The Other Side Of The Coin – Panama Style
Not Everyone Has A Positive Retirement Experience In Panama
Panama is a beautiful country with many benefits. North Americans and European are settling here at a growing rate, either for retirement or investment purposes. Some find their move to Panama as the best decision they’ve ever made, but not everyone has a positive experience.
The story below comes to us from loyal Panama Travels reader, E. Shoshanna. Ms. Shoshanna spent two years in Panama before deciding Panama was not the country for her. This is her first person view of the difficulties of living in Panama.
The end of 2004 was the beginning of our move to Panama. We, like many baby boomers from the states, were looking for a more inexpensive way of life without compromising our standards of living. We found it in Punta Pacifica. Beautiful water views from our affordable condo, great medical care, good shopping and an upscale environment we were used to.
But what price are you willing to pay? Are you willing to give up your family and friends? Live in a society where laws are antiquated? Deal with dishonest people on a regular basis? Drive your car in total chaos, and hope you aren’t involved in an accident?
This is just a small sampling of what I had to deal with on a daily basis for two years. Of course everyone’s experience is different. I can only report mine.
From getting things done in our new condo, to opening a checking account, to purchasing a vehicle, it is not without complications. Everything becomes an ordeal, a struggle.
First of all, know Spanish! It’s vital. Become acquainted with the banking laws before moving to Panama or any other country. Find out about purchasing a vehicle, and how long it will take to get it. Ask builders what comes with the property you are purchasing, and get it in writing. And whatever you do, make sure you have a clause in your contract which mentions a timeframe. Your place make take two years or more to be completed. There are no verbal agreements honored.
Before hiring domestic help, find out whom they are and where they live. I was very lucky when it came to this. The girl I had was honest and very good. However, robberies (inside jobs) are common practice in Panama. Don’t forget one very important thing: They see most gringos as rich, a group of elite people who are the “haves”. While they see themselves as the “have nots”.
Panamanians as a whole are very kind and gracious, except when they are driving, then all bets are off! They become aggressive and discourteous. Their horn becomes primo. They will drive on to the sidewalk if they think it can be done. And heaven forbid you get in to a fender bender. You cannot move your car. You must stay put until the police decide to show up. This is when speaking Spanish is of the utmost importance.
Like most Americans, we prefer to have things done in a timely manner. This is not the case with most Panamanians. It gets done when it gets done. If you have to wait a month or six months, so be it. There is no sense of urgency, even with something of importance.
I also found a lack of common sense amongst many Panamanians. Doing the simplest deed became a major ordeal. Very little planning is executed before taking on a project. If you don’t believe me, just look at their infrastructure.
When reading the literature about Panama, you may come across information regarding private corporations and foundations. All I can say is, BE VERY CAREFUL when forming this entity. Though it can be a useful tool to protect your assets, it can also backfire on you. I know first hand.
I especially want women to understand that if you are added as a beneficiary and not a co-founder, your name can be removed from the corporation at any time without your permission. This is especially true if you file for divorce. A husband can remove your name and leave you penniless!
Filing for divorce in Panama rather than the states is only necessary if you become a resident and have all of your assets in Panama. You cannot file in the US. Your marriage first must be registered in Panama, and you must obtain legal advice from a Panamanian attorney. As with my lawyer, be very careful who you hire, this rings especially true in Panama. They have some of the most ruthless, dishonest lawyers I have ever met. They will take your money; promise you the moon, and say, “don’t worry” with a smile on their face.
Although Panama has a bar association, I question their disciplinary actions when dealing with their attorneys. I wrote a letter to them regarding two of their “finest” and never received a response. The legal battles in Panama are a nightmare! Try to stay away from the lawyers and courts as much as you can.
Speaking of laws, don’t expect the city to pay for any damages you may incur in the event of an accident. I fell in to an uncovered manhole and was unable to sue the city for negligence. I had to pay for all of my medical bills.
When moving to a different country, it can be very exhilarating. There is the excitement of meeting new people, learning to appreciate and understand a new culture, and perhaps the experience of a lifetime. But beware! When the newness wears off and you are left dealing with your reality, you may find it lonely and unfulfilling.
Just remember: “You’re not in Kansas anymore!”
- E. Shoshanna
| Written by Rebecca Tyre |  |
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Filed under: Living & Retirement, News on September 30th, 2008
I totally agree with your assessment. I am especially surprised on how easy it is for panamanian developers to trick american investors…like they tell you everything is going to be ok, the roads will be fixed as soon as construction slows a bit….well, that will never, ever happen……it doesn’t matter who is in charge of this country, which party, etc….panamanians are very greedy and lazy…..it’s a competition to which has more……too bad gullible americans and newcomers are now seeing the true face of Panama……not only that, wait till you see your real estate investments become illiquid and devalued….investors and developers are in for a big surprise
One thing I don’t understand is that how can newcomers stand living in a country where “your word ” has no value, where skimming others is smiled upon, where getting done anything whatsoever is such a pain? I don’t see how can someone who comes from North America can stand living in this hellhole……also living in Panama is not cheap anymore….go to the supermarket or any other store for that matter….can you find anything cheaper than what you can find in the U.S? cars, computers, cell phones, you name it……services like cable and cell phone usage is much more expensive than it is for americans living in the states…….that leaves you with having a maid as the only true benefit of living in this country
I actually find the driving in Panama really fun: like no real rules and every man for himself. Much more exhilarating and enjoyable than driving in the USA!
It is just incridible that some of you foreigners come to Panama and demand to do daily business as if you are living in your own country. Most definitely Panama has different laws, different ways of livings,dealing; It is not your country, have you stop and think that in every country life is handle different. Is it too hard to know.. Get used to it, learn how to deal with it. Do not attempt to change it and make it as your own country. It surprises me you continue writing in this web page, but not really it is own by another foreigner. and then the responses….has anybody travel abroad?
Like the saying oges: El papel aguanta todo.
Querube, I have traveled abroad, lived abroad, europe, costa rica, venezuela, bahamas, mexico, even nicaragua……Panama holds the top spot in every category in mentioned……Panama will never change….it’s too bad
Querube:
Maybe you should have taken more time to read the article. It was NOT written by me. Go back and read it again.
You seem to take great offense to what is written on this site. Are you Panamanian? Do you live in Panama?
This is a good read. E. Shoshanna ’s (E~) comments are fairly accurate in my opinion, but you adapt to the situation and enjoy it for what it is, or like E~, you leave.
E~ must have some liking of Panama or she wouldn’t read articles and send in articles here. If I hated something I’d not spend a moment of time searching/reading articles about what I hated, I’d just wash my hands and move on with my life.
What I like about this article is it’s a real life experience that’s not all rosy, tells some tales of trials and tribulatons of getting things done which is helpful when you hit a similar bump in your own road in Panama.
QueRube writes nasty things on all Panama websites. He’s a negative Nancy.
I can not for the life of my believe this woman or people who have the same atitutdes. This is Panama, Central America, a totally different culture a totally different country. It isn’t like many of the Gringos that come here think that it is another State of the Union.
It leaves me in total awe, the things people that come here do, things that they would never dream of doing in the states. Building a house for example, with out getting recommendations for a contrato, looking at his work. What person in there right mind wouldn’t get a contract stating what they are in fact getting in the contract. As far as learning Spanish, God forbid, “don’t they know that I am an American and they should know how to speak english.” Who’s country is this?
Who are we to judge that their laws are antiquated they have served thevculture, these people very well. If there was a social will to change , then it would happen.
As far the legal profession, pardon me, I forgot that the U.S. has no unethical, sleazy lawyers, more often referred to as Liars instead of Lawyers.
As far as the “manana” attitude, your right. Again this is Panama, things don’t have to get done quickly, because it really doesn’t matter.
I am an X Canadian who has lived in panama for 6 years with my family of 4 young woman and wife. Have recently become a PANAMANIAN Citzen. I came here because something terrible was happenig with North America. In the last couple of years these things are starting to become painfully aware. We are starting to see the demise of America.
Panama offers a new begining, an opportunity to do it right. If we become a little more humbler (a word that has been saddly forgotten by Americans) we can learn from these people. And if by some chance we know how to do somethings better, then we wait for the opportunity to present them when we are ASKED.
But it is not our lot in life to judge these people, this culture. They do the best they can and it is our responsbility to be gracious learning guests.