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6 Quick Tips for Expats Living in Panama City, Panama

Panama City, Panama has been called the “Dubai of Latin America” due to its skyline that seems to reach endlessly into the clouds and the fact that it’s a hub for commerce between North and South America.  As such, it’s become a popular place for expats to live and work.

panama city real estate

Andrew Campbell

Yet, no matter how cosmopolitan it appears, the fact remains that it’s still a developing country.  As such, it comes with its own unique set of growing pains.   Check out our top tips for living in Panama City, Panama.

1. Brace yourself for the bureaucracy.

Possibly nowhere is Panama’s inefficiency more evident than when it comes to processes like applying for a visa, getting a building permit, or even just changing your mailing address.  Regulations and requirements change frequently, and what you were told last week may have changed by this week when you come back with what you thought was the required paperwork.

It gets even worse after an election when the newly elected party comes in and cleans house, much like a new college head football coach.  Their first order of business is often to reverse any of the unfavorable laws they didn’t like from the previous administration.

All you can really do to combat this issue is to keep good documentation, remain polite, be persistent, and just keep doing everything you can to move the ball forward at every opportunity.

2. Expect everything to take at least twice as long.

As you might have guessed from the first point, Panama and its capital city are not known for their speediness.  That quick trip into the utilities office to pay your bill could turn into you standing in a line that would make a U.S. DMV office look like a cakewalk.  And a contractor who says he’ll show up “mañana” to fix your leaky roof might not come around until some time next week.

Traffic is another area where huge delays can be a problem.  The culprit could be anything from one of the many construction projects in and around the city to an accident caused by a local driving recklessly, a common hazard in Latin America.

It can be frustrating, but with a measure of patience you’ll eventually start to learn to calm down and appreciate the slower pace of life that was likely one of the very reasons you moved here anyway.

3. Use common sense to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

While violent crime does exist in Panama City, much of it is related to drug and gang activity and, as a result, somewhat avoidable.  That’s not to say that innocent bystanders never get caught in the crossfire, but it’s a lot more likely to happen if you’re in a dark alley in a bad part of the city than if you’re out walking your dog in a public park in broad daylight.

What is more common is petty theft, and tourists and expats are often easy targets. To avoid becoming a victim, try not to draw attention to yourself.  Don’t go around flashing cash or carrying valuables.  If you do, don’t leave them unattended.

panama city culture

Jasperdo

4.  Soak up every possible ounce of culture.

Panama City has the double benefit of being both a cosmopolitan city and a world class cultural hub.  The city dates back to 1519, and many old Spanish buildings from that area can be found in its central neighborhood of Casco Viejo, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It’s also home to museums, galleries, symphonies, shopping, and everything else you’d expect from a first world destination.  That’s not true about every expat hotspot. Panama City is in a class of its own when it comes to cultural attractions.

5. Understand it isn’t the cheapest expat destination.

When comparing the cost of living in various expat favorites, Panama City is far from rock bottom.  In fact, it’s almost at the top.  As it’s become a prime banking center, a communications hub, and a logistics necessity, the price of everything from clothing to cold beers has only gone up.

Its real estate market is booming, and therefore prices are high.  However, like any large city, there are options to fit every budget.  You may have to make a few sacrifices (e.g. shopping in farmer’s markets and giving up pricy imported brands), but living in Panama City is still doable for most expats.

6. Realize that living in Panama City still represents an incredible value.

You can’t mention the somewhat high cost of living in Panama City and not follow it up by pointing out that it’s still considerably less than the cost of living anywhere in North America.  And that’s not an apples to apples comparison.  In other words, in Panama City you can enjoy a lifestyle comparable to Miami’s South Beach and still spend less than what it would take to live in a bland U.S. suburb.

It’s a great place to live, as evidenced by the thousands of U.S. expats who call it home.  With a great blend of commerce and culture, coupled with a growing economy, first world infrastructure, and a reasonable price tag, Panama City is definitely a place worth keeping on your short list of potential expat destinations.

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