Thread: Introduction

Hi All,
I'm brand new to this Forum and I appreciate you all having me. A little bit about me - I'm a 54 year-old single psychologist living in San Francisco, California, and after 20 years I have grown sick and tired of San Francisco, and in fact the whole USA. I'm looking to move abroad, I speak pretty good Spanish, and Panama comes highly recommended. My problem is that I cannot afford to retire or to go significantly long without some income. I don't need much, don't need to be rich, just want to get by. I understand work is hard to come by in Panama, but maybe I can use my skills (drug and alcoholism specialist) to help expats and/or locals. But I'd be willing to do anything. So should I be discouraged?
Many thanks!
Bill

Originally Posted by DrBill

Hi All,
I'm brand new to this Forum and I appreciate you all having me. A little bit about me - I'm a 54 year-old single psychologist living in San Francisco, California, and after 20 years I have grown sick and tired of San Francisco, and in fact the whole USA. I'm looking to move abroad, I speak pretty good Spanish, and Panama comes highly recommended. My problem is that I cannot afford to retire or to go significantly long without some income. I don't need much, don't need to be rich, just want to get by. I understand work is hard to come by in Panama, but maybe I can use my skills (drug and alcoholism specialist) to help expats and/or locals. But I'd be willing to do anything. So should I be discouraged?
Many thanks!
Bill

Hello Bill
There are some interesting things about Panama for sure.

Panama protects their jobs in some fields All types of health care is protected. Only people with Panamanian passport can practice within any types of health care. (This also goes for taxi and bus drivers)
I know foreign people in a similar situation.
The hospitals or institutions here can hire foreigners as supervisors or instructors, but foreigners cannot treat patients. If you on the other hand just receive people in your house on a private basis that will pass along just fine I think. No one needs to know.

Since it is a lot of North Americans and Europeans in Panama it should be easy to get to know quite a few and air your idea about being able to provide your service.
Get down to Panama for some shorter time and check it out, -weather you like it or not. At the same time you can check out the market for your services.
Since the alcoholic beverages are kinda cheap in Panama there could be a market.

Good luck to you.

Hi TJ, nice to meet you and thanks for your help - I find it very encouraging. I honestly have had my share of directly treating patients so teaching would be fine, and the private work is a great idea. If you could hook me up with any of those people you know in similar situations I would really appreciate it, but at any rate thanks for the info and encouragement, I really appreciate it! Bill

Originally Posted by DrBill

Hi TJ, nice to meet you and thanks for your help - I find it very encouraging. I honestly have had my share of directly treating patients so teaching would be fine, and the private work is a great idea. If you could hook me up with any of those people you know in similar situations I would really appreciate it, but at any rate thanks for the info and encouragement, I really appreciate it! Bill

Hi Bill
The person I know is a physiotherapist that went to panama because of family members work in Panama. Maybe not directly relevant, I don’t know. I anyway am glad to contribute with possibly a good idea.
From the top of my mind my first idea spun from the same thing I have heard, -to be able to receive patients privately in a private home or so could work. I'd be happy to meet with you. Not sure how much i could contribute though.
As I see it the best would possibly be to check you among potential interesting patients in Panama. Like North Americans and Europeans maybe. Just an idea.
Probably several of the others on the forum will come with possibly useful input as well.
Let’s see.

Wow, I want to thank everybody for your responses. Some encouraging, some discouraging. I guess I have my research cut out for me. I'm also looking at Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador, but Panama seems to have grabbed my heart. But don't misunderstand me - I'm not a dreamer, I'm a realist, and I am not seeking paradise. I realize I have a lot of work cut out for me and that living is not the same as visiting. Thanks again, I appreciate all your help.

Originally Posted by DrBill

Wow, I want to thank everybody for your responses. Some encouraging, some discouraging. I guess I have my research cut out for me. I'm also looking at Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador, but Panama seems to have grabbed my heart. But don't misunderstand me - I'm not a dreamer, I'm a realist, and I am not seeking paradise. I realize I have a lot of work cut out for me and that living is not the same as visiting. Thanks again, I appreciate all your help.

Have you been to Panama before? It is a decent place but there is no way in the world it could compare to San Fran or most of the U.S. for that matter. Cost of living can be very low here if you live in the interior, but that means missing out on big city amenities. There's not much going on outside of Panama City which is a concrete jungle congested noisy gritty steam bath. Dining options are abysmal anywhere outside the capital and if you are used to San Fran food, you will be incredibly disappointed living in the interior. There's no real night life in the interior either nor culture, just beaches and jungle. If all you want is the simple life with cheap beer and hookers then Panama will work out for you. But if you desire more to sink your teeth into then look elsewhere. Just keeping it real.

Hi Gordo, many thanks for the input. To answer your question I've been to Panama twice, once just to PC and the surroundings and once to PC and Bocas del Torro (sp?). I realize that I need to go back and see and experience much more before making a move, but let me clarify my feelings: To most people San Francisco is, or appears to be rather, a paradise, and as US cities go it probably is, or close to it. But I've been here 20 years, I know it like the back of my hand, and for a variety of reasons I have come to dislike it intensely. Further, I don't need all the amenities it has to offer. I would be much happier with "just" beaches and jungle. I'm a pretty simple guy and your description of life in Panama sounds just perfect for me. If the toilets have seats on them I can be happy.

Originally Posted by DrBill

Hi Gordo, many thanks for the input. To answer your question I've been to Panama twice, once just to PC and the surroundings and once to PC and Bocas del Torro (sp?). I realize that I need to go back and see and experience much more before making a move, but let me clarify my feelings: To most people San Francisco is, or appears to be rather, a paradise, and as US cities go it probably is, or close to it. But I've been here 20 years, I know it like the back of my hand, and for a variety of reasons I have come to dislike it intensely. Further, I don't need all the amenities it has to offer. I would be much happier with "just" beaches and jungle. I'm a pretty simple guy and your description of life in Panama sounds just perfect for me. If the toilets have seats on them I can be happy.

But what about toilet paper or hand soap? That can be a real problem here in Panama. If you want to rough it then Panama will suffice. Lack of culture, art, heritage, creativity, innovation, sense of community, fine dining, etc. are what I find lacking in Panama. Maybe in the city you can sample a small taste of it, but anywhere past the bridge forget about it. You know the concept of a simple central park where people gather, I'm still trying to find one in my neck of the woods.

Hi Everybody,
I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your time and advice and information. I really appreciate it. This forum is fabulous!
I have gotten (not surprisingly) a lot of conflicting information, but the consensus seems to be that my idea is not very realistic, unless I either marry a Panamanian (not iminent) or start a web buisiness (a lot of time and money, although I'm willing and able). So I am left feeling somwhat discouraged but well-informed.
Thanks again, you guys/gals are great!
Bill

Hello Dr. Bill,
I am just new here as of today. My goal is to find out everything possible about Panama, and about moving there. I have read the threads here and must say they're not too encouraging. Like you, Panama has grabbed my heart. I will have a limited income, and from what I've read so far, Panama seems to be much less expensive than in the US. I am interested in settling in Panama City. I like the activity of a larger city. I can get out of town now and then for some peace a quite if I need it. I'm mostly looking to find out what the "nuts and bolts" are of moving there. I can't tell when these posts were made...I'm wondering what you found out, and am curious to see what you ended up doing. Hope to see a reply here. Thank you much! Bob

Hi Bob,
Thanks for your post. I too have found the feedback discouraging, at least for those of us who still have to work and earn a living. I am looking at other countries too but would definitely prefer Panama. I just can't seem to find out how I'd be able to work there.
Thos posts were made a few months ago.
If you get any new information or ideas, please feel free to write me at drbill@drbillperry.com.
Thanks,
Bill

Originally Posted by pdxbob

Hello Dr. Bill,
I am just new here as of today. My goal is to find out everything possible about Panama, and about moving there. I have read the threads here and must say they're not too encouraging. Like you, Panama has grabbed my heart. I will have a limited income, and from what I've read so far, Panama seems to be much less expensive than in the US. I am interested in settling in Panama City. I like the activity of a larger city. I can get out of town now and then for some peace a quite if I need it. I'm mostly looking to find out what the "nuts and bolts" are of moving there. I can't tell when these posts were made...I'm wondering what you found out, and am curious to see what you ended up doing. Hope to see a reply here. Thank you much! Bob