Posted in Yahoo Group - Retire in Panama
like "a message in bottle".
What I write here is my experience only
and not someone else's and it comes with
a considered warning. Relocation is not
everyone's cup of tea but, if you are
open, willing and need to start to enjoy
life away from a lot of stress, strain,
consider it. I did and I am glad I did.
Panama, a strange small country in Latin
Central America forming a bridge between
the North and South American continents
has an unusual topographical orientation
but is blessed with so very many natural
attributes of nature.
I am an Englishman, proud of it, retired
Police from the Greater Manchester area
and not your typical male. For much of
my life I spent in the service of The
Queen and have seen and experienced
unimaginable things both good and bad.
As a divorcee (twice), I remarried and
my wife Diana and I used to live in
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear in the
northeast of the country up until a
couple of years ago.
England will always be my home, but a
place 2 ½ years ago that we decided we
just could not afford to live if we
wanted a decent lifestyle. It wasn't
just the money either, but the weather,
the environment; even dare I say it, the
atmosphere. England, as distinct from
Scotland and Wales, is a very crowded
place and became even more so when the
EU opened its doors to the Eastern
European workers. I am not against
migrant workers but the numbers that
were allowed to come and work was just,
for me, too overwhelming. Britain's
Immigration Policy too, and this is just
my personal opinion, has generated far
too many problems for my liking and not
on a racial level. Britain and England
in particular, is not (in comparative
terms) a big country but in actual fact
a very small island and it's filling up
fast. All you need do is to look at the
roads and traffic jams and repairs going
on as just one indicator. You cannot
move anywhere quickly and easily.
My work had taken me all over the
country, until, finally, I settled in
Northumberland. This truly, is a
wonderful area and if there had been any
possibility of staying there, we would.
No, the cost of living, taxes and
increasing costs of foods, petrol,
clothing, utilities and everything, just
made it too hard to battle through.
Every month we dreaded the postman with
the bills which we would have to meet,
causing far too much stress in our
lives. So much stress is unhealthy and
can be debilitating. So, we discussed
everything and chose to sit down and
consider our options. We researched for
a long time on the internet for
alternatives and one thing kept
recurring. Relocation. Living overseas.
Retiring overseas to a lower cost of
living.
We both have living family and many
friends and the initial thought of
leaving them all behind was quite
disturbing. My mother, sister, brother
(and the rest) still live in Oldham,
Lancashire where I was born and raised.
My wife's two sons live in the London
area. So we considered it, discussed it
with our families, who matter most to
us, and researched some more and
eventually came to a decision. We would
try it. We could after all, always
return home. There should never be
restricting permanence should there? So,
having made the decision, where do we
look to, where do we consider as a
possible destination?
I have always been able to make friends
easily so that wasn't a concern. This
is, I think, because of my
socio-personality and emotional
interaction with others that I developed
during my Police career. I have also,
throughout my life, travelled around the
world so being in foreign lands isn't
new to me. My wife too is a wonderfully
giving and an outgoing person and so
making friends also comes easy to her.
So, what questions do we, did we need
answering? What are our wants and needs?
What do we require on a personal level
in a new living environment?
Lists of questions were compiled and
then the `real' research started. The
criteria was quite tight ~ low cost of
living, warm climate, nature, wildlife,
sun sea and sand (hopefully), safe
environment, taxes? These were the main
issues because all I had was my Police
Pension to live on and so that was our
main limiting factor.
After hours on the `net' we enrolled on
a Seminar in Panama. We had looked at
and seriously considered Costa Rica but,
looking at what Panama was offering by
way of very attractive benefits for
their Pensionado Visa Programme we
decided to have a look at Panama
instead.
So, having packed up, suitcases in hand,
we set off for the sun for a holiday and
fact finding mission.
What we found when we got here seemed
idyllic to such an extent that we
travelled all around the country soaking
up the experience, meeting friendly
people and seeing smiling faces, read
all the information presented to us and
came to the decision quite quickly that
we would give it a go.
We found and made an offer on a small
house just outside a pretty little town
in the province of Chiriquí [pronounced
cheery-key) which was on a large plot of
land at a very, very affordable price.
We bought a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom
Panamanian house sitting on ½ an acre of
gardens with a further 2 acres of land.
That's like 2 soccer pitches end on end.
Back in England this would have cost an
absolute fortune and I mean "a fortune",
but here, in relative terms, property
values are (even) still extremely low.
Two weeks later, we returned to our home
land to prepare and pack and say our
tearful but happy farewells. Not
goodbyes because we will always have the
ability to return home in very short
time should the need arise.
Arriving back in Panama for the second
time didn't seem like the first time
because our emotions were orientated
differently. We now had our emotional
orientation focussed on making a new
life here. We faced living in rented
accommodation until we could get in to
our new home, buying a car, registering
it and all the other imponderables. We
needed help of course because we
couldn't communicate effectively but
friends here rallied and helped us sort
out the bureaucracy. It took us 4 months
to get in to our home and get the
vehicle of our choice.
The legal wrangling of getting our
Pensionado Visa was to continue for
another 8 months nearly. Every 90 days
we had to present ourselves (with our
Lawyer) to Immigration in the main City
of David for a temporary extension until
the `real' Visa was granted. Bureaucracy
and processes in a 3rd country
require….."plenty plenty patience", as
the old Chinese sage would say. Getting
all the utilities re-registered is not a
simple affair here either. Things do not
"flow" in Panama, apart from the rain
and rivers. The systems you are faced
with are cumbersome, inefficient and
largely ineffective. However,
perseverance and good friends usually
irons out the wrinkles..
Our vehicle is a big thirsty American V8
Dodge SUV and was something I had always
wanted but could never, ever have
afforded back home. Petrol, or gas as
it's called here, was at a level of
$1.80 per gallon and with the exchange
rate being $1.90+ at the time, driving
around was very, very inexpensive. There
is no road tax here, no MOT requirement
(that's a Test Certificate for you
non-Brits) and our insurance was also
very, very inexpensive in comparative
terms. The cost of living was, and still
is, quite remarkable.
Food is of good quality, fresh,
plentiful and cheap. Clothing is
inexpensive. And household goods a
fraction of the price back home.
Let me give you some examples. Right
now, this month (April 2009), my
outgoings consist only of $25 per month
for our electricity, $4.50 for cooking
gas (and this lasts us about 2 to 3
months), and our water is $3 per month.
We have wireless internet, our
connection with the outside world and
our chance to earn an extra groat or
two, is $75 per month but this is only
because we live out in the countryside
and miles from the nearest city. Our
friends typically pay around $25 to $30
per month for their internet. Food bills
are very low and petrol very cheap as
well. So, our monthly outgoings are
around $105 without the foodstuffs etc.
We have no taxes whatsoever. So, at
today's exchange rate it costs us about
£75 (pounds) for the MONTH.
We are "Debt Free" and you know
something, it's a wonderful thing to say
this. "We are Debt Free". The low price
of real estate and properties here meant
that what little we had in capital we
were able to buy everything outright ~
even the car. We have "zero" loans, zero
credit cards and zero mortgages. We owe
nothing to anyone. How many can say
that?
Eating out here typically costs around
$15 for the two of us and that's with a
bottle of wine. We live in one of the
most beautiful areas of Panama called
Chiriqui. Where we live we are 40
minutes pleasant drive from the Pacific
Ocean beaches or 3 hours drive from the
wonderful Caribbean Sea over at the
world famous Bocas del Toro. The nature
and wildlife here is stunning, just
wonderful.
Even temperatures of around 80 degrees
year round means that our aches and
pains have diminished tremendously.
Medical facilities here are as good as
back home and if you want to see a
Specialist, it's almost the same day
appointment. I had to have a
consultation recently with a Specialist
and it cost me $30 for about an hour.
With the Pensionado discount of 20% I
only paid $24. What's more, he was
excellent.
So, my present opinion of Panama and
living here is ~ for all you readers
back in the UK or the rest of Europe
(and not forgetting our friend's "across
the pond" in the US and Canada), living
here is an excellent alternative and
well worth a thought or two.
Obviously there is a drastic change of
environments and some things you have to
learn to live without, like the corner
fish and chip shop, a meat pie with good
pastry, Branston Pickle or Marmite but.
these things you can do without (if you
try hard enough). It is certainly, and
dramatically, less stressful and far
more affordable than anything we
experienced back home. My recommendation
is, think about it, consider it, try it.
And for you wealthier people, who may
read this, please don't make the mistake
that more money means less stress. It
doesn't. Investment opportunities here
are fantastic even during this global
financial crisis. Land and property
bargains can still be found but for
investments, this is a wonderful time
here to realise and have investments
appreciate rather than depreciate. The
economy here is STILL one of the most
stable in the world and the political
influences mostly neutral. All in all, I
have to say, Panama is a wonderful place
in which to invest ~ still. Let me tell
you a little story to finish this
article off.
Consider this; we have uprooted and
transplanted ourselves in a new country
and amid a new culture. We are making
lots and lots of wonderful new friends;
English, Welsh, Scots, American,
Canadian, Belgian, Dutch, Panamanian,
Argentinean and Columbian. We face new
experiences everyday which would be
impossible back home. Life here is such
an eye-opener. Talk about the "WOW
Factor".
Recently, we have found ourselves
walking a Pacific Ocean beach watching
wild Red Backed Squirrel Monkeys playing
in the Coconut Palms. We saw Howler
Monkeys, Capuchins and Tamarins. We
stroke wild cats like Ocelot, Oncilla
and Margay.
We photograph snakes and birds and
wonderful insects like the Golden Beetle
(which really does look like a gold
ornament). Life is just so different
now. We have been on fishing trips out
on the blue, blue Pacific Ocean, seen
dolphins swimming underneath OUR boat
which was spectacular; they were almost
close enough to reach out and touch
them. We have snorkelled on pristine
coral reefs, all these things we only
dreamed of or watched on the BBC and of
which are now right on our doorstep.
Just after we got here, we had driven up
to a high mountain town called Volcan.
We had driven there to see a cultural
Native Indian Festival and whilst there
met two fantastic English people, Paul
and Jenny Saban who became our fast
friends and who own Paradise Gardens
Wildlife Rescue Centre and Gardens ~
http://www.paradisegardenspanama,com/
. PG is situated above one of Chiriquí's
most popular tourist destinations,
Boquete. PG is a wonderful place to see
and visit but, the point of this short
item is, we also met another couple
there who originated from England but
had travelled the world, Steve and
Michele Walker.
We found out that Steve and Michele had
bought a 40 acre lot of forest and
wilderness in an area called Chorchea
and were in the throes of moving house.
Of course, being loyal to us Brits, I
offered to help and over the next few
days I drove to their home near to
Boquete, loaded up the car and trundled
off driving through nature filled
countryside and up 4 x 4 tracks to their
new abode. They were calling their place
Alouatta Lodge ~ which in Latin (Alouatta)
means Howler Monkey. They are building
an Eco resort which is quite simply……..
stunning.
Anyway, on my last loaded visit, I had
emptied the car and was standing at the
doorway of their new living area
chatting to Steve whilst his wife
Michele, Gareth his son and Rebecca his
daughter, organised where their
belongings were to go. Standing, leaning
on the doorway, it was warm with a
gentle breeze and then suddenly,
something marvellous happened.
Imagine if you can, a man (me), 6' 4"
tall, an ex-hairy "a----d" copper,
standing there leaning with his left
shoulder against the wall, my right hand
hanging down whilst chatting to Steve
when suddenly, and very, very gently, a
small hand slipped in to mine. The hand
was warm, very small and with soft skin.
It gripped my fingers and I looked down
to see two brown eyes looking up in to
mine. Steve smiled and just said "oh
that's Yahoo, he likes tall people
because he likes to climb up and sit on
your shoulders so he can see all
around." Yahoo, is a young male Howler
Monkey and had been raised as an orphan
by Steve and Michele when he had been
brought to them some months previously.
Anyway, this was first contact and Yahoo
then proceeded to climbed up my clothing
easier than climbing a tree. Incredible.
There he perched, his tail around my
neck for balance and his hands on top of
my head holding on to my hair. It was
such a surprise, such an experience.
Never ever could I have had such an
experience had I been back in Whitley
Bay near Newcastle or wherever else.
Such an emotional and spiritual
connection. Trust even. So striking an
experience was it that it brought me to
tears and when I got home, I wrote the
prose you can see below. I do hope you
enjoy it.
The benefits of living in Panama are
many; financially it's so much better,
weather wise it is far, far better,
environmentally it's stunningly
fantastic, for recreation and pastimes
well, if you enjoy wildlife then this is
the place for you. The Moon Guide calls
Panama a `Paradise for wildlife". It
really is a wonderland if you like
nature and activities.
My recommendation would be, consider it,
seriously. Life is so much better
without all that stress ~ truly.
I don't mind you getting in touch to ask
any questions or to find help if you
want ~
michael@lambda-mi.com Now
please read my prose, close your eyes,
imagine and enjoy.
Being with good friends
Talking, debating
Chatting and exchanging
Laughing, pointing
Joking, entertaining
Surrounded by tropical vistas of such
clear, awesome and breathtaking beauty
Full tall tree tops
Exotic blooming flowers
Beguiling scents permeating the airs
Fascinating wild sounds
Seeing the Ocean distant, lagoons and
far Islands set amidst shimmering haze
Blue azure skies
Distant cotton tuft clouds drifting
silent
Green lush and verdant landscapes
Yet shadowy and mysterious
Then, being surprised, feeling a tiny,
long fingered warm hand softly enter
mine
How curious I thought
Though strangely childlike and
comforting
Reciprocal holding
Now strongly gripping
Looking down slowly, to see the upward
gazing of dark yet wise eyes seeking
mine
Most friendly
Entirely trusting
Very much knowing
Caring and wanting
His face sublime, watching, as I feel
him climb my clothes then to rest across
my shoulders
Comforting and warm
Contented and relaxed
Calm and gently loving
And happy just to be here
He is a young male Howler Monkey…Yahoo,
is his name I am told
I can feel him deeply
I can sense his ease
Breathing, I become so emotionally
uplifted
Through this extraordinary and natural
contact
My tears flow with surprising ease, a
result of this unimagined connection
So ephemeral in nature
So enduring to my mind
So spiritual in context even
And oh so natural
Thank you… Yahoo…. for showing me the
way to you
Of your specialness
Your acceptance
Your uniqueness
And for making ME feel special in your
world.
Michael
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