About stgibson

Status:

Expatriate  

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Past Expat Posts:

Costa Rica

Germany

Brazil

Antigua and Barbuda

Iceland

About stgibson

International Lumber Wholesaler/Broker.

My Website:

http://www.tropicalhardwoodsllc.com

I would love to live in...

Heaven

Education:

CU
  1967 to 1971

CSU
  1974 to 1974

Georgetown Univ.
  1975 to 1976

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: Shipping Household Goods Exclusions?:

Longing to leave, We can help you with a door to door container move of your household goods and personal items. Anything that has a gas powered or diesel engine is not considered household goods. You can bring them but they will incur a duty and they also have to be completely drained of fuel which is why they get confiscated. You can buy canning jars in David but not a great selection and there is a brewers supply in PC that sells glass carboys for fermenting. My email address is sg.thwoods@gmail.com and my US number is 843-603-1020. Steve

Panama: 'Who's it' St Gib:

Thank you, he almost had me. https://www.facebook.com/WordOfFatih/photos/a.10150207506656450.337723.256101496449/10154351311076450/?type=3

Panama: Advise and Info Welcome:

We have friends in Alto Boquete that have a couple of nice 2 bedroom furnished units on the canyon for $605/month. This includes electric, water, gas, cable and internet. Nice units we rented one when we first came to Panama in 2012.

Panama: Starting a business in David:

There is a need for good diesel mechanics here. You won't make what you make in Austrailia but you can make a decent living here. I would suggest locating up around Dloega or El Frances, which is about 15 minutes up the mountain from David and closer to the large gringo community of Boquete. The weather is also cooler than David which is hot! El frances also has a very good reasonably priced International School for your daughter. It would also be a good idea to make a 3 or 4 week trip here in advance to familiarize you self with the area. PM me I can can give you some contacts.

Panama: Hotel near Immigration Office:

We like Hotel Milan in El Cangrejo. Plenty of good restaurants within a block, 5 min. taxi ride to Migracion and if you have a temp. residency and pay cash you can get a large suite for $50/night. Also very clean and great security and staff. Sorry no pool.

Panama: New changes to length of stay:

90 if you drive and 180 if you don't drive.

Panama: which car brand ?:

Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan. I have a Mitsubishi L200 and have no problem buying OEM parts for it at the part houses which in general run 50%-100% less than purchasing the same part from a dealer. I had a VW Toureg for 2 years. Great car but to many bells and whistles especially electronic. In Panama we live on a thin strip of land between the 2 major oceans. Salt in the air does not mix well with electronics. Parts and service are almost solely found at dealerships which are expensive . I got rid of the Toureg and bought a much simpler Mitsubishi Nativa. Both are turbo diesels and get between 35-37 MPG and other than keeping up scheduled maintenance have only had to replace a windshield wiper arm in 5 years.

Panama: New household shipping service in Chiriqui.:

We have opened a new household door to door shipping service from the USA and Canada to Chiriqui and also services returning to the USA or Canada. We have offices in the US and Panama and have over 50 years experience with ocean freight shipping, customs clearance and logistics. We are also contemplating a monthly shared container service with distribution warehouse in Chiriqui and welcome input for those of you who would be interested in this. G&B Import/Export, S.A. 507-6900-0764 (Panama) (whatsapp) 843-603-1020 (USA) sg.thwoods@gmail.com

Panama: Purchasing Property in Panama:

My advice to you is to buy what you can afford to pay cash for. Bank loans here are tedious and take a long time to secure. You can buy a lot here and build a nice 1100-1300 sf american standard home here for under $170K if you stay outside PC and the high dollar beach areas. You can receive a 20 year tax exemption on the cost of a new home. PM me and I can give you more specifics.

Panama: Is there a good quality map to download for Ipad:

I like WAZE. It is interactive and constantly updated by users. It shows gas stations, restaurants, accidents, speed traps. etc. It can be set for either graphic or vocal directions and woks great here.

Date Joined:

12/15/2013

Total Posts:

445

Posts/Day:

0.37