Moving to Panama

"We visited here many times before moving and stayed in different areas each time. There are 13 micro-climates here and they vary greatly. Some roads are not good so that may play into housing decisions too. Temperatures vary, even 5 minutes away can make a big difference. There are also areas that get extremely windy in Jan-Feb. Rent before buying," explained one expat living in Boquete, Panama.

"Rent first before you buy. Your paradise today may not be what you will think in 6 months. Brings essentials and sell everything else, you can get it cheaper here," said one expat in Bocas del Toro.

"Definitely rent. When you find a short-term rental you really like and you demonstrate to the owner that you can be trusted they will probably let you reserve it a year in advance. That’s what we do, but we are considering the possibility of looking for a yearly lease which might cost about the same as 4-6 months short term. It would have to be a place where the owner lives nearby and can keep an eye on things. The advantage would be that you can furnish it the way you want and keep your stuff there when you are away. As far as I can see that would be cheaper and more convenient than buying," said one expat who made the move to Panama.

"Travel as light as you can. Open yourself to the experience of daily life where you land. Don't choose a permanent base-of-operations until you have considered EVERYTHING that is important to you, and that you've been to other areas of Panama. It's a small country with amazing diversity. Give yourself the opportunity to experience the banquet!!!," said one in Panama City.

"Most good rentals are found through people you know. Ours was never advertised, only word of mouth. Good rentals are difficult to find," said one expat in Boquete.

"I made a visit here in August,stayed in a pretty basic place in el Cangrejo, and felt quite at home. It reminds me of Greenwich Village in NYC. I'll be staying in the same place for a month, plan to begin the Pensionado process with a recommended-by-expats att'y., and then move about 1 1/2 hrs.outside the city, coming back in as needed to complete the paperwork," remarked one expat who made the move to Panama City.

"We live in Costa del Este because we wanted to be very close to services without being in a noisy city and we also like to walk and Costa del Este is a beautiful place with wide sidewalks and beautiful landscaping," said one expat in Panama City.

"We lived in Panama City for a short time while we were waiting for our goods to arrive. The heat is almost unbearable. We had visited Boquete on previous visits and decided that its mild weather is a good choice. Never too hot or too cold. We purchase a dehumidifier for the rainy season, but you don't need an air conditioner or space heater. A lighted ceiling fan is all you need," said one expat who made the move to Alto Boquete.

"Very few homes in El Valle have air conditioning because it is generally not necessary here. The elevation of the mountains makes El Valle a bit cooler than coastal locations. Also we have very few, if any, gated communities here. Most homes are privately owned in residential areas. I hope this is helpful," said one expat in El Valle de Anton.

"We are renting a home. It is typical housing; concrete outside. This home has a lot of wood including ceilings. We just paid for an exterminator to gas the house. It is large. It has 4 bedrooms, one barely larger than a closet. The kitchens in older homes have no drawers. Think table service settings. Small countertop, limited storage in overhead cabinets. My eating area has steel shelving that I brought from the US. It provides storage for the mixer, baking equipment extra dishes and bowls. It's has a very Restoration Hardware look about it. I think that new construction has limited storage space as well. If you have books or dvds, buy shelving. Linen closets often don't exist. I store my linens and fabric in antique suitcases. Even if you buy kitchenware in Panama, you have to store it somewhere," remarked one expat who made the move to Alto Boquete.

"We have a 2 bedroom rental house up the hill from Boquete town. It is our preferred area. We were lucky and planned well in advance of moving here," explained one expat living in Boquete, Panama.

"We live in a spacious one bedroom apartment across from the ocean for $400 a month. There are people who live in smaller cheaper places more inland and folks who live out on the water in larger homes for more money. Typical is what fits you," said one expat in Bocas del Toro.

"Monthly rental is $905.00 per month cheaper. Housing here is between $600 $700 for two bedrooms. There are real estate people here who will find a house or apartment for you. Be prepared, every local has his hand out. Everyone from the cab drivers to our exterminator will offer to find a house for you. They have contacts and get commissions. But make no mistake, the Panamanians are all good-hearted and mean well. Sometimes strike gold," explained one expat living in Alto Boquete, Panama.

"Actually, they are comparable! I came here from living in Phoenix for the last year. Had to be very fiscally conservative there-just another victim of the economic debacle-and so I am prepared to continue this ecomically challenged life-style. It is what it is! Panama offers such an amazing variety of natural riches,that I feel quite wealthy! And grateful for this opportunity to live a different kind of life and blessed to be here," said one expat in Panama City.

"Electricity more, especially when fuel prices soar. Cable is same. No ppty taxes, but now have $400 a month maintenance in the bldg, which includes water, garbage, common area items. When I look at check registers from California, I'm reminded that we paid a monthly (smaller) fee, but paid for garbage removal, gardener for back yard, all utilities, cable, phone. Here I can live with a cell phone only," said one expat who made the move to Panama City.

"Yes. a condo. Process is kind of sloppy. A bit tricky. Need a good attorney. a lot of patience," said one expat in Panama City.

"Pack your Amazon Prime membership. And get a good freight forwarder here for deliveries in Miami. You can buy a lot of stuff here when it is available. If you don't live in a large city, Amazon is the way to go. Bring decent lightbulbs. The ones here are sadly lacking. They are all on some sort of wattage deficit. I brought my washer and am glad I did. If you like electric stoves or grills, bring those. Amazon firestick is good. A good fan. Most fans here last about 6 months. A dehumidifier is a must. I think they are cheaper in the states than here. If you live in the mountains bring a portable heater. There are mornings that you will be glad you did. One merchant where I live brought in a handful of heaters. His family laughed at him. In the twinkling of an eye, all heaters were bought. Can't find any here now. The heaters are not only good for providing a little heat, but they also dry a lot of the early morning humidity. You want to lessen the humidity in your house to save your clothes and appliances. Appliances decay rapidly in high humidity. If you can afford to run an air conditioner all the time, then don't worry about humidity. Of course, you will need a generator to keep the AC on when the electricity is off. So bring one or two of those with you. Bring any thing of personal comfort and joy. They will ease your transition by making you feel more at home," said one expat in Panama.

"You really don’t need to bring much. If you have a really nice set of pots and pans, bring them. Although, there is a Price Smart (Costco) and you might get a set you like there. Plus other small appliances. We brought too much. Too much clothing for sure. Most of your fave spices and foods are available at Reys supermarkets or Super 99 stores. Fresh vegetables and fruit at market stands are in abundance. Do It Centers are similar to a Sears with tools. Quite a lot available. On your visits, check out stores as well as rentals," remarked one expat who made the move to Nueva Gorgona.

"Brought: books, DVDs, no printers or fax machines. Wish I had left at home: a HOME. Not having one Stateside means mail forwarding only, not having a state to claim residence in for Medicare, voting, getting mail delivered, and perhaps a relative sift through the mail and scan me only important papers. Don't bring wood furniture - the tropics call for their own woods. NO metal anything - file cabinets, etc. And don't store in highrise depositos - they're greasey and dirty. Tape any boxes on all seams so the contents stay clean," explained one expat living in Panama City, Panama.

"I brought everything I wanted. Especially specialty items that are harder to get here since I am a cook. My husband brought his tools. I brought too many clothes. I am glad I did not bring my furniture. We live in shorts and flip flops and little dresses. We shipped everything down in a shared container for a very reasonable price," said one expat in Bocas del Toro.

"I arrived 4 days ago, and so far, I don't wish for anything more, nor anything less. I've brought clothing and essentials and that's all," said one expat who made the move to Panama City.

"Giving our housekeeper and gardener a raise caused quite a stir amongst the neighbors. Inviting the "help" into the house and sharing the mid day meal was also considered a no-no. Having never had any sort of hired help, I didn't know the general practice of either not feeding or giving a sandwich to them to be eaten outdoors or in the garage. For the record, I still have lunch with them, cook some of their favorite American dishes and really enjoy their company. They help me with my "Spanglish" and I help them with their English," remarked one expat who made the move to Altos del Maria.

"Not officially asking my girlfriend out was one. Apparently you have to do it formally one night. Went 6 weeks with a girl, didn't ask her out formally (because you would assume that's it) but you have to ask here to officially make you exclusive boyfriend and girlfriend! who knew..," explained one expat living in Panama City, Panama.

"Panamanians are very tranquilo people and willing to help. If you are politely sincere, they will overlook any faux pas. However, don't mistake kindness for weakness. Panamanians are also tough. If you approach them as a superior jerk, you will get the jerk treatment. One of the things I love most about Panamanians is their insightful sense of humor. It is quite sophisticated. My Spanish is not good, but our joint sense of humor supersedes all language barriers. Just be good and relaxed," said one expat in Panama.

"In Panama, it is important to be respectful in all interactions. Pronouncing Spanish words incorrectly or using slang can be considered offensive or inappropriate. It is also important to be aware of local dress codes, as wearing revealing clothing in religious or traditionally conservative settings can be seen as inappropriate. Additionally, it is important to respect Panama’s indigenous cultures and be sensitive to any cultural differences that may exist. Showing deference and respect to authority figures is also key. Finally, do not be disrespectful to Panamanian flags, emblem, and customs, as this can be considered a serious offense," said one expat who made the move to Panama.

"The cost of living is cheap compared to other countries. Example we are in Chiriqui, Volcan. We were also living in Puerto Armuelles. The gas for cooking is around 7 dollars for a 5 gallon tank. It last about 2 months. The water is not metered and is about 5 a month in Puerto you use air conditioning so the electricity is higher 125 a month depending. But in Volcan its virtual springtime so you don't need air or heat," stated one expat who made the move to Panama.

"Panama's ideal tropical climate, world class infrastructure and low taxes are some of the primary attractions that draw expats to move there. Additionally, Panama enjoys a stable political and economic environment, providing a safe and secure environment in which to establish new lives. The country also boasts a wide diversity of activities and attractions to explore, both in the city and in the stunning landscapes nearby. From rainforests to sandy beaches and mountains, Panama has much to offer those looking for a new home. With a vibrant culture and intriguing history, it's easy to see why many expats have chosen to call Panama home," commented one expat who moved to Panama.

"Here you have a slower, more rural life-style, with nearby little-used beaches and modest cost of living. There is a restaurant called Smiley's where expats tend to gather. And November 25 there are wonderful parades and traditional dress. In February for carnival the dress is modern and parades and floats resembling Rio. There is a health clinic in town where you can consult a doctor for $2.00, or you can drive into one of the bigger cities like Chitre (1 hour away) for specialists. The weather is temperature consistent, but from December through April it is DRY, whereas May through November it rains a lot, but still with quite a bit of sunshine," said one expat.

"Being from the U.S. it's hard to say medical care is better, but the difference is it's 1/10th the cost to get the same type of medical care. Don't be afraid that you're going to get 3rd world medical care in a foreign country. Also, just as in the U.S., don't be afraid to ask questions or to give your opinion of what you think needs to be your course of treatment," commented one expat living in La Chorrera.

" We have found the quality to be better than what was available was in Oklahoma, the price is definitely less, the doctors spend a lot more time with you and actually care. ," commented one expat who moved to Panama.

"Panama has a well-developed healthcare system, with both public and private hospitals and clinics providing a wide range of medical services. The country has a number of highly-trained doctors and specialists, and many of the larger hospitals offer advanced medical treatments and procedures. In addition, Panama has a number of medical tourism options, with many people travelling to the country for medical treatments and procedures that may not be available in their home countries. The cost of medical services in Panama is generally lower than in other countries, making it an attractive option for those seeking medical care," wrote one expat living in Panama.

"The Clinic in Horconsitos is open only part time. Additional Clinic is available M-F in San Lorenzo. Otherwise a trip to Davis is required, 1:15 minutes away from home," commented one expat who moved to Boca Chica.