Is Panama City the BEST Place to Retire in Panama?
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Barbara and Greg did their research and determined that Panama City was the best place for them to retire. It has everything they need within a short walk, ocean views, amazing parks, and affordable prices.
Watch the video to learn about Barbara and Greg's living expenses, including a furnished 3 bedroom 3 bath apartment overlooking Parque Omar for $950.
Barbara and Greg had a smooth, hassle-free move to Panama because they followed the advice in the Online Complete Panama Relocation Guide. See details at
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LEARN MORE about moving to and living in Panama when you subscribe to the FREE 15-part email series at
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Learn more about the Online Complete Panama Relocation Guide that helped Barbara and Greg have a hassle-free move to Panama -- panamarelocationtours.com/guide
Panama, Panama! I was born and raised in Panama and I have been to other countries in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa, but there isn't a place like Panama. Good choice my friends.
Panama is the BEST!
I did the Panama Relocation Tour and settled on Panama City and I love it; no regrets! I found a place in the financial district bordering Marbella; I’m centrally located and close to just about everything you’d want to see and do in the city! I walk down to and stroll along the Cinta Costera at least 3 times a week; just wonderful.😎
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing!!
@@PanamaRelocationTours My pleasure.
I love the Cinta Costera area also. Beautiful!!
@@GodzRod I'm so glad that you found a place you enjoy that is in close proximity to the city. These testimonies really help those who are "on the fence" about moving. I wish you a peaceful, enjoyable stay in Panama. Thanks for sharing!
what a peaceful , uplifting couple
thanks for watching!
I love it she is my kind, "Do Absolutely Nothing!" Yeah.
I love that "Absolutely Nothing" part too!
I moved to the City from Boquete in September 2022. I like a city vibe and the great shopping malls, if only to walk around in. I was worried about the heat but it's beautiful in the early mornings (about 23c) and some days the high is only 28. I was also concerned about my electricity bill but setting the AC at 25c and not using it when not necessary, my monthly bill has averaged $55. On the downside, I am sensitive to excessive noise - dogs barking day and night in Boquete (plus the rain) chased me away from that location. In the City, it's traffic noise. So many large trucks and motorcycles with no mufflers making an ear-spitting roar when they drive by, plus the incessant honking. I would recommend finding a quiet side-street; stay away from major streets if you value a bit of quiet.
We don't have any of the noise where we live. We are not on the main road so we don't hear the traffic at all. We are literally over Parque Omar.
Hey MItch. I know several people who moved from Boquete to other areas in Panama. Your advice is spot on to live on a side street if you don't like noise. Or, try to find a building that has noise canceling windows. Enjoy your new life in Panama City!
The neighborhoods in the Canal area are very peaceful. Check out places like Albrook, Clayton, Ancon, Howard aka Panama Pacifico, etc.
Spent 60 days in Ft Sherman and Cobi AF base in 1989 … I think about Panama every now and then. Good to see this folks are enjoying their lives over there .
Congratulations on your retirement! Enjoy!
Thank you Barbara and Greg. This is the most convincing video i have seen about moving to Panama. I am putting it back on my list!
Glad it was helpful!
Congrats AF-retiree compadre (20+ 1998)! Gotta get Greece out of my system ... but Panama has been on my list since early mid-2000s. Getting closer to deciding! Continue sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Konnichiwa, Barabra and Greg! I too am an American living in Japan and I dream about living in Panamá!
I loved living in Japan. I was at Yokota Air Base. Come on over to Panama.
❤I was so glad to see this video. I am also a veteran who is married to a husband who is on Medicare. While I am still in my 40s and getting 100% disability VA benefits, he is in his 70s. I watched a video earlier, saying that disabled vets (overseas) could only get healthcare for SC conditions, which was quite discouraging. Luckily, I found that we veterans can actually sign up for a VA program that pays for our healthcare abroad. I was only considering Belize at first; but the more I see Panama, the more I am interested 🤔
I love their place...
It's an amazing apartment with amazing views!
Barbara & Greg, thank you so much for sharing your experiences in Panama! It is so nice to hear all the wonderful experiences of moving to Panama. It really helps. It seems like a "win win" situation as far as climate, people, affordable housing, etc. Enjoy your new life, and RELAX!!!💅🏖
I visited several times and I agree I love it perfect place to retire...Great Move...😊
Thanks for watching!
Thank you Barbara and Greg. I took the PRT tour last year. They didn't tour Panama City but we did tour a lot of the areas that most expats were interested in. At this point, I don't plan on moving permanently to Panama. However, your video helped me consider taking a long-ish vacation to Panama City each year, staying for a few months as a Plan B. The city would be a perfect place to spend time. I wouldn't have to worry about transportation, restaurants or shops. Enjoy your next chapter.
A fellow Airman!! I loved her Veteran point of view.
Love your Video, very helpful thank you.
@@AngelRuiz-wk2hf thanks for watching!
I simply loved this video!!! By the way, I’m also Air Force retired and was born and raised in beautiful Panamá. I saw one Tricare clinic, during my last visit this past December.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for your service!
Thank both of you very much for sharing in a very direct, straightforward, and down-to-earth way.
Glad it was helpful!
Just what we needed to watch. We are coming to Panama City next week with the idea of seeing if it is the right fit for us. Our needs are similar to Barbara and Greg and we are city people. We also purchased Jackie's guide as we really wanted to know the nuts and bolts of moving and living in Panama. We are so looking forward to exploring Panama as a retirement home option.
HI William. I'm glad the video came out just in time! You will LOVE Panama!
Nice couple, excellent open sincere exposure of living in Panama City, Panama. And Wow with those prices for medical care.
Welcome to Panama!
And one of the best things about paying for medical care upfront is there are no additional or surprise bills later.
Thanks for watching!
Great video thumbs up 👍🏾.. it’s time for me to learn Spanish!!
This such a nice mellow informative video. Thank you so much. And did anyone besides me notice his bicepts? Hope that's not rude. Everything is so convenient for you. It has a fitness area. Love the view.
1) you two are cute as hell
2) you had me at everything we need is a short walk away
Thanks for sharing!
They LOVE living in Panama City
Thank you guys for putting this video together. Supper helpful.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fabulous video, Love your honesty and integrity… I am hoping to come see for myself…God bless you both..
Thanks for watching.
Love these two!
They are THRIVING in Panama!
Another great video. Thank you to the guests for taking the time to share
Our pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for a very informative video. Cant wait to move there one day
Thanks for the video Barbara and Gregg. The unit I was in at Fort Bragg had a battalion in Panama. I never got there. I remember my friend mentioning Gatun more than once.
Wow! What a great video and excellent information and encouragement. Thank you for sharing your journey with those of us considering retiring in Panama!🇺🇸💖🇵🇦
Hi Jim. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! If they can do it, you can too!
Gorgeous apartment. 😍 Lucky, happy couple.
I look forward to joining you in Panama City very soon in El Cangrejo neighborhood. close to subway, buses, uber and taxis. It will be nice to live the simple life without a car.
I enjoy not having the expense of owning a car. And now that I've learned how to ride the buses in additional to the trains, you can't tell me anything. I'm only a few bus stops from El Cangrejo. I can actually walk there. I've done that before.
@@barbararouse2527 I look forward to being in your shoes. I regret not being there for this years jazz festival, but there is next year.
im moving there in february but i’ll be in david i wish i could go to panamá city but i don’t have anyone out there yk and i’m just 19 so it’s gonna be hard to get a job
Thank you Barbara & Greg for sharing your experience. Have a great time in Panama.
Regards,
Thank you. They love living in Panama City
12,000 views in 5 days, well done guys!
THANKS!
You two are so sweet. I think we have crossed paths walking in Parque Omar. I'll say hi if I see you again.
This video is so helpful. Thank you!!!
Thank you Barbara and Greg for sharing your experience. My family is booked for February 2024 tour. Can't wait to explore and hopefully move by summer's end. I've seen videos of Parque Omar and it is breath taking.
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video!
3-2024 Great video thank you for sharing!
Thank you happy folks for this.
Thank you too!
Hi guys, I'm glad that you love my country Wich I left back on '84, right now I live in Miami but I can't stand it!! is expensive, dangerous, its to crazy.....again tk....enjoy
Come back to Panama soon! It's BETTER!
Barbara and Greg, I LOVED the video!! I'm a few years from retiring, but I have retired from the Air Force. These videos definitely encourage me to move to Panama with my dog. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Tanya, I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!
I loved your video. I just may be seeing you in a few months .
I hope so! You will LOVE Panama!
Great video! You and I are Parque Omar neighbors. Hopefully I’ll run into you one of these days soon.
Congratulations I hope everything goes Well . Thank You for Your service
Thanks for watching the video. Glad you enjoyed it
Great interview, information and such a beautiful couple.
Glad you enjoyed it!
My kind of retirement, I do the same thing whatever I want or absolutely nothing. You make me think about moving to Panama again but at 73 health insurance would be impossible or I'm guessing expensive. Such a lovely couple and thanks you for your service.
HI Steve
If you have the right Medicare Advantage plan, you can use it in Panama for urgent care or emergencies. or, Panama insurance is available for $125 a month
@@PanamaRelocationTours Most plans I looked at stopped at 70. But that is not the only thing holding me back, there are a few other things.
Excellent content and delivery was very informative thank you for sharing your experience
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice Video Barbara and Greg.................
They LOVE living in Panama City!
Thank you for this wonderful video the information you are giving is fantastic. I also brought the guide and will be in Panama next month .
Glad it was helpful! THANK YOU for buying the Online Guide.
Barbra and Creg, what a lovely video, many thanks. I'm glad you guys settled well in Panama. I am a retired UK doctor. With my partner we are planning to move to Pnama. We are looking for a villa in Panama city, with a small plot for hobby farming. How would I tackle this one?! BTW we would love doing "absolutely nothing" after a long busy stressful careers!
You may need to be a little outside of Panama City to accomplish what you want to do. We have recommendations for reliable and honest real estate agents who can help you. They are listed in the Online Guide. panamarelocationtours.com/guide
@@PanamaRelocationTours Great, many thanks
Hey peeps, love the video.
Thanks for watching
Thank you for sharing this video.
Thanks for watching!
Love this video! You guys seem really cool. Pty is great if you like the heat. Best of luck to you both.
Love the heat.
Thanks for watching!
@@barbararouse2527
Great video, looking forward to moving there in March. Do you still enjoy the San Francisco/parque Omar area? I like the green space of the park. Is the area quiet?
I have been living in the San Francisco area since April 2022 (the other neighborhood I considered was El Cangrejo), and I can honestly say “the city life” here is not for me. I am looking for a retirement home in a beach community. Here are some of my thoughts after living in Panama City for 10 months:
1. Street signs are optional, sidewalks are not maintained, it is easy to get lost when you are walking everywhere but you have to constantly check your feet so you don’t trip and fall (three times so far).
2. Taxis are cheap BUT make sure you know the price BEFORE you get in the cab, AND have exact change. For example, the driver quotes 4 dollars, and you give him a $20 bill. You may not get ANY change back. There is a joke here :”taxi fare depends on your accent”.
3. You will need a good native bilingual friend to help you get settled.
4. Apartment rentals are dirt cheap. I have $750 month in fully furnished unit (including big screen TV, pots and pans, art work, etc. I only needed to buy towels and sheets).
5. Driving in the city would make me a nervous wreck. Drivers are very rude and aggressive (think Manhattan). Pedestrians do not have right of way. Be careful !
6. Learn bus routes ! 25 cents will take you anywhere you need to go.
7. Prescription drugs VERY expensive here. Bring your 90 day supply from states and refill there if possible.
8. Find good attorney and start working on your Pensionada Visa : great discounts at restaurants, movies and airfare.
9. Excellent doctors and dentists here at unbelievable low rates for office visits.
10. If you really want to live here, you must learn Spanish! I had visited the country six times before I decided to retire here, but Panamá as a tourist is MUCH different than Panamá as a resident.
11. To conclude : besides wanting to get away from the USA before our second Civil War, three main reasons why Panamá moved to the top of my retirement destinations : A. Affordable living on Social Security benefits; B. Tropical climate with NO hurricanes; C. Use of US currency means no foreign exchange issues !
Truth is I love it here: but the city itself is just a huge humid concrete jungle, and the nearest beaches are an hour away.
HI Thomas. Thanks for your honest assessment of living in Panama City. I also could not live in the City. I like wide open spaces and less people. Panama City would be too crowded for me but it's a perfect fit for others, like Barbara and Greg. Panama offers so many great choices of where to live. If one place does not work out (or the dynamic changes), it's easy to move someplace else in Panama.
What an extensive honest opinion.....it pretty much deters many people from deciding on Panama. It would be great to read comments from Jackie on the subject.
@@dovygoodguy1296 What Thomas says is true, but it should not deter anyone from moving to Panama. It's a matter of what you are looking for. I would never, ever drive in Panama City. Street signs are optional and the sidewalks are not maintained and you must constantly check your feet to avoid tripping. But I absolutely love the walking and I've yet to get lost. I always know where I am using Google Maps if I'm not sure of my location. Haven't tripped yet either. I learn from the Facebook group to always be mindful of where you're walking. I've learn to ride the trains (.35 cents) and the buses are .25 cents so I'm all over the place. And Uber is so cheap here. My husband has prescriptions and we have not found them to be expensive. Two of his blood pressure prescriptions are only $6.00 at Farma Value. We are working on our Spanish but we have been able to accomplish all business on our own without a native bilingual friend to help us. We opened our bank account, got our Tigo Cable and cell service and moved the power bill into my name from the landlord's name. Normally there's someone at each location with an English speaking representative. When that fails, Google Translate is my best friend. I'm adventurous so I love the challenge. I get up every morning and leave the house to learn something new. Our goal is to move around in Panama. We will spend a year or two in the city and then venture out to the beach areas. Like others have said, there's something in Panama for everyone.
But aren't the problems expressed by Thomas applicable to other places in Panama as well, and would be reasons not to live in Panama at least among older people?
@@barbararouse2527 How do all these problems compare in Boquete, and San Carlos Coronado for example, I e. Infrastructure, hot water, electricity, plumbing, roads, sidewalks, etc?? ESPECIALLY for folks over 65??
What a beautiful life!
It truly is.
This was awesome, thanks!
Glad you liked it!
What a great video and so informative. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!
THANK YOU ! 😀
You're welcome!
Thank you❤
Thank Barbara and Greg for the excellent overview of your experience in Panama and relocation information. This has been most valuable for us as we decide where we would like to retire. Hopefully, we can meet when take the relocation tour this Dec. Thank you again and Aim High!
Lewis & Sharon
love this!!!!!
Thanks for watching
Please give me the information on how to get the tour guide.
See Private Tour information at panamarelocationtours.com/private-tours
Great positive vibes video. Glad you're happy there.
I see you have a larger apartment.
Do you know if your building or similar in the area has smaller units like one bedrooms and how much they would be?
I also like big cities but wonder if the rents are too high for single people on typical social security.
HI Craig I have seen 1 bedroom apartments or studio apartments advertised in Panama City for as little as $500 - $600/month.
Excellent information wh are t the name of clinic you attended
What about buying a car and getting an international drivers license? Can you do a video for ppl and me on that? I would need a car because I have a very bad back. Thanks for your nice video.
You cannot use an international driver's license in Panama. You'll need to get a Panama driver's license. See this article panamarelocationtours.com/drivers-license-requirements-in-panama
This is prob the best and most informative video of all the great ones already out there!
Wow, thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video about living in Panama City.
Im on the way. 😀
FREE Get our 15-part email series about Moving to and Living in Panama -- panamarelocationtours.com/
those fruit /veggie stations are the thing I missed the most from being in USA. you only see that in teopical countries
fresh fruit and veggies 365 days a year in Panama!
Great video. I like your attitude. What items did you bring from the US? What items did you regret bringing or leaving behind?
We literally sold everything so we both brought 2 suitcases of stuff and a carryon. We did not bring a lot of clothes. We packed sheets, towels, a good supply of personal supplies (body wash, toothpaste, etc), my laptop and Greg had to have his Magic Bullet which we use daily. Pretty much anything I can't find here I can easily order from Amazon. I usually received anything I order from Amazon within 5 to 7 days after I hit the send button.
@@barbararouse2527, I want to know how far you are from Sorrentos Pizzaria. I know that area pretty well. I lived in Panama 1970-75 while in the Army, Always lived on the local economy. Wife is Panamanian, I am working on her to move back to Panama from Buford Georgia. We return a couple of weeks each year to visit family, still love it. I consider Panama my second home.
@@edwardwillis3170 There's a Sorrentos Pizzaria just outside of one of the gates at Parque Omar. I've very close to that one.
@@barbararouse2527 that is the one of which I am thinking. Guessing yall are across the park from there. I love the clams in garlic sauce there, with a carafe of sangria. That is my daughter's favorite restaurant in Panama.
Wow thanks for this video. Love the background music who is the artist?
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Thanks for your video it was very useful. Can you tell me a little more about the veteran discount that you mentioned in the beginning of the video? Thanks
I'm retired four years ago from NYC and moved to Gwinnett county GA I'm considering living abroad an Panama too has come across the list. Can you send me a link to your realtor and to the relocation your. I am also a veteran as well
See details about Panama Relocation Tours at panamarelocationtours.com/tours
Thank you
I plan to retire to Panama in a year and a half. Gwinnett caught my eye! Lived in Lawrenceville for 10 years! 😊
Just visited Panama in October. The city is amazing. Bocas del Toro is a very beautiful island. Boquete and Anton Valle are both spectacular mountain areas. David is my least favorite.
Glad you enjoyed your visit to beautiful Panama
hi great vid. I smoke a lot of Cannabis. If i move to Panama ,will it be easy to get weed?? Thx
Mexico City, PV, or Panama City? Decisions ..... Decisions🧐
the best way to decide is to visit! We offer private tours of Panama City panamarelocationtours.com/private-tours
What area / neighborhood in Panama City are they in? I didn't hear it mentioned.
They live in the San Francisco area
Excellent advice if you don’t like it you can return to the United States.
We're not a tree! We can always move
Loved this video. Can’t wait for my turn.
Thanks for watching. Come see how you can LIVE BETTER for LESS in Panama!
Hi. What veteran discount were you referring to? Thanks.
The immigration lawyers recommended by Panama Relocation Tours ALL offer a Veteran discount for getting a residency visa.
How does the heat and humidity compare to other cities in Panama? Year-round? If someone takes medicine for diabetes or over 70 you can't get the private insurance....
the higher the elevation, the lower the temperature.
@@PanamaRelocationTours Right, so there is a cooler climate in Boquete than Panama City. Sounds good. Maybe the heat is why traffic is do crazy in the big cities of those countries.....
4:19 💎
Nice video! Love the veteran perspective. As retired Army I have access to Tricare Select. I recall there being a Tricare Select Overseas version. I assume one could use Tricare Select there, but I'm not sure.
Speaking of prescriptions, does anyone know if you can get 12.5mg Almotriptan Malate there (for chronic migraine - the only triptan that really works well as an abortive for me.) if so, how much is it?
Thanks for watching! Check out the Veteran medical benefits in Panama panamarelocationtours.com/veterans-medical-benefits-in-panama
Tricare or a substitute is available for veterans who are retired or have a service related disability.
Hi, what’s the toilet and plumbing situation like at this time? Are you still required to place used toilet paper in trash rather than toilet?
Have not seen that at all here- good flush toilets all around
@@cathystopfer4890 thanks for the reply, I heard this was one of the problems you had to deal with explained by Jackie Lange the relocation tour owner
We’ll- that’s just my experience in Panama City and we’ve been all over that- may be different in rural areas.
We flush the toilet paper in our condo. We were never told that we couldn't flush it and we haven't experienced any plumbing issues.
@@barbararouse2527 thanks for the info
Hopefully Greg is still catching them Bears games !! the Bears
Definitely!
I want to meet Barbara and Greg. I am also a Veteran. US Army.
They come to our monthly PRT Meet and Greets. The dates and location are published inside of the private facebook group
Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Glad you enjoyed it!
LOL! I love their daily agenda: absolutely nothing!!
Sounds like a nice plan to me!
only thing wrong with the video is that it was way too short!
Glad you enjoyed the video
❤️
I have lived in Panama for the past 23 years but I don't like Panama City. Chiriqui is the best province in Panama.
There is something for everyone in Panama. I don't like Panama City either but others love it!
Hello. Isn’t Panama a drug corridor for the drug cartels? Just wondering.
I would not call it a corridor for drug cartels. But drugs do get to Panama, usually in the COLON area where they may be put on ships headed to other areas. Panama is VERY STRICT about illegal drugs in Panama.
"lets look for somewhere I want to go." LOL was not a 'WE" in that sentence...
Isnt it hot as hell and muggy???
Not to me but then again, I like the heat. I can't stand cold weather.
@@barbararouse2527 How about cool dry weather??
Panama city is getting really expensive, in parts its already more expensive than Miami becoming the next Dubai. I'd recommend this only for wealthier retirees.
You're looking in the wrong places in Panama City! Just yesterday, we helped a couple find an amazing furnished two bedroom two bath with an ocean view for $900 a month!