two year rental lease. I am vacating 4 months early due to very poor property management with so many things in disrepair. Leaks, Poor security,ect The owners are asking for $$$ due to the early break however we feel justified.. Has anyone had any experience with the legality of a situation like this in Panama. Can they really bring in police? Any help would be useful.

Panama: My two Dogs:

I am moving a 5 KG. dog Panama to Australia and it is going to be ridiculously expensive but unapproved country to a rabies free country, you expect that. US to PA you should be able to do reasonably. Try Pets Go Global. Good Luck

Panama: Car rental insurance:

Sadly I rent cars on a regular basis for the simple reason that my car is in repairs constantly ( I bought a Landrover). I use National mostly and Thrifty as a secondary. Never had any issues at all. Very happy with service and price. All of it is less expensive then my Euro car repair bills. Hint...if you move here, don't buy a Euro car.

Date Joined:

11/19/2013

Total Posts:

65

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0.05