Visiting Panama

You will have to look hard to find poverty in the areas you are likely to visit in the mountain towns. There really are only three - Volcan, Boquete and El Valle De Anton. If you arrange to spend time in each you will gain a clear picture of what mountain town life is like in Panama. All three have their charms although Boquete is more expat-oriented than the others.

Smart that you will be here a few months to kick the tires. As Sunset Steve said those 3 locations are your best bet.

Join this site:

http://www.chiriqui.life/

Ask your questions there...you will get a lot of advice.

I recommend you to search the date base of foreclosed properties being sold by courtrooms of Panama. I looked at it today and there are properties with starting prices of $1,000 this month of November. it is foreclosurepanama.com

Skip the foreclosure site....you'll regret trying to get clever and find some "steal" of a property.  Biggest risk is suitability of Panama and you to Panama.  SunsetSteve and others nailed the areas to look at. If it's a "go", don't try and out-smart locals, IMO, and find that gem no one seems to be able to find.  Does not exist.