Benifits of moving to panama

Tampa, eh? We moved here from Sarasota. I know what you mean about the cost of California too. We just visited my daughter there and were shocked at how expensive everything is there.

Benefits? Oh my, this could get long We live in David and are so happy here. Even if the money was the same we would want to be here.

Our cost of living is about 1/3 of what it was in Florida. http://thepanamaadventure.com/information.html#journey  Of course it depends on where you live here. Panama City is very expensive. Rural areas can be very cheap. Here you'll find links to a couple blog posts I wrote about what we spend. (and if you scroll around the page you'll find links too all sorts of things about our life here)

I feel safer here than I did in the US. At first I was uneasy about the police and security everywhere, but in time you realize it's because they do not want any problems. If you park your car there will be a security guard in the parking lot to keep an eye on it. If you go to the cable company to pay your bill there is an armed guard at the door, and at the door of any other business that has cash on hand. If you have a problem the police will help you the same as they would in the US. Neighbors also look out for each other in a way I've never seen in the US. A truck came to our house one day earlier than expected and had to wait for us, and every neighbor came out to ask them what they were doing here! Of course, like anywhere, you want to have common sense -  good relationships with your neighbors, don't look like a rich gringo target, don't go to certain places alone at night. etc.

Health care is far better and much cheaper than in the US. I'm a nurse - 34 years, so I know of what I speak. Dental care is equally good and inexpensive.

Food is excellent. It's not full of chemicals, and produce is ripened in the field. We buy fish from the fishermen, and chicken that is locally produced.

The country is gorgeous. There are beaches, mountains, and everything between. You can find a warm or cooler climate as you prefer, but you never have to worry about anything freezing.

Infrastructure is good - the roads are good, internet in widely available and free in many public places. There is cell phone coverage everywhere.

The country is peaceful and prosperous. Growth is everywhere - new roads, new buildings. It is so different from the depressed US we have knows for far too many years.

We're close enough to the US to get back to see family when we want without traveling half way around the world.

No hurricanes! You would appreciate that. No tornadoes, no anything. The biggest problems here are flooding in some areas when it rains too much, and an occasional earthquake. I have heard that the plates slide over each other instead of butt up against each other, so earthquakes are mild without serious destruction.

But, the biggest thing for us is the people. These are kind, gentle, happy, loving people, outgoing and friendly. Their priorities are different - family, friends, enjoying life. You are more free to do what you want, and they don't sweat the small stuff. You feel respected and valued here.

What don't we have? Mail service is pain. You need to use a mail service which is a bit expensive, and it can still take 1-3 weeks to get something.
Language - you really need to speak at least some Spanish or it will be hard to get by, and you will be missing out on the people and the chance to be part of the culture.

Oh, and last, they really respect old people here. My husband's mother was with us for a while and I saw how others looked at her and treated her. It's quite different, and I'll be happy to grow old here.

As you can tell, we are really happy here! It isn't so for everyone though, so you have do your own homework and decide what you need to be happy.