How has your life changed in Panama

Changed? Ahh yeah, I would say so.
I'm retired, big change in job. I keep busy though. I have more time for friends. My mood has improved, as has my health. My standard of living has improved, maybe not in money but in comfort, happiness, social connections, the important things.
How could one move to another country, culture, language, customs, etc and not change? That would be a real shame, IMO.

We (wife and myself) have lived in David Panama for eight years and never plan returning to the USA to live, largely because we could not afford to live as comfortably there (St. Louis, MO area) on our limited income which supports us comfortably here.   There is plenty to adapt to, to live here comfortably as a Gringo!  Health care by doctors and hospitals when insured or able to pay cash is quite good though different.  Doctors hours are frequently from late morning through early evening and a 45 minute visit with the doctor is common, for a reasonable cost of perhaps $40 to $50 for most and $20 more for specialists.  Many doctors are well educated, many in the USA.  If insured, as we are, the cost per visit is less that half or about 30% and the cost of X rays, lab testing, and other testing is less than half what would be charged in the USA/Canada.  Money does rule at the hospitals and if you can't pay cash or by insurance including any deductible for anything of large cost like major surgery, you will wait till you can pay, which I believe causes many people extended pain, suffering and likely deaths.   Theft is common and generally accepted as part of living South of the United States.   If you rent or buy you will want barred doors and windows and must keep them locked day and night.  Sneak thieves are common and generally known to take anything they can of value like garden hoses, tools, furniture if not locked up or closely watched.  The sneak thieves generally are never caught nor do the police much care.  Armed thieves that home invade are usually horrible to residents and torture and have killed, seldom caught and convicted.   In communities of any size you can usually find what you want for food, drink, hardware, vehicle care, churches, schools and public transportation.  Costs are generally a little lower though they can also be higher, if imported for example.  We haven't needed a jacket or sweater since leaving the USA and loving it, including our 16'X32' back yard pool.  We do air condition our home and with daytime highs up to high 90 degrees and nighttime lows seldom below 70, we are living comfortably and like having the filtered air to breath (especially in the dry windy months January through March/April).  Gringo's tend to buy homes because they seem to need the aggravation or a challenge.  We are retired and have rented for eight years and would never buy here.  IMPORTING VEHICLES IS GENERALLY NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR MANY REASONS.  Importing your personal items and some furniture/appliances can be a good idea, even though good quality furniture can be found here.  Learning the language can be very helpful, though we have learned very little.  Enough info for now, though could go on indefinitely.