What advice do overseas retirees have for others considering retiring abroad?
When we asked what advice they have for others considering retiring abroad, they advised...
"Spend some time, several weeks if possible, to get a real feel for the area you are considering retiring to. We came here 5 times before we purchased," explained one expat living in Taboga Island, Panama.
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"Panama is a nice place, but hot and humid with the best climate from December to April. Advertising from some relocation services about how cheap is Panama is not really up to date since Panama is getting expensive. The best way is to visit the recommended places and, by yourself, visit the stores (especially grocery) to figure out prices of some products are twice the US price. You can buy local but you will be considerably limited on food and food diversity is very important for a good health. Everything is full retail price in Panama and lots of people order from the US and it still is cheaper even with shipping with a much larger selection as Panama selection is very limited and it's understandable with only 4M population. We have lived in Panama and Portugal but there are no comparison as Portugal is the best place to be but it's far away from the US with a different time zone and currency. Portugal price are much lower than Panama on everything and the grocery food selection is the best you can have. Panama is a nice place to live with nice people but not based on lower cost of living since it has changed in the past few years. There maybe places you can live "cheap" but that won't be next to big center with not much services accessibility and diversity (hospitals, clinics, pharmacy, grocery stores, etc) with no price/selection competition among the different stores," said another expat in Panama City, Panama.
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Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Panama?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Panama?
- Will I be able to find a job in Panama?
- What is life like in Panama?
- What do expats in Panama appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Panama?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Panama accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Panama like?
- What are healthcare services like in Panama?
- What are medical services in Panama like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Panama?
- What are emergency services like in Panama?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Panama?
- How are local medical facilities in Panama?
- As a foreigner living in Panama, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
What advice do overseas retirees have for others considering retiring abroad?
If you live in Panama, newcomers to Panama would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.