Panama Expat Experience: Cheri on living in Panama
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- Cheri describes her experience as an American ex-pat who retired in Panama. Are you thinking of retiring in Panama? Get our free guide & discover what life in Panama could be like for you! panamarelocationtours.com/ret...
Since 2010, Panama Relocation Tours has been offering monthly 6-day 7-night all-inclusive relocation tours of Panama. We've completed over 120 tours! During a tour you'll see a variety of different areas, meet ex-pats, and learn all the things you need to know to make a super easy transition to living in Panama.
We now offer the ONLINE Complete Panama Relocation Guide to help you learn all the things you need to know to have a smooth and easy transition when relocating to Panama. You'll be able to avoid costly mistakes when you get access to our reliable immigration lawyers, honest real estate agents/property managers, where to buy health insurance, how to get your pets into Panama, and much more.
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Wondering how Cheri is doing now? She is still loving life in Panama! We recently spoke with her to get an update - ua-cam.com/video/acZ-e35Fs3w/v-deo.html
Thank you!
We did a follow up video with Cheri -- see what she's up to now... ua-cam.com/video/acZ-e35Fs3w/v-deo.html
Where are you now? still in country? I moved here in 05 Nvo. Arraijan......
@@unclequack5445 Yes, Cheri is still in Boquete
I lived here when I was in the Air Force back on 1984-1987. I lived on Albrook but worked on Howard AB. I loved it. I enjoyed the freshwater fishing (peacock bass) and saltwater fishing. I attended Univ Panama and received my BS degree.
It took awhile to get used to the heat and humidity and the sand fleas (mosquitoes were not a problem) and the coatimundis that would raid my garbage cans in the morning. :)
I quickly became accustomed to driving there as I commuted every day from Albrook to Howard.
I am retired now (20 years Air Force and 22 years US federal service with an excellent pension plus social security). I am single, chill, healthy, athletic, and seriously looking at living/retiring in Panama by end of 2019.
I like to read and write (writing several books) and looking for a quiet place and life (with occasional entertainment outings).
As long as I have good Internet access, cellphone service to stay connected to family in CONUS, my books, my jazz collection, cable or satellite access to watch news and sports, a place to take a walk or run and play a little basketball to keep myself in reasonable shape, and lakes, rivers, and ocean to fish - I am happy. I know Panama has all of that and more.
I will most likely purchase a small car to get around as I like my independence.
I admire people who take courage to make changes in their lives to venture outside of the United States.
Good for you !!!!
Muad' Dib Would you consider a roommate as an expat? I also just retired & I'm looking to move to Panama (possibly part time & feel it would be better to share a home so that it will always be occupied. I'm actually headed there next week for a family event & to take take a look around. I entered the Air Force in 1987 but my mother insisted that I not put Howard AFB on my Dream Sheet because the Contra Was were hot & heavy. But Panama is a winner. If you're not interested in a roommate situation, perhaps we can keep connected as friends/hermanos since we have things in common?
bedina davis Hello Bedina. Sorry, I am just seeing this. I had a change in plans and will be relocating to Panama in the Spring 2020. How was your trip?
Im retired Army,Retired Teacher and on S.S .I've been in Thailand since 2015 and recommend Thailand since our Tricare is contracted through most of the Major Hospitals. If you liked South Korea you will love Thailand's warmer weather and much cheaper living costs with high quality choices!
Traveling man Hi, I lived and worked in Udon, Thani as a US Foreign Service Officer from 2005 to 2008. I fell in love with Thailand and have many friends there. Thailand was on my list for retirement relocation but Panama won out because it is a four hour flight from family in the US plus the great retirement benefits. The paperwork and requirements to retire in Panama are much easier than for Thailand.
The currency is the USD (no need to convert). English is spoken in many places in Panama. I know a little Thai (just to get by), but I speak a little Spanish and Portuguese which makes moving and living in Panama much easier. If I decide to ship my car and household goods to Panama, it would be much cheaper than doing so to Thailand.
It is just me and I have both my SS and FERS retirement annuity together which are more than I would need. Panama is a great hub to travel out of to return to Panama for a visit/vacation and other places in the world. Plus, I am familiar with Panama as I was stationed there when in the USAF in 1984-1987. I love the boating, fishing, and weather. :)
Yo Muad, thank you for your blurb. My thoughts are you're likely relocating to Panama in the Summer. lol Because that's when Panama plans to reopen again. But I can say one thing for Panama: It's brought its daily COVID case increase to 1% steady for the past 2 weeks. And that's why they have scientifically methodical plans for re-opening. They have been thoroughly conscientious and after all of this, only 300 Panamanian residents have passed away because of the pandemic. So, turns out that Americans were much more safe staying in Panama than flying back to the States for the pandemic.
If I may, I'd really really like to recommend a car for getting around. Both my sister and I own the same type of car and it's extremely low maintenance. Mine is from 2014 and hers is from 2017. All that we've had to so is oil changes and new tires and that's it but best of all is how little it sips gas. I routinely get 50 miles per gallon and she gets about 45 miles per gallon because she's a lead-foot. But brand-spanking new the car costs less than $13K and is about $180/m and insurance is dirt cheap. We swear by it, even if yo get an used one. It's called the Mitsubishi Mirage. It's like getting hybrid mileage costs without spending hybrid prices on a vehicle and even tho it's a compact it sits 5 people comfortably!! Great stereo too. Welcome to Panama when you get there. When you were in the AF there my dad, since retired too, was the Deputy Finance Ociffer at Howard. Glad u fell in love with Panama. Great ppl, and very accepting. Funny how ppl find their American Dream and Freedom in Panama. Oh, and no drive by shootings, gun massacres, police brutality or the racial tension that you see CONUS either. It's just chill, as it should be. You'll be more than good to go with > 1/2 your mil-pay and plus your SS. You're more than set in Panama. Enjoy!!
This is, I think, the single most informative video I've found on the area in the months I've been researching. She's pretty much answered all or most of my most important questions.
You are speaking to my heart!! I have started the process for Friendly Nations Visa..I should be finished by June 2017. I am a single 60 years young woman...I am very clear about this next growth phase in my life. Thanks
Inspiring! It's 2019 - did you get to where you wanted to go?
Hi Deborah, do you have any connection to Jamaica.
This video is, by far, one of the most informative videos I've seen over the few months of research I've been conducting. Hoping to add another number to the expat community in the area, soon;-)
I wanna be friends with Cheri! Thanks for being so open with your comments.
Very informative. I like how she expressed the social aspect of this move. It isn't really expressed in other UA-cam video or very little. This is very important. Sorry I didn't catch her name but thank her for us and tell her we may see her in 3 years.
Cheri you give me hope. I am a single woman (51) doing my research on retiring and considering a move like yours. Thank you for your interview ;)
If you can afford it I would advise anyone to visit an area first to get a first hand idea of what the costs are & also to see if you would even like it before pulling roots to a place unseen. Sometimes, when someone mentions costs it might not be an accurate reflection of what it really costs.
Make that two of us! Same age- never thought about moving abroad until NOW- Thank you!!
@@okrantomatoes Can't say I blame you. Especially the way things are going now. lol
Glad I found this video!!
I’d love to move down there in the next couple years. I’m 51 & in Toronto and can’t do the winters anymore.
come see how you can live better for less in Panama. Join us for a panamarelocationtours.com/tours
@@PanamaRelocationTours 10-4!
Those winter's are rough...
60’s! She looks amazing! 10-15 years younger
Panama will do that to you... make you look younger!!
Thank you Cheri for this interview. It has really helped me as I research retiring there as well. Maybe I will meet you when I visit!
Love the idea of living in a small house on a lot with several other houses/apts. Makes for security without a crowd.
Thank you! You have helped me to make my mind up.
Glad I could help!
Very informative and "straight up". Thank you very much for your interview, Cheri.
I know this is a plug for the tour company, but it's nice to not hear someone tell you how scary a place is and that it's hot with bugs. So far number 1 place on my list.
Hi Cherri, welcome to Panama. Hope you get a chance to visit the Azuero Peninsula. Have a blast....
Cheri's interview is the best so far. Would love a follow-up interview with Cheri to see what life is like for her now.
We just posted a follow-up interview with Cheri. You can watch it here: ua-cam.com/video/acZ-e35Fs3w/v-deo.html
Excellent interview. Very informative.
So glad you enjoyed the interview with Cheri. Be sure to check out the latest interview she did 4+ years after this one!
Great interview!
This is really good coverage....Informative, responsive information from a very smart and attractive woman....Good to know that there are quality retirement options outside of the U.S...Panama has some very developed areas with great weather, food and people.
Mark, be sure to check out Cheri's latest UPDATED video too!
Great interview with good info....
great site thanks Gracias
Great video
great video. I want to retire early and the insurance is the sticking point.
Not a sticking point if you retire in Panama. lol Enjoy!!
good video
Sherri you make me want to come right now!
I love her conversation about the food and cooking. One thing that really impressed me when I visited Costa Rica was how great and natural the food was. In America even in warm weather areas it is hard to find fresh ripe fruit. Her stir fry diet sounds really great! Is there anything she really misses or that is not available in Panama. I'm guessing there might not be some fruits like apples or pears, but there would be a whole bunch of wonderful tropical fruits to make up for it.
Apples and pears are imported in to Panama but it's really better to eat FRESH fruit that is grown in Panama.
@@PanamaRelocationTours
Thanks.Yeah, I amazed at all the amazing fruits and veggies from the tropics.
@@PanamaRelocationTours The weather in Alto Boquete can grow apples and pears !
Jeremy from jersey just subscribed
I would like to live in a beach town in Panama, do you have a recommendations? Do you know of any expat communities that are near the beach?
In the expat community, what is the ratio of men to women? Are there organized activities or groups that people can join, like hiking, walking, biking, exercising, or going on outings. The health care really sounds good, especially the dental. I keep hearing that one can find skilled dentists in difference countries areound the world, and even heard of some company that provides information or contacts for dental vacations - not sure Panama is on the list or not. These are great videos, thanks.
There are organized activities like live music and dancing, hiking groups, card games, art classes, yoga, pickle ball, tennis, golf, beach days, etc etc etc...
@@PanamaRelocationTours
Thanks. I wonder if I could ask you another question. I can see this expatriate trend really going forward and accelerating well into the future. I wonder if you can speak, or speculate as to how growth and crowding in these American areas is going to work out? I would imagine that costs are going to increase, as the people I see in videos talking about Costa Rica and then going to Panama because of rising prices. What is the outcome for people who move down there on a fixed income as housing and other costs rise? If they get prices out ... and if I moved down there I could be in that demographic depending on various economic trends, where is there for people to go next? Are there lower costs areas in Panama, or Columbia, or Equador, or even Venezuela?
@@justgivemethetruth These are huge questions for me, too. Very important questions.
@@justgivemethetruth
Do not worry about a mad rush of Americans down there ! Why ? Some Americans prefer Thailand or the Philippines or Mexico or dominican Republic.
I'm from PANAMA myself, hoping I can retire there in 2020 not sure. I move to the US when I was 19yo
I really wanted to go back to my country and retire there. Not SS for me yet but in few years. I'm single too, after been married for 17years I got divorce at the age of 36. Let me know if you still in Pma and if you still think is a good place to live after all the crazy changes with the emigration. Have a great day.
Is your sis named Terra? You'd be around the right age. If so, hey!! -to both of you. :D
SORRY AUTO CORRECT. SEE HER APARTMENT. Please.
Did you have to wait for the VISA before moving or were you living there while waiting?
You don't have to wait for a visa before moving. You can apply for & get your visa after you move to Panama.
i bedroom place, perfect!
liberating
potential for frugality, easy going place; Cheri got it correct in this video, i'd say
affordability
Cool Change, Little River Band
Better-off astute in Panama than ignorant in the U.S.; continually-inescapable expenses up here; CAN'T pair back & live well.
What about getting work or owning your own business.
I'm a pet sitter in alabama. Is there a market there
There are not many jobs in Panama currently.
I'm thinking of retiring there. How much do I need to relocate? Can I work a little if I need to? How much are flights to Dallas?
To be exact: A Round Trip, via Spirit Airlines is $322.21, but you must book via their website. Travel Agents and brokers like Expedia or Travelocity don't include Spirit. But at that price it's cheaper to fly to and from Panama than it is to most places in the U.S.!! lol And they have flights almost every day of the week. That's kinda hard to beat. Enjoy Panama! IMHO, it's more advanced than Florida, but more peaceful, safer, more free, cheaper and guess what? You don't have to worry about the hurricanes, drive-by shootings, gun massacres or threats of terrorism or racial tensions.
@@fanfare100Floridian here moving to Panama in early 2025!😁
Some people did leave and are still leaving
What is that comment in relation to? Are you saying that people are leaving Panama, and why?
Do I need a passport to take the tour to Panama?
Yes
Wow, very inspiring to see a single woman moving out of the country alone. Is that actually what happened? Does Cheri have a history with Panama or Central or South America? What I wonder is that as over time the costs in Costa Rica have gotten higher as more people have moved there, what is the prognosis for Panama? Is the cost of living in Panama projected to be stable over say the next 30 years or so, given that a woman in her 60's now might be expected to live into her 90's or even 100's? Having been to Costa Rica I know how great the food is down there, and the weather and the people. However other videos of people living in Central American talk about how the locals only put up with people for the money.. Very nice to hear all these stories.
Don't all the older American moving down to Panama bother the locals, or does it help the local economy and job market. If this is safe enough for single women the could be a huge mad rush of Americans down there.
I have similar questions.
Do not worry about a mad rush of Americans down there ! Why ? Some Americans prefer Thailand or the Philippines or Mexico or dominican Republic.
Did she say it took 8 months to get a visa?
You get a temporary/processing Visa in about 5 days. It's good for 6 months. Then you get your permanane Visa which is good indefinitely. Then you get a National ID card, also called a cedula. The whole process takes about 7-8 months.
Are panama people called panamanians? What are they like? If I paid cash for a house could I live on $1100 a month?
Yes, we are called Panamanians. I don't know. Lemme see. Have I ever told you what a great person I am???! XD Seriously tho, most Panamanians are pretty chill, easy going and happy-go-lucky. They tend to be a bit informal, in general. And yes, you could _definitely_ live on $1,100/m and have spare change. -just don't eat out every meal, go to the movies every week or buy an expensive car. My sis lives on $900/m and her car is $180/m and has a modest 2 BR apartment. If she can do it and have decent food on her plate and extra for some entertainment, internet, gas, insurance and phone, so can you on $1,100. All the best!
@@fanfare100 Thank you for providing such helpful information for those considering Panama as an expat. I would be a retiree in a few years, and any information from people who are living comfortably on a fixed income is much appreciated!
She doesn't leave in the city
She lives in Boquete
❤🇵🇦🌎
When you in America your not free
North, Central or South America?
@@margaritaavila2778 I'm pretty sure Gino refers solely to the divided states of ....
Thousand a month is pay to pay check cost of living in the US.why move there?doesn't sound any cheaper at all
???. Property tax in USA, I pay 10k per year. HOI 1500 per year.
Car insurance 150 per month. 9.25 sales tax, Federal and state tax. I challenge you come to Silicon Valley and see how cheap it is . meduim home 1 million. If you make under 90k you are considered living in poverty. Couples making 200k can't afford to buy a house ...yeah right USA doesn't seem cheaper LOL
@@michaelchristophergutierre7244 I think you're responding to a kid who still lives with his/her parents & doesn't have a clue how much it costs to live independently in the U.S.
For peace of mind
"cheap" is relative. I consider that Panama (can be) 'inexpensive' more appropriate language. It's all up to You!
I cannot attest to financial advantages of worklife within the U.S., make make make=take, take take. Unless you'e a politician, 10-4? thanks friend.
Panama sounds appealing with it's inexpensive quality. Even "cheap" is expensive and refers to shoddy, in the U.S. IMHO. thanks
Cheri is a sweet lady
$1100 a month seems almost unbelievable. Is this lady for real?
These numbers are for real in Panama! Here's an article with my actual expenses in 2019 panamarelocationtours.com/panama-cost-of-living-in-2019-2
Wow she single HMU dm ma!