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San Carlos

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maximoto
  12/10/2018 09:54 EST

Seeking initial thoughts on San Carlos beach area. Would be nice to hear from someone who lives there, or visits from time to time. I have seen some real estate listings on Craigslist that look interesting and was just wondering what expats in the know think.

dogbone
  12/10/2018 10:38 EST

Hi, we have been in Panama for a long time and I have never lived there, but know the area well and have friends who own property there. It is not a bad area to live, but at least for me, I would not choose to live in that area. It really depends on what is important to you. You need to see it for yourself and decide for yourself. That said, I will tell you the show-stoppers for me:
1. The big one is that I want to be within 45 minutes drive of a really good medical center. This area does not have one. It could take 2 hours or more to get to a hospital in PC, for example, with a cardiac care unit.
2 There is just not much in the way of shopping and services in this area, to suit me. Coronado is close, but there just is not enough there for me. For me, where I live, we are out in the country on the beach, but between two fairly large cities. Chitre is 25 minutes away and Las Tablas is 15 minutes away, so I prefer the Azuero beaches for that reason.

Your preferences may be different.

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Jazzmann
  12/10/2018 11:41 EST

We have visited there several times and had friends who live there for a month. It is a nicetown and we like the surrounding area. Some of the beach is very nice the other part of the beaches more of a mudflat. you should be able to get most of what you need in the area and Coronado is not that far away for really good shopping.

annapolis
  12/10/2018 12:56 EST

We are residents of San Carlos and love it. We have lived here for 10 years and we have no complaints. The clinic/hospital will take excellent care of you no matter the problem. They have sown the tip of my finger back on and it works perfectly with feeling - [just one example]. As for shopping - minor shopping OK, major shopping in Coronado is 10 minutes away. Restaurants are fine but limited [Chinese] but excellent food and spotless. Here in S.C. you have a lifestyle that is second to none and the weather is the best, with less rain than the surrounding areas. The beach is a great family beach with shallow waters near the shore, but from season to season and year to year it changes, but always pleasant. Traffic is minimal in the residential areas. We searched Panama for 2 months and we decided on San Carlos as it has everything we need and to get to the City - jump on an a/c bus and for $2.50 - $3.00 you can ride care free to the huge shopping centre or take the underground to wherever you wish for another .35 cents.
Come and join us - you won't be sorry. Let us know if you need any more information.

maximoto
  12/10/2018 13:53 EST

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I need to check it out. I have been to PC and surrounding areas, but never San Carlos. I might try to put together a trip for early 2019.

llseldon
  12/10/2018 16:19 EST

There is a Canadian couple that retired in San Carlos lived north of the PanAm Hwy name is Mannell but I haven’t been in communication with them in awhile?

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JeffBeckSavage
  10/9/2020 09:13 EST

My wife and I are considering moving to San Carlos within the next few months. There are some concerns about Panama overall due to increases in cartel activity and general crime as a result of reduced security from Covid-19. How has this impacted life in San Carlos? How do you view Panama overall, now? If you had to do it again, would you?

Panamanreed
  10/9/2020 10:51 EST

I live not too far from San Carlos. I would not worry about cartel activity unless you are somehow involved in it, such as money laundering. I have not noticed any cartel activity let alone an increase.

As for general crime, you always need to be cautious anywhere in Latin America. The San Carlos is area is quite laid back. Enjoy it! Don't be an easy target, be a good neighbour and you should be fine.

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