Wanting to move to Panama or Costa Rica: Need help deciding

gnixon55 · 2010-07-19T18:30:53+02:00

Canadians compare moving options to Panama or Costa Rica, discussing humidity, lifestyle, crime, and suitable locations near beaches and golf.

gnixon55 Member

Member since 19 July 2010

gnixon55Member19 July 2010 16:30:53

moving to Panama or Costa Rica

We are Canadians who are tired of the cold winters. We want to move to either Panama or Costa Rica in about 1 year. We have only been to Bocas del Toro so far and plan to go check out CR and the David area this winter. We want to move there but are having a hard time deciding. We'd appreciate any and all comments either way. Here are our issues at hand.
1) Bocas del Toro, though nice, was a little too remote for us. We would like to have "major" shopping within an hour or so.
2) The humidity in Bocas del Toro seemed to agravate my wife's artheritis, so we are looking for something maybe not so humid (although I didn't find it bad).
3) We love to snorkel and that's why we went to Bocas last time. I have heard the snorkelling isn't as good on the Pacific side.
4) My wife is an avid gardner and we would like to have some land and live a "sustainable" lifestyle as much as possible.
5) We are concerned about crime and we hear it's worse in CR, but we assume that's closer to the big cities.
6) We would like to be close to a beach as well as golf.
7) We are looking to live there so immigration issue, or permanent visa issues are of a concern
8) I will also be looking to generate some income, possibly by running a B&B or a small resort.... or starting some kind of business (online or otherwise).
9) The Golfito area looks nice but it may be too remote?
10) The North Pacific coast of CR looks like it's drier than other areas
11) CR seems much more expensive both for places to buy as well as to live
12) The David area seems more attractive at this point

We are going over Christmas this year and are looking for decent places to stay in various areas for maybe 2-4 nights at a time... but that aren't too expensive.

Thanks again for all your help.

MGC Member

Member since 30 July 2010

MGCMember03 August 2010 00:29:18

why would you want to live in the mountains where its wet and damp all the time
you need to travel around Panama more and visit the coastal areas...especially Azueros Peninsula...its dryer and warmer and lovely!
good luck!

G P Love Panama Member

Member since 25 August 2010

G P Love PanamaMember25 August 2010 05:56:47

Hello,
I was born in Canada. For the last twenty years I have lived in California.
Five years ago I purchased beautiful land on the west coast of Panama near Costa Rica.Its thirty minutes from Puerto Armuelles and hour and half from David. The ocean breeze is very pleasant. The cost of living is reasonable This is beach front property in the tropics 聳 the land is plentiful with its own banana grove and fruit trees settled into a natural habitat for monkeys and other native wildlife.

In the last three years, I have designed and built a house for myself that is very comfortable, yet simple. I am currently living some part of each year in both Panama and California. Check it out it聮s a peninsula that stretches in the Pacific.

beacon New member

Member since 20 October 2010

beaconNew member08 November 2010 05:40:01

08 Nov 2010
Hi, gnixon55- 1996-7, I taught English in Alajuela, CR.聽 At that time, I rented room in private home for 40,000 colones,
about $168-170/month.聽 Included daily laundry/2 meals/packed
lunch/weekend-away snacks/nice, cozy private room/come & go as pleased anytime.聽 Have since visited CR 3 times, including my church mission.聽 Since 1990's, agree real estate has about
tripled.聽 Public transport has also increased.聽 Especially in
San Jose, crime continues to increase.聽 CR doesn't offer the
many attractive/generous retirement benefits for foreigners as
does Panama.聽 2008, I was granted Panamanian permanent retirement residency (PRR).聽 As it stands currently, such requires no renewal nor re-entry permits.聽 My very nice Panamanian lawyer informed me that PRR requires I enter Panama
at least once every 2 years to maintain PRR.聽 January 2011, when I return from Japan, I will establish Panama residency &
begin my new & exciting life.聽 Of course, my primary concerns in choosing any retirement/relocation country are weather/safety/good, affordable health care/affordable housing/accessible public transport/welcoming, warm-hearted neighbors.聽 I suggest you first make a long-term visit to country of your choice...preferably 6+ months to thoroughly assess your particular requirements.聽 Realistically weigh the pros/cons & refuse to compromise your values/convictions. Always rent before buying any property.聽 Be absolutely certain any property of interest has documented title clearance of liens & that property is legally owned by the
seller.聽 Hiring a trusted Panamanian lawyer is a must.聽 Inquire of various expats for information who have "been there, done that".聽 Good luck & good hunting, gnixon55.

Informatively, beacon