[letfreedomring]

Originally Posted by bexter Hi Me again - I have a classic car - a Triumph Stag. I really want to bring it with me, but perhaps not a good idea. Did you get out to Panama yet? Are there any classic car clubs there?

We are headed to Panama for an explore on 09/08 for a week so we don't know yet about the state of classic cars there. My husband restores British classic cars and he has 2 tuner cars that have traveled the US, Canada and Puerto Rico and been featured Worldwide on TV and in magazines. He is not interested in restoring anymore once we move, but shows and rallys would be really fun. We are planning to sell one or two before we move but are bringing our classics with us. You should take your Stag. If you love it it would be a shame to part company with it.

[Whyte Knight]

Originally Posted by Panama Lady Hi Lainey, I am from Panama and have lived in UK for some years now with my husband who is from here and one daughter. Panama is a lovely place to live and recently has become very popular due to packages offered to people wanting to establish in Panama. The weather is lovely, the people are friendly, there are many possibilities of obtaining a job there as English is the second language and is an asset when searching job opportunities, private schools have very high standards and the fees are not very high and in general terms the cost of living there, in comparison to Britain, is very low. There are a lot of things to do, places to visit and restaurants to enjoy and the country is politically stable. The city centre is fantastic, very modern and with beautiful buildings. The countryside is also wonderful. Beaches are as near as 25 minutes away from the city and the mountains are 45 minutes away. If you are interested, reply to this and I will give you more info. Cheers,

Hi,
I've just joined the site and really help with a move to Panama, can you help me and my fiancée?
Cheers
Phil

[villa rosmarino]

My name is Kurt Wentzel. I'm a friend of Linda Berlandier-Robinson since 1968 (Jacarta) and try to find her again. We met last in 2003 in Italy (Torrita Tiberina). Does anybody know where she lives and how I can get in touch with her? Thank's.

[x117a]

I've been in Panama for a few months now, and with classic cars there are a few mostly US vintage vehicles here. But unfortunately the state of most of the roads outside of Panama city makes driving anything that you value a tricky proposition.

Also the availability of parts here for cars that were never sold in Panama is quite tricky and I have to have everything that I need for my US specked car shipped here from the US.

[Atilla]

I am currently considering relocating from the UK and am looking at Malaysia (and rest of Far East), Panama, Spain and France. Up until a few days ago I was really excited about the prospect of Panama but for a variety of reasons the attraction for Panama and that region is diminishing somewhat. Seems the more I read the less I like or find to like. It's quite sad really because like I say I was really upbeat. It's important for me to have, and even if possible, deal with or find contrary information re the concerns I have now rather than after I move there!!!

OK it's easy to get a visa, the weather is OK, cost of living can be reasonable and there are some incentives tax/costs wise for retirees. While those things are all attractive considerations I'm not sure what Panama has to offer in terms of "big wins" over other places that may have those things also, even if to a lesser degree, but maybe more to offer on top, in some cases considerably more!!

Other places have easy visas (some perhaps better thought out), the EU (accept we don't need a visa but a visa is just a piece of paper entitling you to reside, in my case, for however long so it is a factor), lots of places have good weather, cost of living in other places I am considering is the same or cheaper and the tax/savings incentives are not a big pull, just a consideration or a bonus.

What concerns me in particular is that outside of Panama City (PC) it seems quite to very run down. The look of a lot of the properties doesn't appeal, or their surroundings in many cases, some of the neighbourhoods are very dodgy and again, aside from PC there seems to be a distinct lack of variety and little to do do. In places, and I know this can apply anywhere, it just seems downright dangerous to live and go out at certain times, with talks of people having gated properties, communities, sophisticated alarms and dogs inside and out that really creates an image of a life that I don't really want. There is also a high degree of corruption, con-artists and poor and antiquated services in some cases, which gets worse, rapidly, as you move outside PC.

I am sure everywhere has similar problems to some degree, even France (Cote d' Azur) and Malaysia, but it's the overall extent of this in Panama that's a concern, alongside the niggling question of just what HAS the place got to offer?? Indeed for some people on the forum the attraction seems to be going to live there to escape the US, live a bit more cheaply, and maybe attract a stunning Latino girl who in all likelihood will (and while that is very understandable and there's nothing wrong with it) see you as secure prospect and/or a ticket out of the life she has there, an issue which is common to many Asian countries also. While I don't knock it it's not really what I want and I'm not sure Panama offers much else. I just wonder also how viable and attractive as a long term living prospect it will be. The other central American countries seem the same.

I am starting to thing that if the the Latino aspect of the country appeals I may as well go live in Spain which seems more developed, more stable (despite its current economic problems), with a better infrastructure and less hostile, mostly.

[the troubadour]

Originally Posted by Atilla I am currently considering relocating from the UK and am looking at Malaysia (and rest of Far East), Panama, Spain and France. Up until a few days ago I was really excited about the prospect of Panama but for a variety of reasons the attraction for Panama and that region is diminishing somewhat. Seems the more I read the less I like or find to like. It's quite sad really because like I say I was really upbeat. It's important for me to have, and even if possible, deal with or find contrary information re the concerns I have now rather than after I move there!!! OK it's easy to get a visa, the weather is OK, cost of living can be reasonable and there are some incentives tax/costs wise for retirees. While those things are all attractive considerations I'm not sure what Panama has to offer in terms of "big wins" over other places that may have those things also, even if to a lesser degree, but maybe more to offer on top, in some cases considerably more!! Other places have easy visas (some perhaps better thought out), the EU (accept we don't need a visa but a visa is just a piece of paper entitling you to reside, in my case, for however long so it is a factor), lots of places have good weather, cost of living in other places I am considering is the same or cheaper and the tax/savings incentives are not a big pull, just a consideration or a bonus. What concerns me in particular is that outside of Panama City (PC) it seems quite to very run down. The look of a lot of the properties doesn't appeal, or their surroundings in many cases, some of the neighbourhoods are very dodgy and again, aside from PC there seems to be a distinct lack of variety and little to do do. In places, and I know this can apply anywhere, it just seems downright dangerous to live and go out at certain times, with talks of people having gated properties, communities, sophisticated alarms and dogs inside and out that really creates an image of a life that I don't really want. There is also a high degree of corruption, con-artists and poor and antiquated services in some cases, which gets worse, rapidly, as you move outside PC. I am sure everywhere has similar problems to some degree, even France (Cote d' Azur) and Malaysia, but it's the overall extent of this in Panama that's a concern, alongside the niggling question of just what HAS the place got to offer?? Indeed for some people on the forum the attraction seems to be going to live there to escape the US, live a bit more cheaply, and maybe attract a stunning Latino girl who in all likelihood will (and while that is very understandable and there's nothing wrong with it) see you as secure prospect and/or a ticket out of the life she has there, an issue which is common to many Asian countries also. While I don't knock it it's not really what I want and I'm not sure Panama offers much else. I just wonder also how viable and attractive as a long term living prospect it will be. The other central American countries seem the same. I am starting to thing that if the the Latino aspect of the country appeals I may as well go live in Spain which seems more developed, more stable (despite its current economic problems), with a better infrastructure and less hostile, mostly.

You have similar to myself in being undecided about Panama. In my case it looked a definate place to check out but then went off the country namely for corruption and what appeared to be increasing crime.
Past few years Malaysia came back into focus, a country I knew well a couple of decades back and have visited a few times since but not for several years.
Have just become aware of the monthly financial requirements though and find that getting a bit over the top. No problem putting a $110,000 Aussie dollars into a bank there but to have to come up with over $A 3,000 a month as well has made me consider the MM2H not as good a proposition as first thought.
As thus Panama has come back into consideration, but prices have risen on real estate considerably over the past four or so years,so back to a lot of research again. Still only rate it as an outsider but may well pay a visit. I see Ecuador seems a popular place in parts. Not sure i'd fancy that.
A lot of countries can see the business that can be made through retirees. What was your impression with Malaysia?
Is that going to be the place? Any further thoughts on Central America?

[Atilla]

Hi

Yep, I decided against Panama, primarily because I prefer the variety and buzz of Asian cities and that in Panama, the City seemed the best place to be and I didn't fancy that. It also seems to be getting more costly there and is close to little other than other Central American and other US destinations.

Malaysia, in my case Penang, is fine for me, at least for now. If I was to consider anything else, and it may be an option if people find the MM2H income criteria a pain to comply with in a way that satisfies the authorities, it would like be Philippines or Thailand

[Paracletus]

Originally Posted by Atilla Hi Yep, I decided against Panama, primarily because I prefer the variety and buzz of Asian cities and that in Panama, the City seemed the best place to be and I didn't fancy that. It also seems to be getting more costly there and is close to little other than other Central American and other US destinations. Malaysia, in my case Penang, is fine for me, at least for now. If I was to consider anything else, and it may be an option if people find the MM2H income criteria a pain to comply with in a way that satisfies the authorities, it would like be Philippines or Thailand

How is your decision coming along? I spent several years in SEA, lived in Manila but traveled the region. If crime and corruption are a worry..Philippines is not your ideal country. Personally, it's not something that bothers me greatly and I can happily live with. Some absolutely mind blowingly beautiful places to live, albeit a bit boring perhaps with nothing but sand sea and sun. But as with anywhere, it's what you make of it.