Thread: Is it worth living in Panama?

Originally Posted by Rashidsindho

So let's all be real. Panama is wonderful for a low cost, friendly, warm place.....for Baby Boomers to retire

for some it is great , for others is is hell , just depends what you want to make of it , it is not just like the states , only cheaper , it is a totally different country , and cheaper , if you want it to be just like the states but cheap , you will be very dissapointed , if you are very flexable in your thinking and can change to there lifestyle , panama is good , a person needs to spend time here before you even think about moving here , travel and explore the country and see what the real panama is all about

so with that being said, is the lack of spanish language a barrier to enjoyment of the country? Because I am on board with coming to panama, but my spanish is basically non existent. And my french is horrible :O

Actually i think I can speak patois better than I can speak french.

No, not at all in my opinion, so long as you see living in Panama as an adventure and not expect it to be like the U.S.'s 51st state as nakedguydb says. I suppose it's as frustrating as living in south florida and being the only English speaker. I always found my Spanish improved with the number of beers I had!

Yes -- most people become "fluent" after 6 beers. LOL

I was really thinking i would get some culture-shock, but personally i dont even think its that much different then europe, nor the states. some things do indeed go slower here, and cost more effort, but vice versa as well. I misplaced my login information for online banking the other day. Went to my bank, and walked out 10 minutes later with my login-information. Try that in the Netherlands.You would have to apply for a new one online, and wait for it 3 weeks to receive by mail. Then when it doesnt arrive, they would tell u all u can do is apply for it again. Then again, there u open an account in 1/2 hour. Here it takes forever.

Okay, I moved to Panama the first of April, 2011, so I am far from being an expert on the country. I was in Panama City for a week before finding the condo I am in now. I am currently in Coronado and I can see and hear the ocean from my back deck. A huge swimming pool is just across the street. I pay $1,200 per month to live on the ocean in a large three bedroom condo. Find that in the USA.
I was law enforcement for many years and I carried (a gun) in the states. I find no need or desire here. I think crime is far less than it is in the states. My Spanish is nil but I have little problems because so many people speak English, even away from the big city. I am learning Spanish now because my Vietnamese does NOT work well here
I was in Colombia before Panama and find the cost of living MUCH more in line in Panama. Plus we use the USD here, no converting.
I have not looked back, I love it here. Gotta go to the beach!

Hello Perry,
Please continue to let me know how you like or dislike Coronado. My husband and family are thinking of that area, Coronado and Gorgona. We will not be there until September of 2012. Have you purchase any fish from the Fish co-op near there? Are you of Vietnamese background? I am Canadian with Chinese and Vietnamese background. I am surprised to find someone here that can speak Vietnamese!

I rent out my 2 bed / 2 bath on Normandy Isles (Miami Beach) for around $1,150 (close to 100 M2). They are about 2 KM from the beach, 15 mins walk or 5 mins by bike. Brand new condo conversions from 2007 with recent upgrades (all stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer, brand new water heater, also storage shed). Tennis courts are available for residents and there is also a very nice community pool. Electricity is cheaper than in Panama and internet much faster (and cheaper). Everything is very clean and well maintained, no trash on the streets, no stray dogs. There is also culture, concerts, intense night life, cheap stores where you can return things easily, no bars full with prostitutes.

Find that in Panama!

Originally Posted by Perry

I pay $1,200 per month to live on the ocean in a large three bedroom condo. Find that in the USA.

So far I am happy with everything I have seen and done. As I lived in or near the mountains of Colorado for many years I kept wanting to be close to the ocean. I never dreamed I'd be able to see and hear it from my back deck. I go through a locked gate to set foot in the sand. The swimming pool is an added plus for the end of a hot day.
I was pretty good speaking Vietnamese about forty years ago, but I've lost most of what I remember. I loved Vietnam and considered living there but because of my books, I need to be closer to the USA. So you see, I learned to speak Vietnamese because of the war.
I miss nothing of the States and I'll return once a year to visit family, that will be more often than I visited while living there.
As for the fish.... my girl friend (Colombia) likes and eats fish but I don't. I've never cared for salt water fish and I detest fresh water fish. There is an ample supply of fresh fish here, being close to the ocean however. Good luck!

Originally Posted by EdBowers

I rent out my 2 bed / 2 bath on Normandy Isles (Miami Beach) for around $1,150 (close to 100 M2). They are about 2 KM from the beach, 15 mins walk or 5 mins by bike. Brand new condo conversions from 2007 with recent upgrades (all stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer, brand new water heater, also storage shed). Tennis courts are available for residents and there is also a very nice community pool. Electricity is cheaper than in Panama and internet much faster (and cheaper). Everything is very clean and well maintained, no trash on the streets, no stray dogs. There is also culture, concerts, intense night life, cheap stores where you can return things easily, no bars full with prostitutes.

Find that in Panama!

Well Ed, who wants to live in Miami? I wouldnt live there if it was $350 a month.

You kidding? Probably not... I love Miami, I've lived in 6 countries don't know how many cities and that has to be near the top. Miami Beach is the best for certain. The cost of living isn't too high, rents are cheap, food is cheap(depending where you shop), fuel, electric etc... and then there's the awesome weather and infrastructure. That is one of the nicest beaches in the world. Hundreds of miles of empty, clean, white sanded shallow warm water beach. You can't find better in a first world country where at least 1/3 the population speaks english :P . I jest...at least half of miami speaks english.

Then there's the rest of southern florida, nice.

Originally Posted by india

Well Ed, who wants to live in Miami? I wouldnt live there if it was $350 a month.

I understand the many and varied reasons why people want to get out of their country for a place like Panama...but the grass only looks greener. Unless you're after a different cultural experience, a better looking mate than you could get back home, or something tax related...try something else. Wait for Mexico to clean up maybe...

Originally Posted by Panama Dreamer

Hello Perry,
Please continue to let me know how you like or dislike Coronado. My husband and family are thinking of that area, Coronado and Gorgona. We will not be there until September of 2012. Have you purchase any fish from the Fish co-op near there? Are you of Vietnamese background? I am Canadian with Chinese and Vietnamese background. I am surprised to find someone here that can speak Vietnamese!

Coronado is a good beach town to live in. You don't have to live inside the pearly gates. It's no safer there. Neighboring towns nearby are good options also. The restaurants in Coronado are good, but not great. You can eat dirt cheap at the fondas or Super 99. The food is actually pretty good there and gringos rarely eat at those places. Better restaurants are showing up that cater to gringos but they are expensive and just mediocre. I guess knocking it out of the park is not a priority here. One of the caveats that I found living in Panama.

Gorgona is actually a safe town but is known as a ghetto. I lived there for a while with no problems. The beach in Gorgona is very pretty due to the mountain backdrop and it connects to Coronado.

If you are Asian then the locals will call you "Chino" or "Paisano" to your face. Get used to it. It's rude but that is how they were brought up and that will never change. One of the terrible quirks about Panamanians that needs to be fixed.

Thanks Felicity
I appreciate the info. We spent 3 days around Chame, Gorgona and Coronado the last time we visited Panama. I take it Coronado. El Valle, Altos del Mario are where most of the expats are. I did see the changes of Coronado from the first and second time I visited. There are increasingly more restaurants and stores there. We are considering of renting a condo in Gorgona area, mainly because it is close to the school that the kids will go to.
"Chinos" I have of the term....that wouldn't bother me. In Jamaica "Chinos" are Mr and Ms. Chin!!!

I would add Boquete and Bocas as places with a number of ex-pats.

Thanks Felicity,
I take it that most expats are living either in Coronado, Altos del Mario or El Valle. We have visited those areas last year when we were there. I have been in Coronado twice and between the two years, I have seen the increased of buildings and stores.
We chose to try out Gorgona when we come down. The kids school is in Gorgona. In terms of when we settled, I am considering Chame but we just need to come down and experience which areas fits us most.

Originally Posted by Panama Dreamer

Thanks Felicity,
I take it that most expats are living either in Coronado, Altos del Mario or El Valle. We have visited those areas last year when we were there. I have been in Coronado twice and between the two years, I have seen the increased of buildings and stores.
We chose to try out Gorgona when we come down. The kids school is in Gorgona. In terms of when we settled, I am considering Chame but we just need to come down and experience which areas fits us most.

Come on down and check it out. You will do fine in Gorgona. From there you can explore the neighboring areas. There are a lot of choices... mountain, beach and countryside. The expat population is strong here, although still somewhat sparse so some basic Spanish is needed. Coronado is building out fast, almost too fast. Most of stores in the existing mall are vacant and 3 new malls are coming soon. Not sure what they were thinking? Regardless I think you will do just fine here.

Well, not to worry I may go to Panama City for some shopping or opera but I had my fill of big cities when I left Philadelphia and moved to Newton, NC. pop. 13,500. Good advice.

Is anywhere worth it? A place is worth it if you love it. If you love the people, love the culture, and love the terrain then I would say it was worth it.

Originally Posted by PatricioBridges

Is anywhere worth it? A place is worth it if you love it. If you love the people, love the culture, and love the terrain then I would say it was worth it.

Well said , as others have said you need to come and test the waters for yourself.
Everyone's version is different!!

In response to the above question, I'd say it pretty much depends on what you want to do. If you like the country and want to live there, you'll find a way to make it worth your while. If you'd pardon the ol' cliché, where there's a will, there'a a way.

Originally Posted by Michael

Hi gals!

Well said! In my opinion it is definitively worth living in Panama. Be it the country, weather, super low cost of living and high quality of living, the people, the culture, or the fact that you can buy a two bedroom apartment with sea view for around $60,000! Panama is a paradise made in heaven.

Hmm...

Panamanians are lazy simpletons at the best. They have no culture (as defined by Western countries). The terrain is sewer soaked and filled up with pot holes that destroys vehicles.

Originally Posted by PatricioBridges

Is anywhere worth it? A place is worth it if you love it. If you love the people, love the culture, and love the terrain then I would say it was worth it.

Originally Posted by 2panam

Panamanians are lazy simpletons at the best. They have no culture (as defined by Western countries). The terrain is sewer soaked and filled up with pot holes that destroys vehicles.

As stated everyone has their own take on everything. Who says we have to use western culture as a guide to anything.
I have found lots of places that aren't "sewer soaked" and lots of roads that aren't "filled up with pot holes"
You want to experience bad roads try Costa Rica!!!!

Originally Posted by 2panam

Panamanians are lazy simpletons at the best. They have no culture (as defined by Western countries). The terrain is sewer soaked and filled up with pot holes that destroys vehicles.

The vitriolic rant of someone who's obviously held against his (her?) will in Panama...

you are so right , someone punching the clock for someone else . needs the job and has not got the balls to quit and find work elsewhere . , so until they retire they will just bitch about the world , boy sucks to be them. LOL

Go to Museo Antropologico, wake up the staff and be the first visitor in 5 years. Stand on the south side of Parque Porras and watch traffic for 2-3 hours - it is a "cultural" experience beyond belief.

Panama has no history worth mentioning. The common man lacks everything, for example basic understanding about the world, ethics, normal decency, sense of time and urgency, how to treat/respect other people, noise barriers to mention a few. Logic do not appeal to them, rather processes do.

Panamanian culture is a big nothingness. They have no food, no music, no art, no inventions, no industry, no special in-country knowledge or know-how, no nothing. Their holidays are simple with bad and annoying rap music and beers consumed walking in mountains of garbage.

Panama is good for money from one perspective or another, nothing else. Noone is here paying uplift compared to back home for the "Panama Experience". Let's be clear about that.

Originally Posted by Panamax

The vitriolic rant of someone who's obviously held against his (her?) will in Panama...

Originally Posted by 2panam

Go to Museo Antropologico, wake up the staff and be the first visitor in 5 years. Stand on the south side of Parque Porras and watch traffic for 2-3 hours - it is a "cultural" experience beyond belief.

Panama has no history worth mentioning. The common man lacks everything, for example basic understanding about the world, ethics, normal decency, sense of time and urgency, how to treat/respect other people, noise barriers to mention a few. Logic do not appeal to them, rather processes do.

Panamanian culture is a big nothingness. They have no food, no music, no art, no inventions, no industry, no special in-country knowledge or know-how, no nothing. Their holidays are simple with bad and annoying rap music and beers consumed walking in mountains of garbage.

Panama is good for money from one perspective or another, nothing else. Noone is here paying uplift compared to back home for the "Panama Experience". Let's be clear about that.

I guess its impossible to convince people with a one track mind, and opinion set in stone, no problem carry on in your negative quest, I however will continue on in a positive mode and enjoy PANAMA for what it is , not what the Western world expects it to be!!!!!

I can't find the western countries' definition of culture anywhere on the internet. I always thought Panama was a western country. Panama has a very rich and vibrant culture, I like it. If they're lazy simpletons then who is building all of the skyscrapers in Panama City, Chinese immigrants? Who is building all of the homes and apartment buildings in the suburbs? Martians? You ought to see the potholes here in North Carolina. What sewer soaked terrain were you looking at exactly, it sure wasn't in the Boquete area.

You know what they say...."If you don't like a place then go somewhere else".

Originally Posted by patriciobridges

i can't find the western countries' definition of culture anywhere on the internet. I always thought panama was a western country. Panama has a very rich and vibrant culture, i like it. If they're lazy simpletons then who is building all of the skyscrapers in panama city, chinese immigrants? Who is building all of the homes and apartment buildings in the suburbs? Martians? You ought to see the potholes here in north carolina. What sewer soaked terrain were you looking at exactly, it sure wasn't in the boquete area.

You know what they say...."if you don't like a place then go somewhere else".

amen!!!