6 months in Panama

Member since 10 July 2022

Britpilot61New member10 July 2022 15:42:33

Hi all,

My wife and I moved here to Panama 6 months ago, from Barcelona, Spain. I am British and my wife is Colombian but with Spanish nationality. We have now established ourselves here in Panama city. We have a house (unusual for expats) but also just bought an apartment to rent out. We now have our national IDs (Cedular extranjero Panamaño). We have cars and staff and had some problems there, and learnt from our mistakes. All good now though. I do drive here and it's a bit of an adventure driving around the city, especially at peak times but not a problem. I got my Panamenain drivers licence 3 months of being here, not a complex process) .

We have amassed more friends here in 6 months than 15 years in Spain and from a lot of nationalities, Panameños, Americans, Canadians, Brits, irish,Germans, Austaralians, Brazilans Colombians, Venezuelans, also a New Zealander, an Indian, an Egyptian, a Bulgarian. Panama is a very exciting and vibrant city and we live really close to the centre but its so quiet and transquil here. We have squirrels in the garden and our 2 cats love the place,chasing after the birds (and never catching them). We live in an are a called Altos del Golf (niether high (alto) nor a golf course (or near one)), but we are 3 blocks from the ocean, 2 blocks from a huge park, 5 minutes (by car) to a upmarket mall (Multiplaza). We don't hear traffic, but just the birds chirping in the morning (paradise).

I run my business (based in Switzerland and Spain) from here with no problem at all (a lot of zoom meetings). And the difference in time zones mean my working day finishes at 11 am.

I got my residency through the Pensionado route (just turned 60) with my wife (who is not yet retired, so she came as a "dependant" ) but still got permanent residency within about 3 weeks and we got our Cedulars after 3 months.

I do speak spanish and that was an enormous help, and it meant I didn't have to rely on lawyers all the time for every little thing. With all our friends we have they help us out with any assistance, like bank recommendations or hiring staff etc.

Also where to get cheaper stuff, as Panama City can be quite expensive for many things unless you know where to go (food, furniture specifically).

We went back to Spain last week and to be honest I couldn't wait to get pack "Home" to Panama.

So I feel this was the best decision ever, to move (emigrate) to Panama, but that's just us.

Cheers,

Stephen & Martha

See also

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Vero Team

Member since 02 February 2017

VeroTeam17 July 2022 10:12:16

9026

Hi Stephen & Martha,

Welcome to expat.com, and thanks you for intruducing yourselves to us !

Vero

Expat.com team

Winterina Member

Member since 09 September 2022

WinterinaMember09 September 2022 18:53:58

My name is Winterina. I am looking for apartment for rent for 3 month to stay. I am Canadian we are planning to come for winter me and my partner. Do you have information how to rent apartment?

We do not want to use airbnb.

Thank you

Guest6794 Guest

Guest6794Guest09 September 2022 19:15:32

@Winterina

Nice to meet you. I have an apartment for rent in Royal Palms. It is located about an hour outside the city and a small beach town called Nuevo Gorgona. If you’re interested contact me and I can give you more information.

ALBERT MURILLO GARCIA New member

Member since 15 July 2022

ALBERT MURILLO GARCIANew member09 September 2022 20:34:04

bring me the info please .. albert murillo

219pelee New member

Member since 08 March 2022

219peleeNew member20 September 2022 11:50:08

@GetDownUnder

I may be interested. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

The Crazy Canuck Member

Member since 30 September 2022

The Crazy CanuckMember30 September 2022 19:40:12

@GetDownUnder

I would be interested in receiving some information about this apartment.

Thanks

Guest6794 Guest

Guest6794Guest30 September 2022 19:58:28

***

Moderated by Bhavna 3 years ago
Reason : Please drop an advert in the housing section + For security reasons, please share contact details through the private messaging system. Thank you
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct

Bhavna Team

Member since 01 June 2015

BhavnaTeam01 October 2022 09:08:09

43048

Hello everyone,

@ GetDownUnder, Please drop an advert in the housing in Panama section. It is free and you will be able to post photos as well. Members will be able to contact you directly through your ad.

Thanks in advance,

Bhavna