Single Lady retiring to Panama

You are wise to consider Boquete.  We were there last December and absolutely loved it.  Our biggest concern, though, is if too many Americans discover and ruin the things which make it so wonderful before we can retire there in a few more years.  On behalf of men everywhere, I hope you are incorrect about single ladies being a minority of those who move there.  If Boquete truly is the paradise I hope it is, the more single ladies, the better!  Bring as many as you can with you.  Tell the guys to stay in America.  Good luck!

The Panamanian women are absolutely beautiful, and well as kind and friendly. And, the country is full of them

More Fun wrote:

You are wise to consider Boquete.  We were there last December and absolutely loved it.  Our biggest concern, though, is if too many Americans discover and ruin the things which make it so wonderful before we can retire there in a few more years.  On behalf of men everywhere, I hope you are incorrect about single ladies being a minority of those who move there.  If Boquete truly is the paradise I hope it is, the more single ladies, the better!  Bring as many as you can with you.  Tell the guys to stay in America.  Good luck!

Hi! I am single and wanting to retire this year and planning on a trip to Panama in January for a week to just look around to see where I might want to retire.  I'm drawn to the Pacific Beach area towns.  I am a beach bum hippie at heart. I live north of Houston Texas and I am used to hot and humid and I'm cold natured... so the warmer temps are what I'm looking for. I am just wondering if it's safe to travel and live in the area for a single woman. I'm wanting to just be able to relax and lay back and not worry about locking doors and crime. I have been studying Coronado and Puerto Amuelles.  I think Coronado might be too developed . I want something simple. Any thoughts or ideas out there?

Safe to travel and live in which area?
Coronado is more like Florida, IMO. You should be fine there.
I don't think I would recommend Puerto Armuelles. Right now it is a very depressed area. Do you speak Spanish?
Have you considered Pedasi? Beaches are nice, there are other expats (if that is something you want), and it's a nice town.
Panama in general is safe and I have no qualms about traveling by myself. But, it is not utopia. You need to keep your common sense, lock your house and car when you leave, the normal safety precautions.

Gabby850 wrote:

Hi! I am single and wanting to retire this year and planning on a trip to Panama in January for a week to just look around to see where I might want to retire.  I'm drawn to the Pacific Beach area towns.  I am a beach bum hippie at heart. I live north of Houston Texas and I am used to hot and humid and I'm cold natured... so the warmer temps are what I'm looking for. I am just wondering if it's safe to travel and live in the area for a single woman. I'm wanting to just be able to relax and lay back and not worry about locking doors and crime. I have been studying Coronado and Puerto Amuelles.  I think Coronado might be too developed . I want something simple. Any thoughts or ideas out there?

Thank you for the information . Yes I think I've already eliminated Puerto Armuelles.  And I have been looking at Pedasi actually. I am planning a trip there in January for a week and think I will stay inPedasi and then travel around ...just looking. I have never done anything like this and I am excited.  I am a nurse and I plan on working until I find the right place to retire to ...which is soon I hope!! Gabby

You might be interested in my friend's blog. She has lived in Pedasi for a while. http://indacampo.wordpress.com/  You're a nurse? Me too. I had enough of the US health care system though and I'm very happy to have left all the behind.

Hi again! This blog site is proving hard to maneuver. ..but I will press on. I am a labor and delivery nurse for the past 25 years.  I have loved my job until the last couple of years when we have been short of nurses and the population is tripling and its crazy and long hours and I'm ready to jump ship. In the last 20 years my husband died,  my mother had Alzheimer's and I took care of her until she died, I remarried and ended that marriage after 12 years and came out of that financially strapped. One of my four daughter's was on drugs and  I spent all my money and myself into trying to help her. So I am ready for peace and relaxation and fun! ! All on social security!! I am determined but kinda scared at the same time. Waiting for cheap flights in January. I want to rent a car when I fly in to drive to all the places I am interested in. Can't decide if I should leave from a home base each day or just go to each place and spend the night at a hotel each day and end up back at Panama City to return. ?? How is driving?? Are street signs only in Spanish? I am working on Spanish. Any advice is appreciated. Gabby

It definitely sounds like you have earned some peace and relaxation for yourself!

Where all do you want to visit?
Street signs?? What street signs? Seriously they are working of getting some signs but you can't count on them. Driving in Panama City is a total pain, and very confusing for someone not familiar with the city. There is excellent and cheap bus service everywhere.

Depending on where you want to visit, maybe take a bus to a home base and day trips from there? Chitre might be a central location? Or maybe spend a little time in Coronado / Gorgona area, and then go to Pedasi?

Gabby850 wrote:

Hi again! This blog site is proving hard to maneuver. ..but I will press on. I am a labor and delivery nurse for the past 25 years.  I have loved my job until the last couple of years when we have been short of nurses and the population is tripling and its crazy and long hours and I'm ready to jump ship. In the last 20 years my husband died,  my mother had Alzheimer's and I took care of her until she died, I remarried and ended that marriage after 12 years and came out of that financially strapped. One of my four daughter's was on drugs and  I spent all my money and myself into trying to help her. So I am ready for peace and relaxation and fun! ! All on social security!! I am determined but kinda scared at the same time. Waiting for cheap flights in January. I want to rent a car when I fly in to drive to all the places I am interested in. Can't decide if I should leave from a home base each day or just go to each place and spend the night at a hotel each day and end up back at Panama City to return. ?? How is driving?? Are street signs only in Spanish? I am working on Spanish. Any advice is appreciated. Gabby

Have you made it to Panama yet?  If not please contact me and maybe we can work out a plan.  6 years ago I traveled alone all over the country and  had the time of my life,  The next year I lived in San Jose, Costa Rica for several months before moving and living in the Obarrio section of Panama City for 6 months.  I made so many friends I am still in contact with. I flew so often (they have 2 domestic airlines to many towns) I got to know one of the pilots from Memphiis, Tennessee, I called "Memphis".  Knowing I frequently ran late he once held the plane and carried my suitcase to it lol!
I have property in Volcan I am seriously considering building on and plan to rent there while I build.  I am researching any type of business the open the town may need and  any demand to teach English in order to find a way to support myself while there.  I am also currently working on a business plan for a medical tourism company I would like to form using doctors and facilities in Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico as I already have excellent doctors and dentists in all of these countries to work with.
My goal is to have my affairs in order and a goal set so I can move by April.  I could certainly use someone to help cut living expenses and know the country fairly well for a non expait.  Feel free to contact me if you would lke to talk!
Jayne

I stayed in Boquette and considered buying property there when I first went to Panama.  I thought everything overpriced, the town not laid out well and rather dirty.  Learning a road was being built to Volcan, though very undeveloped at the time I chose to buy there.  I'm glad I did.  I got a large lot with all utilities ran, a view of the volcano, across from a park (still to come at the time) for a fraction of Boquette costs. The little town, last I was there, seemed to be prospering, had central shops that had opened and was very clean.  I suggest you make a trip there next time.

Good for you SIngle Lady of Adventure! Me too. Leaving Florida end of January. Sold the car today. I seriously need to find a place to stay when the airplane lands. Trying to get an apartment or share from Craig's list but no one returns my emails. I have retirement income and would like to teach ESL and write a book while there. Also I own a company AirPropel.com May expand into the Central America area or may sale the company.
Anyway, 1. I have a limited retirement income plus work potential. 2. would like to share a place until I learn my way around. 3. look forward to new friends.

Lauren
laurengranger@yahoo.com

Dear Lauren,
So all ready to go? How exciting. I am just finishing up the sale of my business  I don't turn over until Feb 28.  I estimate a month or two afterwards to get my affairs in order before I can leave.  Where did you plan on living once there?  If Panama City,  I may be able to help you through friends I still have there or the my former landlady.
You sound so much like me, I wish I was ready to go.Even once ready my plans for where I will stay and what I will do are very much up in the air.  I don't worry much about it though.  Everything seems to always work out.
My income came from my business and I don't want to deplete the sale money for living expenses. It is next to impossible to work there as a foreigner, even if wanted to. Always owning my own business, not my desire. I, too, considered teaching English. It is what I went to college for and enjoy although pays little, especially in Central America  I did a bit of research and found it is hard to find a teaching position  if over 40 and most teaching jobs are in Panama City.My property I will be building on is in Volcan, near the Costa Rican border on the opposide side of the country. I plan to check on the availability of teaching jobs in San Jose. I much prefer living in Costa Rica.
I lived in Panama City and it is not one of my favorite places.  Its very hot, traffic is the worst. Pollution so bad every day I wiped black grime off my furniture. People less friendly and trustworthy than in the smaller towns although I always felt safe.  I was overcharged over $100 for a prescription at a chain drug store. My Colombian landlady went and got my money back - so be careful. Volcan is in a beautiful area in the mountains.  If you decide you don't like the city I have friends there and in David who would help you find a place.
I am looking into possibly going into import/export, which is what I was learning while there.  I  want to form a medical tourism company operating in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. Its in the very preliminary stages right now although I have 2 partners (one my former Panama attorney) ready to invest when done.  Its much more complicated than it appears and  have so much more research to do and a business plan to write before even attempting to start it.  I am searching for a 4th partner in the medical field I feel is needed for a consultant and inspector.   
I hope you will stay in touch and once I make it there we can meet.  Until then, if I can be of any help feel free to call on me.  My personal email is wiffund@gmail.com.
Hope you love it and don't miss the Albrook Mall!
Jayne

Hi Jayne,
Yep, sounds like we have similar life styles.
Lots of good info from you! When we meet, you can explain you medical tourism company. So you are closing a business? My AirPropel Charter business is in transition. Can't decide to keep it, close it temporarily, give it to someone else, or expand into Central America. However, I think it will expand. So much for retiring and writing a book!
If you like the attorney that you mentioned, I might use that person for visa stuff.
About Volcan??? I'll research it. I haven't chosen a place to live but I had better hurry up since I'll be there in 2 weeks. Was thinking that since the airplane lands in Panama City area, I would stay there for a few weeks then expand my options. I'm really not a city person though.
If you have someone who can help, make suggestions, or rent a room, I would be more, more, more, than interested.
My email is laurengranger@yahoo.com

I have a friend with a casita for rent in Cuesta de Piedra, on the road to Volcan. She would also consider a roommate in her comfortable house in north David for the right person. I'll email you directly so we can talk more if you are interested.

StarsNmoon2 wrote:

Hi Jayne,
Yep, sounds like we have similar life styles.
Lots of good info from you! When we meet, you can explain you medical tourism company. So you are closing a business? My AirPropel Charter business is in transition. Can't decide to keep it, close it temporarily, give it to someone else, or expand into Central America. However, I think it will expand. So much for retiring and writing a book!
If you like the attorney that you mentioned, I might use that person for visa stuff.
About Volcan??? I'll research it. I haven't chosen a place to live but I had better hurry up since I'll be there in 2 weeks. Was thinking that since the airplane lands in Panama City area, I would stay there for a few weeks then expand my options. I'm really not a city person though.
If you have someone who can help, make suggestions, or rent a room, I would be more, more, more, than interested.
My email is laurengranger@yahoo.com

Have been  over reading the 4 page conversation to here and have learned a few things. I would like to add a few  of my own.

I have been in Panama City since Jan 13th, 2015 and have stayed in hotels and finally rented a studio in the banking district or downtown.   This part of Panama city is very safe as the banks hire extra police. I have walked the streets here at 3 am and have not had one inccident.

There is a lot of history in PC and taking the time to tour Panama Veijo( Old Panama) Casco Vejio, Amador causeway, Ancon Hill and the Panama Canal are all sites that everyone should see. These are also all tourist destinations, so expect tourist pricing in these areas.

I have searched quite exstensively  before renting my studio and expect to pay 1000 to 1200 a month of 60 to 90 a night to stay in the banking district. I found a small studio furnished for 800 a month. Things to ask when looking for a place to rent:
-is it furnsihed?   furnished has a differnt meaning in Panama
-does it have hot water? some places do not have hot water tanks, but rely on little electric water heaters on hte shower head.
- does it have AC? its hot in PC so AC is a must
-is laundry included?
-perks like pools are quite common

Once you have a place in PC it is really easy, inexpensive and safe to travel the metro train. $0.35 to travel anywhere in Panama City.  Also it goes to Allbrook mall( Panama's largest mall, and it is huge. I am from Edmonton, AB and it rivals West Edmonton mall) everything you could possibly think to purchase is at Allbrook.

Also in Allbrook mall is Panamas Central Bus Terminal,  for $4 you can travel to El Valle, from 6:30am to 6:30 pm and a bus leaves every 20 mins. You can also travel to just about any other town/city in Panama, Costa Rica and even go to Mexico from here. 

Allbrook mall is also conviently located beside the Municipal airport, so booking a flight to example: Bocas El Toro $145 return from the Allbrook airport and is about a 1 hour flight as opposed to a 10 hour bus ride. There are lots of other destinations to fly within Panama, Columbia and Costa Rica The buses are very comfortable however and all have AC.  Not sure what the bus fare is to Boquete? but am sure there is  site for Panamas Metro Bus System.

PM me if you would like the contact info for the couple renting studios in banking district

I have a few other tips and tricks for panama or you can read this blog panamaforreal.com/  for some real honest down to earth inforamation

I myself am employed in home renovations so I am here for 6 weeks to try and locate   some vacation rental properties. If anyone knows of any older properties in need of renovations and can be converted to multi tenant vacation properties in Panama City let me know ;-)  most appreciated

Larry

Here is the webpage for Panamas Public Transit system mibus.com.pa/rutas/

Hi Auntie Flo -
Like you, I'm a single gal investigating retirement in Panama.  I plan to travel alone to Panama this fall to begin my explorations but I would LOVE to have a travel companion.  I'm from USA, New Orleans area to be exact and I also enjoy good health.  I'm a lot healthier than I deserve to be!
Like you, I would like to investigate the realities of life in Panama without having to own another car and I too will have retirements income limitations too.
Please get back to me with any suggestions and your time frames for traveling to Panama
All the best
mgmombo@cox.net

What a pleasure to read the discussions here.  It seems Panama is certainly appealing to many people looking for that place to hang their hat.  I'm also a single woman, mid 50's, looking for a change.  I was a pharmaceutical sales rep calling on the major hospitals in Toronto and decided I couldn't take the driving in horrendous traffic any more.  So I sold my house and moved to Thailand.  After 9 months in Thailand I became lonely, had trouble learning the language and decided to return to Canada.  I have been researching my next move and decided Panama is a very good option.  This time I plan to make some contacts before going so I will have some people to socialise with when I arrive.  I would love to discuss with you ladies your progress with your moves and where you have decided to settle.  I'm very open to a exploratory trip so lets chat and get to know each other a bit better.  Tracy

Hi Tracie, I (single) arrived in Panama Jan 31, 2015. For me, the experience is all I could have imagined. I stayed two days in Panama City, just to see it, then rode the bus to David. I rode the bus just to see the country. It wasn't the fast route but I did get to see the country, some people, villages, towns etc. Worth the trip but would not want to do it again any time soon. I chose David to live, at least for now. It is the second largest city, so has shopping, public transportation, and an airport. Being from Canada, you might enjoy the cooler climate of Volcan or Boquete. Boquete has a large ex-pat community. I'm also interested in exploring the Pedasi and east side of the peninsula.
Anyway I'm writing a blog about the adventures AirPropel Latin America . Wordpress . com airpropellatinamerica.wordpress.com. Check it out if you would like. Also, I have a few new friends in David who post and Kris has a blog site. She and her husband Joel are wonderful people and very happy to tell others about living in Panama. blog.thepanamaadventure.com (blog . the panama adventure . com  author is Kris Cunningham
Wish you the best.

Hi Lauren,

Thank you so much for your response.  I'm so happy to hear you are enjoying Panama.  I will definitely read the recommended blogs to get a better idea of what life in Panama is really like.  I plan to put my house on the market when I get back from Africa and once it's sold I will take a short trip without a lot of belongings to get a feel for the different areas.  Once I decide the best location, I can home and arrange for my belongings to be shipped.  Have you heard of anyone driving?  I bought a brand new car last year and it would be a shame to sell it.  I'm an experienced long distance driver having driven from the north of Thailand to the south of Thailand a year ago as well as many other long distance trips.  Just wondering if that is doable.

Tracy

People have driven here but it is generally not recommended. There are a lot of borders to cross, and then when you get here there is time, money, and red tape involved with getting your car registered here. Also, they may not be used to your type of car and won't have parts or people experienced with repairing it. Even the same brand in the US may be different than here in Panama. Are you on Facebook? There is a group - Expats in Panama where this has been discussed and people who have done it have shared their experiences.

Tracy Canadian wrote:

Hi Lauren,

Thank you so much for your response.  I'm so happy to hear you are enjoying Panama.  I will definitely read the recommended blogs to get a better idea of what life in Panama is really like.  I plan to put my house on the market when I get back from Africa and once it's sold I will take a short trip without a lot of belongings to get a feel for the different areas.  Once I decide the best location, I can home and arrange for my belongings to be shipped.  Have you heard of anyone driving?  I bought a brand new car last year and it would be a shame to sell it.  I'm an experienced long distance driver having driven from the north of Thailand to the south of Thailand a year ago as well as many other long distance trips.  Just wondering if that is doable.

Tracy

Can't say for sure but what I hear is "let go of the past and look ahead to the new. That means furniture, car, etc. There are furniture stores and car dealer ships here. If something is really really really sentimental and relatively small then bring it. I keep getting the image of settlers headed west in wagon trains. Along the path were discarded pianos and other treasures. Besides, what if you rent a furnished place for the first year, which is recommended, before buying. Just thoughts to ponder.  Lauren

Thank you for your feedback.  When I went to Thailand I did the purge and travelled with a couple of small bags.  It worked out well but was extremely expensive when I needed to sell everything again 9 months later.  I had a friend who moved from South Africa to Thailand and had everything shipped.  She was way ahead of the game but had the hassle of bringing it all into the country.  I think that Panama has a lot of furnished places and it seems you can buy things very inexpensively so this is good advice.  I have to make sure I stay a lot longer this time!

Thanks.

Tracy

I wondered did you indeed get to go to Panama in January 2015 and if so what was your experience like. I hope it was pleasant please share  what you learned.

Who are you asking?

AQuestion4You wrote:

I wondered did you indeed get to go to Panama in January 2015 and if so what was your experience like. I hope it was pleasant please share  what you learned.

Gabby850

I just saw your post and after reading several responses from "Auntie Flo" who has since moved on, I realized it was from 2013. Did you decide to move to Panama? If so, has it met your expectations? Please share with me your experiences if you did decide to retire there. I, too, am seriously considering it. Thanks!

Lindsey

I don't know who you were sending this post to, but I'll respond. I came to David Panama Feb 1 2015. Remarkable, wonderful experience. The expats are everything you can imagine, kind, generous, adventurers, boring, fearful, - you will find what ever personality type you are looking for. I choose to be happy, positive, over look the negative, non-fearful. Without thinking about it, I sought the same kind of people and sure enough, there are plenty. The Panamanian people are amongst the kindest in the world. - Helps to attract kindness with kindness. If you want mountains, or ocean, or city, or farm land. You get to choose. It's all good. Spanish Language is very useful but can get by with the minimum. You are welcome to check my blog. AirPropelLatinAmerica.WordPress.com  that is Air Propel Latin America
. word press . com. Or contact me, laurengranger@yahoo.com Wishing you a great adventure. Expect things to go wrong, and expect things to go right.

I don't know who I was sending it to either!  LOL  I just saw the post and wanted some feedback. Thank you so much for responding. Your information was very helpful. I just feel this would be a great fit for me at this time in my life. I am not close with my family, have not been able to settle into Florida the way I'd hoped (it's very hard to make friends here and others have told me they've experienced the same problem), and the crime rate keeps going up and up. The way the US is going is greatly disturbing to me. I had hoped to live out my retirement in peace and now it seems even the older folks need to bear arms to protect themselves from thugs and illegals. Most everything I have read about Panama (not everything, of course) is so inviting. I think I would love coming for a visit, at the very least, and taking time to explore all its wonders, meeting the people, the expats, and seeing for myself if this is what I could live with. I try to read as much as possible through the blogs from people who actually live there and know the area inside and out. Of course, I also know one needs to learn for themselves, first hand, if they would like it or not. It is still a big step, leaving the U.S.

I am not looking for "someone" (lol), I am just interested in retiring in a reasonably safe, peaceful setting as a single woman.

Thank you, again, for replying to my request for information. Maybe we'll have the opportunity to meet someday.

Lindsey

Hi,
I did but in the mountains, Boquette. it was cost effect if you rent from native. The gringos have lots of places but not my cup of tea. Too small for the money. Then after 8months  i was bored and tired of doing the same routine all the time, mostly eating and  music in some gringo places. The thing that kept me was the great weather,low rent and low food cost.
If you want a place either to buy or rent, go to casa office or I stayed at a privite room at the refegio del rio hostal and they got me a lge. casita up the hill in alto boquette, 265 incl util/cable, nice patio 2 bathrooms,. don't fear hostel cause the privete rooms overlook the river and the sounds are good for sleeping. He is building cabins too.
Word is, now the city is over run with expats and newcomers are into the volcancito area.
remember the nights are cooler!

David the city is much bigger with lots to do but it is hot like panama city. even cheaper rents. Cultural spots and lots of entertainment, musems, galleries etc. If I could stand the heat, I would have stayed there.
Panama city I recommend the area called san francisco, very safe for singles.
I,m in Pr for this year and will do Ecaudor next.

I have been to all of central america and I would also consider new puerto vallarta, because all the orphanges need help. in panama they charge you to volunteer! Other areas have to many power outages and
, water off days
Depends on what you need and can handle. Always the locals where to rent. Then last ask gringos!
Suggest you visite, for three weeks to get the real feel for each location you think you like.
Hope this helps.
new tablet sorry for the spelling errors. Will find auto ck soon. lol
M.

Thank you for all the information. I'm still reading all the blogs. Don't think I would like just a room or a cabin. I have two cats and I prefer more space to move about myself.

Enjoy your travels!

Lindsey

Hi Lindsay,

I'm a single woman too looking to find my retirement haven.. warm climate,cheap rent & good cheap food.  I'm from Canada and in the process of selling off what I have here.  I know I don't want to spend another winter here for sure.  it is a bit intimidating as a single woman looking to take such a huge step as to move to Central America.  I have been following many posts, read lots of blogs and Panama seems like a good fit.  Boquete or Volcan grasped my interest as the weather is not too hot or cold. 

I would be interested in meeting other single woman with the same mission/adventure as mine to share information. 

Good luck Lindsey
Livin

If you would like

Are any of you on this blog still active for newcomers?  Thanks much.

Of course. If you have something on your mind just start a new topic and if someone can answer they will write back.

leslieww1 wrote:

Are any of you on this blog still active for newcomers?  Thanks much.

An easy (and very inexpensive) way to get to see Panama from the non-tourist point of view is to enroll in a Spanish School!  There is an excellent one in Boquette called " Habla Ya"!!  They will arrange for you to live with a local family, and you will be learning Spanish, meeting and networking with others who want to move here and get to visit other areas of the country!!  Habla Ya also has a campus in Bocas del Toro if you are interested in that lifestyle.
  Most important is to take your time, practice your Spanish, and Enjoy!!!  The family you stay with will be very helpful and supportive; I had a wonderful time meeting relatives, trying new foods, going shopping with my new family in David, and learning "Tranquillo"!!!!!  I made several great friends in school and we had a blast exploring Panama!
  You will find that word of mouth and networking will yield the best places to rent or buy; we made a list of what was important to us and started drawing circles on a map!  We ended up in Puerto Armuelles; an undiscovered little beach town that was built by Chiquita Banana.  It's now starting to grow, but we have excellent medical facilities (and David is only 45 min away) beaches, jungles that come down to the ocean, breezes, and a view of Volcan Baru that is breathtaking!!!  Grocery stores, a fruit/veggie market in the middle of town, fresh seafood and lovely people.  So get out and explore!!!   
  If you get to Puerto please be sure and give me a call!!  I'd love to meet you and show you around.
One last note......Do not rely on "American Realtors" or "Relocation Tours"; they all are very expensive and  have something to sell you.....Do lots of research and HAVE FUN!!!
Take care,  Veronica

Hi. I am a Venezuelan lady living in Venezuela. I am afraid that the situation gets so difficult here that I might be forced to leave my country. I have read a lot about El Valle. You have mentioned Las Tablas. Other people have mentioned Capira. I would like to know your opinion. I am looking for a middle class, professional area, safe, it does not have to be elegant or fancy. Just where professionals and their families live. Not very hot. Not too rural. I would like to be close to supermarkets, drugstores, shops, etc. Any advice for me?

Hi, are you still reading this blog? I am a Venezuelan lady and live in Venezuela with my senior mother and my pets. Due to the difficult situation here, we might be forced to emigrate. We have an Italian passport. I would like some advice about areas to live. Not too hot, safe, more like for professionals and their families. Not elegant or fancy. Close to supermarkets, drugstores, etc. because I do not like driving. Somebody mentioned El Valle. I would appreciate any suggestion, thank you

Please keep us posted on your findings!

I have 4 days before I hit Panama. One thing I have noticed in Ecuador is that it is not as cheap as it is cracked up to be. Rents are cheaper than Ottawa. If you get your fruits and veggies from a mercado it is very inexpensive. BUT if you shop at Supermaxi for all your other stuff....it will cost you.
i used to pay $1100.00 for my two bedroom appartment in Ottawa. here I have a nice house for $700.00. Utitlities/canle/internet run me $154.00 a month.
Right now the exchange rate is killing me. You lose 300 on every 1000. That really hurts.
If you have pets, the pet food is very expensive. I have cats. A bag of dry food costs me $12.00 for a bag I think is 2kg and wet food is $3.00 a can and there is only one brand available.
i am in Cuenca. The coast is a little more expensive.