Zoila y Don Hank
@Donzoila
American expat in Panama
Forum posts
30
About me
American
Lives in Panama City
Speaks Spanish, English, german, chinese
Registration: 29 November 2009
Are you happy in Panama? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Panama? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Panama is very risky for real estate buyers. If the current owner failed to pay taxes for the last 15 years, you may wind up paying his taxes. If you are alert and catch his error, causing a delay past the deadline in the contract, you may wind up ... Read More
Are you happy in Panama? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Panama? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
You can get organic produce at the Riba Smith stores. They also have a good selection of vegan stuff. Read More
Mistakes expats make in Panama
I should have sold my car and bought one down here. They soaked me 3500 for an older car, based on the NEW price. Read More
Are you happy in Panama? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Panama? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
I have been here for 6 years and it is a mixed bag, like everywhere else. My wife has moments when she hates it because her teaching job pays so little for all she does. I love it, however, because the people are so nice and easy to get along with. ... Read More
Changing banks in Panam谩 by Do65
Hello all I thought I found a good bank which is the Credicorp bank but that was a very wrong thought. It's reliable yes and they won't steal yr money but the service is terrible and since I am having a house built and the money transfers ...
I forgot to mention that there is a Bank of China in El Dorado, just a small bldg on the main drag. By now you have heard the speculation about the USD losing a lot of value and people are buying gold as a result. I have often thought that the RMB ... Read More
Changing banks in Panam谩 by Do65
Hello all I thought I found a good bank which is the Credicorp bank but that was a very wrong thought. It's reliable yes and they won't steal yr money but the service is terrible and since I am having a house built and the money transfers ...
Thanks! It is possible that Banco Nacional was just obeying US law to the letter, but if Banvivienda is ignoring this invasive and tyrannical FATCA law, then they are definitely a better bank for us ex-pats. BTW, I understand it costs a few thousand ... Read More
Changing banks in Panam谩 by Do65
Hello all I thought I found a good bank which is the Credicorp bank but that was a very wrong thought. It's reliable yes and they won't steal yr money but the service is terrible and since I am having a house built and the money transfers ...
I have dealt with all 3 of these banks and they all have their pros and cons. I believe what was said about Credicorp is true -- lousy service. On the other hand, I think it may be easier to get a credit card through them. BUT trying to get rid of ... Read More
Are you happy in Panama? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Panama? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Hint: Most people do not pay by check. You can have payment for anything sent to your local Rey supermarket. Most prefer this service. Other businesses may also offer this service. As for the driver's license, before I got my cedula, I used an ... Read More
Are you happy in Panama? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Panama? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Thanks for asking. I am much happier in Panama and can no longer imagine living in the US. Let's look at those other countries you mentioned as being happy: Switzerland and Iceland are renegades which have refused to join the EU. The EU is a de ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Panama provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
Yes, but you need varied input, from the msm, the alternate news and foreign news sites. Trying to get a well rounded picture from the mainstream Anglo-Saxon news is like wearing dark lenses with someone else's prescription to paint the Mona ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Panama provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
But, but, but... those news outlets are so anti-Establishment and politically incorrect, aren't they?! :) Read More
Keeping up with the news in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Panama provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
Hi Krist, Thanks for helping save the world for us. Your contribution did not go unappreciated. You may think you did it all for nothing, but all those wars you helped prevent and all those species you helped save from extinction are appreciated. ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Panama provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
That would be true if there was nothing we could do about the trends and the future. But is there really? Are humans that incapable of acting on their environment? Or is it that they can't identify the problems? Not reading the news is a great ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Panama provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
A lady told me recently that she doesn't like history. I said: "But you're living it, whether you like it or not." History is the news, which is a daily installment of history. It is you and me and the future of us and our ... Read More
Single Lady retiring to Panama by PattiH
Hi, All New to this blog and looking for information. Are there any other Single ladies looking to retire to Panama? From all I've read I realize this most likely a huge minority. However, If I'm doing it I have to believe there are others.. ...
I can strongly recommend Rosetta Stone, which has you speaking immediately, guessing what is being said from photos appearing simultaneously with the utterances. It is not quite the drudgery you would get with other courses. If you get all 5 levels ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Panama by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Panama provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
There are several serious newspapers here. The two I have read regularly in the past are La Prensa and Panama America, both in Spanish. They are controlled by two men who hate each other and it is easy to see which is which by the tone and the ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Panama?
Hello Christine, Let me rephrase the question: Would I ever move back to the US? Not unless someone paid me a lot of money to do so. Would I do the same things? No, I would not ship my car. It cost me a fortune in duty taxes. Don Read More
What do you like the most in Panama? by Christine
Hi, Living abroad, expats discover and enjoy a new environment. What do you like the most in Panama? What seduced you when settling and living here? Share with us your favorite part of living in Panama and the reason why you enjoy your ...
The people. Racial understanding, freedom of opinion. Read More
Single Lady retiring to Panama by PattiH
Hi, All New to this blog and looking for information. Are there any other Single ladies looking to retire to Panama? From all I've read I realize this most likely a huge minority. However, If I'm doing it I have to believe there are others.. ...
Tips from a guy who moved to Panama 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 ... Read More
Single Lady retiring to Panama by PattiH
Hi, All New to this blog and looking for information. Are there any other Single ladies looking to retire to Panama? From all I've read I realize this most likely a huge minority. However, If I'm doing it I have to believe there are others.. ...
I forgot to mention I have a fairly complete list of dos and don'ts for moving here and navigating the legal system for permanent residency. Just email me at zoilandon [at sign] msn.com with HEY DON in the subect line (that way I won't overlook it) ... Read More
Single Lady retiring to Panama by PattiH
Hi, All New to this blog and looking for information. Are there any other Single ladies looking to retire to Panama? From all I've read I realize this most likely a huge minority. However, If I'm doing it I have to believe there are others.. ...
Hi. I would say forget taking a course. 9 times out of 10, the pace will be either too slow or too fast for you. Rosetta Stone is the best if you can afford it (it will probably be less than any course if you go for all levels). I thing there are 5 ... Read More
How US tax law affects expats by Donzoila
Does anyone know anything about the effects of the new tax code? So far, I understand that, under the non double taxation clause, an American expat in Panama need not pay tax on an amount of less than $80,000. I hate to ask but is this still true? ...
Thanks. BTW, I need to warn fellow retirees in Panama. I gave a Panama general delivery addy to the social security administration. There is, of course, no such thing as home delivery here. Every year they send out a form to fill out regarding any ... Read More
How US tax law affects expats
Does anyone know anything about the effects of the new tax code? So far, I understand that, under the non double taxation clause, an American expat in Panama need not pay tax on an amount of less than $80,000. I hate to ask but is this still true? ... Read More
best bank in Panama for expats? by bobkay
Can someone recommend which is the best bank in Panama to do business with?HSBC,BBVA,or other?I understand that the account opening process is not a piece of cake,just which has the most favorable customer service and is sufficiently ...
When we first got here, I opened an account in CITI, thinking that with it, I could pay my overseas workers by check. It turned out that was not possible, even though my workers were in the US. There is kind of a fire wall between here and the rest ... Read More
Possibly moving to Panama, many questions??? by pennymc
Hello everyone. I am seriously considering moving to Panama by the end of this year and have a few questions. I am in my late 40's retired early and divorced, are their many American's there my age? I have a 16 year old son that would need to be ...
You probably don't want to ship your car here. I made that mistake and wound up paying an import tax of about $3,500 on a car worth about $12,000. They don't consider full depreciation. Read More
Summer school for the kids?
Honestly, I think your kids will do fine in a music program in Spanish but taught by teachers who also speak English. The students also mostly speak English. I recommend the Academica de Musica on San Juan Bosque street. My daughter goes there and ... Read More
Private School Transportation
I would be really surprised if your school in Albrook can't supply the transportation. We had our girl bused to school about 7 miles from here. These schools must supply transportation or they go broke. I hope I am right about your school. (Saint ... Read More
can anyone recommend dentists in Panama City? by syncomm1
We spent a very memorable time in Panama recently and plan to come back for some much needed dental work. Would any readers be able to recommend any dentists in Panama City? I would like to contact those who speak English and preferably have had ...
The dental clinic Sonrisas at Plaza Ventura in El Dorado is a good clinic run by a doc who studied in the US and speaks perfect English. Good luck! Read More
Any Feedback on living in Cerro Azul needed. by Vincep34
Hello, I been looking for a place to live in Panama and I'm interested in a City type pf place but not a big City like Panama City. Was told to looking into Cerro Azul so if you live or have visited Cerro Azul can you please give me some kind of ...
Hello Charlotte, I live in Panama with my Panamanian wife and our daughter 13. It's beautiful up there. I was there a few years ago. At that time, there were a lot of cute homes there but no one actually seemed to live there. They were just weekend ... Read More