Why indeed? What reasons could
anyone have for pulling up roots and
moving to a foreign country to live out his/her golden years?
Frankly, the very idea terrifies me. Give up all my friends? Move to
a strange land where I know hardly anyone? Adapt myself to a
different climate, culture, language, and way of life? Of course for
me, that would mean leaving paradise, so maybe
coming this way
would be a bit easier, but no matter your situation, it is not a
decision to be taken lightly. You need to know the pluses and
the minuses. If someone tells you that life in Panama is wonderful,
and everything is rosy all the time, be wary. No place is perfect,
and even Paradise has mosquitos, both literally and figuratively
speaking. If you are entertaining thoughts about retiring to Panama,
the first thing you need to do is educate yourself about the
realities of living here. You can find more information on this site
and by reading and asking questions on the many Panama Forums in
Yahoo Groups (some of the best can be found on our Links page). Be
wary of the many websites which attempt to paint Panama as a Paradise
with no negatives. Chances are they are trying to sell you something
by any means they can. Do not unquestioningly accept everything you
hear about Panama, good or bad. Keep an open and skeptical mind, and
remember that nothing is written in stone, and what may be true today
may not be true tomorrow. OK, now to climb down off the soapbox and
list some of the very good reasons why Panama may be just what you
are looking for.
- The cost of living is generally
lower than in the US, Canada, Europe, and most other Latin American
countries. Please note that this applies to what is usually
considered as a decent standard of living. Certainly poor Panamanians
live on less than poor Europeans, and poor Mexicans live on even less
than poor Panamanians, but I assume no one reading this wants to live
like a poor Panamanian.
- Decent housing is more
affordable than in the US, Canada, or Europe.
- The climate in Panama, especially
in the highlands, is a lot easier on us older folks, though we city
dwellers seem to get the flu fairly regularly. I attribute that to
Panama's unique position as the 'Crossroads of the World'.
- Medical care is pretty good, on a
par with what you find in most US areas, and more affordable if you
don't
have insurance. Most major medical insurance, including Tricare for
Life for military retirees, is recognised in Panama.
- Panama Law recognises the elderly
and retired with special privileges, including discounts on many
services, and special windows or lines for retirees at banks and
public services.
- You can import a fair amount of
home furnishings duty free, and buy a new car duty free every two
years as a 'pensionado' immigrant, though I advise against the duty
free new car. I've got one that I can't sell, because I bought it
duty free and now it's value is less than the taxes that
would have to be paid. You simply don't need the headaches that go
along with trying to sell a car that was imported duty-free.
- Panamanians are good people. They
generally make good neighbors, and are pretty peaceful. You'll have
to work at it to not like them.
- Most of the conveniences you are
used to are available, to one degree or another. Those that aren't,
you can probably live without.
- Bananas are $.10 a pound. (Yes, this part is
tongue-in-cheek, but
some websites actually list this as a reason to live wherever it is
they are trying to sell property.)
Of course, only you can decide if the pluses are enough
to induce you
to pull up stakes and emigrate to a new land. We consider it a
privilege to be allowed to help you decide. If you do move here, let
us be the first to say 'Welcome to Paradise'.
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