Thank you so much for actually showing us the different neighborhoods and house types. I see so many videos about this region where people are just talking about it with no local footage to back up what they are saying. Much appreciated! 😊
Nice video me and my wife get a lot out it. Funniest video of the year. You guys come down her, and you know all about Panama . My wife was born here and I been here 30 years now. I still learn something each year about Panama. 😂😂😂😂
My wife and I are coming to Panama in the first quarter of 2024. Renting a car (you have a video on this) Plans to visit: Coronado, Pedasi area (you have a video on this), and Alto Boquete (you have a video on this). Thank you for all the great videos!
Great video but a little low volume sometimes. There is not very much to choose from in Boquete itself for renting and my impression is that it rains a lot. I'm from Norway and after 7 years in Spain I am tempted to try Panama but perhaps I've gotten too used to lots of sunny days, great malls, great roads and a high standard of living and most things are cheap here. Anyway, I hope to visit Panama to look around and your videos give helpful information.
We've been to Spain a lot of times and you're right on many counts other than the malls (they do have great malls in Panama). But, we have friends who moved to Malaga, been there a year, and don't particularly like it, and they moved from Mexico (5 years there)....so their frame of reference is fairly low. It's all so personal, those decisions. Best thing to do is go for a vacation and see for yourself.
I would say forget the subdivisions ( ie: everything looks the same - 6:33 and before). There is no substitute for getting your feet on the ground and talking to locals when looking for property. And NEVER buy before spending at least a year living in an area that you’re interested in.
100% agree. Took us 3 visits to like Coronado. 2...to understand Boquete. You really have to vist, live, immerse, and all that in a place to really know if it's a place for roots.
Too many of these homes remind me of the States. That's not a good reason for me to consider it. That said, obviously your video gave a clear idea of the options. Thank you.
Muito obrigado a vocês por despenderem seu tempo e esforço para nos mostrar as maravilhas de Boquete e arredores. Realmente há muitas casas bonitas, para todos os gostos e todos os bolsos. Desde Florianópolis/Brasil.
Fantastic job! You too gave us a great tour of the area showing us the houses and the scenery. I'm thinking more and more about retirement and found your channel. Thanks for helping us all out with information we'll need. Can you say why many of the homes had big gates if crime is not bad ? Is there dangerous animals or something? God bless from Virginia.
My wife and I toured the country in August. We spent two days in Boqueute but because of arrangements had limited opportunity to see the surrounding area. This video fits the bill. Very appealing and professionally done. I can't wait to return to Panama. It certainly checks all the boxes. If you don't mind me asking, do the two of you have a home base in Panama or are you nomads? I thank you for what you do. Good day.
I can help answer all the questions, I was born in Montreal but raised in Panama, I live in Toronto right now but certently can explain how good is Panama for retiring plan or more
We're sort of in flux at the moment. We generally live in Toronto with winters in Orlando. But now we've been planning on selling Orlando and replacing that with something in Panama. A work in progress. Hopefully it helps with the videos because we likely end up with the same questions as everyone else about moving to Panama. I'd move there full time. Vivi likes to do summers with the grand kids. So...there's that.
@@laptopseniors Your situation sounds similar. My wife retires at the end of the school year and I shortly thereafter. There is so much to consider and your videos a very helpful. I could sell everything and move tomorrow. With all the shenanigans going on in the States, I need a plan B. All the best.
Great job! Might you have come across homes to rent, ideally with a private pool? Loved video on Bouquete , which would you now consider first Bouquete or Coronado? 😎
This video was okay if you just want a look around the area but most people want to know PRICES!! What good is it to see areas/property if you don't have any idea if you can afford it. Very frustrating.
See our other reply to you Lorraine. I think you didn't watch much of the video. The last 3 minutes were ONLY real pricing and pictures to give everyone an idea of what you'd get for what $$.
@@laptopseniors I did watch all of your video. What I saw during the last 3 minutes where screen shots of homes to purchase. Or at least that's what it seemed like since I couldn't read anything, it was too far away from the screen. And when you pause a YT video a white bar goes across the lower 3rd of the screen blocking out most of the information. I would love to see you show a house, even from the outside, and say "this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is listed for $200K" as an example. And since most people are considering renting, same thing. Stop in front of the home and tell us what how many beds/baths and how much it's going for. I thought the rental information gave a general idea , but when people are thinking of moving, more information that better. I would be great if you could get some of your friends to let you inside to show us various types of rentals. Or get ahold of an agent who would be willing to show empty rentals, it's in their best interest. You two were really brave to make the leap into the unknown. Not a lot of people can do that. Thanks for your response and hopefully being open to my feedback. Be well
Wow, really tough to answer. If you look at Google maps and use their 'directions' tab, just pick the center of town and then wherever you're thinking about and it'll give you the driving or walking distance. Much LOOKS like it's far but it's under a mile to walk. But then other parts are too far to walk. Google maps would be your best bet to figure it out roughly.
It would have been nice to tell us about the process of buying or building a home in Panama.How much to put down, also do you have to be a citizen to acquire real estate there ?
You do not have to be a citizen to buy real estate. You can get a mortgage but you'd have to be a legal resident and even then it'll be harder than in the US. You may, depending on the seller, have to pay the whole price in cash (not literal cash-just no mortgage). Best to simply talk to a real estate person in whatever city you're looking at.
Hi Edgar, unfortunately there's no way to add in anything to a TH-cam video once it's posted. The options are putting up a new one and erasing the old one. That's it.
That's a concern everywhere. We get the sense though that in Panama the government is going to have minimal intrusion into the life you want. That's the way it seems in comparison to N America. Although any election could flip that I suppose. Retirees are such a huge driver of the economy that I doubt they'd do anything to mess with that.
real state in this countries are very cheap for foreing turist to invest money in cheap real state. colombia is other turistic destination that attract a lot of turist for investment the best is that the value increases over time. myself i am investor planning to move to panama city in a future or dominic republic see what the real state market have to offer.
i know...seems odd huh? But usually there's no central AC or Heat either because the temps roughly sit at room temperature give or take 5 or 6 degrees, year round. So, no need. Sometimes a small space heater helps for a little chill etc.
@@georgeporto5829 There are doctors there of various specialties but they're in clinics. Most definitely you could find full on experts in their fields in David, just an hour away.
This wasn't at all what I wanted, I might as well live where I live in the US. I wanted a vibrant in town city feel, like renting an apartment. Not a deserted desert. Mexico seems much better.
Boquete is by no means a desert. It's lush with green. If you want more hustle and bustle definitely look in PC or like someone mentioned, Casco Viejo.
What made you move? We have boiled down our very soon retirement to Boquete OR cuenca as top 2 places so please let us know your point of view@danwiseman2883
For how local authorities behaved with the Dutch girl's murder case in Boquete, I would NEVER EVER come there, literally shameful and dangerous place to be
Hi Jose, your impression may be from what we shot in the videos. We lived in Fl or 13 years. It's most definitely more lush (rain forest like in a lot of places) in Panama, especially in the rainy season. Landscaping though isn't a 'thing' like in the US.
Additionally, Bouquete is at about 3900 feet with a cooler climate than FLA. That will effect the types of vegetation, not better or worse, just different... No hurricanes or at least fewer in Panama.
@@MarianKnowltononly the ones build inside a residential areas but if you buy a more traditional house with bigger land it will have a driveway 50 to 100 feet from the road
Just have to leave another message about the horrible pricing information. No information about rents although you recommend renting. I'm not sure what this video was supposed to accomplish.
I believe we mentioned rent variations (from x to y) and what you'd get for those prices in the video. And, the last 3 minutes specifically were all pricing ads for homes/condos etc at that time. Problem is these videos last for years, so in 2025 (and probably a little already) any prices would be out of date. Wish they just held as is, but today that's not possible.
Thank you so much for actually showing us the different neighborhoods and house types. I see so many videos about this region where people are just talking about it with no local footage to back up what they are saying. Much appreciated! 😊
Nice video me and my wife get a lot out it.
Funniest video of the year.
You guys come down her, and you know all about Panama .
My wife was born here and I been here 30 years now.
I still learn something each year about Panama. 😂😂😂😂
Like what you're doing, very descriptive! No BS, well done! Great job, keep it up 🙏🏽
Thank you.
Thanks for the tour and music. I hope to visit in 2024 .
Thanks for watching
Thank you for showing the area and the homes. 👍❤
You’re welcome. 😁 We appreciate you.
thanks, guys. i love your content and narration.
Thank you too! 😁 your comment is appreciated.
My wife and I are coming to Panama in the first quarter of 2024. Renting a car (you have a video on this) Plans to visit: Coronado, Pedasi area (you have a video on this), and Alto Boquete (you have a video on this). Thank you for all the great videos!
Good luck on your trip. It'll be fun.
Great video but a little low volume sometimes. There is not very much to choose from in Boquete itself for renting and my impression is that it rains a lot. I'm from Norway and after 7 years in Spain I am tempted to try Panama but perhaps I've gotten too used to lots of sunny days, great malls, great roads and a high standard of living and most things are cheap here. Anyway, I hope to visit Panama to look around and your videos give helpful information.
We've been to Spain a lot of times and you're right on many counts other than the malls (they do have great malls in Panama). But, we have friends who moved to Malaga, been there a year, and don't particularly like it, and they moved from Mexico (5 years there)....so their frame of reference is fairly low. It's all so personal, those decisions. Best thing to do is go for a vacation and see for yourself.
I would say forget the subdivisions ( ie: everything looks the same - 6:33 and before). There is no substitute for getting your feet on the ground and talking to locals when looking for property. And NEVER buy before spending at least a year living in an area that you’re interested in.
100% agree. Took us 3 visits to like Coronado. 2...to understand Boquete. You really have to vist, live, immerse, and all that in a place to really know if it's a place for roots.
Great Tour...
Great information.
I've been considering moving to Panama , retired military, I'm going to visit for a few weeks this coming spring!!🎉
I'm retired military doing same thing
Is there VA providers in Panama? I'm also a retired USAF.
@@Michaelthearcheangel what's that got to do with anything , I get paid wherever I am at in the world
@@glendacastillo6504Yes, for sure in Panama City.
Too many of these homes remind me of the States. That's not a good reason for me to consider it. That said, obviously your video gave a clear idea of the options. Thank you.
Muito obrigado a vocês por despenderem seu tempo e esforço para nos mostrar as maravilhas de Boquete e arredores. Realmente há muitas casas bonitas, para todos os gostos e todos os bolsos. Desde Florianópolis/Brasil.
Gracias por el lindo comentario y por mirar.
I have been away from Boquete for over 14 years. I love Cuenca.
Fantastic job! You too gave us a great tour of the area showing us the houses and the scenery. I'm thinking more and more about retirement and found your channel. Thanks for helping us all out with information we'll need. Can you say why many of the homes had big gates if crime is not bad ? Is there dangerous animals or something? God bless from Virginia.
Glad you liked it Stuart.
My wife and I toured the country in August. We spent two days in Boqueute but because of arrangements had limited opportunity to see the surrounding area. This video fits the bill. Very appealing and professionally done. I can't wait to return to Panama. It certainly checks all the boxes. If you don't mind me asking, do the two of you have a home base in Panama or are you nomads? I thank you for what you do. Good day.
I can help answer all the questions, I was born in Montreal but raised in Panama, I live in Toronto right now but certently can explain how good is Panama for retiring plan or more
so u guys are canadian snowbirds? are u planing to get a pension visa later?
@@JD_Therapy
We're sort of in flux at the moment. We generally live in Toronto with winters in Orlando. But now we've been planning on selling Orlando and replacing that with something in Panama. A work in progress. Hopefully it helps with the videos because we likely end up with the same questions as everyone else about moving to Panama. I'd move there full time. Vivi likes to do summers with the grand kids. So...there's that.
@@laptopseniors Your situation sounds similar. My wife retires at the end of the school year and I shortly thereafter. There is so much to consider and your videos a very helpful. I could sell everything and move tomorrow. With all the shenanigans going on in the States, I need a plan B. All the best.
Great job! Might you have come across homes to rent, ideally with a private pool?
Loved video on Bouquete , which would you now consider first Bouquete or Coronado?
😎
I loved this! Thank you so much. 😊😊
I thought you were going to show Valle Escondido.
That's my place, perfect weather no natural disasters reasonable 😊
I've lived in Coral Gables, FL. It definitely doesn't look like this!
The first showing Boquete seems like it looks like New Mexico?
What about rentals? Any and how much?
was looking at Costa Rica real estate also very nice
Hi. That’s nice. We like that Boquete is safer and less expensive. Thanks for watching. 😊
Lots of petty crime and house invasions in Costa Rica I heard from other youtubers that used to live there or visit frequently.
What’s it like obtaining a car as an expat in (Boquete) Panama? Any insight? Easy/difficult? Affordable/overpriced? Is fuel accessible?
This video was okay if you just want a look around the area but most people want to know PRICES!! What good is it to see areas/property if you don't have any idea if you can afford it.
Very frustrating.
See our other reply to you Lorraine. I think you didn't watch much of the video. The last 3 minutes were ONLY real pricing and pictures to give everyone an idea of what you'd get for what $$.
@@laptopseniors I did watch all of your video. What I saw during the last 3 minutes where screen shots of homes to purchase. Or at least that's what it seemed like since I couldn't read anything, it was too far away from the screen. And when you pause a YT video a white bar goes across the lower 3rd of the screen blocking out most of the information.
I would love to see you show a house, even from the outside, and say "this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is listed for $200K" as an example. And since most people are considering renting, same thing. Stop in front of the home and tell us what how many beds/baths and how much it's going for. I thought the rental information gave a general idea , but when people are thinking of moving, more information that better. I would be great if you could get some of your friends to let you inside to show us various types of rentals. Or get ahold of an agent who would be willing to show empty rentals, it's in their best interest.
You two were really brave to make the leap into the unknown. Not a lot of people can do that.
Thanks for your response and hopefully being open to my feedback. Be well
I'm in the Philippines and the longest loan I can get is 3 years as a foreigner. What's the financing like there?
No discounts here.......very expensive for Panama.
Thanx for showing the homes, some very nice but how close to town if no car?
Boquete is near David "the big city 56 min, you still have the "downtown Boquete as well " within 30 minutes
thanx jd, boy that 1hr could be a long walk back@@JD_Therapy
Yes, walking distance you might find some kiskos @@randymelville9597 other than that Boquete "center" is amazing,
Wow, really tough to answer. If you look at Google maps and use their 'directions' tab, just pick the center of town and then wherever you're thinking about and it'll give you the driving or walking distance. Much LOOKS like it's far but it's under a mile to walk. But then other parts are too far to walk. Google maps would be your best bet to figure it out roughly.
It would have been nice to tell us about the process of buying or building a home in Panama.How much to put down, also do you have to be a citizen to acquire real estate there ?
You do not have to be a citizen to buy real estate. You can get a mortgage but you'd have to be a legal resident and even then it'll be harder than in the US. You may, depending on the seller, have to pay the whole price in cash (not literal cash-just no mortgage). Best to simply talk to a real estate person in whatever city you're looking at.
from what I have seen as arm-chair traveler; while buying in Panama is hard and risky, selling is a whole nuther world. No MLS etc, etc
Can you please add a map to follow and know where is located and see your driving path
Hi Edgar, unfortunately there's no way to add in anything to a TH-cam video once it's posted. The options are putting up a new one and erasing the old one. That's it.
was it the dry season... looked awfully dried.
Filming was in the dry season for most videos. Golden Frog and Panama City videos was wet season.
17:24: Which subdivision is this?
Boquete Country Club. We have a specific video on that and Lucero. You'll see more of it.
One concern would be the foreign government.
That's a concern everywhere. We get the sense though that in Panama the government is going to have minimal intrusion into the life you want. That's the way it seems in comparison to N America. Although any election could flip that I suppose. Retirees are such a huge driver of the economy that I doubt they'd do anything to mess with that.
Wnant rent below 500 usd
real state in this countries are very cheap for foreing turist to invest money in cheap real state. colombia is other turistic destination that attract a lot of turist for investment the best is that the value increases over time. myself i am investor planning to move to panama city in a future or dominic republic see what the real state market have to offer.
Smart, Humberto.
Yo no quiero vivir en boquette hasta que no se enclresca que paso con las holandessas desapaeesidas y muchas otras personas mas
This would be a lot more interesting if you could be heard.
Are those dollars if so way to expensive
NO Central Air Conditioning ?
i know...seems odd huh? But usually there's no central AC or Heat either because the temps roughly sit at room temperature give or take 5 or 6 degrees, year round. So, no need. Sometimes a small space heater helps for a little chill etc.
Wondering if Boquette has dr’s like Urologist And Gastro doctors@@laptopseniors
@@georgeporto5829 There are doctors there of various specialties but they're in clinics. Most definitely you could find full on experts in their fields in David, just an hour away.
Thanks
No body live there?
Nice houses, but don’t feel very safe neighborhoods
It's a very safe community. It probably just looks different to your eyes and therefor sketchy. But it's not.
Can an American buy a house in Panama?
Yes
This wasn't at all what I wanted, I might as well live where I live in the US. I wanted a vibrant in town city feel, like renting an apartment. Not a deserted desert. Mexico seems much better.
Thanks for your comment Sirenia. It’s not for everyone, do look at our Panamá city Casco Viejo videos. You’ll like that area better.
I was there in 2004. Ended up building in Valle Escondido. Left in 2009 for Cuenca Ecuador.
Boquete is by no means a desert. It's lush with green. If you want more hustle and bustle definitely look in PC or like someone mentioned, Casco Viejo.
What made you move? We have boiled down our very soon retirement to Boquete OR cuenca as top 2 places so please let us know your point of view@danwiseman2883
@danwiseman2883 We are trying to decide boquete or Cuenca what helped you decide?
For how local authorities behaved with the Dutch girl's murder case in Boquete, I would NEVER EVER come there, literally shameful and dangerous place to be
Costa Rica is more beautiful.
crime...murder...dutch ??? women.
Little to no crime. Don't think any murders. No idea of the rest Kevin.
Not impressed, I’m from Florida, I was expecting more landscaping and greenery
Hi Jose, your impression may be from what we shot in the videos. We lived in Fl or 13 years. It's most definitely more lush (rain forest like in a lot of places) in Panama, especially in the rainy season. Landscaping though isn't a 'thing' like in the US.
Additionally, Bouquete is at about 3900 feet with a cooler climate than FLA. That will effect the types of vegetation, not better or worse, just different... No hurricanes or at least fewer in Panama.
Are houses typically so close to the road?
@@MarianKnowltononly the ones build inside a residential areas but if you buy a more traditional house with bigger land it will have a driveway 50 to 100 feet from the road
Just have to leave another message about the horrible pricing information. No information about rents although you recommend renting. I'm not sure what this video was supposed to accomplish.
I believe we mentioned rent variations (from x to y) and what you'd get for those prices in the video. And, the last 3 minutes specifically were all pricing ads for homes/condos etc at that time. Problem is these videos last for years, so in 2025 (and probably a little already) any prices would be out of date. Wish they just held as is, but today that's not possible.