Expat Community > Panama

kedoshin
Joined 2011
Posts: 1

Need Area and Apt Advice in PC

13 years ago

Hello, my girlfriend and I are moving to Panama in early July (5th-7th) and are looking at fully furnished apartments for rent. We have looked at various websites including encuentra24.com and are in need of some advice on the areas in PC.

Before the advice, let me give you some background information: We are in our early 30's, I work from home developing iPhone/iPad applications and come from a design/art/creative background. My girlfriend, who also happens to be two months pregnant, comes from a long managerial background and will be assisting me with my applications. We both love to be active; running (we have done 5k's, 10k's, half marathons and she has done marathons), walking, biking and have two small dogs (9 lbs and 16 lbs) that need a place to stretch their tiny legs every so often. We are drawn to old architecture like Casco Viejo but we are not adverse to modern skyscrapers.

And now on to the advice. We are looking for a fully furnished apartment with either 1 to 2 bedrooms, 1 to 2 bathrooms with either a good modern feel or old architectural look. I see that the Cinta Costera has a 4.5 mile bike/walk path but would like to know if there are any other places in the city that have safe and adequate biking/walking/running paths? I see Amador Causeway also has a bike path but it looks no where near any living areas that could be safety accessed. I've read that it is unwise to attempt to drive anywhere in PC unless you want to try the sport of car bumper bowling, but how safe is it for walking and/or biking in the city? Is taxi the only refuge of the sane? Do taxis usually allow dogs?

I don't mind a 1-2 mile walk (or bike ride if possible?) to places but it just needs to semi safe from being run over (side walks, traffic signals, etc). I have seen suggestions on Avenida Balboa, Marbella and Punta Paitilla but would like a little more information about these locations, their attractions, their drawbacks and the ability to walk to the surrounding areas. What areas do you suggest for someone looking to stay active, to be within walking distance to attractions (groceries, restaurants, parks, etc), but far enough away to be outside of any sketchy places for foreigners. We would like to keep the budget from $500 to $1100 but no more, unless the apartment is including bills all or partially inclusive. Lease length would be 6 month or less. I assume that most on-line quoted prices are negotiable? Are they artificially raising the prices for foreigners? I've noticed almost all advertisements state they don't deal with agents. How much are they jacking the prices up for foreigners?

Sorry for the mountain of text and thank you in advance,
Seth

AGS Worldwide Movers

AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world.
Get Quote

AGS Worldwide Movers

AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world.
Get Quote

Living in Panama Guide

Our Guide to Living in Panama is a perfect primer for readers interested in Panama. Covers healthcare, cost of living, best places to live, residency, visas, real estate, moving tips and the pros and cons of living in Panama.

Panama Forum
Join our Panama forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Panama.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Best Places to Live in Panama

If you're dreaming about living in Panama, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Panama in 2023.

Healthcare in Panama

Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.

Cost of Living in Panama

Expats in Panama enjoy a relatively low cost of living. However, it's important to do your research to make sure you'll actually enjoy those saving while creating a high quality of life as an expat in Panama.

Moving to Panama Guide

Do you have to buy a round trip ticket when moving to Panama? How difficult is it to bring my dog? Should I buy a home in Panama? Can I find health

Real Estate in Panama

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Panama.

Pros & Cons of Living in Panama

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Panama.

Retiring in Panama

Advice for people retiring in Panama.

Panama Visa & Residency Guide

This article covers the ins and outs of the most common tourist and residency visas that expats and global nomads obtain when moving to and living in Panama.

10 Tips for Living in Panama

If you've recently arrived in Panama, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Panama.

Additional Information:

Visit our Panama Index for a Full List

AGS Worldwide Movers

AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world.
Get Quote

AGS Worldwide Movers

AGS Worldwide Movers can move you to and from anywhere in the world.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Panama by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Login

Or, Send Login Link

Expat Community > Panama

Need Area and Apt Advice in PC

Login