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Toddlewis

Iris

@Toddlewis

Active member

English expat in Panama

Forum

31 posts

Contacts

14

About me

English

Lives in Pedasi

Speaks English, French, some Spanish

Registration: 27 February 2011

Activity

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
9 years ago
PacificaMaryAnn

Why do some expats leave Panama? by PacificaMaryAnn

As I reach the conclusion of my second exploratory trip to Panama, I felt compelled to discuss this new phase. I want to reaffirm how important it is to spend time in Panama before selling the house, the car, and all the belongings. One month in ...

Iris

Thank you for an honest appraisal. This is not really Paradise. In fact, after llving almost three years in Pedasi, and spending a whack of money to get here, we are plannning to return to the west coast of Canada. The exchange rate for Canadian ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
Bperazzoli

Moving advice. What to bring and what not to bring by Bperazzoli

Im making the move from Atlanta,Georgia to Panama February 16th. I need some advice from expats who have already done so as to what to bring and not to bring as well as any advice on immigration laws, becoming employed....etc!

Iris

Welcome! many of your questions are answered in my books: "Panama? Why Panama?" and "Postcards from Panama". The only one I cannot relate to is your question about working here. I do know wages are low, hours are long! ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
Aldonova

Las Tablas by Aldonova

My friend Kent and I are staying in the Las Tabals area the 2nd week of May and would really appreciate someone willing to sit down over a cup of coffee or a cocktail and give us some incite on the area and possibly moving to the region. Thank ...

Iris

Hi Kent and Bonnie, I will phone you next week, and hopefully we can get together! Have a good trip... Iris Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
rifa01

looking for somewhere to land by rifa01

Hi, I am in the process of looking for somewhere to land. Have a few more years in the states. Looking around Coronado or Boquette...I think...Wondering about activities, roads...safety. Any information is very welcome. Thanks! Faye

Iris

Hello Faye, welcome. I have two books published which may answer many of your questions. Panama? Why Panama? (2012) and Postcards from Panama (2014). Both are e-books or available in hard or soft cover, and not expensive. Talk with lots of folks ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
S.M.Arif

Need some information please ! by S.M.Arif

Hi, Can someone describe how much anyone paid to Attorney Mayra Lamboglia for pensionado ? How long process would take, Is she reliable and honest,, appreciate it for any comments, Thank you, I am new on this blog.

Iris

I use a different lawyer and there is an immigration lawyer in that office who handled our pensionados. We paid about $2200 for two of us, and received our temporary card the same day, after a very long process at the migracion. It would have been a ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
Aldonova

Las Tablas by Aldonova

My friend Kent and I are staying in the Las Tabals area the 2nd week of May and would really appreciate someone willing to sit down over a cup of coffee or a cocktail and give us some incite on the area and possibly moving to the region. Thank ...

Iris

We would be happy to speak with you. We live in Pedasi, just 40 minutes south and could meet you in Las Tablas for coffee...not much in the way of restaurants, but near where you are staying? We are expat Canadians, have lived here over year now, ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
Fuerza_68

Pensionado Income by Fuerza_68

I cannot seem to find clear information on the income for a Pensionado Visa. The number I see is $1000. However, is this for one person or two? I am single and I am never clear when I am researching about retiring, whether they are referring to ...

Iris

If I am current on this, the 1000 is for one, and it is 1400 for two. Check the Panama Embassy site. You need to prove the income is FOR LIFE and supply evidence of this. Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
GetOutOfDodge

I'm Looking At Panama As a Possibility by GetOutOfDodge

I'm Ed McDaniel, age 72, and plan on retiring to, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama or Ecuador. I came out of retirement to build and open a BBQ Restaurant in Harvest, AL, about 3 years ago, and hope to turn it over to our oldest son (age 50) about mid to ...

Iris

Welcome to the forum! I too was uncertain about the grandchildren and leaving them was the hardest part of our move to Panama. We are from Canada, and it is a long trip back twice a year to visit. So far, no family has come here yet...too expensive ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
10 years ago
Julien

The other side of the Panamanian postcard by Julien

Hi, As a tourist in a foreign country, very often, we are enchanted with what we discover. Living abroad is different. It's a rich experience but there are also some difficulties to face. When people ask me for advice on living abroad, I ...

Iris

The sunny paradise often depicted as Panama is true...there is beautiful weather nearly all the year; the local folk are friendly and tolerant of language mistakes; the fruits are plentiful; beer is cheap; the ocean is usually very close; beaches ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
11 years ago
ToddBlackburn

Does anyone ever get lonely living abroad? by ToddBlackburn

Just Curious because sometimes I do

Iris

HAH! We have met so many expats and Panamanians, we can hardly keep up! Iris Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
11 years ago
ToddBlackburn

What Cable Company has the most English Channels? by ToddBlackburn

What Cable Company has the most English Channels?

Iris

We had DirectTV for while, bu tno HD and very little at the basic price. We recently switched to SKY and added $30 t oour monthly cost.We receive hundreds of channels, many HD, lots of English speaking. Very pleased! Iris Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
11 years ago
Lollard

Panama Spanish by Lollard

I'm in the process of trying to learn Spanish, and I want to learn what's spoken in Panama. Do locals use the word "vosotros"? I know some of those words depend on which country you're in, and I've heard different stories about what's used in ...

Iris

YOu need to learn Latin American Spanish. This varies throughout Central America a little, but you can be understood well in Panama. I am currently taking conversational Spanish classes in the town of Pedasi and this is a great way to practice and ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
11 years ago
Hugo&Cyd

¡Hola Everyone by Hugo&Cyd

Well, guess since I signed in as a new member, I should be friendly and say HI! Cynthia & I are moving (Retiring) to Panama from Colorado in 2015, we will be making our 2nd fact finding trip this December. (First was in Feb 2011). I noticed by ...

Iris

If 'beach' is a possibility, be sure to visit Pedasi on the Azuero peninsula. We live in a development called Costa Pedasi Beach Community. There are still lots available, and you may like this spot. If you visit,let me know when, and we can help ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
11 years ago
MizzouFan

Recently returned from visiting Panama -- my thoughts & impressions by MizzouFan

I recently returned from my first visit to Panama and I thought I would post some thoughts and impressions from that visit. My intentions were to try and determine if Panama was a suitable country to live in with my 2 young children. Hopefully, some ...

Iris

Glad to know you enjoyed your visit. However, others need to realize that there are really TWO Panamas: one is the world class city with its highs and lows and the second is the interior - everything outside Panama City. The interior IS third world ... Read More

Iris
Toddlewis replied to a thread
11 years ago
MizzouFan

Recently returned from visiting Panama -- my thoughts & impressions by MizzouFan

I recently returned from my first visit to Panama and I thought I would post some thoughts and impressions from that visit. My intentions were to try and determine if Panama was a suitable country to live in with my 2 young children. Hopefully, some ...

Iris

A great story - full of information for another tourist, and your observations were pretty much what to expect when you live here. Hope you decide to visit again! Iris Read More