New in town

Your story a bit like mine. I retired early and got rid of all belongs. Down to 3 suitcases and went to panama for 5 months all alone. Had to come back before I wanted to due to family emergency. Trying to get back and stay permanently as panama is incredible. But are you sure you want to drive there? Traffic in panama city and David is insane!

Hi. Hope all is ok at home. I live close to my job but not that close to walk or ride a bike.  Sons said NO  To a scooter or motorcycle here.  Way it rains and people drive -  I agree!  I just went to ElValle and think I want to check out Chorrea. Not PTY but close enough to the city if need to come in.  Experts say. Rent and move around to diffrent areas. Might be a plan but for now I do 8/5 weekdays at work and will start stashing money for retirement. 
I live in the cuidad de saber- just starting to get out to explore.

I've been hopping around Panama the last few weeks. If you need to be within reachable distance of the city, I can definately recommend Coronado. It's a gated suburb, lots of expats. Taxi to PTY is $60 one way, and usually takes about 90 min. If you need to make sure you're on time for a meeting or a flight, just go the previous afternoon.

I'd also advise to rent at 1st. Just make sure the property has access to borehole water, and you have a few gallons of drink water  as continuous water supply seems to be an issue in some areas.

For transport you only need a golf cart,  and for bug shopping use a local taxi for $2 or 3.

Even the locals don't use bicycles or scooters in the city. The roads flood when it rains, and thus too dangerous for 2 wheel transport.

I'm hopping to Isle Contadora next week...will report back on that if you are interested.

Kind regards Ilona Visser

yep i lived in the city my first two years 17 yerars ago things have sure changed ,, then lived in a village cerro cama had groceries hdwe store doctor etc, 5 miles from the lake there for 7 yeras as a fishing guide   raised a lot of my own stuff and ate lots of fish even raised our won pig killed and smoked once a year ,, life is what you make of it .

I have a 3 yr contract — so will be working at least a few more years. I think there is a vehicle to buy from a known party, so that will fix  the transportation issue. I want to visit all the areas before I decide what is best for me,  and  i'll probably never buy - I think as I get older less responsibilities is the name of the game., but  thanks.

Hi
For a used car or apartment look in this site encuentra24.com/  I prefer the city, I am sure you can find many options there, and also you can move around in Uber x  which is very cheap.
You can consider Panama Pacific also if you like riding bikes or be close to the jungle.
El Valle or Cerro Azul if you like the mountains, and still be close to the city.
There is a lot of traffic between Chorrera and Panama City now, but in 2 or 3  years the new bridge, the subway and more roads will be communicating this two points so is going to be faster the travel to the city.
If you are going to live outside the city I recommend you to buy a car.