Single Lady retiring to Panama
I'm a retired 60something - visted 6wks July-August 2013. Was in
Panama City, Boquette, and Coronado. Planning to move to Coronado in June2014. Buses are frequent on Panamanian Hwy,and Coronado is just an hour from Panama City (PC)and a very-big-mall. Also, its easy to take an hour's flight from PC-Albrook west to David to visit Boquette. I stayed 2nts in Hotel Fundadores. The staff speaks no English. American hospitals are in PC - Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic. Coronado has beach and nearby mountains, and expat community. I'll be learning more Spanish! Good luck,
Susan
If you are receiving over $1000 or so, you could quality for a retiree visa here. There is a lot of red tape and you will need a lawyer, and there are things you must do before you leave, such as having documents like birth certificates, police records, etc "apostilled" or in other words, authenticated by the Panamanian consul nearest you. If you wait until you get here as we did in the case of some of our documents, then you will have to FedEx them back to your country of origin to the Panamanian consul there and he/she will have to FedEx them back ($60 each way).
Now, some of the benefits of residency for retirees are:
1--10% discounts on many purchases, more than that on drugs (no discount on food in stores, but yes on food in restaurants)
2--ZERO % property taxes on your home.
3--Lower property and other prices for most staples (a little higher for office supplies, some drugs, etc that must be imported),
4--You don't have to be politically correct in your conversation.
'=
Let me know what it is like.聽 I am going to the blues and jazz festival first in Boquete, then take the tour, then chill ion Contadora Island, with several days in Panama City scattered throughout.
Enjoy the relocation tour.聽 I am most interested in your views.聽 Do you have an idea of where you might want to live/stay yet?
I'm Trish from California.
Trish
聽 聽 聽 聽 I have been in PTY and fell in love with the country. I'll be sailing my boat down and most likely moor in Boca Chica. It's close to David and the Enrique airport will be international in 2014 from what I hear. 2014 will be a banner year for Panama as it celebrates the new canal, the 100th anniversary of the old, the completion of the subway system and the independence from Columbia, Spain and its own right. Depending on where one wants to live is a decision that needs looking into. Yes, Spanish is the language and it helps if you speak it. It shows respect. The climate can vary depending on where you are. Mostly, I noticed that it is humid. Me, I can deal with that. If one were to look for a "girlfriend" yeah, they're out there. Looking for American passports, and from what I hear, also carry a number of STD'S
Pros! The pensionado program. As stated in another post, discounts on airfares and other items. health and welfare is something that Obama should get a clue on. The people are fabulous!
Cons: The only thing that I have found to date is the banking. Transactions from the States can be expensive. Carry a lot of cash and open an account in PTY.聽 The second thing I found irritating are the "sand fleas"聽 Other than that, I love the country.
This is a good place to start and get information regarding Panama or other countries. When were thinking about leaving? I took a trip in 2012 and traveled most of the country. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with everything. Beautiful country and people. I thought I had picked a location for my boat, but now find myself asking more questions. If you can think of something specific, post it. I'm sure you'll get some good advice.聽
Captain Steve
If you are considering becoming an expat in Panama, then you would get discounted rates for medical and such. Requirements are fairly simple, you need to prove and income of not less than $1000.00USD per month and have 3 months of current bank statements to show that. When I was at the Red Frog Marina, I met a person who had major medical issues and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. What was his cost out of pocket? $75.00. Go figure. Hope this helps.
Captain Steve
Just found this---- Good information
Website
both english & spanish speaking.
I am moving to Puerto Armuelles this year.聽 I've found there are many good expat groups here in Panama, and generally Panamanians are welcoming and very helpful, especially if you try to speak the language.聽 I've already made a few Panamanian female friends, and they are great fun.
Do get in touch if you get out my way
I'm 65 in June so my interest is healthcare.聽 I keep hearing differing tales about it so I'm hoping the tour will clear it up.
Trish
Please stay in touch, and let me know how you fare!
Take care!
Did you go for a visit? I've been following your posts but really just looking for now.
I'm single and planning to try Mexico or Panama for a month or 2 before maing a move.
I'm hoping to retire in a more cost effective community than what I can find in the USA too.聽 I recently heard about Panama having a wonderful climate and that it offers lower cost of living than what is available in USA.
It would be nice to visit Panama and see for myself all the wonderful things I've heard about it in general and about the city of Boquete in particular.聽 Sometime this year I hope to make a trip to Panama for about a week.聽 Most of that week I plan to investigate housing, healthcare, banking and the like.聽 I also would like to scope out some real estate cost in communities of other expatriates.
I am still in my working years but I'm in my early 60's and know that I'll be retiring in the near future.聽 I enjoy good health, beaches and relaxing with good friends and music.聽 I'm originally from New Orleans and have never lost my love of R&B, Jazz and good food!
Please let me know if you would like to gab more about a possible trip to Panama
Congratulations on making your move!聽 I haven't been on this site for some time, so it was great to find a post from one of the "originals". It was even greater to find that you've landed in Panama.聽
No doubt you're probably settling in.聽 Would love to hear of your venture while visiting there, and your feedback on the town that you've settled in. I am going to message you my email address. Feel free to share pics.
I originally was looking at retiring at 62yrs (4.5 yrs away).聽 Though I am now figuring that 60 is what I'm pushing for.聽 I returned to the site to get motivated again about researching the possibilities.聽 Again, was great to find your post.
Take care and hope to hear back from you,
New Soil (Anna- from CA)

K
I am coming to Panama to investigate whether its the final place for me to retire.
I have been to many other places including US locations and believe this might be the place
The cooler temps are a plus for me since I do live in AZ right now.
I am looking to move next year and will be there July 4th 2014 for a month.
I am single and I do hope there is at least one nice single lady around, but as the rest of folks here, it not my priority .
I am moving to Boquette in about 8 months or so
Are you still going to go there?
Jim

come to Volc谩n , is a nice mountain 谩rea, and have here a group of expatris聽 too.
Regards
likra
Come to Volc谩n 谩rea.Is a nice place in the mountains of Panama, at 45 min from boquete and a hour from David.
regards
Likra
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