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There are so many things that I love about living in Panama. Here’s my shortlist of the 7 things that I like best:
I appreciate that my cost of living is much less than it was in Texas. In Texas, my electric bill was $250 to $450 a month. In Panama, my electric bill is rarely over $25 a month. In Texas, my water bill was $80 a month.
In Panama, I pay $100 for water for the whole year. My cell phone bill is only $25 a month. It’s only $15 to see an excellent doctor. And my international health insurance is 80% less than I’d have to pay in the US.
I especially love the fact that I do not have any property taxes, and my house and car insurance are less than $200 a year each. These all add up to big savings!
As a US citizen, it’s a big plus that Panama uses the US dollar so I don’t have to deal with an exchange rate!
I love that Panama is a small country. I can drive from my house in the mountains to the Pacific Ocean in about 1 hour, and to the Caribbean Sea in 3 hours. If I ever get in the mood to go to Panama City, it is a short 35-minute flight. In Panama, when you drive just 30-60 minutes, the scenery will change, and the weather will be different, too.
Are you thinking about moving to Panama? Check out our guide to living in Panama and learn more about our relocation tours.
I love how friendly and welcoming the Panamanian people are to foreigners and each other. Because foreigners have been coming to Panama for hundreds of years, the Panamanian people feel comfortable around foreigners. The Panamanian government puts out the red carpet for foreigners by making it easy to get a residency Visa to live in Panama indefinitely.
I love that living in Panama reminds me of what it was like when I lived in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s (but with high-speed internet and cable TV added). It’s a simpler, stress-free lifestyle. People are friendly. Neighbors talk to each other. Panamanians are extremely patriotic. Sure, there are inconveniences, but they seem so minor compared to all the pluses.
I love that I can grow just about anything in the mountains of Panama. Flowers, vegetables, bananas, and fruit trees all flourish in Panama. Anything that I cannot grow at my altitude (4500 feet), like pineapple or rice, grows easily at lower altitudes. Plus, there are fish from two oceans. There is a 365-day growing season, which supplies food without importing anything.
I love the natural beauty of Panama. You’ll love the long sandy beaches if you’re a beach person. Panama has 1500 miles of coastline, and every beach is a little different. You’ll love the lush green mountains and miles of rolling vistas if you’re a mountain person. You can walk through a rainforest. You’ll see thousands of unique flowers and trees. There are 1200 species of birds in Panama, including many rare birds. I have hundreds of hummingbirds at my property every day.
The thing I love the most about living in Panama is the weather and the fresh air. One of the reasons I left Texas was because I was fed up with living in 100-degree summers and cold, icy winters. In Texas, I either had my air conditioner on or my heater on almost all year. But in Panama, living in the mountains, I don’t need an air conditioner or heater. I have my windows open daily, so I can get fresh clean air. Daytime temperatures are in the low to mid-70s. Evening temperatures are in the mid-60s. To me, this is perfect weather and the perfect place to live.
Come see how you can LIVE BETTER for LESS in Panama!
Join us for an all-inclusive 6-day, 7-night Panama Relocation Tour! You’ll see the most popular places to live in Panama, meet experts and expats, see rentals, and learn what you need to do to have a hassle-free move to Panama. This all-inclusive Panama Relocation Tour includes airport pick up, all hotels during the tour, all meals and snacks, the Relocation Guide book, daily education about the things you need to know to move to Panama PLUS a domestic flight back to Panama City.
Or, if you’re more of a DIY kind of person, check out the…
The Online Panama Relocation Guide will teach you how to move to Panama easily and affordably! It will help you find the perfect place to live to fit your budget, teach you the right way to find a rental in Panama, reveal affordable immigration lawyer contacts, where to buy health insurance for 40% less, and much much more. And, we offer ongoing support before, during, and after your move to Panama.
I’m praying that when the time comes for me to house hunt to rent in March. I can find a place very similar to yours at a reasonable price. Based on the bit of research I’ve done, the prices have gone up quite a bit and there aren’t many new listings. I did find a few. But either no pets or in a neighborhood where the homes were close together in the community. I’m looking for something different than what I have here in Texas. A little paradise similar to yours🙏🏽🙂
I love how much you love my little country. My family and I left Panama 20 years ago for a better life. We used to live in Panama City and my mom thought we could get better opportunities in the US. We moved to northern CA and have lived there since. But my husband and I moved to the greater Houston area and I’m dreading the weather. Even though Panama City may have the same weather as here, I don’t remember it being so humid that I couldn’t breath sometimes. And the AC in stores in TX is just ridiculous! But since I left Panama 20 years ago, I’m sure climate change has done some things because now people say that it’s hotter now compared to before I left. Oh, and the mosquitoes here are horrible! I get bruises from their bites. I don’t remember getting those back in Panama, and I used to get bit quite a lot. But I digress… My husband and I would like to retire in Chiriquí (he actually is the one who found your website). We’d like to do a tour eventually. We are in our 40s so we got ways to go.
Hi Miriam. There are so many things to love about Panama! You and your husband need to come to visit Chiriqui to see the MAGIC!
Hi Jackie, is there a good development in the mountains with a good golf course close by?
We have started looking at Costa Rica and Panama, interested in your comments. Thanks!
There are two golf course developments in the mountains in Boquete — Valle Escondido and Lucero
I’m 82, in good health, have a perfect driving record, and have a Florida driver’s license.
When I come to Panama for my first visit, will I have any trouble renting a car?
If I move there, will I have any trouble getting a Panamanian
HI Billy. You will be able to rent a car when you come to Panama. If you move to Panama, you can get a Panama driver’s license after you get a visa. Anyone over 70 is required to go to a doctor to verify that they are fit enough to drive. They will ask you a few questions, then issue a letter that authorizes you to drive. For everyone over 70, you’ll need to renew your license every 2 years.
Hi Jackie, I am Stephen and just spent the better part of an hour reading just about every word on your relocation to Panama site. Very nice indeed. I am more of a country then city person and it looks like there are great options in Panama. One area I’d be very interested in finding more information is on cycling in Panama. For me the best retirement would include fresh food, vegetables and fish and a daily supply of fresh air while I cycle. Thanks ahead of time.
Stephen
Hi Stephen, Some areas of Panama are safer than others for cycling. Some areas have warmer weather than others. Come see how you can live better for less in Panama and see for yourself what I mead by some areas being safer than others for cycling.
My husband and I have been looking into relocating to Panama. I am a nurse and hope to continue nursing there. My husband has left his management position of 26 years. He is only 52 years old so we are hoping to live on income from renting our home here in Texas. And my income from whatever healthcare job I can find there. My concern is the criminal background check. WAIT! I realize that sounds terrible. But it is something that happened when my husband was only an 18 year old. His parents were going through a divorce and he was hanging out with the “bad kids”. He got in trouble for taking a credit card & leaving threatening voice messages on another boy’s answering machine. All three boys were charged and received a felony. This charge did show up when I pulled a background check to check. HOWEVER, my husband is 52 now. He doesn’t have so much as a speeding ticket on his record. Would a single charge from 34 years ago keep him from getting a VISA?
Hello Michelle. Nursing is a protected profession for Panamanians only so you would not be able to work as a nurse in Panama. And Panama will not allow anyone with a felony to get a visa — regardless of how long ago it was.
I was glad to read about the changes you listed from living in Texas as I live in the Houston area. I’ve been looking at Panama for retirement as well. I’m a legal secretary by profession and enjoy the salary it pays me. Are there similar jobs for legal secretaries in Panama if one is not ready to retire?
Hello Desiree, Unless you speak fluent Spanish, it is unlikely that you can get a job in Panama. Salaries in Panama are less than you currently make. It’s very difficult for a foreigner to get a job in Panama because companies are required to hire Panamanian first and a maximum of 10% of their workforce can be foreigners. You can look at online jobs for a secretary at Upwork.com
Hi Jackie.
I am doing all of my research now and asking all the right questions (I think). Am I able to purchase a house, in Panama, or am I only able to rent? I’m interested in a home on or near a beach. Am I able to bring my dog with me? Lastly, what would you say are the reasons I should choose Panama over Costa Rica or Belize?
Thanks so much!
HI Michelle. Yes, you can buy a house in Panama but we advise that you just rent for the first year to make sure you like the area before you buy. You can bring your dog. I spent a lot of time exploring Costa Rica and Belize, and several other countries before I picked Panama. Panama has better infrastructure (roads, water, electric, internet), a much better economy, a stable government, etc etc.
Recently returned from our 2nd “boots on the ground” trip to Panama… this time, armed with Jackie’s guide. What a difference!
We spent 4 days in Bocas, Boquete, and Volcan, respectively. In each city, we arranged a private tour guide through the PRT resources.
In Bocas: We hired Cheryl. Very personable and a pleasure to spend the day with. She knows what’s on every shelf in every store! We stayed at Sand Dollar B&B…. great location and accommodations. Sharon & Mark were consummate hosts.
In Boquete: Jason gave us exactly what we requested… a 20,000ft. overview allowing us to drill down as our interests developed, whether it was a real estate/neighborhood question or a question as to which finca had the best coffee (they all do!)
In Volcan: If you haven’t seen Jorge YouTube videos yet, you’re missing out. After watching his Volcan tour, we knew he was our guy, and he exceeded all expectations.
We feel as though we made a circle of friends for whenever we return, either temporarily, or semi-permanently. The cream rises to the top, and it all starts with Jackie’s integrity and mission.
Buying the guide accelerates your ability to do your own homework and make informed decisions.
Thank you, Jackie!
HI Matthew. I’m thrilled that you have a great experience with the private tour guides we recommend. Having access to the Online Panama Relocation Guide definitely gives you a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision about moving to Panama and all the information you need to have a hassle-free move when you’re ready to take the plunge!
Hello Jackie, thanks for interesting info. How is life for single women over 55 in Panama and how is social life there?
HI Sara. A lot of single women move to Panama. See this article, audio and videos of interviews with single women who live in Panama. https://panamarelocationtours.com/single-women-moving-to-panama-2