Where and Why To Live in Panama

Previously posted on Local Travel Excursions Blog

I am often asked why I chose to move to Panama. I imagine most expats get this question from family and friends on a regular basis. As I organize relocation tours to explore Panama and Costa Rica, I am now asked more often, “Why Panama over other countries.” I often hesitate to answer only because I know many are looking for the ultimate reason for them to choose Panama as their ideal relocation choice. This simple question is always the beginning of an interesting conversation.

Where to live in Panama is one of the most significant questions from our tour guests. Although Panama is a relatively small country, it offers much diversity. When anyone asks me “Where should I live in the United States?” it is just as difficult to answer. On a smaller scale, “where should one live in New York” is not much easier. There is so much more to NY than NYC. How can one answer that for another? There are so many considerations and even more personal factors. There really is no good answer. The only way one should respond to such an inquiry is to simply state why the decision was made for them. “Where” is the easy concrete decision. “Why” is altogether different, and significantly more complex. Yet again, why Panama was my choice location, is just that…my choice.

So, to address the questions of “Where” and “Why,” our relocation tours offer an overview of the country to show many of the differences that can be enjoyed or that must be tolerated. Local Travel Excursions allows participants to experience the realities of an area and empower folks to make decisions based on what they observe and experience for themselves and not simply what they hear and read.

As I am often asked, “Karen, why did you choose Panama,” my response is simple. I have been traveling since very young. I appreciate the differences in people and I enjoy the challenges of new situations. I love outdoor activities and I want to learn a little more Spanish than I have picked up in classrooms over the years. As I have shared with many, I could list my additional extensive reasons, but I prefer to listen to why others want to consider Central America as their options to live. Sometimes our relocation tours help folks decide they could not adjust to the weather, cultural differences or more. Chatting with other expats offers a dimension that everyone can relate to in some way.

So, are you considering a big move? Do you love your home country but want to explore what

Central America has to offer? Are you considering a Latin country to call home? Have you decided on Panama, but have not yet decided on a city or town? You can not learn too much about a new location that you are considering for relocation. Scour the internet. Talk to as many people as possible. Visit as many times as you can. Determine your “where” and your “why.” If done successfully, you will soon be sharing your positive experiences with others. However, be careful not to be sucked into the perspectives of others; especially those who claim to know what is best. You are the best one to know what will and will not work for you.