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soltero · 06-09-2008

Apartment maintenance fees average $1 per square meter -- but it depends on the building (and owners' association).

Electricity in Panama comes from 50% hydro and 50% diesel.

Electricity is cheap up to 500Kwh/month, because the government provides subsidies. In addition, if you have jubilado status, you get a 25% discount on usage up to 600Kwh/month. But as soon as you go over those limits, it's expensive. E.g., one month when I used 480Kwh, my bill was $13. When I used $650Kwh, my bill was $96. The biggest factor as to whether you'll hit the limits is, by far, AC. For most ex-pats I know in Panama City, $100-150/month seems to be a reasonable amount to budget. But I know some who spend less, and some who spend much more. And if you live in the mountains where the weather is much cooler, you'll spend less.

06-09-2008	#6 (permalink)
soltero Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Panama Posts: 152 Rep Power: 1	Apartment maintenance fees average $1 per square meter -- but it depends on the building (and owners' association). Electricity in Panama comes from 50% hydro and 50% diesel. Electricity is cheap up to 500Kwh/month, because the government provides subsidies. In addition, if you have jubilado status, you get a 25% discount on usage up to 600Kwh/month. But as soon as you go over those limits, it's expensive. E.g., one month when I used 480Kwh, my bill was $13. When I used $650Kwh, my bill was $96. The biggest factor as to whether you'll hit the limits is, by far, AC. For most ex-pats I know in Panama City, $100-150/month seems to be a reasonable amount to budget. But I know some who spend less, and some who spend much more. And if you live in the mountains where the weather is much cooler, you'll spend less.