"MOVED OUT OF PANAMA!"
Marco is absolutely correct!My 12 months in Panama revealed: 50% HIGHER light bills than MIAMI! 30% HIGHER price for gasoline per/gal 40% HIGHER auto insurance 30% HIGHER real estate compared to MIAMI! (I reside in both cities!) 40% HIGHER to purchase a new car 30% HIGHER for HOTELS that DO NOT COMPARE to the US 20% HIGHER groceries PANAMA is NOT safe, I don't care what anybody sez, I lived there for over a year and traveled all over the country. My partner (the above poster) was murdered in our new high-rise apartment, and yes, the building had cameras and security.......... the problem is trying to get the police to investigate the murder. The chief investigator could NOT get to the apartment to investigate because all the government cars were being used, and then there was the fact that he was gay, a big no-no in Panama! If it's not "tied" down, it will get stolen! My friend built a new business, before he could turn on the electricity the outside power panel and all the wiring was stolen 3 times!....... and it's in a neighborhood! Basically, PANAMA is NOT the cheap haven that some say it is, unless you want to "down-grade" to a lower life-style, because it is impossible to live in PANAMA cheaper than the USA!..... OR live in BOQUETE, which sounds beautiful, but save your money, North Carolina and 49 other States are MORE beautiful than ANY part of Panama!......There is NOTHING in BOQUETE but a bunch of INDIANS that have increased the crime-rate to alarming levels......don't believe me?....just ask any Realtor in Boquete or someone that lives there! I know an American that moved to Boquete from Miami 2 years ago and he is also coming back to FLORIDA due to the crime and inconveniences. But Good Luck with whatever your decision is to move to PANAMA.....I would suggest, like someone else recommended, try renting for 1 year then make your decision. | 
