If you’re new to our blog, you might not know that our little family has been living in Panama for almost three years! We moved here from The Bahamas when our youngest daughter had just turned three with basically the clothes on our backs. We’ve built a home here, had our second baby here, and now we’re off to see the rest of the world. But I sure am going to miss these sun-filled days under the tropical sun.
Here is my top ten list of things that I loved about living in Panama!
- Easy living: If you need help anything, you can get it at a reasonable price. Gardners, repair men, maids, nannies you name it. It’s easy to find someone to build something custom or make something for you without spending hundreds of dollars because cost of livning is much lower here for those living outside of the city. It’s normal to have a maid, a nanny, and a driver and no-one will look at you side eye for having these helpers. It makes for living much more carefree and easy. I love that I don’t have to do my laundry or drive if I don’t want to!
- Health care: There are good Dr.s here and it’s much much cheaper than in the US. Even without insurance, I pay less and the health care is for the most part pretty good if you choose the private sector. I love that I can go to a dr. and say what I think is wrong and get the tests I need without having to wait for long appointments or book in with specialists. I love that I don’t get charged an arm and I leg for certain things either. An annual exam here in Panama cost me 75 without insurance including the lab fee. An annual exam in the states without insurance cost me 1,000. It’s affordable and many of the Dr.s here studied in the states.
- Safety: Panama is the safest country in Latin America. Yes there is crime here just like anywhere else but there aren’t many violent crimes and many of the crime stays within the crime world if that makes sense. I’m less concerned about violent crimes like school shootings or terror attacks. Yes, there are still crimes of opportunity but you will get that anywhere in the world. I never feel unsafe walking the streets alone or having my cell phone out.
- The weather: The temperautre is pretty much the same all year round. The rainy season is of course rainy, but it’s still warm and pleasant to be outside as it doesn’t rain all day. I love that I can wear shorts all year.
- Mañana /Relaxed attitude: It used to drive me crazy when someone said they would be at my place to fix something at a certain time and then show up the next day. But honestly it’s helped me chill out a little. The joke when someone new moves to Panama that the expats say is TIP or “this is Panama”. The Panamanian’s have truly learned how to relax, and live a slower lifestyle which I’ve learned to embrace.
- Living car free and easy access to transportation: You can take uber or cabify for 2-3 dollars around the city. It costs 12 to go from the city to Toucman airport. There are drivers you can hire for beach or mountain trips that are also affordable. I also walk a lot. the hospital is half a mile and the grocery is right below my apartment. It’s easy to get around, you just have to learn when to avoid going out because traffic can get wild.
- Mini vacations and staycations: You can Travel to the mountains, or the beach within a few short hours. There are also many very nice hotels with pools and spas you can stay at for the weekend. You have mouatnians, rain forest, beaches, and thousands of islands to explore.
- Taxes and Panama uses the US dollar: Panama is income tax free and capital gains tax free which means you keep everything you earn from working or investments. If you come from a country that allows you to pick up residency somewhere else and not pay taxes in your home country (the us does not allow but I’m not working so it doesn’t matter). Also US dollar is the official currency.
- Panamanian culture: The Panamanians sure do know how to party! They celebrate everything and have this zest for life! From the birth of a baby, baptism, birthday, weddings… because its a Tuesday. You name it the Panamanians are always celebrating something and they celebrate it big. It doesn’t always mean spending alot of money but I love their sense of family and togetherness and celebrating life.
- Hodge lodge of people: There are people from all over the world. I mean all over the world. Australia, CAnanda, USA, UK, Japan, China. I love watching all the expats come together and mix in with the Latin America culture. It’s really cool to see all the different people adapting and throwing their spin on things. It’s always interesting to have diner parities or birthday parties when everyone comes together.
And there you have it! My top ten reasons why I love living in Panama! If you are an expat looking to move to Latin America and you have small children (or you don’t) you will love it. It’s a wonderful place to raise children and to learn how to slow down a little.
If you’ve ever been to Panama leave me a comment and let me know what you liked/disliked about it.