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ssmith338

@ssmith338

Active member

American expat in Costa Rica

Forum

39 posts

Contacts

3

About me

American

Lives in Coco, Sardinal, Guanacaste

Speaks English and minimal Spanish

Registration: 02 August 2017

Activity

ssmith338 replied to a thread
last year
Priscilla

Dating and finding love as an expat in Panama by Priscilla

Hello, With cultural barriers and different dating norms, finding love as an expat abroad can be exciting and challenging at the same time. Is it easy to meet other fellow single people in Panama? How do you go about meeting people ...

ssmith338

Try being a retired, older expat with no knowledge of Spanish. I have found it very difficult. Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
tanker1464

Better cities to live in. by tanker1464

What are some of the better cities to live in. Affordable housing or apartments, easy to get around town.

ssmith338

@merrallg I just returned from Bocas and can honestly say it is not for me. I never felt comfortable or safe and was very happy to leave. I am headed to Pedasi in February and, in April, will be going on a relocation tour. I have lived in Panama ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
sheilakfindley

Living in Panama by sheilakfindley

Thinking seriously about moving to Panama. Coming in September to check things out. Any suggestions, locations etc.?

ssmith338

@solamich112 I am sure it depends on your area of expertise and what you are looking for, but I moved here because I was offered a good position. Star Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
sheilakfindley

Living in Panama by sheilakfindley

Thinking seriously about moving to Panama. Coming in September to check things out. Any suggestions, locations etc.?

ssmith338

@torynico I have just signed up for the tour in April. It sells out fast and there are not many available dates until Spring. I know I don't want to drive all over so this is the easiest way for me to get to know Panama. I would love to hear from ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
ssmith338

Just moved to Panama City coming from Florida by ssmith338

Hey everyone, I just moved to Panama City coming from Florida. I am working at an international school in Brisas del Golf and enjoy all but the way people drive here! My goal is to work a few more years and travel around Panama for a ...

ssmith338

@Geir Lie I have found some great excursions and want to go but did not want to go alone. Maybe we can team up? I am not sure how to private message and am very busy this week but if you can send one, I will get back. I have to work long hours ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
ssmith338

Just moved to Panama City coming from Florida by ssmith338

Hey everyone, I just moved to Panama City coming from Florida. I am working at an international school in Brisas del Golf and enjoy all but the way people drive here! My goal is to work a few more years and travel around Panama for a ...

ssmith338

I can understand the days being boring, especially in Panama City. I work at an international school and I also have a position as an online adjunct instructor for a college and tutor so I am generally very busy. My problem is that I want to go ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
ssmith338

Just moved to Panama City coming from Florida by ssmith338

Hey everyone, I just moved to Panama City coming from Florida. I am working at an international school in Brisas del Golf and enjoy all but the way people drive here! My goal is to work a few more years and travel around Panama for a ...

ssmith338

@patrice999 I did not have to quarantine my pets. Just as a suggestion if you are bringing pets in, be very diligent with which airline or company you use. I used Petsgoglobal even though my Schnauzer is only 22 pounds. Some airlines have become ... Read More

ssmith338 created a thread
2 years ago

Just moved to Panama City coming from Florida

Hey everyone, I just moved to Panama City coming from Florida. I am working at an international school in Brisas del Golf and enjoy all but the way people drive here! My goal is to work a few more years and travel around Panama for a ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
Guinness13

Panama vs. Costa Rica by Guinness13

Hey Folks, Wondering if anyone has some perspective on retiring in Panama vs. Costa Rica. I've done a bunch of reading so far and have yet to set foot in either country. Feet on the street will be part of the research, but interested in what ...

ssmith338

I had a home in Costa Rica and anything I put in the front of the home 'walked away' even my wind chimes!  Here in Panama, I am one of those complexes with security guards.  Every hour, one gets on a scooter and drives around.  The ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
Guinness13

Panama vs. Costa Rica by Guinness13

Hey Folks, Wondering if anyone has some perspective on retiring in Panama vs. Costa Rica. I've done a bunch of reading so far and have yet to set foot in either country. Feet on the street will be part of the research, but interested in what ...

ssmith338

I have lived in both Costa Rica and Panama.  In Costa Rica top salary was 1500 a month so with rent at 1200 to 1500 a month, it was extremely difficult to survive.  Cars are very difficult to acquire and the upkeep is expensive.  ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
2 years ago
Julien

New members of the Panama forum, introduce yourselves here - 2022 by Julien

Hi all, Newbie on the Panama forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...

ssmith338

@lewisrylee925 I moved from Florida to Panama in July.  Any questions you may have, I can add answers.  I live in the Brisas Del Golf area which is about 20 minutes from Panama City if you take the corridor (toll road).  I flew ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
5 years ago
Priscilla

The must-try activities in Costa Rica by Priscilla

Hello everyone, Moving to Costa Rica is an exciting opportunity to discover a new culture and try things you might not even have heard of before. To make sure other expats and expats-to-be do not miss a thing, would you be able to answer the ...

ssmith338

I loved rafting in Manuel Antonio! This is a beautiful place and the options are endless. My son and I actually had a flock of beautiful Macaws fly by when we entered Quepos which is nearby. Another great place is Monteverde especially the ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
6 years ago
ram55

Relocating to Costa Rica by ram55

My wife and I are planning to move to Costa Rica. We have a couple of question about relocating to Costa Rica. Is the cost to moving your furniture to Costa Rica and paying the import tax and moving cost or are you better to purchase the furniture ...

ssmith338

No, I did not but I had a fantastic experience teaching and just wish I could have hung in there longer. I loved the school, loved the students but could not get used to how hard it was to get around. I am so used to just jumping in my car and ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
6 years ago
ram55

Relocating to Costa Rica by ram55

My wife and I are planning to move to Costa Rica. We have a couple of question about relocating to Costa Rica. Is the cost to moving your furniture to Costa Rica and paying the import tax and moving cost or are you better to purchase the furniture ...

ssmith338

I made all the big mistakes when moving internationally. First of all, I tried shipping my stuff including electronics and wound up spending close to 5,000 and lots of headaches to get my stuff through customs. I also bought a home right off and I ... Read More

ssmith338 replied to a thread
7 years ago
Priscilla

Keeping in touch while living in Costa Rica by Priscilla

Hello everyone, What are the best ways you've found for keeping in touch with friends and family back home while living in Costa Rica? How frequently do you stay in touch with loved ones? Are there local equivalents to common instant messaging ...

ssmith338

If you are calling with a Kolbi chip then you will need to dial 001 before any US number even toll free. It is not cheap so I try to limit my US calls. Star Read More