I am also contemplating a move to Panama (retired military). I heard that there is an area of military retiree s. Do you have any info you can share?

Volcan seems remote. Same distance drop dvaid as boquete because of mountin ranges.

The expense is offset be the cost of running homes and vehicles in the extremes cold weather.

@@bobhowes3362 Yeah, no I don't think so! When it's 98 degrees outside, and 95% humidity, I need air conditioning. There is also no additional expense to run a vehicle, in cold or hot weather, so that's meaningless. Two of our female friends were stopped on the highway (individually) by the police, and were told they were "speeding". They were offered the option to pay the "fine" there on the side of the road, or go to court. One of our friends didn't have $50 in cash, and after a lot of heated discussion in Spanish, which she didn't speak, they finally settled on the $20 cash she had on her, and let her go. One of the ladies has lived there for 12 years, so she's not a newbie. We returned home January 26th, 2023 and it was cold here in Toronto, but I could have kissed the ground when we got home! I'll take the 4 seasons, and not have to be afraid of the police, or feel like we're getting ripped off for things in the stores. I didn't mind it at our condo on the beach, but living like a Panamanian wasn't for us.

@investigator77 So your saying that it's NOT more expensive to run a vehicle during the winter??? I've lived in Colorado all of my life. What about snow tires, chains, batteries, deicers, and all the other stuff that goes with cold weather driving? 🤔

@@bobhowes3362 Don't take it so personally Bob. We don't use snow tires, chains, or de-icers. Here in Southern Ontario where we live, we use All-Season radials on the Toyota Highlander all year round, the temperature is not anything like it would be in Colorado! LOL Take out a map of the US/CANADA border, and you'll see that the the bottom tip of Southern Ontario is actually SOUTH of 6 US States. Panama wasn't for us. We lived there for 3 months. We didn't like it, for so many reasons. Stop being so offended by my personal experience. It's weird.

@@investigator77red flag, when you said, don't take it so personally... poor communication skills or poor tactics, not sure. When people label the mindset of the other person in the conversation, they're really just projecting.

Hi! The protests were in July and the situation calmed down and resolved very quickly. Panama has serious advantages for those looking for a country with a cheaper standard of living than the United States and Europe. The country is also blessed with beautiful islands, ample coastline beaches, mountain retreats, and colonial towns. Panama has something for everyone.

Why focus on something that only happened for a short time a long time Ago! Who are you listening to? Get more info and think for yourself!! ❤

You need to go there are see much of it from ever coast so you can really decide. If not, you are not working with a full deck and bound to lose!

The are cooler cities in Panama than Panama City.

Where in Columbia? Any suggestions? Thanks. ☘️☘️☘️

@@Dhspat Get the guide book: Lonely Planet specifically for Colombia and read it from cover to cover.

@@Dhspat Medellin and all the small towns around it, La Ceja, RioNegro, LLanogrande, La Fe, El Retiro. Also Armenia Quindio, also selento and filandia (small towns). Half price of Panama.

Don’t get behind a delivery truck!! Plan on a minimum of 45 minutes just to be safe!

Hi Don! This article might be helpful: www.liveandinvestoverseas.com/in-focus-panama/will-you-prefer-living-in-costa-rica-or-panama-find-out-here/

I lived in Costa Rica and now have a permanent residency in Panama. I prefer Panama by far. Panama uses the US dollar, the cost of living can be much less (depending on where you live), Panama is below the hurricane belt (though CR is not affected by hurricanes all that much), and I find Panamanians to be more down to earth. That is my perspective. Good luck.

@@billhennessey6374 Excellent points!

@@billhennessey6374 Hello, we been in Costa Rica lots of times, but never been in Panama. Wear is cheaper life? Like rent for 3 months November December and January and food Costa Rica or Panama?

@@Pk12138 it totally depends on where in the country you go. If you are interested in the beach, you would pay a lot more in Coronado, Panama than you would in Pedasi, Panama because there are a lot more expats in Coronado and it is more developed. I have not been to Costa Rican beach communities in some time, but I do understand that Costa Rica is more expensive.

Thanks Michael, glad it helped!

Thank you for the warning. Does Boquette have beaches?

@@WWEENETWORK you have access to the la Barqueta which about 1 hr away.

@@bhoustonjr 😊

@@bhoustonjr Thank You. Where is the best area ....if you want to live near the ocean but want modern type living?

@@WWEENETWORK I would check out the Coronado area, that is closer to Panama city. Also Pedasi is a nice area on the Azuero peninsula area. This area get less rain.

That highway has enormous potholes everywhere, so most traffic goes about 40 MPH. I'm sure you could bust an axle if you didn't see one, and drove into it at 60 miles and hour. There are no other highways to change to. There's really only one highway that goes from eastern Panama, to the other western border. There are no sideroads to get around any blockages, which happen frequently. It took us 3 hours and 20 minutes to get to our hotel in Nueva Gorgona, from the airport (estimated at 50 minutes, to 90 minutes, depending who you speak to. We left at 5:20 p.m., and arrived at 8:40 p.m.

@@investigator77 When people hear or read “remote” they only think peace and quiet not un civilized, which can be a better descriptive word! ❤

It’s growing. Get there quick!!

Investment in the country...$100K - $200K

Hi Terry, glad you fond it useful!

Pedasi has been handled intensively....