Expats in Panama - Don & Elaine share their experience after 4 years.

Don & Elaine moved from the US to Panama 4 years ago. They stayed in the mountains of Boquete for 3 years then moved to the beach in Coronado where they pay $1200 a month for a furnished 2 bedroom 2 bath condo. They did not come on a Panama Relocation Tour ans share some of the problems they ran in to because they did have the information from the tour. In this video they share their best & worst experiences while living in Panama including info about health care costs, shopping, and social activities. They also give their advice for people who are considering a move to Panama.
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Since 2010, Panama Relocation Tours has been offering monthly 6-day 7-night all-inclusive relocation tours of Panama. We've completed over 110 tours! During a tour you'll see a variety of different areas, meet expats and learn all the things you need to know to make a super easy transition to living in Panama. Learn more at:
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[@denisebenson4314]

You can see how happy they are :)

[@romyenglish]

You are two beautiful young souls. A true inspiration. Great job, and thanks for sharing your story with us

[@tracymorgan5386]

Their story is good because they show a couple who already moved to panama but went through so much avoidable stress and drama from finding a place to live, being nervous at check points while driving and being surprised by medicine cost etc, because they didn't do jackie's tour, which would have covered all of those things and more.

[@MsLisaPires]

Hi Elaine, it as great to see your smile again. We are heading there soon it was suppost to be on April but as you know has been delayed a bit... but soon enough we will be there....looking forward to see you again.

[@darrellmcintyre1617]

Very cute guys🌹🌹 Thank you for your honest informative selves. See you soon🙏🏻

[@amazing-osky2052]

Amazing story. Medicines in Panama come from Europe or other pharmaceutical in Latin America. Plus many doctors are graduates of US and European schools, so you do get quality service in English. Congrats to this couple.

[@crustybastard8256]

The wife and I dream of a life there when we retire, enough of the cold and snow!! Congrats to you guys for making it a reality!

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

come check out Panama during a www.PanamaRelocationTours.com you'll be AMAZED!

[@eiragimenez6200]

I love to see you happy

[@WayneDome-dm8iu]

Switching from a Productive lifestyle to a non-produtive lifestyle works for many people. Sometimes it is best in order to survive. It sounds like you are happy and that is good for you.

[@nato2panama]

You are such a lovely couple. God bless.

[@johnpeace5749]

You guys are living our life, we had a weeks vacation 1 year ago staying at Coronado Bay and we were invited by the coronado girls to piccaso for drunken bingo, water aerobics so friendly and encouraged us to make Panama our home. We are coming back in January on Jackies tour and just want to thank you two for your testimonials.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Hey John, There's a good chance you'll get to meet Elaine and Don during the tour! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@bobheaton3593]

What does Jackie's tour cost?

[@bobheaton3593]

​@@PanamaRelocationTours

[@johnpeace5749]

@@bobheaton3593 ,jackies tour costs $2000/per person

[@astralcat4880]

Thank you. This is helpful. What a lovely couple and cute dog! It’s great to hear from expats who have lived in Panama for a number of years.

[@janetstone8836]

Lordy, Boulder City I lived in that town...right now I am living on the west side of Last Vegas. Been to Boquete 3 times and love it. Being single I don’t think I can afford Coronado but sounds lovely. One of my friends moved back to Vegas that lived in Coronado. yes Panama is lovely need to make a trip again. Enjoy the good life u sounds sooo happy.

[@janetstone8836]

Love your story....I too love Boquette and I too lived in Boulder City.

[@williamholleman8673]

Nice People

[@mjam8995]

I am so happy for you guys. Yeaah.

[@marilynandjim5624]

what a wonderful, and informative, video! Thanks to you both, and to Jackie! Lots of questions answered. and great to hear about your interactions with people and the health are system!

[@kathiedge8706]

Great video. I have gone on Jackie's tour in 2018, getting closer and closer to making the move. I think that is a FANTASTIC idea y'all have for handling both areas for living arrangements! I love the mountains and I love the beach, but not entirely sure where I'd like to stay permanently, now you have given me a great idea on how to figure it out so Thank You!

[@michaelkirkland1929]

Real COOL couple, Hopefully by this time next year I'll have found a cool house the the ocean in Panama. Viva Panama.

[@SassyveeSceneries]

Love this for you guys! Great video ❤

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rickbw411]

Good for them for finding their place of happiness! I showed my wife one of the PRT videos and got a flat "No" because she'd be separated from the grandkids. I'd be interested to hear other people's perspective on this.

[@2967_]

The grandkids is just an excuse. She doesn't want move.

[@Chic2]

I hear ya' Don! You went there to retire. Another great and informative video! Great couple! I am so looking forward to taking the tour and relocating next year. Thank you.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Don and Elaine are enjoying every minute of retirement! We really look forward to meeting you during a Panama Relocation Tour. Sometimes Don and Elaine join us for lunch or dinner during the first day of the tour.

[@allenmapes8723]

Thank you. Awesome video. Looks like Panama is working VERY WELL for you two, Our tour is in April. Hope to see you then,

[@davidabbott1015]

Try and find out about other options, instead of Boquette. You can live for about 25/30% less in other parts of the country

[@davidabbott1015]

For around $700 a month. rent, food,elect., cable, phone,trash pick up, water

[@miar.4507]

Hello from Austin Tx saludos!!

[@jvasquezsykes7053]

You didn't introduce your 4 legged family member. Looks like a chihuahua, very cute !! Love your video. Thank you.

[@elainehayes7929]

Her name is Susie! Jackie spells out step by step of what is needed to bring a pet over. They are members of the family!

[@jvasquezsykes7053]

@@elainehayes7929you mean in her 6 day program, right? Thank you.

[@patricktaylor5446]

They will be citizens of Panama soon.

[@kimariokiji]

Very informative video and lovable couple. Glad the dog made it through the checkpoint! The main take away to me is to be certain to take Jackie Lange’s Relocation Tour to save a lot of money and a lot of stress.

[@jimcanto3399]

Those tours are literally several thousand dollars. !

[@standelasanantone2180]

Great story... very open & honest! However, just curious as to how the tour would've helped with avoiding a house that had fraudulent photo of furniture and 'water/leaks/fuzzy' problems? We still plan to move there (hopefully sooner rather later!)

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

They rented the house off the internet without seeing it first. During the tour, we tell you to NEVER ever rent a house without seeing it first.

[@tallnubian]

Thank You Don & Eliane! for so much detail. Panama Relocation Tours, would you please do a blog post explaining a little bit about what Don mentioned regarding the road way Checkpoints?? This is the third time I have heard/read about checkpoints in Panama. I'm in the Eastern US & have never been through a checkpoint. This would be unnerving to me as well if I were to encounter one. Especially not knowing the reason for the checkpoint.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Sometimes the police are only looking for suspicious behavior (ex. drunk driving) at the checkpoints and will simply waive most people through. Other times they will be checking everyone's documents to make sure you are in the country legally and are legal to be driving.

[@elainehayes7929]

A lot of times they are checking to make sure your plates are not expired. They can tell by a sticker on you windshield and they wave you on by. Also, there are not THAT many! I bet you it has been 2 years since we even went through a checkpoint! It is not like they are on every corner!

[@fanfare100]

I just drove though a checkpoint going through Rhode Island two months ago. It was the Rhode Island National Guard. They saw out of state plates and wanted to make sure I was not going to stop there and if I was that I would shelter in lace for 14 days before going anywhere, due to Covid. This is the United States. They were courteous but concerned because my plates were from a state where there were many infections. Can't say I blame them though. Often people think that things are different in one part of the world when indeed they are the same. I travel a lot. When I drive through California I often go through many checkpoints set up by ICE or Border Patrol. They often don't even follow constitutional law and ask to search your vehicle when they have no right to do so. Again, this is in the United States. Also recently in the United States ICE and CBP agents have been boarding trains and buses to check to see if people have their papers in order. I kid you not. And lastly, most recently, uninvited federal agents have been showing up at several major cities making abductions and kidnapping people where they spirit these people away into unmarked vans and the people doing these things don't wear name tags or organizational patches or even badges. Again, this is in the U.S. In the town of Elizabeth New Jersey, ICE agents have been posting check points in the streets stopping people in their commutes, targeting people who are brown mainly. Entering houses without warrants. Sometimes they enter and they are non-uniformed agents (plain-clothed). Again, this is in the United States of America. It's beginning to remind me of Checkpoint Charlie, but in multiple locations. And then let's not even mention the random sobriety checkpoints I've seen n Pennsylvania. I don;t even know if that's even constitutional. But maybe I just see more of this because I travel for a living. And I drive a lot. And I happen to be brown. At least in Panama it doesn't seem to matter what skin tone you have.

[@elenabost5974]

What is a drinking water quality in Panama?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

The water quality depends on where you live. Some places it is excellent. Some places it is not advised to drink tap water... especially on the islands.

[@elainehayes7929]

Of all the places we have lived, I have drunk the tap water in every single place. I have never lives on any island, and I have loved the water! Especially Boquete!

[@JohnRogers-fd9hb]

am 70 y/o expat from USA living in Thailand for over 20 years. Although life is good here, it seems all things must pass eventually. Political and economic issues are no are making it difficult to stay here and if I have to leqve it will be with little preparation time. I own home cars, etc. and have a good life here on $3,600. As an alternative, I think I could do Panama for a change?! Spent a bit of time in Panama City for holidays, IF I have to exodus rapidi I would lose my car and motorcycle so I would have to get transportation, plus a place to live for about 500-600/mo olus replenish every thing I used to own. Looking for fresh stqart in a new environment, new culture and I speak enought espanol to get by. Could I do OK there on the money I have and still have alife?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Hi John You can live well in many places in Panama for $1000 - $1200 a month.

[@gregoriousgotti5115]

❤🇵🇦🌎

[@jerrybender6633]

amen n repeat u do NOT have to own just rent move around decide when u no the miro climates or enjoy the rental life if u find a home ull no and rents are not so hi as to force a decision

[@cajunjamis9001]

Rent? Utilities? Hosp. Ins. Yes/No? Transportation cost?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

They are renting a furnished 2 bedroom 2 bath ocean view condo for $1200. Utilites are included except for electric which is about $50 a month. They did not get insurance and prefer to just pay the $12 for a doctor visit when necessary or they can use the public hospital for $2.

[@MELESAKUEHN]

which place do you like better?

[@elainehayes7929]

I like Boquete, but Don likes Coronado! He doesn't know it yet, but when his 3 years is up, we are moving back to Boquete! hehe

[@ronynosendiii5491]

@@elainehayes7929 That is both hilarious and fair. I love the plans. That is why it is tops on my list. I like that PCity is close too. Would luv to have condo in Coronado and apt in Panama City too.

[@paulmarchand2073]

could you tell me where in coronado you are living? I'm interested but I can't find it on google maps. how much do you pay for rent, electricity, activities and food?

[@miar.4507]

Look under San Carlos, Panama

[@elainehayes7929]

Look up Playa Coronado. And Mia is right, it is right next to San Carlos!

[@paulmarchand2073]

@@elainehayes7929 thanks Elaine!

[@miar.4507]

I'm from Panama myself.

[@paulmarchand2073]

@@miar.4507 Hi Mia, I'm looking for french speaking community. we're from Quebec. San Carlos seems more american. muchas gracias!

[@gregoriosmith6994]

I couldn't find Coronada on google?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

try Coronado search -- with an O at the end.

[@elainehayes7929]

Don has a southern accent! It's Coronado. I of course, speak perfectly! People think I am from England!

[@fanfare100]

@@elainehayes7929 lol People from England can't even speak English well. lol

[@maryrock9136]

It is funny that you say that you are not a big animal lover? Are you sure? You haven't taken your arm away from the dog during the whole video HAHA! who are you fooling .

[@elainehayes7929]

Susie has Don's heart!! (Plus, she is so scary, he is afraid not to spoil her!)

[@miar.4507]

That is right we don't have bills in Panama!! funny but true. The water bill is delivery by the water company s do is the electric bill. We don't get hospital bills cause medical is free.

[@elainehayes7929]

Medical is not free here to Expats, or to Panamanians that I know of. You can go to a public hospital and it is much cheaper than a private hospital. And many of the doctor's you will see in both hospitals are the same, so you get excellent care in both. But hospital bills are not free here to anyone I know, both Panamanian and Expats. ( When I go to the doctor, it is $12.00 per visit. I had a EKG done several years ago and it was $25.00. A x-ray done on my neck was $15.00.)

[@miar.4507]

@@elainehayes7929 And EKG in the US can cost 5500, and MRI is 10,000. I'm from Panama myself and believe me when I go there I visit as many doctors as I can cause I can save money. Dentist over her extremely expensive in my country I pay 80% less than what I pay over here for a crown or an inplant. So not total free but when I compare it feels like wow is almost free.

[@elainehayes7929]

@@miar.4507 I totally agree with that! I just went to a hearing doctor. Hearing aids in the US is around $3,000.00 a ear. Here with my Senior Discount they are $1,250.00 a ear!

[@miar.4507]

@@elainehayes7929 Nice!! Can you believe I had this horrible pain gping on my back and the insuranse refuse to do it cause the MRI cost was 10,000 dollars? In Panama you dont pay that outrages amout of money for an MRI. You sick you don't feel good and you need an MRI. You dont need to struggle with insurance companies to approved the MRI. If you have a family that works in the medical business he just say go to my friend they will do it for free. It happens to me not once few. In the USA sad to say when it comes about medical is like talking about money, money and money.

[@jointhejourney7472]

Bubba, why didn’t you help your wife to prepare for the move ...?

[@elainehayes7929]

Because he has such a smart and wonderful wife, plus he knew that whatever he would do, I would change it and do it my way anyway! haha!

[@paulmarchand2073]

any french speaking people there? either from quebec or france (europe)??

[@urracabolivar1374]

Je suis panaméen et j'espère qu'à long terme, on pourrai accueillir beaucoup de Québécoises et Québécois, il y a plein des Canadians...J'adore le Québec. En hiver Airtransat et Sunwing, les deux ont des vols direct à partir de Montréal à Panamá​​. Les français furent les premiers à construire le canal de Panamá​​ pourtant tout le monde parle Espagnol.

[@paulmarchand2073]

@@urracabolivar1374 hola amigo. pouvez-vous me dire a quel ville les québécois demeurent le plus souvent? je sais que les américains vont a Boquete. Je cherche un endroit pour la retraite, pas trop loin de panama ciudad. coronado beach? San carlo beach? muchas gracias amigo!

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Yes, there are both. Not as common as US expats but they do exist. Here is a recent review we received from some French Canadians who took our Panama Relocation Tour. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3rde4SPZah9qrc

[@urracabolivar1374]

@@paulmarchand2073 Coronado et San Carlos sont proches de la ville de Panamá​​, les deux villes sont à côté de la mer Pacifique, et il fait chaud, humide et ensoleillé presque toute l'année. Boquete est frais toute l'année à côté de un volcan. Malheureusement, ll n'y pas beaucoup de Québécois au Coronado ou Boquete, à la ville de Panama il y a des français. Je vous souhaite bonne chance pour la suite.

[@paulmarchand2073]

@@urracabolivar1374 merci beaucoup, thank you very much, muchas gracias. je vais probablement déménager a panama ciudad. question de temps. au plaisir!!

[@germanherrera1815]

anyways to know if we can take our little 19 lbs pet with us for the first trip

[@scotta8597]

Don what about the beach?

[@elainehayes7929]

Don loves to look at the beach. But honestly, I think he likes looking at all the women in bikini's!

[@fanfare100]

@@elainehayes7929 Reminds me of my grandpa who had a telescope on the balcony of his apartment. He told me that it was to look at heavenly bodies. Except that every morning that telescope was left pointing down, not up. XD

[@elainehayes7929]

@@fanfare100 Funny! He has since gotten a telescope!

[@edl6398]

It’s hard for me to understand people who retire and do nothing for anyone or anything but themselves. There is poverty there, so many stray animals- find a way to help the world in the course of you entire day doing only things for yourself. I will never be like these people when I retire in Panama.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

They both worked 40+ years helping others for 10-12 hours a day. Now it is their turn to relax.

[@gemcatgirl]

Aren’t we judgmental? How do you know they don’t help or have helped anyone? They only spoke briefly of their life. Don’t fret about what others do or don’t, just take care of your soul.