My spouse and I moved to Panama in November 2012. Our house completed and we settled in on January 1, 2013. Our two cats came with us, however one died sadly and has been replaced with a Panamian kitty who is absolutely crazy! We are steadily making new friends with future neighbours and locals, and have an active social circle, mostly expats. I take Spanish lessons weekly for $5 a time, and am improving quickly. As retirees, we have a "pensionado" visa, have Panama drivers licenses, and have a bilingual lawyer. My book, "Panama? Why Panama?" covers the highs and lows of our experience to the actual move here...the details, the complications, the documentation and the frustration of making an international move. I blog weekly on the experience of living in a new culture with a new language and the adjustments in thinking and living that are necessary at www.postcardsfrompanama.net and have a second book soon to be published about living here. I learn new words, new ways of acting, gain more information daily, and the learning curve, tho' steep, is exciting and very interesting. This is not for everyone, but if you want an adventure - try this!
I joined expat.com on 28 February 2011.
Pictures by Toddlewis
building a house on the Pacific Ocean
small town life, friendliness,
distance from Panama City
raising the kids, working full-time, 2nd marriage, pets, VP of PAC, Chairman of CAC, attended two universities - gained another diploma and 2 degrees, inaugural alumni board member
independence, great views, beautiful homes, moderate traffic, family close by
Small town attitudes
raising the kids, working full-time
independence, great views
traffic!
raising 3 wonderful children, President of local PAC
country life, peace and tranquillity
cliquiness of neighbourhood
high school, university, marriage
weather, scenery, entertainment
continual rain at times!
Born near London; attended elementary school in Greenford; Grammar school in Northolt, Middlesex.
parks! History and sense of the past
rain