Thread: Poll: Why are you moving to Panama?

Originally Posted by Felicity

Ed, you certainly have a unique way of expressing your thoughts... but I like your candidness.

I agree cander has never been Ed's weak point. I think one of those 25 year old Colombian hookers really must have hurt him emotionally. LoL

^I lol'd!

Guys that was supposed to be a joke about Ed gettin hurt by a Colombian hooker. I guess some of you see some validity to my hip pocket psychiatry LOL.

My Wife and I want to move to Panama for the weather and the pace of life. In the USA everything has to be done fast, we are done with that. I know Panama is not perfect but the potential is there and we are willing to take the risk!!! Just need to research schools more and then we will be down to look around. Thanks to this forum it has helped us decide.

Originally Posted by fleeted

The difference is that a panama military dictator will not be worried with tourists. Initially they will be busy subjugating people in their opposition party. This leaves me with plenty of time to change venues.

Isn't this happening in Panama right now?

Originally Posted by DKM

My Wife and I want to move to Panama for the weather and the pace of life. In the USA everything has to be done fast, we are done with that. I know Panama is not perfect but the potential is there and we are willing to take the risk!!! Just need to research schools more and then we will be down to look around. Thanks to this forum it has helped us decide.

If you are looking for things to be done slowly, Panama will be just the ticket for you!

Im going to Panamá from July to September working in a internship.

I'm from Europe ( Portugal ), and don't know exactly what i'm about to find in Panama, but is why I register here and will use other threads to make questions

I can echo many here, can't take the political situation in America anymore. I'm floored that so many fools here (in America) can't see what is happening and I'm afraid that O'bummer will be elected again since he is already spending OUR tax money to try to get re-elected ~ if this happens then it will be even more of a socialist country....might as well live in China.

On a positive note, if I had learned more about Panama before then I might have moved there anyway and done it sooner! I live at a beautiful beach in South Carolina and grew up on the Carolina coast, but it cannot compare to Panama!

Blessings to all!
Daisy

Certainly sounds a nice place.
We are continueing with our research.

Of the options, we live here because of 3 of them: cost, lifestyle, and itchy feet.

We have been here for 5 years and we love the relaxed lifestyle. It seems we were always rushing in the States.

Adding to the relaxed lifestyle is the cost. You can buy things without worrying about your bank balance. It much cheaper here than the States and Costa Rica.

Then there is the fact that we simply like to see new places and have new experiences. Panama is ideally situated for exploring.

Originally Posted by betsy

Of the options, we live here because of 3 of them: cost, lifestyle, and itchy feet.

We have been here for 5 years and we love the relaxed lifestyle. It seems we were always rushing in the States.

Adding to the relaxed lifestyle is the cost. You can buy things without worrying about your bank balance. It much cheaper here than the States and Costa Rica.

Then there is the fact that we simply like to see new places and have new experiences. Panama is ideally situated for exploring.

You didn't say where in Panama you live - I'm guessing Boquete or some other tranquil area - certainly not Panama City, which while many things, "relaxed" not being one of them.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes you are right. I do not live in Panama City.

I know some people enjoy it, but I try to leave Panama City as quickly as possible. I do enjoy its great restaurants though.

We live in Puerto Armuelles. It is on the Pacific Ocean, near Costa Rica and the Punta Burica peninsula.
A wonderful place to live.

Just got back from Panama again! Really need to stay longer but I have to come back to pay for the corruption here! You want relaxed and laid back you are right PC is not the place, however one of the out islands in Bocas is the place to be. Spent one night in Boquete, it was fkn freezing, people had touques and hoods on. I had the heater on in the car, NO THANX!!
Island breezes and pristine water is more my style

Heading to Panama in a couple of weeks. We used to go every year for vacation until the economy tanked and we couldn't go any longer. I lived downtown in Panama City for 6 months back in 98' and we've been trying to get back for the past several years.

I know all about the negatives of living in Panama, but I think the negatives in the U.S. are more far reaching much like fleeted said. Freedom in the U.S. is an illusion. Common sense doesn't apply to any part of life anymore. The Politically correct attitude adoped in every facet of life is overwhelming. Some groups fight for freedom of speech but then want to censor or sue you for using yours. 6 years olds get arrested and handcuffed for throwing a tantrum in schools, bully/violence, mother's day celebrations canceled at school because one person complains. It's not majority rules any longer here. It's sad because I spent almost 10 years fighting for this country. Now the government wants to control what's on the internet, but they publish articles in the press about how ridiculous it is that other countries are doing just that. Corruption is rampant at all levels. It's insane how much things have changed in 10 years.

Originally Posted by DennyHodge

Heading to Panama in a couple of weeks. We used to go every year for vacation until the economy tanked and we couldn't go any longer. I lived downtown in Panama City for 6 months back in 98' and we've been trying to get back for the past several years.

I know all about the negatives of living in Panama, but I think the negatives in the U.S. are more far reaching much like fleeted said. Freedom in the U.S. is an illusion. Common sense doesn't apply to any part of life anymore. The Politically correct attitude adoped in every facet of life is overwhelming. Some groups fight for freedom of speech but then want to censor or sue you for using yours. 6 years olds get arrested and handcuffed for throwing a tantrum in schools, bully/violence, mother's day celebrations canceled at school because one person complains. It's not majority rules any longer here. It's sad because I spent almost 10 years fighting for this country. Now the government wants to control what's on the internet, but they publish articles in the press about how ridiculous it is that other countries are doing just that. Corruption is rampant at all levels. It's insane how much things have changed in 10 years.

Panama is a trade off, more freedom for generally less services. It can be a great life for independent minded people who are self sufficient. The key is not to get tangled up in the real estate market here.

yes if your needy , panama is not the place for you , if you have a mindset that you have to handle prolbems yourself then things can be good , and lots of people come and then leave in a few yrs because it is not like back home , which makes me wonder why they left back home in the first place , but I personally like to see when unhappy people leave panama because we all project a image , if you happy people can tell , when your unhappy , we thats why they wrote the book the Ugly American .

Originally Posted by fleeted

Panama is a trade off, more freedom for generally less services. It can be a great life for independent minded people who are self sufficient. The key is not to get tangled up in the real estate market here.

I can definitely deal with that. The corporate life I've lived for the last 12 years has worn me down. I'm ready to slow down even if it means the services slow down. We have tons of family there and it would be good for my kids who are half-panamanian, to see and live where there mother came from.

I don't plan on getting too deep into the real estate market at all, at least until all of those brand new apartments/condos go unsold and the prices come down.

Originally Posted by nakedguydb

yes if your needy , panama is not the place for you , if you have a mindset that you have to handle prolbems yourself then things can be good , and lots of people come and then leave in a few yrs because it is not like back home , which makes me wonder why they left back home in the first place , but I personally like to see when unhappy people leave panama because we all project a image , if you happy people can tell , when your unhappy , we thats why they wrote the book the Ugly American .

Exactly right about unhappy people. I see no point in leaving your home country if you are a generally unhappy person. It's ok to be unhappy with your current situation and move to make a change, but having a good attitude and being willing to assimilate into another people's culture is the key. Why would I move to Panama or any other country for that matter and expect it to be like the U.S.? If it was, I wouldn't go. lol.

Originally Posted by DennyHodge

Exactly right about unhappy people. I see no point in leaving your home country if you are a generally unhappy person. It's ok to be unhappy with your current situation and move to make a change, but having a good attitude and being willing to assimilate into another people's culture is the key. Why would I move to Panama or any other country for that matter and expect it to be like the U.S.? If it was, I wouldn't go. lol.

It seems that all is compared to the US, just a reminder its not the only country in the world!!

Originally Posted by Captain

It seems that all is compared to the US, just a reminder its not the only country in the world!!

Yeah, tell americans that! lol. That's why I'm glad that I was in the military. I got a chance to go all over Europe, and Central/South America. I learned early that there are other countries than the U.S.

Originally Posted by Captain

It seems that all is compared to the US, just a reminder its not the only country in the world!!

i know we should not pick on you captain , but LOL , ask some local neighbours were canada is , or irag , or just about anyplace else , when i motorcycled lots in the USA , it really opened my eyes , had people ask if we still used dog sled lots in canada , had lots see my plate on my bike and ask were alberta was , i would tell them in western canada and still get the deer in the headlight look , then say ubove montana and then most got the idea . but your right its not the only country in the world but i would think the biggest percentage of expats in panama are from the USA

Originally Posted by nakedguydb

i know we should not pick on you captain , but LOL , ask some local neighbours were canada is , or irag , or just about anyplace else , when i motorcycled lots in the USA , it really opened my eyes , had people ask if we still used dog sled lots in canada , had lots see my plate on my bike and ask were alberta was , i would tell them in western canada and still get the deer in the headlight look , then say ubove montana and then most got the idea . but your right its not the only country in the world but i would think the biggest percentage of expats in panama are from the USA

I got the same response from a lot of US folk, when I told them I was from Canada , They asked me if I new Bob????
Or asked what state Ontario was!!
They don't understand that most of the population in Ontario is further south than a lot of the people I was talking to

In summary, everywhere sucks due to an ever-increasing abundance of retards and other idiots. In Panama the percentage sure is a lot higher, but I least we don't have to commit tax suicide to feed them.

The U.S. has quit educating children and just indoctrinates them. History now begins at the civil rights movement. Sadly it is sliding towards second world staus quickly.

Originally Posted by pingun

In summary, everywhere sucks due to an ever-increasing abundance of retards and other idiots. In Panama the percentage sure is a lot higher, but I least we don't have to commit tax suicide to feed them.

and on that note , in the last little while I have met 3 couples that are dating , and they are all dating their 1st cousins , and I guess this is normal here , thats going to really help the gene pool . LOL

I didn't really see our reason, either.

For the adventure!

We want our retirement to be about exploring other countries and travel. When we aren't traveling, we still want to explore. So, after doing our homework, and visiting, we figure we will try living in Panama a while and see how it goes.

ETA maybe next year!

Yes, there are some things I don't like about the US, but I don't want to move away from something, I want to move to something.

It's a tax haven and it's easy to get laid. So easy that I would find (should have found) an urologist on arrival.

It's also super-easy to get ahead since most people are stuck in traffic and are completely clueless.

Defrauding customs is very simple.

What is your "something"?

Originally Posted by carolg

I didn't really see our reason, either.

For the adventure!

We want our retirement to be about exploring other countries and travel. When we aren't traveling, we still want to explore. So, after doing our homework, and visiting, we figure we will try living in Panama a while and see how it goes.

ETA maybe next year!

Yes, there are some things I don't like about the US, but I don't want to move away from something, I want to move to something.

Originally Posted by carolg

I didn't really see our reason, either.

For the adventure!

We want our retirement to be about exploring other countries and travel. When we aren't traveling, we still want to explore. So, after doing our homework, and visiting, we figure we will try living in Panama a while and see how it goes.

ETA maybe next year!

Yes, there are some things I don't like about the US, but I don't want to move away from something, I want to move to something.

There are lots of negatives to living in Panama and some positives also. I really like this forum because people aren't afraid to speak the truth and give candid opinions about their experiences. I would rather have people who fully understand the negatives and can live here inspite of them, then to have a bunch of idiots who bought online or were flown in for weekend sales presentation. Those people will be miserable. Everyone sees something about Panama they like, I just hope they also take into account the negatives. There is plenty to explore within Panama so it might work well for your retirement. Best of luck.

2012 now and Im still frustrated!

Originally Posted by Texan

2012 now and Im still frustrated!

All that " Hope and Change" not working for ya?