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MGC

Martin Crooke

Member

English expat in the Bahamas

Forum

16 posts

Contacts

6

About me

English

Lives in Nassau, New Providence

Speaks English, basic Spanish

Registration: 30 July 2010

Activity

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
7 years ago
Priscilla

Traffic in Panama by Priscilla

Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in Panama, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend people to ...

Martin Crooke

Don't get me started talking about the traffic!!! Nov/Dec worst months. Some offices let you come in early and go home early which helps. I live over the bridge in Panama Pacifico. Start work at 8. Try to leave by 7am which means I'm ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
8 years ago
Charlie Scribner

Buying a home in Panama near the beach and town by Charlie Scribner

I'm interested in buying a home in Panama near the beach and town. Do you want to help me get started? Charlie

Martin Crooke

I work in Construction and Real Estate and have lived in Panama for over 8 years. I have developed beachfront communities and built private houses, amongst other things, and been all over Panama looking at land/developments....often helping foreign ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
8 years ago
Priscilla

Pets in Panama by Priscilla

Hello everyone, Many of us in Panama have four-legged friends. What about you? Do you have one or more pets? Share your experience with us! What are the formalities to import pets in Panama? What about pet adoption procedures in the country? ...

Martin Crooke

We have 5 rescued dogs in Panama. 2 we brought from The Bahamas air cargo and the rest we adopted in Panama after fostering them. My wife and I rescue cats and dogs here in Panama as part of a well organised charity called "Pro Vida Animales ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
8 years ago
Priscilla

Adapting to the climate in Panama by Priscilla

Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Panama is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Panama? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...

Martin Crooke

I've lived here for 8 years now in Panama City, but travelled all over and spent a lot of time (travelling there and staying) down in the Azueros Peninsula, Pedasi. I will talk about weather at or close to sea level. Year round weather is ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC 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 ...

Martin Crooke

I would say, no matter what anyone says or would like to think, that you need to learn to speak Spanish and immerse yourself in the countries culture whenever possible. You won't make lasting, real friendships without doing this. Don't try to live ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
G from Alaska

Where on the Pacific coast is the best to live? by G from Alaska

Hi all, My husband and I are thinking of choosing Panama as our retirement home. We are excited about this and look foreword to visiting possibly in December to check it out. I like Pedasi but don't know much about it. Can anyone out there help? ...

Martin Crooke

Hi Georgia I'm managing a gated beachfront community in Pedasi...it's really great, we're selling well and have 5 beautiful homes so far almost finished with at least 6 more starting this year...many construction pics on our website. We are on Playa ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
2caldero

To live in Florida or Panama..... by 2caldero

I am 40 yrs old, ready to retire (next year), currently live in Seattle, and am planning on moving to Boquete, Panama. However, my family wants me to move to Florida to be around them. Now, here is my delimma... I LOVE to fish. I already have ...

Martin Crooke

Ok, lets clear something up immediately...there's way too many people already fishing in Florida...so you might aswell just call it 'drinking' there. Get away from the crowds and move to Pedasi/Azueros Peninsula...it's not called the "tuna coast" ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
castlewynd

Newbie - Very Interested in living in Panama by castlewynd

Howdy! From the Texas Hill Country. My husband is semi semi retired and will be getting his social security soon he will be 61 in Nov. I am 14 years younger and have been running our family business for the last 14 years and we are both burned out ...

Martin Crooke

I would agree wholeheartedly with 'panamacoastproperty'...and when you visit got to the Azueros Peninsula for sure...it rocks! :) Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
henrick

Health insurance by henrick

can anyone suggest a good health medical insurance for a family moving to Panama for 1-2 years?

Martin Crooke

Hey Henrick Yes, I just got 'Ancon' quoted for me and my wife after some research and advice from locals here who I know and have the same policy....about $70 per month for very good local coverage. Cheers Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
Jane17

Yet another newbie by Jane17

Hello everyone, Been living in Panama City for just over 5 weeks now with my husband and three young children. My husband is working on the project to expand the Panama Canal. It is a very exciting time for us and we just love it here!

Martin Crooke

Welcome to Panama Jane! Hope the kids are settling in well too. There's plenty to see and do here...my advice (for what it's worth as a travelling 6 year expat now) is....take advantage of the weekends and visit places...drag hubby away from work if ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
APAT

Relocating by APAT

Hello Everyone, I just became a member. My husband and I plan on retiring next year and Panama is on our list. We now live in the US and it is time to decide where we want to spend the "second half" of our lives. I look forward to conversing with ...

Martin Crooke

Hi Apat I too can extol the fine virtues of living in Panama...and it is as they say the pensioners paradise! :) It's really a great place, having moved here a year ago I'm not disappointed yet...safe, cheap to live (in certain areas), great roads, ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
gnixon55

Wanting to move to Panama or Costa Rica: Need help deciding by gnixon55

moving to Panama or Costa Rica We are Canadians who are tired of the cold winters. We want to move to either Panama or Costa Rica in about 1 year. We have only been to Bocas del Toro so far and plan to go check out CR and the David area this ...

Martin Crooke

why would you want to live in the mountains where its wet and damp all the time :) you need to travel around Panama more and visit the coastal areas...especially Azueros Peninsula...its dryer and warmer and lovely! good luck! Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
MGC

I moved to Panama from UK, am now developing houses here and love it! by MGC

Hi All! I moved to Panama a year ago after living in Trinidad, Grand Cayman, Bahamas and US and am originally from UK. I am now married to a Panamanian and am managing a luxury gated beachfront development in Pedasi (Azueros Peninsula). I'd love to ...

Martin Crooke

Hi and thanks FeeAcer. Hi Steve.... Yes it is...amenities don't come cheap I'm afraid, nor great design, turn key houses etc. Yes insurance is about that for 'local coverage'. Yes easily - but it depends on the area - Panama City is not cheap, nor ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
syncomm1

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 ...

Martin Crooke

Yes I can highly recommend ours in San Francisco (on Calle 74 between Via Porras and Calle 50) - really sorry but can't remember the name, but if you drive down the 1 way street of Calle 74 it's on the left hand side just past 'Metropolitan 1' and ... Read More

Martin Crooke
MGC replied to a thread
14 years ago
sergiogove

Reading or Bristol ? or else ? by sergiogove

Ok ... let me just say it ... I'm moving to England !!!! and I'm so excited :) I'll be moving in early January. Right now I'm researching cities to shortlist a couple to go visit in October before taking the final decision on where to live and ...

Martin Crooke

No question....move to Bristol. I went to University in Reading and worked in Bristol. Bristol, is cool, has a great music scene, bars etc...plus they have lots of creative companies including Aardman Animations that did Wallace and Gromit animated ... Read More