Eurodog

Do you mind..never had a dose, and don't want another......

Mitzyboy

As meauxna said, its a strange way to look at things when thats what a forum is all about. You know as much about someone you are pming as anyone else on here

Manc

Well I can't afford a ransom note, can you not ask FARC nicely to just let you go and try and make your own way out of the Darien Forest?

Eurodog

Well in that unlikely event I obviously will not be able to call upon my American friends for funds as they are struggling to pay their mortgages, but being a French resident I think the President might have a bit of pull?....

Eurodog

On a more serious topic does anyone have any personal knowledge of the gun laws currently in Panama or where I might get the information?...thanks...

Mitzyboy

Yes

http://www.panamalaw.org/panama_gun_laws.html

frijolito

Hi guys, just registered so sorry for the late reply. I;ve been here 5 years (young expat, working) I don't think its necessary to have a gun to be honest, take the right home precautions and you should never have a problem. Also having a gun makes you a target in some cases as they are interested in robbing your weapon nothing more!

If your really worried carry a tazer in the car, but more than that you should never need.

Jules Europe

Despite one or two bad neighbourhoods in Panama City, always thought it seemed safe in relation to a lot of other latin american countries, so would have said a gun wasn`t necessary.

frijolito

Totally agree with you mate, to be honest I feel safer here than the UK. There are lots of bad neighborhoods in every city, its just about being smart. I regularly walk home drunk through some of the bad places and nothing has ever happened, but I wouldn't recommend it, its more drunk stupidity and luck that got me through, especially when a taxi anywhere in the city costs between $1 - $2 to pretty much anywhere in a 10KM radius..

Jules Europe

As you say everybody takes taxis in these places and they are dirt cheap. Panama City is certainly safer than London and many other major cities as well. I would sooner walk home drunk in Panama city than I would in London.

the troubadour

Had an interest to relocate to Panama a few years ago then from research thought we had missed the boat price wise so to speak.
Was looking more at Panama City but was put off by what looked like gross over development and rip off prices at least towards foreigners.

What are your feelings towards doing business there and banks etc.
Can you give us an idea with regards to renting in that city?
Many Thanks

Jules Europe

Property prices there certainly are a rip off, but I think you will find in many cases it is foreigner looking to rip off foreigner so often the case in Latin America. From what I remember, there are a lot of great opportunities still to be had outside of Panama City places like Bocas del Toro etc... But if you want the City then that`s gonna be a bit far away.

the troubadour

You have more or less confirmed what i heard.Still may visit but fares from Australia are very high so will wait until we return to Europe in 2010 for an extended stay and go from there.
Will look more towards renting than buying and keeping all options open.

Jules Europe

Out of interest would this be your first visit to Panama? And if it is what have you heard about lifestyle and climate there etc?

the troubadour

Have never before been to Panama.[or for that matter anywhere in Central or South America]But have travelled quite extensively in the other continents.
What attracted me in the first place to Panama was the apparent ease to settle there in terms of immigration requirements,[money,tax,visa etc] Also it being one of the only countries where English is fairly well understood at least in the capital which would allow time for our Spanish to improve.
Also from what i understand Panama City is a colourful international trading centre and cosmopolitan to boot.
Weather being hot and humid most the time is not a problem for us andused to that from Asia aswell as here in OZ[have lived in Darwin and Cairns]
Have looked at a few countries in the region,for example Belize and Costa Rico but neither impress very much.
The initial attractions of low cost living probably does not really apply these days so i feel we would not seek to stay long term besides a possible three month spell.
About six or so years ago i met a French woman in Thailand whom lived nine months a year in a hotel in Panama City and most the rest of the time in two locations in Thailand.She spoke so highly of that city and country that it got me interested to research it.
Prior to that Panama meant Canal, a country that the US had invaded to remove the leader and a country where a lot of the world merchant shipping fleet chose to register ships.