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Valuable Inside Knowledge from Veteran Expat on Retirement, Relocation and Travel

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Valuable Inside Knowledge from Veteran Expat on Retirement, Relocation and Travel The 2021 Cultural Handbook LIFE IN PANAMA Valuable inside knowledge from Veteran Expat on Retirement, Relocation and Travel. BY MICHAEL FLORA L I F E I N P A N A M A W H E R E Y O U R J O U R N E Y T O K N O W L E D G E B E G I N S IF YOU ARE AMONG THOSE WHO RECENTLY DECIDED TO MOVE TO PANAMA, YOU COULDN'T HAVE MADE A BETTER DECISION. Recently, many people are considering moving to Panama. That is mostly because Panama is a beautiful place with a vibrant culture. Besides that, this area is very unique, and you can easily find everything you want. The costs of living are very low. Which means that for a small price you can find whatever you need. When it comes to Panamanians, they are generally very welcoming and friendly toward foreigners. And aside from the warm local population, there is a large expat population. So if you decide to relocate to Panama, it’s easy to find guidance and friendship from others who have been in a similar spot in the past. F R E E D O M A W A I T S Y O U P A G E T W O | F R E E D O M C O N T E N T S Why move to 0 7 Panama? Education 1 8 Places to Discover 3 0 in Panama Settling in after the 4 5 Move Should you move to 5 2 Panama? P A G E T H R E E | C O N T E N T S A B O U T T H E B O O K M o v i n g t o P a n a m a i s p e r h a p s o n e o f t h e s m a r t e s t d e c i s i o n s y o u c o u l d e v e r m a k e . I f y o u a r e i n t r i g u e d t o k n o w w h y a n d h o w t o d o i t r i g h t , k e e p r e a d i n g t h i s i n f o r m a t i v e g u i d e . P a c k e d w i t h o v e r a d e c a d e o f e x p a t i n s i d e r i n f o r m a t i o n , i t w i l l p r o v i d e y o u w i t h a l l t h e e s s e n t i a l s r e q u i r e d t o p r e p a r e y o u f o r y o u r r e l o c a t i o n , r e t i r e m e n t , a n d e v e n t r a v e l t o P a n a m a . " Your one step closer towards finding a perfect living destination! " PANAMA P A G E F O U R | A B O U T L I F E I N P A N A M A INTRO This short, but information-packed handbook will give you the information needed to live in Panama and what to expect. Moreover, I will talk about the main questions I receive from clients where I outline them for you in a compact, interesting and educational read, where you will learn everything there is to know about Panama, and how to make life better both for you and your family. Although Panama has both good and bad sides, it is a place that you will love. While you can find plenty of other wonderful places to live, there is more to Panama than it meets the eye at first glance. You just have to give it a chance and believe! With that in mind, you probably have too many questions swirling around your head. Well, here is where you can get almost every question answered. This custom guide to Panama has the purpose of educating and preparing everyone who decided to make this wonderful country their new home! P A G E F I V E | I N T R O PANAMA Panama offers year around tropical weather, a booming economy, first world medical care, a strong infrastructure, low cost of living and many tax advantages. Poised at the junction of North and South America, its one of the most exciting places to visit or reside in Central America. In recent years, home and condo sales have been increasing in demand, driven by an influx of foreign buyers who have chosen this country as their top pick for investment, second home or retirement property destination. All the beauties of the Panamanian lifestyle are at your hands reach, you just need to stretch out your hands and grab them. Buckle up, and join me on this short but information-packed ride! You have a chance to get to know what living in Panama really means. Here are your front-row seats to this unique experience. P A G E S I X | P A N A M A R E N T I N G O R B U Y I N G A H O M E I N P A N A M A WHY MOVE TO PANAMA T O P R A N K E D P L A C E S T O R E T I R E O R L I V E Although it might come as a surprise for many, Panama is actually a wonderful place to move to. Let me quickly elaborate on all the benefits of living in Panama. Once you know what they are, it won't come as a surprise to you that Panamanians are known as the happiest people in the world! Consequently, you too will wish to own a Panama property. LOW LIVING COST At the top of the list is the low cost of living. It is substantially lower if you compare it to Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. The average monthly salary varies between $600 and $1200. It is also important to mention that the living expenses are about 25% lower than that of an average US city. The cost of Panama homes and condos is quite affordable. For that reason, check out Panama's real estate website and find a place for you! P A G E S E V E N | C O S T O F L I V I N G L I F E I N P A N A M A RELOCATING Now that you understand the basic requirements of moving from the United States to Panama, let’s talk about the relocation and how to find someone who will assist you in the process. When it comes to the actual process of moving from the U.S. to Panama, there are a couple of things you should know. Take some lessons in Spanish, you will need it sooner than you think. Hire a licensed lawyer to help you in the search for Panama homes. It will be easier to close a good deal if you have a local on your side. When picking a moving company, always look for someone with experience and knowledge. Have in mind that the dry season is from January to May. When looking for a way of transportation for moving to Panama, relocation by plane is by far the most enjoyable one. With that in mind, contact the crew from peasleyboisemovers.com to help you look into different options for shipping your belongings. Furthermore, make sure your passport is valid for more than six months from the date of entry. P A G E E I G H T | R E L O C A T I N G L I F E I N P A N A M A SAFETY Before talking about anything else, it is crucial to discuss crime and safety in Panama. One of the major concerns for anyone moving to a foreign country is safety. When it comes to Panama, we must be realistic. According to the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory, Panama has a considerable level of crime. Nevertheless, when compared to other Central American countries, it is still a safer place to live. Even though this sounds scary, if you apply common sense and best practices, there is no reason to be afraid. For starters, always look for a place in a gated neighborhood. Apartments and buildings with security are the best way to protect your loved ones. Another advice is to stay in urban areas since rural parts are more targeted due to the lower living standards, lower income, and lower police presence. Furthermore, follow common sense and avoid drugs, and suspicious people or strangers. As long as you stay in secure communities, there is no reason to be afraid. However, there are some good practices when it comes to crime and safety in Panama.
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