They Share Their Costs of Living in Panama!

[@Natoflyboy]

They look like they'd be awesome friends and neighbors.

[@traceykinsman7727]

Great video! We just did our first visit in October and we went from David to Volcan to Boquete and Boquete was it for us! Can't wait for our next visit in the new year and be where you are within a few years! And when we visited, our 8 yr old daughter got sick within a few days and then a few days after that, I got sick. We ended up at the clinic and it was $15 each to see the doctor and about $100 for all the meds for both of us! As much as it sucked to get sick when we were there, it was good because it gave us a good look at the medical options and costs and it doesn't even compare to Canada, where we are from! I think the only thing we didn't find and maybe someone has an option is that we love our coffee with cream and we couldn't find 18% cream anywhere we looked! But with that being said, when they froth it with milk, it was really good too! And being back here in Canada, our daughter is in a Catholic school and they are learning Feliz Navidad in school here which is so cool to me!

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Glad you enjoyed your visit. Cream is available but packaged in a different way in Panama. Usually top shelf of the refrigerator section.

[@kelle1808]

Thank for sharing Jeff & Kelle!

[@brianleonard6885]

congratulations🎉 keep living and loving and spreading kindness as you are. I'm a chef as well.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Thank you! You too!

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

thanks for the video!! Wish there were more of them every week!

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

It costs us a lot of $$$ to videotape these videos and get the editing done. We try to do at least two videos per month. I wish we could do more too.

[@amazing-osky2052]

Another Amazing Interview!!! Loved the fact they were real and talked about their personal experiences, personal expenses and how they are adjusting to Panama. Moving to a foreign country is not easy but it can be so much better when you befriend the locals and make the effort to learn the language.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

We always encourage everyone in the videos to share their experiences (good and bad) so you have a realistic picture of what living in Panama is like

[@donyboy73]

Great video guys!

[@davesanders9203]

As usual - - - So much good info.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Glad you enjoyed the video

[@ghilly_one1720]

Another excellent video interview. Congratulations on your move!

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Thanks for watching

[@EnoughTimeTravel]

Thank you for the encouraging words that getting through the downsizing and the physical transition, is worth it! (I am so over dealing with downsizing 😩)

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

glad the video was helpful

[@sandybroderick2932]

❤❤❤ Loved this video!! I would LOVE to have you guys as neighbours lol!!! Thanks so much for the encouragement to move!! 😉🥰

[@georgemelcher]

Thank you guys, great video.

[@swellbell1]

Great. Real life info. Especially about getting your meds, shopping, social.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blueskysumo9182]

Thanks for the info. Great topics. 😁👍

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Thanks for watching

[@gif24gt60]

Boquete vs David? Which do u recommend for singles?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Boquete if you want to meet expat singles. David if you want to meet Latino singles

[@holgermessner851]

Sorry to say - no offense. That video shows exactly why Panamanians are happy with Americans. I have a couple American friends and we always have in one point the conversation: Why do I pay less and they pay a fortune for rent and anything else. Americans compare still prices as they would still live in the USA! That’s the whole issue. Best example? I pay for a 2 bedroom house in Gorgona $350. It’s not a new house. Than you have Americans who I met and they tell me that they just moved to Gorgona. Well. I got invited. Typical Panamanian 3 bedroom house with a pool - both had seen better times - the house and pool. The rent they did pay - gave me a heart attack! Unbelievable $3,300! In Gorgona, not on the beach and just 2 streets away from my place. My opinion? I wouldn’t had rented the place even if it would cost the same as my place because everything was broken down. I think, Americans should really do their research and think first before they decide anything. Panamanians earn around $650 - $2,000 (higher positions or government departments) Nobody can pay more than $1,500 (Panama City) or $800 in the Coronado area. Yes. Airbnb houses in this area start by $400 a weekend. But around 10-20 people give money in a pot to rent it! Another example was in a beach area, Playa Uverito (Las Tablas area). A local who owned 5 properties there said one day in a restaurant to me: “I wouldn’t sell you anything…” I honestly was shocked and apologized to him, asking if I said something wrong. “No señior. It is because you are using your head. I couldn’t make capital with selling to you. The Americans just use their cheque book!” And if locals tell you that you got robbed, you did get robbed. Maybe next time - ask where they go or if they can buy it for you. Paying locals an extra $5 to safe $20 is a bargain. Even in the Gorgona area, I can buy 15 pounds of veggies on the street for $20. Not in the supermarkets! That’s my 2 cents. Doesn’t matter from what country you move to Panama. Stop comparing prices like you would still live in the USA or Europe! Compare it to people who live here.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

All valid points. Ads in English target foreigners who will pay much more than a local would for the same property. Compared to Canada or the US rental prices, foreigners see Panama prices as a bargain. (Sales and rentals both). But the reality is that Panamanians know where to get better prices. This is why I urge people to just rent when they move to Panama! After living in Panama for a year, you will learn where to find much better prices.

[@holgermessner851]

@@PanamaRelocationTours And people should use their Panamanian friends and neighbors. Even the security guys in Panama City do know what is available in the buildings and the rental prices. Don't trust real estate agents. That's a whole different story. Especially in Panama.

[@Sheepleton]

$1200 a month on food in the US for 2 people and a dog? Wow. We spend less than $800 for 3 adults, 2 large (85lb) dogs and a cat.

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

It depends on where you live, and what items you buy. Budgets vary considerable in the US and in Panama.

[@georgemelcher]

I hope bocas del toro fits me.

[@sabinamock4799]

Nice house. Where is this located? Thank you

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

The house is in Alto Boquete.

[@dantedepiro5677]

That doesn't sound all that cheap considering what you earn in Panama. How does any native Panamanian ever afford anything? I'm not seeing any great value here. Am I missing something?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

They definitely live in a more expensive 3 bedroom 2 bath house. Others live in a $250 or $350 house in other areas. Boquete is one of the most expensive places to live in Panama. But there are many places to live for MUCH less.

[@JC-nh6ud]

They are obviously not at retirement age. So, for someone at their age range, what are the options for the visa?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

You can get a Friendly Nation Visa. One affordable option is to set up a company that issues you a labor contract.

[@rickdilsavor8406]

You were throwing out a lot of costs. Can you post a detailed spreadsheet?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

sorry, no spreadsheet.

[@kevinmorris6992]

Is there a big problem with stray dogs in Boquete and other areas of Panama ?

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

no, there is not a problem with stray dogs in Boquete.

[@kevinmorris6992]

Thanks for that. I was concerned because I have been bitten by dogs in the past and was concerned it could be a problem. Thanks for that

[@craigharting9217]

How about the meltdown when they lite roads on fire& block David & lite fires to stop getting in, and no food in bouqette, the looters started and police did nothing , I was there & witnessed it

[@PanamaRelocationTours]

Three days before the protests started, the people in our private group were warned to get gas, buy extra propane, stock up on food for you and your pets and get meds refilled. Those who followed my advice (like Jeff and Kelle) had NO problems during the protests. It's easy to prepare!!

[@kennyroberts2703]

Protests in America are a thousand times worse, so what's your point?