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Moving to Rio Sereno If I Can Find A Rental or Volcan

3 years ago
Hi, everyone. My name is Terry and I'm a fit 62-year-old single guy looking to retire in the cool hills of Chiriqui, but integrating into the local culture rather than the expat culture. That's why I'll be starting my upcoming 6 monts on a tourist visa looking for a rental around Rio Sereno or Volcan rather than around Boquete.

I'm flying into David in a couple of weeks from Ontario, Canada. (Got my 2nd shot a few weeks ago.) Can anyone give me some tips on finding a simple cabana or apt to rent around Sereno, Volcan, or Cerro Punta?

Last winter I spent January volunteering in the jungles east of Panama, February volunteering on Isla Colon (not in Bocas Town), and half of March volunteering in Rio Sereno, before the pandemic forced me to return to Canada early. My work was mostly farm and garden labour.

In Sereno I enjoyed my time with Ron Hunter there, and I was planning on staying at his cabana for this visit, but that plan looks like it's falling through and that's why I'm looking for a rental just 2 weeks before arrival. Might anyone have any ideas?

I'm not fluent in Spanish but I speak it well enough to get by on my own. I've done multi-month non-touristy volunteer projects in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Ecuador so I won't be facing culture shock (or diet shock) in a small village rather than a town.

My ultimate goal is quiet retirement, gardening and volunteering locally. Maybe even finding a wife, local or expat.

Another 2 reasons I've chosen NW Chiriqui for starters are the cooler climate and better soils - I love gardening. I know El Valle fits those criteria too but I want a simpler, less expensive location. Santa Fe could fit the bill too, I don't know yet.

Anyways, my desire to live locally doesn't mean I won't want expat friends and activities too, so hello to you all and I hope to meet some of you in my adventures!
Take care,
...Terry

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