Thread: Checking out where to live

Hello,

We are thinking of checking out Panama as a eventual place to retire. Could anyone please advise the best way, during a week or two week holiday, to explore the different locations to live. We don't really want to live in a city nor the beach, the country or mountains would be first choice.

Are there reputable companies that can assist, or is it better just to come and explore?

Thanks for any help or advice,

Most companies fall into one of two classes: They're either going to give you a tour of properties and areas where they have a vested interest, or they're going to take you to the most popular tour spots, which are not necessarily the places you want to retire.

I think the best approach is to first buy the new Moon Guide to Panama (the one with the ocelot on the cover). It has up-to-date info (came out this month), excellent maps, and several suggested itineraries for stays of different duration.

Also, join one (or more) of the Yahoo! Groups where hundreds of ex-pats hang out. There are a few for Panama as a whole, one for Bocas, one for Boquete, one for David, one for real estate, one for laws, etc. Because so many of the participants in those are people who actually live here, I've found the info to be of higher quality.

Through those groups, you can also find out about ex-pat gatherings -- might be a good idea to attend one, if possible, when you're here.

If you're attracted to the mountains, you have several choices; the "big three" would be Boquete, Volcan, and El Valle de Anton. There are also Altos de Maria and Cerro Azul, which aren't really the mountains, but high enough up to have a milder climate. Each one has its pros and cons.

If you know for sure you want to be in the hills, you could probably see all you need to see in a week. But if some non-beach areas in lower elevations also interest you (e.g., David, Chitre, Las Tablas, et. al.) you should allow two weeks, imho. However, the big cost of looking around is getting here; after the airfare, things are pretty cheap.

Hi if you need a place to stayin Panama call Dos Palmitos they give you a special rate for long stay and are in the city but not in the heavy traffic noise. Near albrook airport and near the center. Really nice people and setting as well.

Also having some difficulty sorting out the best locations for a retiree to live in panama. Please give me some replies about dangers or hidden costs of living as a retiree there. My low dollar pension forces me to look for accomodations somewhere in what I would call a small village or without golf courses or expensive gated communities. Really, all that I am searching for is quiet & safety.

If you're talking about a permanent move, you can't neglect the importance of access to good healthcare. And the trouble with the very cheapest places in Panama is that they are too remote, imho, in that regard. E.g., even though I am healthy, I would never live in Bocas for just that reason: one doctor, no real hospital, and the only way to get quickly to a good hospital is by air.

If I were you, I'd look around the city of David. David is big (300K) and has everything you need as far as shopping, infrastructure, etc. If you go maybe 15-30 minutes outside of David, you can still find very quiet areas with lots of cheap (compared to the US) real estate and rentals.

The only other megacenter is Panama City, and it's gotten too expensive. Now, there are areas 30-40 minutes outside PC that are still cheap, but I don't think they'll be as cheap as David, and driving in PC is a major pain. (I know, I live here.)

Will be cancelling my Medicare insurance as soon as I complete my relocation.....do any of you out there have information on Insurance Brokers or other recommendations for new medical insurance ?

How old are you? It can be very difficult to get medical insurance in Panama if you are 69 or older. And when you say cancelling Medicare, I assume you mean Option B; there are reasons to be careful about doing that, judging from reports I've read from other ex-pats.

As far as "best" coverage, that depends entirely on the individual: age, health, desired deductible, international coverage, etc. etc. I recommend you start with a good agent, who can rep many companies and explain your options. I like Virginia Perez at AFTA Insurance, tel +507 214-3204. (She speaks English.)