Future Expats Forum, American in Panama blog, Panama living, Panama travel, portable career

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I help future expats plan and prepare for their move, establish portable careers, and I share my experiences in Panama

tags: Panama living, Panama travel, portable career

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by: FutureExpat

Following the US economic meltdown of 2008, we realized we could no longer afford to live in the US. After researching possible low-budget destinations, we shortened our list and we are now trying out life in the town of Las Tablas, Panama. I'm a writer, so I can work as long as I have internet. My husband is "retired," but looking for something worthwhile to do. I arrived in Las Tablas in March, 2012, and my husband and our three dogs followed in April. I write about expatriation at http://FutureExpats.com, focusing on three main subject areas: Portable Careers, Preparing for an Overseas Move and our own experiences here in Panama.

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Latest posts on Future Expats Forum

3 No-Nonsense Reasons You Should Attend an Expat Conference Posted on 18/06/2013

If you’re contemplating your first move overseas, attending an expat conference can be an excellent way to start. I’ve been to a few, and you can read about them: Top 20 Country... Read more

The NSA (aka Big Brother) is Watching You Posted on 14/06/2013

If you believe recent allegations, the NSA has been spying on your internet activity for years. They say they don’t target US citizens. They do target communications between the US... Read more

What’s the Weakest Link in YOUR Portable Career? Posted on 11/06/2013

The internet makes portable careers possible. Whether your portable career involves writing, building websites, photography or something else, you rely on the internet to keep you connected... Read more

Overseas Retirement — How to Choose the Best Country... Posted on 07/06/2013

From the Archives. . . The ideal way to find the best country for your expat life is to visit and fall in love. If you’ve been fortunate enough to spend time in other countries, you... Read more

Living Arrangements at Home and in Panama: Reader Questions... Posted on 04/06/2013

Finding a place to live in Panama’s interior is very different from what you’re probably used to in the US, Canada or Europe. In those places, whether you’re renting or... Read more

A Fancy Lunch on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula Posted on 28/05/2013

You can find tipico lunches everywhere — but where on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula do you go for an elegant mid-day dining experience? One choice in Chitre stands out. Every once... Read more

Driving While Gringo in Panama Posted on 21/05/2013

Last month I let you know about the speeding ticket my husband got while we were driving from Las Tablas to Chitre. We drove around a sweeping curve and saw the policeman right away —... Read more

How to Stay Connected Overseas without Breaking the Bank Posted on 14/05/2013

Recently a reader told me he’d appreciate “any suggestions on how to stay connected.” When it comes to staying in touch with family, friends and business back home, a... Read more

Getting Ready to Teach English in Prague Posted on 10/05/2013

Guest Post by Sean Lords Gearing up for a year of teaching abroad can be both a stressful and exciting time in your life. On one hand, you are preparing for what will probably be one of the... Read more

Horses and Ponies and Cows — Oh, My! Posted on 07/05/2013

Kiddie rides. . . hot dogs on a stick. . . ice cream and cotton candy. . . cows and horses. . . farm equipment. . . furniture. . . experimental agricultural techniques. . . this fair in Los... Read more

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Location

If you're coming to Panama and seeking employment or trying to start your own business, this is a heads-up. Panama acts welcoming to people moving in, but we've had more than one friend here who has started a business, thrived initially, and then found that if it was a service that a wealthy Panamanian also provided, their permits suddenly got pulled or denied. These people have dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into moving here, relocated their kids, and find they're being bullied out of their livelihoods. Beware -- it's not the hospitable host country you're being led to believe. Corruption abounds.

By retiredchica 2013-05-20, 02h19

My husband and I are in the infant stages beginning to search for an area we would like to relocate to. Do you have any advice on whether we should consider moving to Panama with a small child. He is not yet even one year old.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you!

By Lawyher 2012-11-08, 01h22

Love your articles Susanna!

By Deborah Strachan 2012-07-25, 06h20

Hi Brenda, how long will yo be spending in Panama when you visit? Do you like big cities? Small towns? Beach? Mountains? There's a lot of variety here. . .

By FutureExpat 2012-07-06, 20h42

Hi, After the meltdown state side we have come to the realization we may have a higher quality of life for retirement in Panama. I am not sure how to start the process.

It would be great to connect to someone who has blazed the trail. We have not visited yet. Like a new pair of shoes. We are going to walk about later this year.

Any tips you can give us will help. Books, places good for retirees, travel tips, etc. I contacted the embassy as a start.

My wish is for a guide to help us make arrangements.

Tahnk you, David and Brenda Bombgardner

By Brenda M. Bomgardner 2012-07-06, 08h25

Hi David & Darlene,

Is the purpose of your trip to explore Panama to see if you'd feel good about living here? Or have you already done that? If you've not visited the country, I think it makes sense to do that before spending time with experts.
Feel free to contact me by email at perks at futureexpats.com!

By FutureExpat 2012-07-03, 00h13

Hello-We are seriously looking at Panama for retirement. We'd like to make a "investigational" trip in March 2013. Can you point us in the right direction? We'd like to meet with as many "experts" as we can while there, i.e. retirement/pensionado information, health insurance info, visa or passport info, etc. Would so appreciate your assistance!
Thanks
Darlene & David Sparks

By David & Darlene S 2012-06-30, 03h39

congratulations, my husband and I will be moving to Pma. by the end of sept.,I'm born panamanian, but had not visit since I left the country 40 years ago. Have few ideas about starting a business there but first we need to secure a place to live. I'm so looking forward to meet you.

By reina moskow 2012-06-07, 18h24

Sorry, I teach people about portable careers, don't have any contacts in the traditional job market here. You should know that finding a job in any country other than your own is difficult. If you have a skill that's in high demand you stand a better chance.

By FutureExpat 2012-06-04, 18h35

Hi,
Could you please advise me on how to get a job in Panama in the field of business.
I have finished my MBA and learning Spanish..Know English and Arabic, have good experience in business development.
can you advise me with a recruiting agency there?
Thanks

By Egiptia 2012-06-02, 14h37

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