Why do some expats leave Panama?

PacificaMaryAnn · 2015-06-10T00:37:30+02:00

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 Panama City for the first exploratory trip was enough for us to decide that PC was the right town for us in Panama. We went back home to sell the furniture and put the smaller items in storage. The car went into storage. We returned to Panama and moved into a nice condo in a nice skyscraper in PC with great amenities. We got the Pensionado Visas right away. Our intent was to make the move permanent. For 6 months we explored the city and learned how to do things the Panamanian way. We grocery hunted at various stores and markets searching for better prices. Food and supplies are ridiculously expensive in Panama, not just US and European brands. At first, it was fun to grocery "hunt'' to find lower prices. We made a game out of finding alternative products. I had not used laundry powder in 20 years but, now, I was using laundry powder for 99 cents. Liquid laundry detergent, even local brands, are excessively high. I dug through bins of price-controlled veggies to lower the monthly food costs. Our food budget continued to grow from the time of arrival. No matter what anyone says, food and supplies are very expensive in Panama. Add the poor quality control on perishables and the produce wasted due to being harvested far too soon, and the price of eating increases further. Panamanians are lovely people. Expats, on the other hand, are a mixed bag. It will depend on what you are looking for in making friends. I was surprised at the level of bossy, know-it-all expats who act like they are in high school. Of course, there are nice down to earth expats, but you will need to participate in activities that you enjoy to meet them. Skip meeting people through forums. Meet people after you are in Panama. Living expenses are higher in Panama than Florida. Panama City is very expensive but the buildings are safe and modern and you can walk or take a low cost taxi ride. The interior of Panama is less expensive but you will need a car to get to the stores, doctors, or meet all those expats at the expat social spots. The first 6-7 months were an adventure. We explored every neighborhood in PC and did everything on the to-do list. At month #7, we finally wanted to ship our small crate of items. The estimate was $2850 for warehouse to door. We could never get a solid answer on the customs cost at arrival. The best estimate was between $600 and $1000. It was not worth the shipment costs. That was when the realization began that this was not going to be a permanent move. Panama is a nice country. But it is NOT a cheap retirement location. Go because you want the adventure. Rent a furnished place for 6-12 months. Store everything until you are absolutely certain the move is for the rest of your life. I am now in Florida, doing a reverse exploratory trip. After almost 10 months living in Panama, I am shocked at how cheap Florida is. We were thinking of trying a 6/6 expat life but after this visit to Florida......no way! A few price comparisons: Panama City rent: $2,600 for a 1 bedroom furnished apartment Orlando, FL: $1,655 for a 3 bedroom, unfurnished, brand new, w/attached garage, lake view PC apartment deposit: one month security deposit, plus last month's rent, total $5,222 Orlando apartment deposit: $200 PC NR pet fee: $450 Orlando pet NR pet fee: $150 plus refundable deposit of $150 PC electric deposit: $300 Orlando Power deposit: $0 Administrative fees PC: $0 Administrative fees Orlando: $225 Total startup costs to rent in PC: $5972 Total startup costs in FL: $725 A few price comparisons on items: 2 L bottles of Coke/Pepsi PC $1.99 --------FL $1 12 oz. bottle of brand water PC 55 cents.........Fl 15 cents, in 24 packs 12 oz. can of soda PC 65 cents (12 pks are 12 X 65 cents) FL 12 packs are $2.50 Pedigree can dog food PC $1.89, FL .89 cents You can do your own price comparisons by going to www.ribasmith.com and you can signup for Publix grocery ads with their famous "buy-one-get-one-free'' sales at www.publix.com The Dollar Tree, Big Lots, Save-a-Lot, and Aldi add more savings on store brands. This reverse exploratory trip back home has been just as important as the original exploratory trip to Panama. I am glad we moved to Panama City and I am glad we will return to FL full-time. Someone on this Forum has said it is difficult to make friends in FL. So untrue. People have been super nice everywhere we go. Young Hispanics come up and talk with us. I think they sense that we like them. I can use my Spanish here but most people speak English. Another person once posted that FL is nothing but old people. Again, untrue. Orlando is booming with young people. People who want to live with many oldsters move to the Villages. The Villages may be the Boquete of FL. Lastly, I just want to repeat: VISIT Panama for an extended period. RENT for a while in Panama before declaring the move to be permanent. Be very cautious if you bring pets. The rules in Panama keep changing. Once you live in Panama for a while, and decide it is time to go home, DO NOT let other expats pressure you, or guilt you into staying. Before moving to Panama, be sure that what you are looking for cannot be found at home. Maybe all you need is a new apartment or a new neighborhood.

Last activity 28 June 2021 by INDY6273

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INDY6273Member28 June 2021 01:48:36

#81

Having lived in Panama from 1984 tp 1992 and returning again in 2018 I was elated at some of the improvements the country had made and heartbroken at others. I think people need to truly examine why they want to move to Panama and be honest with themselves. Is it for climate, money, culture, lifestyle, or an escape

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