We are in our early 50's and my husband is on a state pension from Florida. We are in the beginning process of retiring to Panama and my husband will be flying down in January to check it out for the 1st time. We are looking at the Highlands area for Spring-like temperatures year round. He will probably be traveling to Boquette, which seems to be popular.
Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I would like for him to find out more information on prescriptions, cost of health insurance, taxes, cost of housing, etc.
I have been looking on the internet, but it seems the majority of websites I find are old (2008 or earlier).
Thank you in advance for any responses.
My wife and I are planning to do a snowbird retirement in Panama. We bought property to build on 2.5 years ago.we were offered 3 times our money so we are selling it now.
This past may we checked out boquette area and found it very pleasant and would have liked to stay a few days but our time was limmited. I is all that you read about. David The lare city that is a 30 + min dirve has all that you would find in a similar city of 50+K here in the states.
A heart clinic that even Panama city does not have the equal of has recently opened there and it has a very fine hospital. A 4 lain is planed for David to Boquette in the next year or two.Boquette is a shangrela - make sure you have good hobbies. if Your into gardening, lapidary, Photography, Bird watching, hiking,painting etc. Boquette
is a small town with interesting people about in addition to the native people. There is another place not as cool as boquette but cooler than other parts of panama which actually interests me more, El Valle. its a smaller village but closer to the rest of the world. There is also a new hospital within 30 min built by John Hopkins, built mostly for the expat.
If you speak a little spanish than you might even consider
4 or 5 of the medium size towns like Penenome, Chitre,
San Carlos, Santiago. and there a couple others.
The healthcare is everything they say it is if not better.
There are inexpensive healthcare plans available
no problem with drugs many that are prescrition in the states are over the counter there. Let me put it much simpler. There is nothing you can get in the States that
you would not be able to find here. Pensionados , which is what you would be considered receive many bennefit which you would not get anywhere ells in the world.My wife is from the former Canal Zone and I went to high
school there in the 60s. where we met. Much has change
and much has not. The panamainian People is the country's biggest asset. The people in the capital city are
almost as good. There is very little crime. To live in Panama You must remember only one thing. "There is always a tomorrow" so don't be in a hurry and relax. You
may contact me if you like.rudolf@citlink.net
Comment #3 Janice Wilson at 09/11/09 14:50To Bonnie:If your husband is going down in January, email Tony Lim at lima0922@cwpanama.net
US and Panamanian citizen specializing in expats moving to Panama. Can steer you clear of all the "local" Panamanian real estate laws that you need to watch out for. MOst retirees will find Boquete the most temperate of temperatures and close to the city if you need to take care of medical issues. However I hear nearby medical clinics in Boquete are getting to be just as good as the city due to all the expats who are there.
My parents (in California) would in fact fly to Panama for the excellent medical and save a ton of money. Panama city is hustle and bustle so outside the city may be better suited (Altos de Maria is very nice near Boquete) and your money goes a long way in Panama (get used to having a maid, gardener, cook). You can tell Tony that Roger recommended; he speaks fluent English and Spanish.Good luck and Enjoy!
