"Retired"
The "short" answer is NO!I just got back from PANAMA after living there for 1 year, I couldn't take it anymore!
These people that report everything cheaper in PANAMA are sadly mistaken or they've never been to Panama.
Sure, you can live out in the countryside cheap, but why?!?
PANAMA is NOT safe, and NOTHING is cheaper there than in the US, except for health insurance.
It was cheap 10 years ago, but real estate, gasoline, auto insurance, autos, bars, apartment rentals, groceries, malls, clothing, ALL cost more in PANAMA than the USA!.....
I challenge anybody to name something cheaper in Panama than the US!
So all these "expats" or anybody else that sez Panama is a beautiful, wonderful place???
I seriously question their judgement and/or the reason for the "embellishments".
PANAMA IS NOT WHAT YOU EXPECT!
Oh, and the cops.......they will randomly stop you for a "shakedown" for whatever amount of money you have on you, ......so you'll need ATM's, even though 3 times I requested $500.00 from the "Bank" ATM and nothing came out, but charged my account in the states!
And, by the way, don't take a taxi in Panama, my friend was "maced" and then forced to withdraw money from an ATM before the driver let him go!
Was I disappointed in PANAMA????? You bet, and I won't be back!
So you retirees living in places like DAVID or CHIRIQUE made a serious mistake (IMHO) because if you bought any property, you now realize that prices are dropping like a volcanic rock!
And what do you do for fun?... work in your garden, climb the volcano or watch the FEW American stations on CABLE-ONDA???...because there ain't a damn thing going on outside of Panama City!
