Thread: Cheap town, not far from a city and beach to live in

I’ve read how beautiful and cheap Panama is, I must confess foodstuff, transportation and buying real estate falls under cheap yet renting a house or apartment is not cheap at least I would not call it cheap. I live in Holland just outside Amsterdam in a two bedroom flat, normal neighbourhood and the rent is €390, a month.

I’m contemplating moving to Panama, personally I’m not the city type, like to live surrounded by nature thus lots of space and vegetation and beaches, yet not far from a city. Thus I’m more interested in towns than cities. I have two small dogs, a Jack Russel and Fox terrier I’ve travelled many times to Spain with my animals so they are vaccinated and chipped according to European rules.

My questions are:
“how do the local people go about renting a house, where and how are they advertised?”.
“this might sound strange, but is it quite safe for a woman to live alone?”
“can anyone recommend places on the pacific side (seem to be less rainy)?”
“most important question, can I live quite normal on €800, a month, this is my pension?”
My son will visit Panama sometime in March which I presume is after carnival, to check out the country. It would be nice to have some clues before he visits.

All I need is nice weather, a house with a garden, shopping centre, beach and medical facility nearby.

Thanks for all answers
Veronica

Hello Veronica,

You can live quite well in a safe comfortable area near or almost on the Pacific for the amount you have alloted. My recommendation would be to look at the Auzero Peninsula. Look for the towns of Chitre, Las Tablas, or even Tonosi if you really enjoy nature. Since you are using Euros you will be able to afford a nice house and two maids if you wanted, no problem.

Cheers

Thanks for your advise I certainly will check Chitre out because of my pets I have to be close to medical facilities for animals in case of accidents. I believe I would have to spend a couple of months in or round Panama City and from there out check exactly where I would settle definitely.

Hearing I can live normal on my pension is a real load off my mind.
Now its just finding an easy flight route for my pets and of course living quarters.

I've been looking through craigslist.com for possible rentals. You might want to give that a try.

Javi