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Living in Panama Panama is one of the best places in the world to live, either part-time or full-time. Chat with current and future Panama residents about the living conditions, real estate, food, schools, shopping, restaurants, the expat scene, dealing with Panamanians, and more.

View Poll Results: Why Are You Moving to Panama
Company Move 0 0%
Business Opportunity 7 19.44%
Retirement - Weather 11 30.56%
Retirement - Cost 17 47.22%
Lifestyle - Social 10 27.78%
Married to Local 2 5.56%
Itchy Feet 8 22.22%
Other 2 5.56%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 06-03-2008   #1 (permalink)
klikster
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Poll: Why are you moving to Panama?

What prompted me to start this topic was a part of one post I read in the "weather" topic.

Quote:
In other words, the weather sucks, at least for those of us who are used to cooler climates. But then again, most people are not here for the weather.
So I'm curious about the majority of reasons the folks here are moving to Panama.

For me, it would mainly be price level and climate. That being said, I'm fairly accustomed to Thailand's lowland heat by now, although the coastal regions are more temperate and seem to be a bit les humid .. sometimes.
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Old 06-03-2008   #2 (permalink)
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I almost checked "none" because one of our reasons is not up there. We want to get out of this country (USA). We are frustrated with this government and all the money that is wasted. We fell in love with Costa Rica and planned to move there, but then discovered Panama. We are planning a 10 day trip to Panama in early 2009 and will probably buy a home at that time in Boquete.
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Old 06-03-2008   #3 (permalink)
klikster
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Hi Joannie,

Sorry I didn't add that as an option. I tried to edit my OP and it appears that I can't edit the poll portion .. maybe a nice moderator can add it.

I hear you about the US. I left in '96 because of so many things.

What is it that you like better in Panama than Costa Rica? I haven't yet visited either.

Thailand is getting ever more expensive and requiring 3 month reporting even for a retirement visa .. or a $60 fine. I like the Thais, but ..

Last edited by klikster; 06-03-2008 at 09:54 AM. Reason: jeez my typing is terrible these days
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Old 06-03-2008   #4 (permalink)
BEL-AIR
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I also like Panama for tax reasons... both property and capital gains tax on investments like Securites, not to mention the banking secrecy and security...
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Old 06-04-2008   #5 (permalink)
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Ditto on what BEL-AIR said.

I also like how Panama is half-way between South & North America.

South America for future travel (I've been only through Buenos Aires & Uruguay so far).

North America for proximity for the occasional trip home. It's "only" 6-7 hrs of flight home.
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Old 06-04-2008   #6 (permalink)
soltero
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You like Panama "for tax reasons"? You might be interested in this:
http://primapanama.blogs.com/_panama...-tax-reso.html
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Old 06-05-2008   #7 (permalink)
twocents
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I chose itchy feet, but it was a tie between that and socia life. I have a very filled social life here in Chicago, I just enjoy the on in Panama ten times better. Living is so much easier down there.
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Old 06-07-2008   #8 (permalink)
modivilla2
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the people are generally shifting to Panama cause of it cool climate...and it has very less populated...the climate there is very silent and people love living there
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Old 06-07-2008   #9 (permalink)
whypanama
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We moved to Panama in 2005. We purchased land in 2002 and built in 2004-2005.

We came down here because we can live very nicely on Matt's social security. Everything is paid for so we only have our daily living expenses. We also have pensionado status and thus no taxes for 18 more years. Matt had worked for a company almost 30 years and they didn't have any retirement plans so we saved on our own. I am not eligible for social security for another 12 years.

Also the ease to get back to the U.S. incase of an emergency - which I did last year and was in Nebraska in 8 hours. It used to take me that long to drive from Chicago.

Matt & Mary
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Old 06-07-2008   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soltero View Post
You like Panama "for tax reasons"? You might be interested in this:
http://primapanama.blogs.com/_panama...-tax-reso.html
Is this your site, Soltero?
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Old 06-08-2008   #11 (permalink)
soltero
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Quote:
Is this your site, Soltero?
I don't really understand the question... but I do not own nor work for *any* site.
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Old 06-08-2008   #12 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by soltero View Post
I don't really understand the question... but I do not own or work for *any* site.
It obviously is not your site then..
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Old 06-08-2008   #13 (permalink)
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What is "it"? This Panama Forum? Or the blog site I referenced? Just curious as to why you're curious... :-)
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Old 06-08-2008   #14 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soltero View Post
What is "it"? This Panama Forum? Or the blog site I referenced? Just curious as to why you're curious... :-)
The blog site you referenced.

Why curious?

Well, the little while I've been on this blog I've read you live in Panama and you've shown you're knowledgeable about several Panama-related topics. I'm not a big reader of the Thorn Tree Forum, but I see you post over there as well.

As such, I figured the Panama Investor blog might be yours.

But it isn't

No big deal

Cheers

Last edited by dsc; 06-08-2008 at 09:31 PM. Reason: Add a wee bit more
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Old 06-09-2008   #15 (permalink)
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Thanks, but that site and blog belongs to Sam Taliaferro, who is far more knowledgeable about Panama (and far more important to ex-pats' future here) than I will ever be.
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Old 06-12-2008   #16 (permalink)
abhishek_513
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i have chosen to live in panama because i am retired and money is no problem i just like the weather there...i have visited couple of times...and the best thing i like is the weather...it rains quite often and it is cool here...
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Old 07-03-2008   #17 (permalink)
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http://www1.eur.nl/fsw/happiness/hap...a.php?cntry=86

Cheers

Mike
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Old 07-04-2008   #18 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by modivilla2 View Post
the people are generally shifting to Panama cause of it cool climate...and it has very less populated...the climate there is very silent and people love living there
Surely you jest...
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Old 07-04-2008   #19 (permalink)
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I was born in Panama, but currently live in San Francisco. I came to what we referred to in Panama as "the land of opportunity." Upon retirement, we (my wife - who was also born in Panama - and I) plan to come full circle by returning to Panama permanently for economic and nostalgic reasons.
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Old 09-02-2008   #20 (permalink)
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I`m intrigued and fascinated with the history of Panama. Panama is a melting pot of creed and races with a distinctive cosmopolitan flair
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