Panama

[Peg]

Okay if what I am reading about banking in Panama is true, when you say bring money in you are not talking about say someone retired and collecting social security from the us and banking it in Panama. I HOPE. Just a us citizen trying to live somewhere else in the world without getting the proberbial lips ripped off once again. Say it isn't so.

[Peg]

My husband and I have been doing alot of research on Panama as far as retiring and maybe relaxing for the few years we may have left. After reading comments in this forum I am confused as to why everything everyone says is negative. Is there anyone out there with any first hand knowledge of actually living in the country and knowing what the heck they are talking about. PPPPPLLLLLEEEEAASE

[wolfmanmike]

i live in panama 9 years i have come and gone 3 times this year already have never been asked once !!

[wolfmanmike]

i have lived here near 9 years i get my soc sec deposited in the states . i take it out of the atm 500 at a time cost me 3 bucks every time never had a problem ..

[mvuytowecz]

Peg,
I too have been discouraged by many of the posts on forums and blogs. I'm not sure why people feel they have to say something negative rather than say nothing at all.

Regarding Panama as a place to retire, I think Panama has many good things to offer to retired people as well as anyone else. The pensionado program is very generous, the medical insurance is inexpensive, the cost of living is low, and the lifestyle is fantastic!

However, if you don't have patience and a sense of humor, you may find yourself frustrated a good deal of the time. Panama is not North America. They do things very different here and you will need to embrace that to be happy.

I would recommend an exploratory trip before moving here. Do some research on areas you think you would like to live and spend some time there first.

[captken]

Been living in Costa Rica for 7 yrs. It's getting too expensive here. I'm on SS only $1000 per month, been fine here but getting tighter. Don't want live in PC or Colon, fither North, David, Santiago,Tole. Any ideas of costs in those areas. I don't need luxury apart, been living on Boats for 30+ yrs. decent 1-2 bdrm w/internet & cable. Any body have any info. Can I transfer my car there, bring my furniture?

[RXD]

It is the best country for tourism. Its highlights are still very much off-the-beaten-path destinations, though it’s likely that this will change in the years to come. Canadian tourists can use their provincial driver’s licenses in Panama for periods of up to 90 days.