Thread: Is Panama good for us, family of 4?

I have heard so many great things about Panama and was wondering if it would be a good place for us to move to. We are 30 years old with two young boys(3 and 4). We are wanting to move to a place that has great beaches, great weather all year long and of course low cost of living. We would need to work to live but would have a decent down payment on a home, about 80 thousand us dollars. Panama sounds like it might be an option. Here are my questions:

Are we going to be able to find jobs without degrees and only a diploma?
I heard that you only make a few hundred dollars a month? How would we survive?
Would insurance be available for us and the kids? Is it expensive?
Does Panama have any sort of state help if we were to struggle and need help?
Do you think we should live near the city to get jobs or will there be jobs outside the city?

Your responses would be much appreciated! Thank you.

Get a job before you come here and worry about the rest later.

Hello nheller,
at first i need to say to live in panama with a familiy is no problem and when the familiy is willing to learn spanish it is much easier. Also Panama have schools for your kids with american standard and if you wish you can get a advanced health insurence, coast about 50 US$ per person, for a hole family is possible cheaper. What i speaking about is a Insurence from a private owned hospital here in Chiriqui and they have good standards. But if you are an employee here in Panama you get also health care through the panamanian seguro social system, for this you dont need an additional insurance. But to get a job (as foreigner) you have the most opportunities in Panama City.
But why you dont start your own business? For this gives plenty opportunities all over Panama.
And to get any state help you must be a citizen of Panama but what i heard thats not much.
I hoped that helps so far but you can contact me anytime: contacto@elmundobar.com
Kind regards
Dirk

Hello Mrwoohoo,
i would like to invite you for a couple drinks in my Beachbar.
Anytime!
Kind regards
Dirk

Originally Posted by panamaproperties24

Hello Mrwoohoo,
i would like to invite you for a couple drinks in my Beachbar.
Anytime!
Kind regards
Dirk

I would love to, the one on Las Lajas? I haven't been down there in awhile.

Hello Mrwoohoo,
yes in the west of panama in the region of chiriqui the beach is called Playa Las Lajas you can find it on my webpage. It is by the way the longest sand beach lined with palm trees in panama (also some people said: of Central America)! And in the summer time you see here awesome sunsets.
Regards
Dirk

You can also walk out in the black sand, through the water for 200 meters only to be slammed to the ground by a wave 2 times your size :-). It might be good for surfing?

Hi EdBowers,
i would love to upload some pictures of the beach that everybody knows what we are talking about, but iam not allowed to.
Is there a chance to get the permission?
Kind regards
Dirk

I like the beach on Las Lajas, been down there several times. In regards to pics you need to upload them on line (photo hosting) and then add the link.

No prob,
Gallery of Playa Las Lajas

Regards
Dirk

Nice Pics

Really beautiful! Are you guys pet friendly?

Welcome nheller,
I am too a young family planning to do our move in 2011. my boys are 6 and 2. It depends on what area you want to live in...but than again it depends if you want your kids to attend a bilingual school or a local school. There a string of bilingual school in Panama City. I heard there is one in Howard Arrijian, which I will be checking on my next visit to Panama. There is a bilingual school close to Coronado (beach area). Santiago also has one, but this is not a beach area.
It is probably best to find jobs in the Panama City. Good luck. Keep in touch.
Panama Dreamer

Originally Posted by becky7474

Really beautiful! Are you guys pet friendly?

Yes Becky, we are. We also have two dogs. They are friendly to other dogs.
Or what pet do you have?

Regards from the beach.
Simone