I live just outside of David. I did not buy in David because of all the crime zones, which you failed to mention. Your video shows mainly nice places, most of David is not like that. I walk around David twice a week. I know every place you went. Most of the other restaurants are Fonda, and pretty bad. Or expat type and pretty expensive. Another factor is the culture in the providence. I am moving out of this providence and going to Penonome, in Cocle, because the people are so much friendlier. Many dont last in this area very long. And unless you live here, there is no way to accurately know things like that. You have to own a car and that adds more to your cost of living figure. Owning a home and a car it costs me $950 to live and I dont do much.
@mtngrl58593 жыл бұрын
This seems a bit harsh. Their numbers are different than many because they lived in apartments and most expats live in homes. Also, most expats expect hot water for showers. Homes start around the $350/range. Around $550 you can find a pretty nice place. Again, how one eats and socializes is different. One can buy enough veggies from street venders for $20/week. if one supplements that with meats and dairy, one can keep their total food consumption down to $350 or less. One can get by with buses and taxes in David. If one budgeted about $120.00 a month for taxis ( twice a week outings) they would do fine.So, my budget is closer to around $1300/month but that is within what most people receive on their pension. The rental for $550 is also a 2+ bedroom home, if one found a 1 bedroom it would likely cost less.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
David would not be in my top 5 places to live either. That video should be out within a few weeks Thanks for your opinion, but there are indeed expats living in David that love it. The only way to know the best spot for you personally in Panama or anywhere else in the world is to spend time there. Somewhere you hate others love and vica versa. Here is that report about real estate: vagabondbuddha.com/why-retired-expats-should-not-buy-real-estate-overseas/
@BillGreenAZ3 жыл бұрын
This looks like a great deal, Dan. Qiang always seems to be in such a good mood all the time. She lifts my spirits with her laughing.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Bill.
@borndiy54902 жыл бұрын
Nice & calm & so informative taping. Thank you both for this nice tour. I really enjoyed you two and seems you both will have a nice stay. Thanks!
@VagabondAwake2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@martika3243 жыл бұрын
Loved hearing Qiang's narrative, and Dan, your hair color is great, very youthful and bright.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Martica.
@johnway98533 жыл бұрын
Another outstanding live in video, thanks Dan and Qiang.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@douglasmichel10003 жыл бұрын
Once again I thank you for posting
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
@mattcombs87782 жыл бұрын
Thank you for providing your videos for our education and enjoyment. You both do a great job of telling it like it is. I enjoy your videos very much.
@dennisgonya45003 жыл бұрын
Such great comments that you two get. I feel like I am part of your family and your presentations give a fantastic footprint on the cost of living in the areas you visit.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@j.bodnarczuk6757 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great analysis of different areas in Panama! We’ve been mulling over the idea of moving either part-time or full-time from US to Costa Rica but now Panama seems like you get the same Paradise for a cheaper. I like that Panama uses the American dollar
@ftkinsella3 жыл бұрын
Dan you got a couple of shit comments. I hope these people aren’t subscribers cause they aren’t very friendly. I don’t want to see you lose subs but a few of these commenters are frickin morons. Thanks for your honesty and showing these places the way they really are and not whitewashing it. Take care my friend. Cheers!!!
@VagabondAwake2 жыл бұрын
Thanks F&T.
@remurraymd3 жыл бұрын
Nice video I loed Panama and Costa Rica except for rain and humidity when I was there it rained FEET of rain each month during "green" season. I got tired and left for Ecuador and Colombia where it is spring year around in Medellin and Loja/Cuenva.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
I am a big fan of Ecuador and Colombia too.
@YouGotOptions23 жыл бұрын
I'd rather the rain than snow
@remurraymd3 жыл бұрын
@@YouGotOptions2 I have never seen snow in Loja/Cuenca or Medellin land of eternal spring.
@Lighthouse1703 жыл бұрын
These two are a good match together. I feel their paths were meant ro cross..🙏
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
I couldn't agree more Monique Henriquez. Thanks for commenting. KZbin grows our channel faster when people comment! So we really appreciate it! Best, Dan Do you have my free eBook yet? vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/
@WaltANelsonPHD3 жыл бұрын
Here is a helpful video. Thank you for making it and posting. Best wishes to you both.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Walt Nelson! Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan
@Vivi30908 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much. I was wondering if there were any studio apartments in Panama. I was wondering about the laundry as well, glad to know that your laundry can be picked up.
@johnhamilton46243 жыл бұрын
Great information, just need to boost up the volume a little
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tip!
@franciscusjohannesburger37203 жыл бұрын
Nice video , with good information !
@VagabondAwake2 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@jesusortega7296 ай бұрын
Hi. Just came across this video a few yrs later. There is another región little Unknow called Hornito. Undeveloped town vs Boquete. However, you will get the same weather as boquete for 1/4 or 1/5 if the cost of Boquete. This is very rural but great people and opportunity to see another region in Chiriqui. Also there is a small town literally 20 min from David (on the way to Hornito and Bocas) that reminds me of Pedasi 30 yrs ago. You can rent a house here-Panamanian style for 200 or less per month. It’s small but it has its charms. Cangilones-River de Gualaca are found here. If you want to save stay away from The city-David and Boquete for sure! Buena Suerte! Panamá is great!
@VagabondAwake6 ай бұрын
Great point. Places like David and Boquete are softer landings for newbies, buy once you have some time under your belt, and less fear, you can explore surrounding communities and see if one feels better or cheaper to you. A place you will love more later, might feel too challenging when you first land overseas because they are less adapted to your old way of life.
@elizagal74513 жыл бұрын
Such useful info - I like to walk also so important to know it’s a city you should have a car. Thanks for all your videos
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@LifewithDavid3 жыл бұрын
I will be in Panama soon for a month. Would be cool to run into you guys.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
We were there for a few months but have since moved north. :-)
@LifewithDavid3 жыл бұрын
@@VagabondAwake one day. If yall ever come back to medellin, let me know.
@grzegorzwydra25043 жыл бұрын
Thanks for very informative movie and live like a hollydays.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@gnelson173 жыл бұрын
Another great video, Dan. I have been to David and was surprised to see how much it reminded me of the US, but much more affordable. I would probably live in Boquette if I settled in Panama. I am now in Queretaro, let me know if you need any specific information from here. Love Central area. I know Qiang really liked it here. Take Care!
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Yes Glenn, it is a lovely city for sure (Queretaro). :-)
@olegkon1 Жыл бұрын
Is David hotter than the Coronado area? I do not like high heat, but love to swim.
@VagabondAwake Жыл бұрын
Yes, because Coronado is closer to the beach.
@cecilewhite18973 жыл бұрын
Is it as pretty as Puerto Morelos? Is it cheaper?
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
No. I love Puerto Morelos way more.
@MrVader28211 ай бұрын
Seems too small for the amount unless they are on the beach 18.00 per night sounds right
@VagabondAwake11 ай бұрын
Thanks for your thoughts.
@ritasimmons69642 жыл бұрын
I love your videos-well presented informative and chocked.full.of.useful tidbits....One.small tip offered in the spirit of goodwill: David is.pronounced "Dah-veed". #Fan #Subscriber
@Falconlibrary3 жыл бұрын
I've heard it pronounced "Day-veed" by expats. I guess that's the Spanish pronunciation. I like the way you always balance your reports with positives and negatives instead of just giving a rapturous report like so many travel vloggers. One surprise: you can drink the tap water in David? Is that true throughout Panama or just a local thing? There's few places in Mexico where the tapwater is potable.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
We did have one of these with us though: www.amazon.com.mx/Brita-Metro-filtro-avanzado-capacidad/dp/B015SY3WKM/
@tcb10173 жыл бұрын
Also Dan, you said that you meet Qiang on the TENDER what made you do that and why the TENDER and not the Plenty of Fish or even Mexican cub or what they may have there in Asia like Asian babys or whatever so again, why the TENDER ? I never heard of it. Maybe I need to check it out.................sounds like you hit that grande jackpot finding Qiang.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Tinder is a pick up app inthe USA but a dating app in Asia.
@tomjordan68193 жыл бұрын
My friends, I really do enjoy your videos and I hope you keep them coming. Since I lived in the area where you are coming from I have to say that that your pronunciation of the city of David is really pronounced Da veed. Just saying my friends, please don't take offense.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
No worries. Thanks Tom.
@terryashley46743 жыл бұрын
Yay David! 🤗
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Terry!
@HypocriticYT3 жыл бұрын
maybe the water valve is turned off? At least you know it will rain. It must be uplifting to be free of material things. I always thought if I had to bug out and could only take what I could carry what would it be?
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
I checked bag and one carry one, here is what I carry: vagabondbuddha.com/what-i-pack-to-travel-the-world/
@HypocriticYT3 жыл бұрын
@@VagabondAwake what would it be without cheap sunglasses?
@vgshwk3 жыл бұрын
I think if I lived there I would be taking a lot of hop around trips. Also from there it isn’t far upto Costa Rica.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Yes. Costa Rica they have buses running up to the border.
@RBF4422 жыл бұрын
Great info: Do you have cost of living for Bocastown? You guys rock~
@VagabondAwake2 жыл бұрын
Yes we do: vagabondbuddha.com/retire-early-1070-month-bocas-del-toro-panama/
@tcb10173 жыл бұрын
What kind of staying tourist visa did you get and how long now there in Panama ? If you enter Mexico after you have been there make a video and share how many days you got because again, it's crazy now with the visas in Mexico.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Americans still get 180 days in Panama. We will repot on what happens when we enter Mexico.
@tcb10173 жыл бұрын
@@VagabondAwake Ok great. Looking forward to that. Hopefully you get that 180 day if that what you want and need. I'm ok with my 90 day in Mexico tha will give me more time being in California before I fly home to Scandinavia for the summer.
@johnsinc63013 жыл бұрын
Good video. Q. I thought your studio was $18/night - close to 550$. Where did your $250 come from?
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
We rent a temporary place on airbnb (2-4 days) so we have somewhere to go when we land at the airport. If we decide to stay for a month we go get a better deal as I explain here: vagabondbuddha.com/how-i-find-perfect-apartments-traveling-the-world/
@elplata72243 жыл бұрын
Lots of gates and bars…
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
All of Latin America is that way ... pretty much.
@tcb10173 жыл бұрын
So when you guys say that you are not depended on eachother regarding making and spending the money so do you keep it so Qiang pays for her share and you Dan for yours or ? Also, I understand that you Dan file your taxes for uncle Sam since you are an American but where does Qiang file ? Also, who ays for if you have it that travel health insurance and do you it as a couple or single since you are not married ? Wow, many questions hopefully many answers many want's to know how you guys have it set up.
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a good topic for a follow up video. Thanks TCB 101.
@elplata72243 жыл бұрын
Qiang is happiest with food 😂
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
It is the way to her heart. lol.
@robertgorden80663 жыл бұрын
You and many others who espouse cheap retirements miss the boat. The vast majority of retirees are elderly. The quality, availability and cost of medical care has to be for them every bit as important as housing, much more than eating out or entertainment. You both seem to prefer hot steamy tropical "paradises" and make your judgments from that. While perfect tropical beeches and Qiang's lovely figure may get you a lot of clicks. Many if not most long term retirees will prefer to live in cities where first class medical care will be available and in cities with cool year around climates. That would include Costa Rica's Central valley, Medellin, Columbia as well as the higher and cooler regions of Mexico City and the Andean capitals.
@VagabondAwake2 жыл бұрын
We have reported on all the cities you request. Check it out: vagabondbuddha.com/
@donnaclemmons37213 жыл бұрын
I think it’s pronounced Da Vid
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Donna Clemmons! That is right. :-) Thanks for watching and commenting. :-) Dan Do you have my free eBook yet? That is here: vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/
@ernestoroldan87862 ай бұрын
ok video, lets be realistic, $990 dollars...wow...not real in all David, some areas are more expensive and some areas are not...cost of living in Panama changes between cities, Panamaa City is very expensive, buy has cities like Chorrera that are not that expensive, we could say the same about Chirique, Boquete is expensive epats town, David has real cool areas also...so, it depends the area
@VagabondAwake2 ай бұрын
Hi @ernestoroldan8786, That video is 3-ish years old now. It is lifestyle dependent and we are all different. Many ex-pats live on 5 to 10 times the average wage in foreign countries, others do not need so much money. It is about finding the best place for you based upon your available resources at retirement and preparing properly for the lifestyle you require. At this link, I share my observations on this topic after watching the different kinds of ex-pats living overseas for the last 15+ years. This report is on my webpage: vagabondbuddha.com/why-most-people-do-not-retire-cheap-overseas/ Thanks for commenting @ernestoroldan8786, Dan
@niko_walks3 жыл бұрын
Dah-veed
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Si.
@johnmemoli1261 Жыл бұрын
I've got to ask, "Given your vast experience with international traveling, do you purposely mispronounce the names of locations, to troll people?"
@VagabondAwake Жыл бұрын
No. My hearing is not too good.
@shroomintrucker47663 жыл бұрын
Video is horrible starts and stops unwatchable
@red-hat-mike3 жыл бұрын
Truck stops WiFi sucks... right? lol
@VagabondAwake3 жыл бұрын
Sorry about that.
@mountainbearrunner3 жыл бұрын
Please respect the cities you visit by pronouncing them correctly. Puerto Morelos & now David. Cringe.