Canadian Expat in Las Tablas Panama
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- Gwen moved from Canada to Las Tablas where she enjoys warm weather every day. In this video she talks about building a house in Panama, safety, medical expenses and more. At the end of the video, she shares important advice for anyone considering relocating to Panama.
You'll love the drone shots of the town of Las Tablas. And you'll get to see Gwen's amazing artwork too!
Las Tablas is a town of about 15,000 people in the Los Santos Province in the Azuero Peninsula. The Azuero is known for getting much less rain than the rest of Panama. Las Tablas is an affordable town that has plenty of amenities like grocery stores, shops, banks, hospitals, pharmacies and restaurants. Las Tablas is also where many cultural events take place in Panama.
To make a donation to help Gwen with her animal rescue efforts, contact her at - / gwen.gratton.7
SEE DONATION NOTES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
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From one crazy cat lady to another, thanks for all you're doing, Gwen!
You are so welcome!
Gwen, you are so fortunate to have encountered such an Amazing builder to help you through the process when building your home. I have built several homes in my lifetime, and I'm grateful for all the help I received during this confusing process. Building a home can be one of the most stressful times in a human’s life. More than divorce and sometimes even death if one trusts the wrong people. I was planning on moving to the Azuero Peninsula and I would love to get the contact information regarding your builder if possible? Thank you Jackie for the video, I appreciate them all!!
Thank you James - Gwen
I love love love that you have featured a single lady!!!
Thanks Ann!
Gwen, like many of the expats interviewed, seems like such an interesting person. And every PRT video just gets better and better. I have really enjoyed the videos on the Azuero Peninsula. (This particular interview spoke to me as a vegan and a person involved in animal rescue, so that was an added bonus.) Azuero-Boquete?.....hummm. Thank you Jackie for all you do.
Glad you like them!
That is correct!!! In my country we don't eat to much vegetable. I learned to eat lot's of greens when I move to the 🇺🇸. Hope I can do the same one day, move to my beautiful country just as you did. Love your video and thank you for put your time for those beautiful animal's.
Great to hear from a fellow Canadian. I totally agree about checking different places out in Panama, as the climate can be very different from place to place.
Totally agree!
I too am a Canadian by origin. And I perceive Jackie Lange as number one. Jackie is so focused and articulate. If I would ever need help on these decisions I'd have to work with her. Plus, if her type of services could spread to other Central American countries as well, it would really be a great thing. I am also impressed by Mariana Lange in Mexico. Same emphathetic and focused style.
This is your BEST video so far Jackie. I have never met you and yet I feel a great deal of gratitude for everything you do to help many of us decide about coming and living in Panama. Gwen is such an interesting person and shows so much grit and savvy. She gives so much information in a really concise and down-to-earth fashion! It just warmed my heart to hear about her involvement and heart for street animals - THANK YOU Jackie and God Bless you Gwen :)
We're so glad you enjoyed the video and interview with Gwen. She's a special lady!
I enjoy and appreciate these videos so much; I learn something new to ponder in each one. And I loved meeting Gwen, another wonderfully compassionate animal rescuer. Very inspiring. One request would be to please show more of your subjects' houses if they are willing. I am always so curious to see the entire interior (including bathrooms and kitchens) and exterior of the homes but we usually just get a glimpse. This is not a complaint, merely a request. Thank you so much for these videos; I avidly look forward to them.
Susan -- we ask but usually, people don't want us to show video of the inside of their house for privacy. When they allow it, we do show video inside, like Carol's video at th-cam.com/video/p1jLda7A-MQ/w-d-xo.html
@@PanamaRelocationTours I get it. Thank you!
@@PanamaRelocationTours And yes - the video of Carol's place was what made me hungry for more interiors! That was great.
Thank you Gwen from Calgary! Your compassion for animals (cats) touched me so! Hoping to meet you someday! I'm from the province of Québec, Ontario and New Brunswick! I have itch feet! LOL! You are not a crazy cat lady, you are a caring cat beauty!
Thanks for the great comments! Gwen is a special lady.
Thank you Johanne, you are welcomed to visit!
I'm 56 living in New York. When I'm 65, If God gives me life, I'll retire in my birth country, Panama.
Dear Sir, what a beautiful, humble man you are. New York has not changed your heart or made you forget the Panama where you came from.
I am coming back to Panamá the next year, if God wants to, I'm so happy, I'm 65 and is time to go back to town ❤ I'm living in Louisiana.
@@vivianurriola2767 I'm behind you. I''l be going for an early retirement.
Wao I hope you get it , If God will sir
If I were you I'd be leaving Now, before it's too late ( you never know what politics can pull on you , especially these days )
Thanks for the video. I moved from England to Calgary Alberta 21 years. In 2000 Alberta was the province of opportunity. Unfortunately, Canada and Alberta over the last 20 years has changed and not for the better plus the long cold 7 month winters has got me thinking where I want to be in the next chapter of my life.
Som, here in frigid Toronto. Love your video. I have visited Panamá in 2013 on work related visit, but intend to do so again once travel resumes. God bless you. You have a very sweet and pious nature. The way you treat animal is really sweet. Thank you
Another excellent and helpful video, and what a lovely lady Gwen is. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
✔️✔️Wishing the best to this lady
Way to go Gwen
Fellow Manitoban planning to move to panama in a out 11 years…
Looking at las tablas…
Thanks for the info!!!!
Another great video -- when I get out of Canada - my plan also is to check a few places.
You should! Come check out Panama! Join us for a private tour to learn more about the area you think you'd like best .panamarelocationtours.com/private-tours
You seem so adventurous and fun Gwen ! I really enjoyed listening to your story! Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful video...I get so excited when I see you post another video. It's refreshing to hear about how safe she feels and at peace she is. I agree with traveling around to find your spot. Just always remember your a guest and always be kind.
Thank you for this. Las Tablas was way too hot and humid for me. I totally agree - check out the whole country!
I really enjoyed this video, and have decided to also do as she did and go on vacation! I will, contrary to this woman, travel Panama to get a feel of the country, although I am drawn to the sea! I'll have to figure out if I will want to continue gardening, or going beach walking, or both! LOL! Thank you Jackie!
Fantastic. God bless you with long happy life.
Same to you
Nice video. Looks like she is living the good life! Lucky.🤓
Living in Panama is definitely living the good life.
The town, your house and you look wonderful. Glad you mentioned that you had asthma. My wife has copd and I know she needs a certain type of weather, not too hot, not too cool, she gets cool easily, and not too high elevation of course because of the breathing concerns. She does take expensive medicine to control it too. I need some medical care myself, not bad but to keep an eye on my heart murmur from birth. I also worry about my depression and anxiety disorder because in the states the meds have to be prescribed by a psychiatrist. No I am not crazy lol, but realize the stigma and for my anxiety I take Klonopin which is restricted to a 30 day supply and many countries do not have it.
Panama is great. Canada is losing it's safety especially in the large cities. I won't miss 6 months of winter!
Totally agree!
Canada on top for safety and best place to live ,only the cold is hard in the 4 months of winter ,it just won again,Panama is high on crime but beautiful ,here 34 years in Costa Rica ,visit Panama a lot
@@jacquiegendron2058 taxes and cost of living is going up, fuel is 50% higher (taxes follow it too) and with constant rising carbon tax even more and that includes heating fuel. You have more in Canada but now it's costing much more for the same. Stretch your $ by moving to Panama makes sense not to mention the warmer weather. I'm sick of snow and removing it from driveway and walkways. Slip a few times on the ice!!
Glad to know that there are vegans outside of Panamà city and RebaSmith is in Chitrè.
This video was most helpful. I, too, am vegan and wondered was food accessibility would be. Thank you for your candid information.
Glad it was helpful!
thankyou so much for posting this video! we are from alberta as well and vegan! hoping to plan our winters in panama! great video!🙌🙌
Thanks for watching!
Great video! I wish you'd showed more of your house and studio (my husband is an artist too!). If we come to live in Panama, our choice would be the higher elevations b/c of the cooler temps year round. My husband has chronic bronchitis (COPD) so the humidity near the beach probably wouldn't be good for him either. And I HATE the heat here in Texas.
Thanks for your work on behalf of the animals!!
Be careful. The higher elevation could cause problems with COPD. I know some with COPD who had to move to a lower elevation in Panama because they could not breath at the higher elevations.
Hello Gwen. I'm Mike, also from Calgary. ( it's cold today!)Was really nice to watch your video. I'm very much thinking of living there either in the winter season, or possibly year round. I've watched many videos about Panama, it seems to be a very welcoming country. I've been self employed for many years and will have only the Canada pension .... Having said that, is it realistic to live there for $1,000 - 1400/ month?... I'm also vegan and wondering if it's possible to rent a house with a little land to grow food... I know it's cheap to buy veggies, but I love gardening, more fun to grow my own.... Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm also a cat guy, so I can see it will be tough to see all the strays. Kudos for what you're doing! Thanks -Mike
Yes, you can live in many areas in Panama on less than $1400 a month.
Loved your story. So heart warming that you love the kitties.
Thank you! 😊
You missed something extremely especial in that particular region. THE CARNIVAL. Btw, I am panamanian from AZUERO, (HALF CHITREANO and HALF SANTENO) who made TO-CAN his home.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and so much information!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Dianne
Wow, awesome! I'm a Vegan as well! When I was in Panama about 3years ago I had a hard time finding Vegan. I'm planning on moving there in about two months would be good to meet other Vegans I'm on ss. Looking to pay 400-450 68 👍🏽
love your paintings!
Thank you so much 😀
Good info ,nice video thanks !
Thanks for watching!
Very interesting interview.. I also love cats and have done rescue, when we move to Panama we will join the organization. Thank you for doing what you do.
Gwen loves her fur babies
Very nice, informative video. I am also thinking about Panama. I live in Canada, the only thing I do not like is humidity. Hopfully there are places with less of it.
The Azuero Peninsula in Panama has the least humidity.
@@PanamaRelocationTours Thank you very much.
Thank you Gwen. Loved that you took the risk & dived into building a house!!! LOVE those paintings behind you..!! The colors are bright & beautiful. What IS going on with the cats/animals in Panama?
You are so welcome!
Thank you Shirley
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The street animals would destroy me.😿 good for you for what you have done! What is the name of the new project to feed the cats - I will contribute
About how many expats live in Las Tablas? And this number is about what percent of the total population?
There are about 200 expats in Las Tablas but and more in Pedasi, Chitre, and surrounding areas.
I am interested in why the term expat is used rather than the term immigrant. Can anyone help please ?
That's just the way it is in many countries.
Americans have put so much baggage on the word "immigrant" that they would prefer to refer to themselves by a "kinder/gentler" euphemism. lol The word "immigrant" is when it is used to describe anyone who is not an American, but once you become an American immigrant ... *DING!* ... you automatically become an "expat" :P ;-)
From the way that I see it, there are caravans of American "expats" waiting to become Panamanian residents ASAP. And rightfully so. Can't say I blame them. So far, most of the ones I see being interviewed here seem to carry positive energy. To them I say: Welcome to Panama! Especially those seeking to escape social or economic problems in the U.S.A. It's nice to find a place that will welcome you with open arms, where one can find peace of mind, and not only exist, but actually live ones life in mutual acceptance and co-existence.
Oh, "expat" is short for: ex-patriot.
@@fanfare100 LOLL!
How much cost to build the house ?
How do people handle the heat and humidity year-round?
If you don't like heat and humidity, move to a higher elevation where it is much cooler and you do not need an air conditioner.
What is the overall infrastructure like, streets, sidewalks, plumbing, water, toilets, drainage, etc. compared to western Canada or other locations in Central America?
That's a broad question. The answer is it depends on WHERE you are in Panama.
@@PanamaRelocationTours I am at that point where I would love to take a trip throughout Central America and spend a few days in each place. I think I have just about exhausted by online capabilities. But if we are going to spend winter months in such great places, it pays to be honest. If we can't take humidity (even in the winter), or living in the mountains, needing flat areas with usual conveniences, it shrinks the alternatives. I truly admire both locals and expats who overcome the adaptation issues, especially later in life. But of course the wintertime is less challenging that the summer. I suppose if I lived in those places in the summer I would have to go somewhere to get away from the heat for at least July, August and September anyway........
Dry and hot but still 80+ humidity booooo. What about the rainy season, how much rain?
Las Tablas gets 30-40 inches of rain a year compared to the rest of Panama which gets 100+ inches of rain a year.
Wow...30 to 40 inches of rain is dry lolol
@@geraldbutler7124 It's all relative. :D
Can we get her contact page on facebook to donate ? Thank you!
facebook.com/gwen.gratton.7 AND.... until October 31st we're donating 10% of all sales for the Online Panama Relocation Guide to Gwen to help with her cat rescues panamarelocationtours.com/guide
You can direct message me through facebook to donate. Thank you Gwen
What's your cat rescue website Gwen? Hopefully not crazy cat lady! -Mike
Did you build two house in one ??
Gwen built a duplex. She lives on one side and rents out the other side for $600 a month for a two bedroom two bath fully furnished.
Yes Robert I built a duplex
@@gwenritch That was smart.
Would you advise a healthy older senior with no Spanish to move to Panama. I'm 76 yrs and lost my husband a couple of years a go and I'm looking for something new in my life.
HI Carol. Watch Krstl's video == she was over 70 when she moved to Panama several years ago. She loves it in Panama. In January 2020 she even found a boyfriend in Panama. Her life is pure bliss now! A new life is waiting for you in Panama. th-cam.com/video/AnQNnPCjq6g/w-d-xo.html
@@PanamaRelocationTours Thank you I will check it out.
How does the Ambulance support itself with no charges to the patients?
The government pays for public ambulance and driver's salary. There are also private ambulance companies...have a fee. I paid $150 to take ambulance from hospital in David to Boquete (I had to be on oxygen 24/7 and doctor would only release me if I took ambulance home with an emergency nurse next to me)
Do u have a Facebook page u can share? Thx
facebook.com/gwen.gratton.7
What area would be suitable for a family of 3 (5 year old kid:)??
you should live close to where there are other children and an international school. Consider the San Carlos area, Volcan, Bocas del Toro or if you have a big budget Panama City