Really refreshing to hear a first-person account of a guy who carefully weighed out his options and realized it's just too expensive to live in America (too many taxes no matter which state you live in). Plus any medical crises that pops up forces many seniors to sell their homes to pay exorbitant U.S. hospital costs. So much for the "free market", unless one is wealthy or a member of Congress.
Hello James, Never thought I would see you again. I was your neighbor on 42nd terrace, we met at your garage sale. Glad to see you are living the good life. Take care and have fun. Bill
Hey Bill, small world! I ran into you at the 7-11 right after you met James at the garage sale. I slipped on that Big Gulp you spilled, fell and hit my head. I'm a paraplegic now, hope you are well.
I don’t know why UA-cam recommended this video to me, I almost skipped it. So glad I didn’t wonderful story. Your girlfriend seems lovely. Hope you have a happy life pal.
This sounds a lot like Thailand. I lived in Thailand for 2 years and I LOVED it. I'm actually planning on leaving America AGAIN after the lockdowns here are over with and the coast is clear. The reason that I haven't left sooner is because I just wanted to ensure that I could get back to America if I needed to. I have saved up already and am ready to get back to the life of low cost, MUCH MUCH nicer people, and adventure.
I visited Boquete March of 2019. I attended the Habla Ya language school, visited a coffee plantation, and trekked around on foot throughout the town .. It’s a great place and I felt safe; having only basic to elementary Spanish language ability ..
Good for you! When I was in the Air Force, our squadron had an active commitment in Panama and flew nightly missions out of Howard AFB. I spent probably 30-60 days a year there and really loved it. The canal zone is a beautiful area and the houses are great, from large yards, beautiful landscaping, etc..As in anywhere, even here in the US, you have to be careful where you go and when. Almost every country in Central America does have rebel factions. Locals are really friendly, for the most part, and will tell you areas to avoid.
The reason people are happy in Panama, is because they live a life of faith, values, hard work and supporting your neighbor and treating eachother with respect and honoring the traditional family. All that under a conservative, pro business and pro economy government, only letting merit based migration in and no thugs. Thats the secret sauce of happiness, vs. what the demonrats are practising across the US. Cheers from Europe.
@@jasoncease6288 There may be better places, but overall ease and lowest cost for permanent residency and territory tax system make it the best for those on a budget. But if tax havens don't matter and/or money isn't an issue than sure, you can move elsewhere that's "better".
Greetings . I am us citizen born in Cuba and after living in Florida for over 50 years i retired in the Philippines i have lived here over a year ago. I loved I enjoyed your video.
@@earthexplorer1oh yes!!!! i get about 50 pesos per $1usd between 60,000 pesos plus i own a 3 bedroom 2 bath home i pay. $490 usd bank loan. Before i was renting a townhouse for 7,000 pesos or $140 usd a month
Spent 18 months in Panama in the Army back in 72-73. Had a view of the Miraflores locks from my window. Loved the country, loved the jungle, and loved the people.
I was in Panama twice back in 1987-1988 at the Howard airforce base as a DOD contract worker (helicopter mechanic). Its a very beautiful country. I would mind retiring there either.
James. I learned of the expat life and working overseas from the “old timers” I worked with in the communications industry after completing my military service. I decided then and there that that was what I wanted to do as a career. Over the past forty two years, I have lived and worked in exotic locations, hardship locations, and war zones. I have experienced more than any tourist could ever hope to experience in a lifetime of travel…and got paid to do it. If I lived in a country for more than one year, existing on the economy and having to learn some of the language to function in society then I consider that as having “lived” in that country. There were thirteen countries in which I “lived”, and twenty three which I had traveled to and worked for shorter periods of time. (Less than one year.) On my first contract it only took about three months to realize that the USA was not all what I was taught to believe. I learned, through the university student who frequented the villa I roomed in, to look back at America through their eyes…through the eyes of the world and see the true America. Looking from the perspective of the outside looking in rather than the narrow perspective Americans have of themselves as looking from the inside out. I won’t go into that any further because Americans don’t know their truth nor will they sit still and listen to another perspective so there’s nothing more to say about that. However, it is interesting to hear you say that America isn’t what it used to be. That people aren’t happy, that there is division and hatred. I learned those truths forty years ago. In my foreign career I have wondered at the spectacle of ancient life…of living archaeology. I have experienced the most modern and culturally advanced locations. I have experienced crushing poverty and opulent wealth. I have experienced pressing populations and the isolation of the deserts. I have lived on mountain tops and in valleys; I have watched coworkers die in helicopter crashes and survived one myself. I have had the local government provide protection from peoples who would harm me. I have been arrested as a spy. I have been shot at. I have survived rocket attacks from hostile both in and out of war zones. I have loved and been loved. I carry memories with me that I will cherish for a lifetime and walked away from people and places I wish I had never left behind. I have a universe of warm and wonderful memories. I have cried an ocean of tears of regret. I have realized that we…the human race, are all one big organism which must get along on this very small planet. This I have done. And so, I feel I have earned a cushy retirement sitting in my cottage on the Naga hills, overlooking Kata Beach, Kho Poo, Leam Sai Peninsula and the Andaman Sea and thanking the heavens above that I made the choice I made forty some odd years ago. No regrets. Peace to you James. Don’t squander the opportunity that has been afforded to you. Learn the language. Study the culture. Enrich your life. Be tolerant and accept the ways of the local people. You will be happier for having done so. Don't try to recreate your American life in Panama, leave it behind. Oh, and don't try to explain your experiences to Americans if you have need to travel back to that horrible place. They won;t listen.
All of us blind people living in the evil empire wish we could be as smart as you. I hope your retirement allows you a big enough place to store that chip on your shoulder.
Strider thank you for your well informed & wise, hopeful words, thank you for trying to enlighten & help, peace & happiness to you, my fellow traveler.
@@acspore LOL at having to move to another country around the world to try and find happiness. I already found it right where I am. Family, friends, community, a support system, that's what makes a man wealthy. The elephant in the room is that this is for people that don't have that. If they did, they wouldn't need to move to Panama to save a nickel. Usually old guys, divorced, nothing to lose, maybe looking to be a sugar daddy to someone a lot younger that they couldn't afford to do in the USA.
@@chiane1968 If the US is such a bad place, why do millions of people from South America, India, China and most of the rest of the world want to come to the US? I appreciate Strider's story but his criticism of the US is unbalanced. There is evil in EVERY country. As someone once said, wealth can blind one from seeing. God bless, Michael
Good points made in this video. Some useful information here. Panama is on my list of countries where I could snowbird when I retire. Don't want to wait until I'm too old.
Hey dude, I love your attitude and i feel the same. People are just blah here and I want to enjoy my life with happy people. Thank you for your words.. they resonate.
thanks for sharing your story dude, great to see you living the dream and opening a part of your life to us online strangers looking for greener pastures and happily ever afters
Good video. Thank you for all the great information. My name is Agymah and lm from Boston. I was in Panama city, Panama in the summer of 2017. I love the city, food and people.
Thanks, James. Thanks for sitting down and doing this informative video. I appreciate how you say your mother planted the Panama bug in you at a young age. For me, it was stamp collecting at a young age. Now the time is right for me and I'm driven a lot by my early experience with those Panamanian and Canal Zone stamps that fascinated me. Anyway, I'm planning a September tour there with the Panama relocation tours. I'm greatly looking forward to it.
Thank You James for the Great VIdeo: I enjoy all the information you provided.: you are 100% correct : USA , too many problems / violence shootings everywhere for sometimes small silly things. MAN iam ready to retire down in panama as soon as possible . GOD BLESS ... thank you JOE/ USA
Good video, I used to live in Panama in the late 60's on the Ft. Clayton Army base, near Ft. Amador pacific side loved the beached. Still have a molla print from the sandbass Indians.
My brother in law plans to retire overseas but as I thought about it, I plan to just find a small coastal American town. America is not perfect, but it’s home.
"Strider" thank you for sharing your journey. I am planning to move outside of the US, learning other languages and just looking forward to the next chapter in life. Again, Thank you
Value? Hmmm...$ 4k for two, airfare not included, 6 nights accommodation @ a max $100/nite hotel, 3 very low cost meals daily excluding alcohol, and spending most of your time on a tour bus....that doesn't sound like 'value' to me... I'm not against people making money for their efforts, but...good grief. Go on your own, and hire a local tour guide and... save 60%. It's not that hard.
For years, I’ve wanted to live somewhere where there are no real seasons and the temperature never varies by much. I had no idea that place actually existed until I found Panama Relocation Tours. Boquete is 5-10 degrees warmer than my home town, which is perfect. And I remember loving Honduras when I was there for 6 months, even though it also rained most afternoons. So I guess the rain probably won’t bother me.
U should try Medellin Colombia. The weather is even better. I lived and worked in Colombia after i lived and worked in Ecuador, happy i left for Colombia weeks before the big Quake in Ecuador. I'm Retired now and life in Thailand , but it's getting to extreme in many ways. So maybe next will be Panama for the rest of my life... I visited Panama in 2015 and 16. Loved it , also that i don't have to pay Taxes on my Pension. I also lived and worked in NJ-NYC. Everywhere there r good and not so good things, if the good r more and more important, then stay. Btw, i'm a Swiss and it's just to expensive and to cold too long for my older body now. Other than that, Switzerland is still the best country and i have seen and lived in many. Take care and good luck.
I, too, missed the four seasons when I first arrived in California forty years ago. However, after not having to shovel heavy wet snow or drive on slick icy dangerous roads, I decided that the four seasons were a bit over-rated, as I sat by the pool and picked oranges off the trees.
Great video. Everything he says is true. My wife is Panamanian. We have made many trips to Panama over the past 25 years. We love visiting frequently. I am retired. We have thought of Panama or Florida but are aiming for Florida because we are both scuba divers and like close access to the Caribbean and Central America. The anger and wrath of people are growing in the US. The Panamanians are warm, friendly people.
As a SCUBA person, you probably know about Belize but if not try it, Ambergris is a great place, Belize City is the pits but the rest of Belize is great; great people, and great Mayan culture..
Hey man thanks you for support and information about panama. that's so important to people with a low retirement . By the way I worked conyruction in the new York post in 99/2002 in new York city .. god bless and stay happy and thanks you for sharing your experience.
I also lived in Panama in the 80s in fort Clayton. I loved it would love to live there again. Diffently would consider living there again truly beautiful country. I love watching the sun go down into ocean big orange I miss my youth their
Lived in Quarry Heights, Ft. Amador, and Ft. Clayton graduated from Balboa High school. Still have friends that I visit every once in awhile and all I can say Panama has changed big time. They made a new city which is very nice it's like a mini Miami meaning it's not cheap place to live at all. My friend has a second house in Boquete which is cool and very country like - Do not buy you need to live here a year before you invest major money it's has it pluses and minuses and it not for everyone. But well worth to come visit/vacation just to go through the new Panama Canal and true Marvel of Engineering.
Very informative James I have thought about moving there too. I was there in 2016 to see the opening of the new canal. Great country what I saw of it. Caught your bio in your introduction. Funny, I'm from New England and live in Dallas now....
Very good Video. Thank you. I would also like to emigrate to Panama. When this Covid crisis is finally over. All the best and take care of yourself. 👏👍🍀
Hello Jim. Thanks for the update and I’m glad things are working out so well for you and Yalina. You are so right that taking the Panama Relocation Tour (last May) was a good decision. I too may be making the move within the next six months. Take care and Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Felicidad! Glenn
Hello Sir James,We met at your garage/moving sale. (I sold ALL your stuff on eBay) and made a killin'!!! Glad to see you are living the good life. Take care Rick
have a great retirement brother! you deserve it. It is sad to see so many working and struggling people here in America when they should be retired living a good life. I'm very happy for you.
Thks for sharing. I’m retired in china now, soon moving to Thailand for living retirement lifestyle. Nice to connect and one we can connect in Panama soon.
I took the Pure Prairie League tour. Our tour guide was “Panama” Red [riding] on his white horse Mescalito. Can’t remember a thing I was told. Humor. Looks like you have all your ducks in a row. I hope Panama remains your happy place. Enjoy your retirement.
A good place to start is subscribing to panamarelocationtours.com to get the free 12 part series about how to retire in Panama. You'll learn a LOT from that information!
My wife and I have a project to assist handicapped children in Boquete. Unfortunately, Corona virus won't let us leave Colorado and it wont let us into Panama .I am impatient to get back there. Fortunately there is a great Panamanian friend taking care of business until he get out of Corona lock down.
Boquete's Handicap Foundation does an amazing job taking care of the handicap in Chiriqui Province. Be sure to connect with them when you arrive. They are in Alto Boquete, blue building across the street from Chop Sticks.
That is a wonderful story, and I appreciate you for sharing it. I myself would love to move there and retire there, but my wife is no way leaving California and her family. Good luck to you sir, and enjoy your retirement at your new home.
This is the best tell how it is living in Panama video that I’ve seen. This guy is something else he gives you everything from soup to nuts. Excellent! I hate driving a car. I’m wondering if there’s any public transportation and can you get a metro pass?
@@PanamaRelocationTours I looked into the Coronado area because it seems like there’s a lot of ex-pats there, but the beaches are nice on the Caribbean side and it seems like there’s a lot more things to do in Boca de Toro. Maybe in the end of August, we’re beginning of September. I’d like to book a private tour for a couple days of that area if possible.
You are all welcome to Panamá! Cozy, relaxed, diversity of climates, beautiful and educated women (like me 🤭) and affordable living. Also, when Mr. James talks about panamanians "game of life", he means the classic Panamanian phrase "juega vivo" which basically means that some panamanians are always looking to be a step ahead of everyone 🤷♀️. Anyways, I am panamanian and will not like to live outside my country. There is a lot to explore and a lot of potential in my country. Hope that one day I will find a loving, educated, providing and family-oriented man to share my life with ❤ Warmly, Jessyka
Really refreshing to hear a first-person account of a guy who carefully weighed out his options and realized it's just too expensive to live in America (too many taxes no matter which state you live in).
Plus any medical crises that pops up forces many seniors to sell their homes to pay exorbitant U.S. hospital costs. So much for the "free market", unless one is wealthy or a member of Congress.
Surely a great home, a great guy, a beautiful woman, a fantastic country .be blessed and healthy living for you both.
Great video! I’m getting out of the US as soon as this pandemia of COVID 19 is over. The US has changed so much I don’t even recognize it anymore.
Hang in there.
Am single at 38 waiting for good,respectful and honest man to join me here in my lovely country and happy home,,🤩
@@linanyarko2355 of there is good food.. I want to go!
Daniel Gomez don't worry about food,🤣
@@linanyarko2355like, great food?
Hello James,
Never thought I would see you again. I was your neighbor on 42nd terrace, we met at your garage sale. Glad to see you are living the good life. Take care and have fun.
Bill
Hey Bill, small world! I ran into you at the 7-11 right after you met James at the garage sale. I slipped on that Big Gulp you spilled, fell and hit my head. I'm a paraplegic now, hope you are well.
@@edriley1516 lol
I don’t know why UA-cam recommended this video to me, I almost skipped it. So glad I didn’t wonderful story. Your girlfriend seems lovely. Hope you have a happy life pal.
This sounds a lot like Thailand. I lived in Thailand for 2 years and I LOVED it. I'm actually planning on leaving America AGAIN after the lockdowns here are over with and the coast is clear. The reason that I haven't left sooner is because I just wanted to ensure that I could get back to America if I needed to. I have saved up already and am ready to get back to the life of low cost, MUCH MUCH nicer people, and adventure.
HE360 there are many more better choices than Thailand
@@martingoodef811 Which places are better than Thailand? I'm opened to suggestions.
@black zebra America is dangerous too.
@@martingoodef811 me too, where would you suggest to be better than Thailand? Thank you.
Thank you for posting. I am thinking about moving to Panama in about 3yrs when I retired. This information was very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
I visited Boquete March of 2019. I attended the Habla Ya language school, visited a coffee plantation, and trekked around on foot throughout the town .. It’s a great place and I felt safe; having only basic to elementary Spanish language ability ..
It's great to see how people from USA love to retire here in my country Panama. Bless to everybody😃 and welcome.
People from all over the world love retiring in Panama!
@@PanamaRelocationTours
I wonder if one or the other of the couple knows the language so they can comunícate well? ❤
Good for you! When I was in the Air Force, our squadron had an active commitment in Panama and flew nightly missions out of Howard AFB. I spent probably 30-60 days a year there and really loved it. The canal zone is a beautiful area and the houses are great, from large yards, beautiful landscaping, etc..As in anywhere, even here in the US, you have to be careful where you go and when. Almost every country in Central America does have rebel factions. Locals are really friendly, for the most part, and will tell you areas to avoid.
Your background music is enjoyable. It's appropriate and not too loud.
He right about how negative people in the USA are. I’m so ready to leave this place.
The reason people are happy in Panama, is because they live a life of faith, values, hard work and supporting your neighbor and treating eachother with respect and honoring the traditional family. All that under a conservative, pro business and pro economy government, only letting merit based migration in and no thugs. Thats the secret sauce of happiness, vs. what the demonrats are practising across the US. Cheers from Europe.
Its becoming the same in the UK sadley
If you got a passive income or can work online, there are better places to go. I retire in 18 months, will only return to the US to visit family.
@@jasoncease6288 ok thanks for that I just recently retired and looking for a place to move in mainly get the hell out of this corrupt USA.
@@jasoncease6288 There may be better places, but overall ease and lowest cost for permanent residency and territory tax system make it the best for those on a budget. But if tax havens don't matter and/or money isn't an issue than sure, you can move elsewhere that's "better".
Great story brother... enjoy your retirement!
What a great, informative video! Congratulations on making the move.
I'm glad things are good for you in Panama. Your home is lovely and the views are beautiful. !
I live in Florida and would love to go/move to Panama. I’m glad to hear about the relocation tour. This made my day
Thank you for your service
Greetings . I am us citizen born in Cuba and after living in Florida for over 50 years i retired in the Philippines i have lived here over a year ago. I loved I enjoyed your video.
Do you like retirement in the Philippines?
@@earthexplorer1oh yes!!!! i get about 50 pesos per $1usd between 60,000 pesos plus i own a 3 bedroom 2 bath home i pay. $490 usd bank loan. Before i was renting a townhouse for 7,000 pesos or $140 usd a month
I am about 2.5 hours from Manila. In Lipa City Batangas. Manila is to crowded and smoggy sometimes so i only go there if i have to.
@@arturojsabina8234 Wow! That's pretty good. Thanks!
I pray for those folks in and around Taal. Be good.
Thanks for sharing. Well done and best wishes for the future.
Oh thanks so much for mentioning the music scene. I'll be visiting in Bouquette one day soon and must look you up!
Well it is spelled Boquete, has nothing to do with flowers, but does mean blowjob in Portuguese!
Spent 18 months in Panama in the Army back in 72-73. Had a view of the Miraflores locks from my window. Loved the country, loved the jungle, and loved the people.
I was in Panama twice back in 1987-1988 at the Howard airforce base as a DOD contract worker (helicopter mechanic). Its a very beautiful country. I would mind retiring there either.
Is hard to work on helos?
James. I learned of the expat life and working overseas from the “old timers” I worked with in the communications industry after completing my military service. I decided then and there that that was what I wanted to do as a career. Over the past forty two years, I have lived and worked in exotic locations, hardship locations, and war zones. I have experienced more than any tourist could ever hope to experience in a lifetime of travel…and got paid to do it. If I lived in a country for more than one year, existing on the economy and having to learn some of the language to function in society then I consider that as having “lived” in that country. There were thirteen countries in which I “lived”, and twenty three which I had traveled to and worked for shorter periods of time. (Less than one year.)
On my first contract it only took about three months to realize that the USA was not all what I was taught to believe. I learned, through the university student who frequented the villa I roomed in, to look back at America through their eyes…through the eyes of the world and see the true America. Looking from the perspective of the outside looking in rather than the narrow perspective Americans have of themselves as looking from the inside out. I won’t go into that any further because Americans don’t know their truth nor will they sit still and listen to another perspective so there’s nothing more to say about that. However, it is interesting to hear you say that America isn’t what it used to be. That people aren’t happy, that there is division and hatred. I learned those truths forty years ago.
In my foreign career I have wondered at the spectacle of ancient life…of living archaeology. I have experienced the most modern and culturally advanced locations. I have experienced crushing poverty and opulent wealth. I have experienced pressing populations and the isolation of the deserts. I have lived on mountain tops and in valleys; I have watched coworkers die in helicopter crashes and survived one myself. I have had the local government provide protection from peoples who would harm me. I have been arrested as a spy. I have been shot at. I have survived rocket attacks from hostile both in and out of war zones. I have loved and been loved. I carry memories with me that I will cherish for a lifetime and walked away from people and places I wish I had never left behind. I have a universe of warm and wonderful memories. I have cried an ocean of tears of regret. I have realized that we…the human race, are all one big organism which must get along on this very small planet.
This I have done. And so, I feel I have earned a cushy retirement sitting in my cottage on the Naga hills, overlooking Kata Beach, Kho Poo, Leam Sai Peninsula and the Andaman Sea and thanking the heavens above that I made the choice I made forty some odd years ago. No regrets.
Peace to you James. Don’t squander the opportunity that has been afforded to you. Learn the language. Study the culture. Enrich your life. Be tolerant and accept the ways of the local people. You will be happier for having done so.
Don't try to recreate your American life in Panama, leave it behind. Oh, and don't try to explain your experiences to Americans if you have need to travel back to that horrible place. They won;t listen.
All of us blind people living in the evil empire wish we could be as smart as you. I hope your retirement allows you a big enough place to store that chip on your shoulder.
Strider thank you for your well informed & wise, hopeful words, thank you for trying to enlighten & help, peace & happiness to you, my fellow traveler.
chiane1968 you listen, but you don’t hear, you read, but you can’t learn, so remain poor.
@@acspore LOL at having to move to another country around the world to try and find happiness. I already found it right where I am. Family, friends, community, a support system, that's what makes a man wealthy. The elephant in the room is that this is for people that don't have that. If they did, they wouldn't need to move to Panama to save a nickel. Usually old guys, divorced, nothing to lose, maybe looking to be a sugar daddy to someone a lot younger that they couldn't afford to do in the USA.
@@chiane1968 If the US is such a bad place, why do millions of people from South America, India, China and most of the rest of the world want to come to the US? I appreciate Strider's story but his criticism of the US is unbalanced. There is evil in EVERY country. As someone once said, wealth can blind one from seeing.
God bless, Michael
Good points made in this video. Some useful information here. Panama is on my list of countries where I could snowbird when I retire. Don't want to wait until I'm too old.
You seem so balanced and objective. Great narrative and approach to sharing. Thanks!
Hey dude, I love your attitude and i feel the same. People are just blah here and I want to enjoy my life with happy people. Thank you for your words.. they resonate.
I’m a Gemini, an air sign, and I love being out in the fresh air. I’d love sitting on your front porch, reading a book! Best to you and Yalina!
I'm a Gemini also. High five twins!!
thanks for sharing your story dude, great to see you living the dream and opening a part of your life to us online strangers looking for greener pastures and happily ever afters
Good video. Thank you for all the great information. My name is Agymah and lm from Boston.
I was in Panama city, Panama in the summer of 2017. I love the city, food and people.
Thanks, James. Thanks for sitting down and doing this informative video. I appreciate how you say your mother planted the Panama bug in you at a young age. For me, it was stamp collecting at a young age. Now the time is right for me and I'm driven a lot by my early experience with those Panamanian and Canal Zone stamps that fascinated me. Anyway, I'm planning a September tour there with the Panama relocation tours. I'm greatly looking forward to it.
It's amazing how one little thing can plant a seed in your mind/heart that can help make a life changing decision.
I took Army Jungle Survival training in Panama , years ago.
JOTC
Do you remember Noriega?
@@richardhowe4140 Yeah, I was in FAST CO . We used to play games with his Ding Bats
@@AIRDAM1 cool!! Thanks
So what where da ho s
Thank You James for the Great VIdeo: I enjoy all the information you provided.: you are 100% correct : USA , too many problems / violence
shootings everywhere for sometimes small silly things. MAN iam ready to retire down in panama as soon as possible . GOD BLESS ... thank you JOE/ USA
Come on down! www.PanamaRelocationTours.com has a lot of different ways we can help make your move easy!
Hello, visit Los Santos province. Its just amazing.
If you mentioned it, I may have missed it. How much is your rent? How much are average rents also? Thank you
He's paying $600 a month rent for a furnished two bedroom two bath house.
@@PanamaRelocationTours that is a really nice place for that rent. Looks like a good life
Good video, I used to live in Panama in the late 60's on the Ft. Clayton Army base, near Ft. Amador pacific side loved the beached. Still have a molla print from the sandbass Indians.
It's changed a LOT - you should come see what Panama is like now.
I was at Fort Clayton June 72 to December 73. The barracks where I stayed are still there. Really miss that place.
Quote of the video. "Driving in Panama City is like Boston without traffic lights". My friend, you should've been a writer.
I'm happy for you sir you made a wise decision.
My brother in law plans to retire overseas but as I thought about it, I plan to just find a small coastal American town. America is not perfect, but it’s home.
very interesting to listen. plan to move too in may 2022
"Strider" thank you for sharing your journey. I am planning to move outside of the US, learning other languages and just looking forward to the next chapter in life. Again, Thank you
I'm 10 to 15 years from retirement looking to find a place to retire. This might be the place. Very informative video. Thanks.
Very revealing and interesting info. A tour sounds like a great value.
Note that they didn't mention the price of the tour.
@@user-jy7yn1ro8j Its like 2500 per person.. 4k for two.. My wife and I are kicking around the idea...
Value? Hmmm...$ 4k for two, airfare not included, 6 nights accommodation @ a max $100/nite hotel, 3 very low cost meals daily excluding alcohol, and spending most of your time on a tour bus....that doesn't sound like 'value' to me...
I'm not against people making money for their efforts, but...good grief. Go on your own, and hire a local tour guide and... save 60%. It's not that hard.
@@elgar6743 I thought airfare was included?
@@craigslistrro709 It's all on their website: panamarelocationtours.com/tours
Thanks for very good informative video. I too am retired (US Army), single, and seriously considering moving to Panama.
For years, I’ve wanted to live somewhere where there are no real seasons and the temperature never varies by much. I had no idea that place actually existed until I found Panama Relocation Tours. Boquete is 5-10 degrees warmer than my home town, which is perfect. And I remember loving Honduras when I was there for 6 months, even though it also rained most afternoons. So I guess the rain probably won’t bother me.
Come see how you can LIVE BETTER for LESS in Panama!
U should try Medellin Colombia. The weather is even better. I lived and worked in Colombia after i lived and worked in Ecuador, happy i left for Colombia weeks before the big Quake in Ecuador. I'm Retired now and life in Thailand , but it's getting to extreme in many ways. So maybe next will be Panama for the rest of my life... I visited Panama in 2015 and 16. Loved it , also that i don't have to pay Taxes on my Pension. I also lived and worked in NJ-NYC. Everywhere there r good and not so good things, if the good r more and more important, then stay. Btw, i'm a Swiss and it's just to expensive and to cold too long for my older body now. Other than that, Switzerland is still the best country and i have seen and lived in many. Take care and good luck.
Beautiful house sir. Happy life to you
So nice of you/ Thanks for watching the video
Absolutely no idea how I ended up here. But I'm pleased I did, what a decent chap !
Living in NH and seeing the X-MAS tree had me thinking how homesick I would be. I still love the seasons we see in New England.
I, too, missed the four seasons when I first arrived in California forty years ago.
However, after not having to shovel heavy wet snow or drive on slick icy dangerous roads,
I decided that the four seasons were a bit over-rated, as I sat by the pool and picked oranges off the trees.
Great video. Everything he says is true. My wife is Panamanian. We have made many trips to Panama over the past 25 years. We love visiting frequently. I am retired. We have thought of Panama or Florida but are aiming for Florida because we are both scuba divers and like close access to the Caribbean and Central America. The anger and wrath of people are growing in the US. The Panamanians are warm, friendly people.
As a SCUBA person, you probably know about Belize but if not try it, Ambergris is a great place, Belize City is the pits but the rest of Belize is great; great people, and great Mayan culture..
Hey man thanks you for support and information about panama. that's so important to people with a low retirement . By the way I worked conyruction in the new York post in 99/2002 in new York city .. god bless and stay happy and thanks you for sharing your experience.
I also lived in Panama in the 80s in fort Clayton. I loved it would love to live there again. Diffently would consider living there again truly beautiful country. I love watching the sun go down into ocean big orange I miss my youth their
Lived in Quarry Heights, Ft. Amador, and Ft. Clayton graduated from Balboa High school. Still have friends that I visit every once in awhile and all I can say Panama has changed big time. They made a new city which is very nice it's like a mini Miami meaning it's not cheap place to live at all. My friend has a second house in Boquete which is cool and very country like - Do not buy you need to live here a year before you invest major money it's has it pluses and minuses and it not for everyone. But well worth to come visit/vacation just to go through the new Panama Canal and true Marvel of Engineering.
Wow you are taking me threw my minds eye. I miss life there.
Simple, informative, and to the point. Thanks
Very informative James I have thought about moving there too. I was there in 2016 to see the opening of the new canal. Great country what I saw of it. Caught your bio in your introduction.
Funny, I'm from New England and live in Dallas now....
Very good Video. Thank you. I would also like to emigrate to Panama. When this Covid crisis is finally over. All the best and take care of yourself. 👏👍🍀
Hello Jim. Thanks for the update and I’m glad things are working out so well for you and Yalina. You are so right that taking the Panama Relocation Tour (last May) was a good decision. I too may be making the move within the next six months. Take care and Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Felicidad! Glenn
Thanks for your open and practical talk.
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy and God bless!
Thank you for the Information.
Hello Sir James,We met at your garage/moving sale. (I sold ALL your stuff on eBay) and made a killin'!!! Glad to see you are living the good life. Take care Rick
Thank you! Great information. Bay Area, CA.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Jim this Janet Bennett from Tamworth, NH. Life is good in Panama. I am jealous. Still stuck in NH.
Hello there!
Great video loved it 😍
Really nice
Well done 👍 found a nice place to stay and a nice lady … !!!! Congratulations. I’ll be there soon as a single retired man. !!!!
Great video Jim. The best part of it was that you found a wonderful partner. Just curious, did you almost say the Dennis Wilson bridge?
Thank you very much.
You are welcome!
Panama is america, central america:), panama is a lovely place, we lived in costa rica for three years. cristobal island is a nice place.
Hi from Boquete ! Thank you for yours beauty words.
Nice place. Thanks for sharing.
have a great retirement brother! you deserve it. It is sad to see so many working and struggling people here in America when they should be retired living a good life. I'm very happy for you.
It is very sad to see so many retirees struggling. They could live much better for less money in Panama.
@@PanamaRelocationTours well said!
Think you. Sorry about Michael. R.I.P. your home is wonderful. I’m dreaming. My dreams come true.
you got it going man, your girl friend looks like a good person. I'm hoping to start by staying there for one month.
Thks for sharing. I’m retired in china now, soon moving to Thailand for living retirement lifestyle. Nice to connect and one we can connect in Panama soon.
Good for you that you had the ability to think outside the box.
Signing up for a tour is hardly "thinking outside the box".
I took the Pure Prairie League tour. Our tour guide was “Panama” Red [riding] on his white horse Mescalito. Can’t remember a thing I was told. Humor. Looks like you have all your ducks in a row. I hope Panama remains your happy place. Enjoy your retirement.
I've heard about the Panama Red!
I’ve been there before. It was a very good experience it’s very cheap and most of all people are very nice. I don’t mind living in Panama.
Congrats, be safe and have a happy retirement.. me hoping to be in the Cayman Islands some day..
Thank you. This was helpful. These videos are great.
One wonders that in this age and time such a beautiful country like Panama is out there.
I'm in St Louis MO, looking to take the tour in 2020. Thanks for the info you shared!
Have a great trip. My son is studying Spanish. We visited Havana and Santiago in Cuba this year. Panama is in on top of my list for 2020.
Good job telling your story.
Thank you. Very positive .
Jerry liked you video.I am retired PO,retired Milatary
Hope that you will post again. Interested in moving to Panama. Where do I start? Regards from Canada.
A good place to start is subscribing to panamarelocationtours.com to get the free 12 part series about how to retire in Panama. You'll learn a LOT from that information!
My wife and I have a project to assist handicapped children in Boquete. Unfortunately, Corona virus won't let us leave Colorado and it wont let us into Panama .I am impatient to get back there. Fortunately there is a great Panamanian friend taking care of business until he get out of Corona lock down.
Boquete's Handicap Foundation does an amazing job taking care of the handicap in Chiriqui Province. Be sure to connect with them when you arrive. They are in Alto Boquete, blue building across the street from Chop Sticks.
Well done and best wishes for the future.
@@PanamaRelocationTours Insitituto pro-integration...Been there, great folks.
This great, living the dream in the retirement years. Perfect.......
Good going Jim. Your post is a year ago, hope you are still content
James is very happy in Panama.
Just spent Christmas in Panama, I like it but need more time to get around the next time.
That is a wonderful story, and I appreciate you for sharing it. I myself would love to move there and retire there, but my wife is no way leaving California and her family. Good luck to you sir, and enjoy your retirement at your new home.
Great video. How much is the rent for a month? What are your other major living expenses?
Easy Going.
KC to Panama.. this vato is living good!
This is the best tell how it is living in Panama video that I’ve seen. This guy is something else he gives you everything from soup to nuts. Excellent! I hate driving a car. I’m wondering if there’s any public transportation and can you get a metro pass?
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video. There are many places to live in Panama where you don't need a car.
@@PanamaRelocationTours I looked into the Coronado area because it seems like there’s a lot of ex-pats there, but the beaches are nice on the Caribbean side and it seems like there’s a lot more things to do in Boca de Toro. Maybe in the end of August, we’re beginning of September. I’d like to book a private tour for a couple days of that area if possible.
Pensionado Visa sounds great. What are the residency requirements? Do I have to remain in Panama all year to keep the visa?
Once you get a visa, the only requirement is to visit Panama for at least one day every two years.
I love how you met a lovely lady in Panama.
They are very happy together
Appreciate your video. Thank you.
You are all welcome to Panamá! Cozy, relaxed, diversity of climates, beautiful and educated women (like me 🤭) and affordable living.
Also, when Mr. James talks about panamanians "game of life", he means the classic Panamanian phrase "juega vivo" which basically means that some panamanians are always looking to be a step ahead of everyone 🤷♀️.
Anyways, I am panamanian and will not like to live outside my country. There is a lot to explore and a lot of potential in my country. Hope that one day I will find a loving, educated, providing and family-oriented man to share my life with ❤
Warmly,
Jessyka
PS.liked & subscribed.Will be following your channel .enjoy& congratulations on you positive life change.
Nice video. Glad you’re happy. You have a good outlook.
Vivía allí por cuatro años y mi hermano todavía tiene un apartmento en Punta Puntilla en la ciudad de Panama.
Tanks for the information .
Glad I found your vid. Coming for a visit in the spring and thinking of living there. Do you need a drummer? I’m an ex army bandsman.
great vid--very helpful