1. Questions!
• Why move to Panama?
• Cost of Living, cost of retiring?
• Desire to try a new lifestyle?
• Tax savings?
• Politics?
• Only one of the above is good reason!
2. More of the Same
• Have you ever lived outside of the US or
Canada before? (Military does not count)
• Are you ready to make MAJOR changes
in your life?
• Do you speak Spanish, are you willing to
learn?
• Are you willing to stretch your brain?
• Are you economically self sufficient?
5. Come without
Preconceptions
• Come without an attitude that you know
anything about this culture, you don’t.
• Come without a feeling your culture is
superior, it is not.
• Come without thinking Panama will
change to suit your needs, it won’t.
6. Come with Dreams
• Come with an open, receptive mind
• Come with a willingness learn
• Come with an income
• Come with a desire to change and grow
8. Many people leave
• Panama is not for everyone
• Panama is not for Type “A” people
• Panama is not static, nor is it efficient
• Panama is not the USA or Canada
9. Many People Stay
• This is a land of great opportunity
• Financial
• Personal
• Spiritual
• Emotional
• Cultural
14. Your eyes and ears are
open
• Be aware the laws are different, do it
right the first time.
• Be aware that you are a target.
• Be aware everyone is a target, you are
not special. ----Juega Vivo
• Be aware other expats often are doing
the shooting. “Trust but Verify” R.R.
17. Panamanians are open to
new immigrants
• Panama is a country of immigrants
• There has been a US influence here for
100 years
• There are many well educated
Panamanians
• There are many dual citizens here
• The country is in flux with great changes
49. What is the expat
experience
• It is exactly what you make it.
• If you choose to live the same life you
had, you can have it.
• If you choose to create a new life you
can create it.
50. Think before you leap
• Healthcare
• Cost of Living
• Taxes and Services
• The Law
• Your reasons for making a change
• Are you ready to change or should you
stay in your own environment
51. Consider Health Care
• Health Care in Panama is good, but your
Medicare or Canadian coverage does
not work here
• There is local private insurance but if you
have pre-existing conditions ..
• Public Health care is not always great,
but at times it is good
52. Cost of Living
• Cost of living here is not low
• You can live in Mississippi for less
• Imports cost more here
• If you live like a local it is cheaper but
you might not like the lifestyle
53. Taxes and Services
• Taxes vary. Do not believe there are
none.
• Services from the government are less
than you might desire
• This is the wild west of Panama
• US Citizens still pay US taxes, with
some exemptions
54. The Law
• Panama is a Civil Law Jurisdiction
• Steal a Chicken go to jail, steal a million,
take the judge to lunch
• Even if you win you may lose
• Lawyers here cannot commit
malpractice; the concept requires
enforcement
• Stay out of the legal system in Panama
55. Decide on your future
• If you are unhappy where you are you
will not be happy here
• Your personal problems come with you
• Do not come to escape the law or taxes
• Do not come for political reasons
• Come to learn, grow and experience a
new life