Should You Move To Panama Quiz

Can You Afford To Live In Panama?Panama can be incredibly affordable. But your personal cost of living will depend on both where you live and what you buy.

If you buy all the same brand names from back "home", then your cost of living will be significantly higher than if you shop more like a local.

And your location matters.

While Panama City is more affordable than some parts of the US, it is not an inexpensive place to live. In the same way, if you live in areas that have a big expat population, you are likely to spend more money.

About calculating your budget. If you receive a pension of some sort, it is much easier to figure out your monthly budget. It can be trickier to figure your monthly "retirement" income, if your plan is to sell everything and live on the proceeds. 

To help figure out if you can afford to live in Panama (or anywhere), use these calculators.

What Will Your Average Monthly Budget Be in Panama?
(Don't forget to include travel costs to visit back "home".)

Will You Be Happy With The Weather In Panama? Panama has 2 seasons. Dry & Rainy
It is warm both seasons. But it is warmer in the Dry Season.

No matter where you live in Panama, you won't have the 4 season cycle of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.

When that happens in February, you will find yourself smiling because you are not dealing with all that cold & miserable weather back "home".

Are You Okay Living Without 4 Seasons?

Am I Adaptable?

Panama is not the US or Canada or Europe….

Yes, I know that is obvious.

But while intellectually you know that everyone is different, experiencing it on a daily, in-your-face, way can be a huge challenge.

Depending upon your personality, it can be very hard not to cringe, mutter, or keep yourself from explaining to a local person that their culture, their way of doing things, is just plain wrong.

It will take some time to adapt and get over your culture shock, but you - and those around you - will be happier if you can do it.

What Would You Say Sums Up Your Ability To Deal With the Mind-Bogglingly Different?

Will You Be Homesick?

There are many things from back "home" that you are likely to miss :

- Your native language spoken everywhere

- Your favorite foods

- Going to see your team play at its stadium

- Familiarity with the culture and how things work

- Seeing family and friends on holidays, etc..

Which Choice Below Fits You The Best?

Do You Have Major Health Issues? If you have major health issues, where and whether you should relocate to Panama is an issue.

Luckily, Panama's health care is both good & affordable.

However, it is not good throughout Panama.

If you have major health issues, you will need to live near larger cities with good health services.

Which Situation Below Fits You The Best?

Do You Feel Comfortable Seeing A Doctor Who Is Not Fluent In English?

There are doctors and dentists in Panama who speak English fluently. You can find such doctors more often in bigger places such as David or Panama City.

However, if you decide to live in a smaller place, you may not be able to find health care professionals that speak English well.

Which Statement Below Is Most True For You?

How will you feel about being far away from:

- Grandchildren

- Aging parents

- Old friends

- People who are close to your heart

Which Statement Below Fits You The Best?

Habla Espanol?

Are you comfortable living somewhere where most people don't speak or even understand English (or whatever your native language may be)?

Which Statement Is Most True For You?

Do You Need To Work in Panama?
4 Ways Expats Can Make Money

1) Start a business in Panama. Note: You will need a work permit to work in your business.

2) Work your current business or job remotely from Panama

3) Get a job online such as teaching English.

4) Start your own online business (FYI: unless you're experienced at online biz, you won't be making money fast)

Note: Starting a brick and mortar business will involve a lot of paperwork & regulations. An under-the-table in Panama business will not. Expats can be successful with either, but it is risky to work under the table. 

Which Statement Is Most True For You?

Does My Partner Want To Live In Panama Too?

This is a sticky one.

What do you do if only one of you wants to move? .

What if one of you wants to live part-time in Panama, but the other wants to be a full-time resident?.

Which Statement Is Most True For You

Are You A Patient Person?

Are you easily frustrated? - keeping your frustration to yourself doesn't count as patience!

If you find yourself all scrunched up trying to keep from venting your frustration about 'those Panamanians" with everyone around you, you many need to try harder to acclimate.

One issue many ex-pats find frustrating is that almost everything in Panama takes much, much, much longer to accomplish than in countries like the USA and Canada.

Often inexplicably so.

Which Statement Is Most True For You

What Is Your Ideal Lifestyle?

What do want your typical day to look like?

Do you want to sail, Go to the ballet, Watch TV, Fish, Go Birding, Read books, Garden, Live the beach life, Hike, Play with the grandkids, Volunteer, Play music, or...

Figure out your top 3 activities, then make sure you can do those things in the part of Panama you want to live.

Your lifestyle in Panama will be a huge factor in your being happy & successful here.

Which Statement Below Is Most True For You?