Anyone in Panama?

[Deleted]

We are researching some South and Central American countries to see if we may want to move there. Right now Panama is a top contender.

Anyone living there or has lived there recently? If so, what's it like? For reference we are Canadians and have lived in the UK for four years. We have three children under the age of six.

[mrsukyankee]

I'm assuming you will get visas from work...a bunch of us know someone who might be able to talk to you about the area (was on the Nest but didn't come over to here).

[stephvm]

I've lived in panama for the past four years. We will be moving in a month, but I might be able to help you get an idea of the place. Is there anything in particular you'd like to know? We came on diplomatic visas, so I don't have any insight into immigration to panama, but a lot of people have come to set up shop here. I think it's pretty easy, or at least it was under the last government.

For a basic answer to your question, I'd say life here has its good and bad points like any other place. Good points- easy to get just about anything you need. A lot of people speak English, groceries and general things are reasonably priced. Easy access to both Atlantic and pacific oceans, good roads, major improvements in city infrastructure in the past few years = less headaches when trying to get from point A to point B, big expat population makes it easy to find help and new friends. I think it's easier to live in panama than in most Central American cities. They want you here and will make it easy to come and to live.

Less good points -the weather - in Panama City the weather is suffocating with 9 months of extremely high humidity and a major rainy season. As a result, doing anything outdoors between 9:00 and 5:00 is difficult, unless it involves the beach (hiking, biking, etc generally done very early or late), American influence over the years has sort of flattened over Panamanian culture - it feels much less Latino than its neighbors. The cost of living is going up and up, especially if you live in the "desirable" parts of the city, where expats with contracts live. Their companies usually pay the rent so rent has risen accordingly. A three bedroom house in a gated community can cost $3500+ a month in Clayton, Albrook, Panama Pacifico. Private schools are expensive too - the Met, Balboa, etc all charge over $10,000 per year, and have a sign up fee of eight to ten grand per kid. Panamanian private schools are much less $300 per mont, for example, but have pretty old fashioned pedagogy.

If you are looking to live out of the city, like near a beach or in boquete, the story would be quite different, I think. Much less money to get by, and better weather too.

For our part, we found a house we loved in a less prestigious neighborhood that we could afford, with more locals than expats and we have friendly neighbors, although none have become real friends. My kids can play outside while I'm in the house and I don't worry about them. They are very happy and don't mind the heat and humidity at all.

The biggest complaint I hear about panama is the lack of friendliness. People are not unfriendly, it's more just a sort of apathy. Nobody smiles when you enter a store, at the checkout you more often than not get blank looks, etc. and getting somebody to take the initiative on things is non-existent. Very different than , say, Costa Rica where people,are open and friendly right off the bat. But, in their quiet, non-demonstrative way, Panamanians are kind. It's just the first blank look that gets a lot expats frustrated and defensive.

Anyways, maybe that gives you an idea? If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!

[Deleted]

stephvm This is all very helpful. Particularly the school info and cost of living. We might take a trip down there in the next six months to check it out.