Thread: Is it worth living in Panama?

I've learned a lot on this forum but I still doubt if it's really worth moving to Panama to live there. What would be your reasons for living in Panama?

Based on what I read, it's a good haven for retirees. The benefits and the retirement program seem so inviting. I hope somebody here who has been enjoying the privileges of Panama would be able to share their thoughts.

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.

My plan is to retire in Panama for 3 months out of the year...Jan--March...it's a wonderful place...but America is the best country on the planet.

So let's all be real. Panama is wonderful for a low cost, friendly, warm place.....for Baby Boomers to retire...but I think ideally it would be great to keep a low maintenance American home as well. If it's not possible...then if you are gonna become an expatriate...Panama is THE Place.

PanamaKing...

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Originally Posted by Michael

Hi gals!

Well said oopsi-daisy! 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.

A sea-view apartment! That is one of my dreams! Is there any racial discrimination in Panama? I often hear in the news that there are some well-migrated countries that still discriminate other races.

I enjoy a home with sea-view too. I've been dreaming of it since then and it would be pleasurable to experience that. Who will not enjoy low cost living when you are near a beach! That's awesome.

A sea-view apartment!

Sea view does not always equal sea view. Stay away from Balboa Avenue because the sea there is black and I wouldn't recommend opening your windows unless you like the smell of raw sewage.

The best air quality in Panama City is without a doubt in El Dorado, and you can still have sea view if you go up high enough.

When it comes to living in Panama I would recommend NOT living in Panama City unless it is really your thing. You can live much cheaper outside Panama City and be safer. Less crime and less traffic accidents. Panama City is good if you are doing allot of international business.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

When it comes to living in Panama I would recommend NOT living in Panama City unless it is really your thing. You can live much cheaper outside Panama City and be safer. Less crime and less traffic accidents. Panama City is good if you are doing allot of international business.

Maybe i need to agree with you about that. I prefer to live outside from Panama and i'm fine with my place right now.

One of the things I have come to realize about Panama is that you really dont have to make a permanent decision about where you want to live right away. There is allot of country here in a very small place, dramatic mountains and beautiful oceans are common, anybody looking to move should really spend the time and tour the country. Meeting the locals is also highly recommended.

beautiful scenery, low prices, nice girls, great places to hang out, NO WINTER [that's a great reason] and sunny beaches. i guess these are only few reasons to move to panama

My wife just had her house call from her hairdresser ($6.00) and from her pedicurist ($6.00). Those prices and services are hard to beat in the US and in Europe.

The total cost for the hairdresser was $6.00 with no extra fees for coming to the house? That is amazing if it is the case.

yeah, really cheap for europe too. a haircut usually costs around 10-15$, and if you want one really stylish you have to pay around 50$ here.

Originally Posted by panamapal

The total cost for the hairdresser was $6.00 with no extra fees for coming to the house? That is amazing if it is the case.

That's not amazing. That's Panama!

That's the entire point for retirees--it is cheap. Everything is cheap; really, really cheap.

Bonus points now for all of you who use the Euro--its gains against the dollar have made Panama even cheaper.

Cheers.

well then, i've got a new dream: retire in Panama i hope Euro will worth like this in about.. 30-40 years.

Originally Posted by tigerfan

I hate to sound dumb, but could someone please help me. I'm trying to find the icon to click on in order to start a new message on a different subject without having to use the reply button on someone else's message. Perhaps I'm just overlooking what I'm looking for, but so far I haven't seen it. I apologize for having to use this method, but I figured it's worth a try. Thanks.

Too late! And yes, paying attention to tags on the pages is going to be a big help. For instance, look at this page: http://www.panamaforum.com/panama-travel/

Scroll down a bit, and you will see a little button that says 'New Thread.' These buttons are available under all the sub-forum headings.

Last, but not least, read the FAQ for further info on how the forum works...

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Nosfer

well then, i've got a new dream: retire in Panama i hope Euro will worth like this in about.. 30-40 years.

I cannot even begin to imagine what the Euro will be worth that far in the future. The Euro is a very new currency.

By the way, it is worth living in Panama.

I also think it is worth living in Panama, but that is for me. Each person has their own preferences, so the OP will have to decide on their own.

Ok, so the most popular reasons for living in Panama are the dollar (for people who have euros), the cheap prices (even for people who have dollars), the girls (unless you're a girl yourself), the real estate (unless you find yourself buying into the bubble), the beaches (unless you are in Panama City), and the hot weather (unless it's too hot and humid and rainy for you). Are the lack of income taxes also a consideration for some people? That's what I thought of first.

The lack of income taxes would be helpful only to people not coming from the United States, because U.S. citizens still have to pay taxes to the United States.

I think moving to any low cost living area is generally only suitable when you plan to retire or if you plan to start some good business over there. But the key factor is crime, and all countries have some sort of crime, even the USA and Europe. And certain areas in particular are worse than others. Take the USA for instance, there's some cities where you could easily get mugged, while other areas people can leave their doors unlocked..

So choose wisely when picking a city, but if you make a mistake, you can always move..you can usually tell right away just by seeing the area.

Charlez is right. You can try living in an area without committing by visiting the place for a few weeks.

When it comes to Panama I would spend at least a few months getting to know the country before you decide and even then you can rent for cheap outside of Panama City.

I have been following one of the Costa Rica forums since CR was one of my relocation choices (Panama was and is number 1), and it appears that CR is experiencing a serious crime increase, home invasion robberies, etc.. One of the posters mentioned that some real estate person in Panama told him that crime was on the increase in Panama as well even though it wasn't publicized as much. Would some of you good folks like to give me any of your insight on this question? Would also like to get opinions on areas "safer" to live in than others in Panama. Thanks in advance.

Hi tigerfan, currently there seems to be a very large push for ex-pats in CR moving to Panama. I am under the opinion that CR has gotten "top-heavy". Such a large percentage of the population works for the government and have come to the decision that milking ex-pats is a good way to pay salaries. I have heard CR has a very good medical system. The locals I have met in Panama are extremely friendly. Panama City has some sketchy sections but I have walked several miles at 3am with no issue (I do stick out). If you know or learn Spanish and get to know locals you will have a hard time finding nicer people, no problem.
"Live like a local"

Well , I think its worth. Beautiful place, cheap and most importantly good infrastructure . And from the above discussion I can say its worth.

Its really worth if I take above discussion as a proof even Iam not ever been there but from what they all said Im feel very excited and its nice if I got a chance to just flying overthere.