Latest Expat Stories | Best Places In The World To Retire

The Benefits of Being Bilingual

Ok, so I’m British, and for me it is all about good manners, I was coming to live in a Spanish speaking country, so the least I could do was to learn the language! “How hard could it be?” I asked myself!
Well, when my family and I started this adventure back in 2012, we took Spanish lessons every time we visited Panama, because right from the start, it was apparent that English was not widely spoken and if we were to live here, we really needed to be able to communicate! Of...

General Guide to Buying or Selling Real Estate in Panama

Curious about how to buy or sell real estate in Panama? Dream beachfront property – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

This story will cover the basics on buying or selling real estate in Panama, including the costs of buying or selling property and the conveyance process.

In some cases, but not all, the first step in the sales process is a Promise to Purchase agreement, whereby the buyer puts down a good faith deposit to take the property off the market for a certain amount of days. The real...

A History of the Pedasi Area, Including Playa Venao and Punta Mala

Street sign to Pedasi, with surfing on it – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Surfing has been here in the Pedasi area for a long time. The waves in Venao (about 30 minutes away by car) were discovered a long time ago. The first time I came here to Pedasi, which was about 10 years ago, Venao was a very quiet place where the only things you will see are cantinas. During that time, beer only costs US $.40 per bottle and one meal was only about $2 per surfer. The surfers were happy because they came here in the summer, set up their tents at the beach, the...

The Worst Thing About Panama Is Also One Of The Best Things

Ex-patriots are one of the worst things about Panama. Why? Many people do nothing more than look at glossy magazines full of hype, vacation pamphlets filled with exciting activities and resort lifestyles. (Nothing wrong with those, by the way). However one should also do some research about the pros and cons of moving to Panama. Sites like this one have stories and questions answered by real people who have experienced expat live here. There are videos on YouTube that put you...

Best Place to Retire in The World is Pedasi Panama

It’s another beautiful day in Pedasi. In the morning it rained but now the sun is shining and there’s a nice breeze. A great day to go fishing or just plain relaxing on the beach under a shade tree with a tropical drink!

Relaxing at Isla Iguana Pedasi – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

I just wanted to tell people about Pedasi and the Azuero Peninsula without sounding like I'm selling them. lol

I have visited 43 states, including Hawaii. I've...

Why Did I Choose To Live In Panama?

Presented with permission from Bob Adams, of Retirement Wave

People often ask me why did I choose to live in Panama. Well, there’s a whole series of reasons. I want to pull one out and give special mention to it.

Panama High Schoolers – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Panama High Schoolers – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

That is the willingness of people to look forward into the future with a very positive attitude. And that’s one thing I look for in any country where I’m going to live. It’s the local people and how they...

Weddings in Panamá, Republic of Panamá.

Weddings have always been a big deal for everyone. It is a very special day for every couple that makes a deep commitment in their lives. I think that is universal thinking...

BUT... it´s really amazing what a wedding involves, and, in Panamá, this is very much the case.

Panamanians take very, very seriously the fact that a marriage is a Sacrament; not merely a social issue. Marriage has to be...

Panama Football Teams Seek World Titles

Panama Men's Flag Football Team running back – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

On September 7, the Panama men’s and women’s flag football national teams will be flying to Grosseto, Italy, for the International Federation of American Football Flag Football World Championship. Originally scheduled for August 13-15, in Jerusalem, the tournament had to be moved because of the violence in that region.

This event has been held every two years since 2002 and is the showpiece event for senior national teams competing in 5-on-5 flag...

AHHH YES Learning to Adjust

Homesickness hits us all here in Panama. Of course, any place you move to outside the US you will find the same thing.

For me it took about three months to hit. You’re so busy doing this and that to prepare for your leaving the US and so happy about your new life that awaits you. When you get here, you have shopping to do, moving into your new home, people to meet and greet. You’re happy with all the new things to see and do around you; the music the food,...

Learn Step by Step

Ahhh, Panama, you have been sitting wherever for months trying to learn as much as you can about this place, finding some great info and some downright lies, I bet.

How you can retire here and live like a king for around $1,000 per month? That one always makes me laugh.

It is true some things are cheaper here, but overall a gallon of gas costs what it costs, right?

Now let’s say you’re getting older like me, not in too great of health and you see...