About expatdude

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Panama: SO Whats the deal:

Its 5 months max now.

Panama: National Migration System offers new online service:

Good to know, I need it for my newborn son, don't know how much longer we will be here but he will be here for 5 months at the end of this month so Ill either have to jump ship now or just regularize. The rest of the fam are perm residents, just didn't want to go through the hassle again if we are leaving soon...

Panama: Buying Cellphone on Visit to Panama:

Plaza Mirage has a great Asian cell phone shop with all phones available and unlocked, I have fixed my wifes iPhone screen and daughters ipad screen a few times there, they are great. I am sure they also have prepaid cell phone chips. When I first moved here I went and got a prepaid cell phone chip at Multiplaza mall (all cell phone companies are there on the same floor as the food court but on the other end), and they gave me the chip and I installed it all there and it worked for me at the time.

Panama: Good Driver in Panama City:

While having a driver is better, UBER English works well too, just make sure you click the English one as that means the driver speaks English.

Panama: Any taxi owners in Panama ?:

A friend of a friend owned a fleet for many years, he made good money but had a lot of trouble getting reliable drivers. He told us the story about it's up and downs and how the drivers are a pain in the ass to deal when caring for the vehicles that he eventually started a program with them that after three years the drivers would keep the cars (common here). Higher payout for him, driver takes care of vehicle, lock them in for three years. Eventually he did end up giving some cars away but then sold the business. My buildings door man drives at night, he's locked in a similar deal and his little Kia (worth $9k new) is still in excellent shape, he's got one year until it's his. If you do the math $40 x 225 days is $9k, Add 2 more years to that it's not too bad, especially with several cars, but it's still a hassle. Good luck man.

Panama: what concurrence me the most:

Punta Pacifica Hospital has great doctors, feel free to join Panamamas on FB group (its a private group) all the expat moms are there from all over the world which can help with any questions. The healthcare is not bad here at all, when my wife was pregnant the OB had much newer and better machines then our OB in Manhattan. The hospitals aesthetically aren't as nice as they don't price gouge like in the US, but the private Drs offices are.

Panama: buying a used car from a dealer:

I didn't pay taxes on the used car I bought, but then I bought it from an individual. Anyway I'm leaving the country soon, I might just sell it as well. Good luck with the dealer, it should be a quick one day process for you to drive off the lot.

Panama: 30 year old moving to Panama:

Wrong advice up top, you can work for a Panamanian firm with no problem and they can sponsor your work permit. Being from a friendly nations country means having no expiration date on the work visa. For example my Colombian co-workers have to renew it the first year, then every two years, mine is indefinite just like my permanent residency. My own tax attorney in the US found it weird that I don't work for an international firm located in Panama, like domestic firms don't hire outsiders... (they do).

Panama: paying bills etc in panama:

I pay my Cable and Wireless cable/internet bundle online with no issues. The only one that I cant do online is the Gasfenosa (gas and electricity) I have to physically go to an epago location and pay. I am thinking of opening up a Banco General account as I hear its one of the only banks that can do the payment online.

Panama: Buying a car in Panama:

encuentra24.com is your best bet, prices are a little inflated and definitely negotiable. The oil comment is actually true, so make sure you have a seller with maintenance records.

Date Joined:

8/12/2014

Total Posts:

96

Posts/Day:

0.10