Expat Interview with B. Gaider

Where did you move from?

Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Why did you choose Panama? Why Chiriqui?

We chose Panama for the political and economic stability, use of the US dollar, friendly people, tropical weather and cheaper cost of living compared to the US. We chose Chiriqui since it was close to both oceans (and beaches) and Costa Rica, and David and Boquete give a nice variety of amenities and things to do.

How long have you resided in Panama? With whom did you move?

My wife moved here with me in January of 2017. (Both are in their 50's).

Do you speak Spanish? If no, describe your experience with the language barrier.

We do not speak Spanish. For the most part it has not been a big problem but occasionally we have to resort to contacting a friend who speaks Spanish in order to get something done. Both of us are actively learning it with Duolingo, a Great Courses course, and a software application called Fluenz.

Was Panama what you expected? Explain.

Yes, pretty much so. We did a lot of reading before moving in order to try to set our expectations properly. That's not to say there weren't surprises, just nothing major.

What have been easy adjustments for you?

Grocery shopping. Internet and cable access. Phone service and being able to call the US. Driving although downtown David can be a high risk endeavor. Hanging laundry on a line. Lack of hot water has not been an issue.

What has been difficult for you to get accustomed to?

Finding a good neighborhood to walk the dog with good sidewalks and parks maintained. Finding things since most stores are not on the web so you have to rely on word of mouth. Subtitled movies in David's cinemas are not always plentiful. The heat in David if your house doesn't have enough AC. ;) Missing friends and family and the challenge in making new ones. David doesn't seem to have a lot of activities with English speakers; Boquete is far better but that is a 1+ hour round trip for us each time we go up there.

What would you recommend to others considering a relocation to Panama?

Plan on spending a long trial period living here before making the move for real. If you are like us and combining the move with retirement then that is a whole lot of change to get used to. Rent, don't buy since selling a house can take a while.

For those considering a move to Panama, do you recommend they bring furniture, and all personal belongings? Explain.

In general, no. Shipping your household goods is very expensive. Definitely don't bring a car since the import taxes are high. Of course if you can afford it or have expensive goods then that is a different situation.

Have you had any experience with the local healthcare system? If yes, describe and rate your experience.

Not yet other than a dental visit to get my teeth cleaned. That was ok but not inspiring.

Based on your experience, what would you warn others against should they choose Panama?

Things change. Panama is not as inexpensive as it once was. We hear of people moving to Mexico or Colombia. Immigration enforcement means expats from the US can only stay 6 months on a tourist VISA without leaving the country for 30 days. That is likely to drop to 3 months at some point. Be prepared to get your residency for a longer term stay and if you do that, get a good lawyer. You can only drive on a foreign driver's license for 90 days. Also, if you have medical conditions, make sure you can get your medication down here. Pre-existing conditions can also make it tougher to get local healthcare insurance.

How would you describe the overall safety in Panama?

We feel pretty safe here. There are some things you can do which are definitely at your own risk but that is something I find refreshing. It's like the US in the 50's where people take personal responsibility for themselves.

Please describe social activities that you enjoy (or that are available) in Panama.

We get together with groups in David for breakfast or lunch on a regular basis. In Boquete we do hiking, tennis and pickleball.

Can you share about the neighborhoods and living arrangements that you have experienced?

We like our current house but there are still places in Panama we have yet to explore and possibly even live at. A beach rental sounds appealing. Or maybe live closer to Boquete so it is a bit cooler and easier to get to.

Have you used Local Travel Excursions for any services?

Not yet.

Did you travel with animals? If yes, describe your experience.

We travelled with our dog. There was a fair bit of paperwork involved and not cheap, but other than needing to get things done within a 2 week time window it was straight forward. We also used a company in Panama to help us on this end. You pay extra and can quarantine at home for 40 days.

Any last recommendations?

We took a relocation tour to help us decide on the move and while expensive, it was worth doing. Be prepared to haggle. Don't let yourself be gringo'd unnecessarily and also don't pay blindly and cause prices to increase for everyone. ;) Uber is awesome in Panama City. Taxi's are cheap in Chiriqui. The local bus service is pretty good if you have the time and inclination to use it. We take the bus from David to Chiriqui regularly (7 hours or so) for trips. Tipping in restaurants is typically 10%. The primary roads are pretty good but Chiriqui is hard on your vehicle's suspension. If you want to drive, buy a SUV or truck. The beaches we have been to are large, beautiful and hardly used by the locals; definitely worth going to. Beware of humidity and mold and respiratory issues in Boquete.