I moved to Panama in 2019, bought a fixer-upper in 2022 and spent 8 months renovating the house. Now it's all about the garden!!
I have an Airbnb casita, check out my listing for Casa de Bambu y Luna airbnb.com/h/casadebambuyluna
I transformed myself after a divorce and that led me to fulfilling a childhood dream of publishing books that help people. I've had an adventure of three international volunteer trips (Thailand, Dominican Republic, Romania). I did an 8 month RV trip across the United States and took my first trip to Panama in 2018. It just felt like home.
I'm a life coach who loves helping people become who they dream of being and living a life aligned with their values. I'm an author who writes about my life experience with the purpose of helping others.
I'm so lucky to know other languages. Every kid should learn as many as they can. I'm fluent in Spanish, even though I don't get to use it much in the US. But, I'm sure it's going to be a great help for my planned retirement in Panama in 2025. Patty, thanks for all the great information that you provide in your channel for others looking to learn as much as possible about living in Panama.
I love this video! I am currently slow traveling through Panama house sitting & renting properties to see where I may want to settle. El valle is where I may be in November after a stay in Coronado. I’m happy to hear there is a community to get involved with!
Wow, Patty. That's a beautiful place you have there. Opening that view to those beautiful mountains was great. Just beautiful. I love fixer uppers and remodeling projects. I have been doing it as a side hobby all my life. My latest house is the most exciting project yet. I bought this abandoned house from the bank and I have been remodeling it for a few years now. I have been lucky that I can do electrical, plumbing, new walls, etc. Hopefully, this remodeling will be done by this time next year. Then, I'll be selling it, so I can start on the next chapter in my life, Panama. But, who knows, I may end up doing the same as you in Panama. That is, buying a place that needs some TLC and transforming it into a beautiful place there.
I WISH I had the know-how to do things like that. The remodeling can be quite an addiction. I love looking at properties, seeing how people design and why. I'm sitting in my little office upstairs now as yet more rain is coming down. The birds and insects are happy 🙂 But don't buy anything for at least a year!!!!
@@Pattybluehayes Yes. That's what Jackie from PRT talks about often in her videos. To rent for a while. It does make sense. Get to know an area first. Then, once ready, find and select the perfect spot to call home.
New subbie Patty! First of all, you are gorgeous! Second, I love your voice! Its so soothing and calming. I watched this video at work and the combination or your voice and the beautiful background, just helped me to be at ease again😊 Thanks for posting this!
Awwww, that's so sweet! I'm glad it had a calming effect! Hopefully you'll watch more and enjoy them, too. And thank you for subscribing - it's very much appreciated.Have you been to Panama?
What a wonderful and well articulated life story. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you. Subscribed and Notifications on. It's amazing how much we all go through in life, right? But, probably the most important lesson is that provided by the successful attitude from wise past Stoics. That is, don't have any regrets in life. It is true that we all wish that certain things that did happen to us, had not happened. But it's okay, it's called living.
Thanks so much! Yes, life is so very interesting! A lot of twists and unexpected turns - and it's how we heal, adjust and adapt that's the difference between thriving and just surviving.
@@Pattybluehayes So true Patty. I love life. I love every second of it. Not because my life was easy, or shielded from any suffering or other thing that life is capable of dishing out. But, because of the wonderful way that I have handled it. I love the person that I am. Fortunately, it seems to come naturally for me. It's just my personality. BTW, the way you come across in your videos shows a very balanced, smart and happy person. That's what most of us can ever hope for. And all we really need in life!. 👍
Hi Patty, thanks for the video, i have seen several of yours. In fact for the last 3 years I was dreaming about the mountain towns of Panama. I flew into Panama City a month ago and then drove to Boquete. I would advise anyone with the same idea to catch the Bus or teke the plane to David. It's slow going, the roads are terrible, potholes everywhere. Boquete was nice but the smell of Diesel and Gas fumes was noticeable. It's 300 miles back to Panama City so i decided to leave a day early and stop in Elle Valle De Anton. The road in coming from Boquete direction was so Bad, missing road and potholes for a few miles. Then the mountain road was like a roller-coaster. I have driven in many countries and never seen roads as bad as this. "Ways" took me a different road out , continuing my trip to Panama City. That way was a lot better, but still not great. I would request that you warn people how bad the roads are there. I was so sold on panama and considering moving there but after that experience i am now reconsidering. I have lived here in the Orlando Florida area for 30years. If you enjoy driving forget Panama. Sorry !!!
That is a lot of driving!!!! Between road conditions, weather and traffic, it's draining, for sure. I don't understand why the pothole fixes don't stay more permanent????? It seems like in 2-3 heavy rains, the same potholes are cratered out again. It's baffling. Maybe they could fill them with recycled tire rubber material . . . I don't know. I've cracked a tire rim on a deep pothole on the road to EV. And it took months to find a replacement because they don't sell them new for my car, which is a Honda, a common car here.
I’m trying to decide if I will keep my visa in case things change in the future however I’m so glad I had a plan B !!! I lived in Panama for 2 + years in the 1970’s and then retired to Boquete for a couple years before finally getting fed up with the road protests blocking all movement of gasoline, propane gas, food and even medical supplies!!! After living through 3 different protests I packed my belongings and off to the Philippines I went… the absolute best decision of my life !!! I still have a love for Panama and may return to visit friends but to live there things will need to change a lot ! Costs are not that great on land or housing or foods compared to Asia either …
@@tomandharpresents Wow, that’s a big move! Had you been to the Philippines before and spent time there? A lot of people left Panama because of those road blocks - and Chiriqui always seems to be the most impacted. I don’t understand how the government allows it. Glad you found a happy plan B ☺️
Hi Patty. So glad you shared your thoughts about getting older and how your priorities will likely change based on your health needs. I've been thinking about the same thing. I own a home with a garden and wonder if I will be better off in a condo when I can no longer tend my garden. Thank you for sharing your experiences in Panama. I'm also single with no children and am considering retiring to Panama...so I find your videos not only informatonal but inspiring.
Patty, many of Frank Lloyd Wright's roofs leaked. Once you step out of the ordinary, $hit happens. I am chasing a roof leak, too with no one to blame; I installed it! With these heavy rains, it is as if the entire roof is under flood waters!
Ugh, sorry you're dealing with a leak, too. I guess we are lucky comparatively - been watching some of the flooding footage from FL, NC. I guess I'd be more upset if a Wright designed home was leaking!
Hola Patty, my thoughts are this video is something I needed to hear. You are so genuine and down to earth. Sweet lady, by sharing your deepest life thoughts, I can't thank you enough. Its definitely made me think about where I'm at in my life. I'm very grateful that God led me to you. I'm sorry to tell you I fell again last Thur. In my front yard. I injured a rib and a few other places. Im seeing a doctor tomorrow. I live in a place where the hurricane hit. By the time it got to us, It was 65 mph wind gusts. We had rain in NE TN. for 4 days. Some dams broke, lakes n rivers were flooded. Alot of ppl were displaced. 😢 Prayers 🙏 I was one of the blessed ones. Some tree damage, I live on a hill so no flooding. I also stilll would like to come visit you sometime next year. God bless you my friend!😊❤
Oh my. I'm so sorry about your fall, and that had to be so scary in the hurricane path. The stories and video footage are shocking. Ribs can be quite painful to heal, please take it easy, rest and more rest. You'll get to Panama.Thank you for your kind words.
Good video Patty. You're right no one lasts forever, one day we all will be gone. In the meantime let's enjoy life to the fullest. I can't wait to go back to El Valle.
Really appreciate you sharing your experiences Patty! Panama is number one on our list, but Mexico may be our first toe-in-the-immigration-waters. It all depends on my wellness by the time we are “ready” [Not sure if I can handle the long flights to get to Panama yet] We took an initial stab at the kitchen during 2020…and now we started purging/organizing in earnest this summer 🎉. I agree w/ your rec’s on how to start, but I decided to tackle the most tedious [dvd’s/pics/books] sprinkled with timed forays into the mementos to minimize the emotional rollercoaster. Plus having my husband there helps it moving. And these challenges now seem even easier, less daunting with the initial success. There is a lot of satisfaction, freedom & feeling weightless thru this process. We wanna keep it so we can be mobile to decrease the stress of any subsequent moves. Patty I’m so glad you don’t regret your home, as I remember your enthusiasm for it at the beginning. You have a great mindset & I hope your roof gets well done fixed soon 🍀
@@templemoore3799 It is a very light and weightless feel when we purge stuff. I would like to do some more earnest purging 😆 Your health is the most important thing ✨🙏 Whatever your plans are, enjoy the process.
Another great video, I always seem to say that! Lots of good advice! Part of the video you were standing outside of Finca Cecilia, is that a horse ranch or is it open to the public, its a beautiful area ? I was wondering about your final renovation of your property. Your original budget was around 50k, did you stay within that or did you exceed that? Curious because I wanted to see how costs are in Panama. In the USA, many home renos exceed 25-50% of the original budget.
@@mtngrl5859 Awwww, thanks ☺️☺️ I think it’s a chicken farm, that’s where so many of them are located, in La Mesa. Oh gosh, did I say 50k??? I think that was the budget for the casita build alone. I probably spent 125-150k, including furniture, curtains, etc. I think I was planning on at least 100k.
@@Pattybluehayes I was just curious on how much it went over budget. I figured that the casita was an add on, not part of your original calculation. A local architect in Chiriqui told me that price per sf ranged from about $100.00/sf for basic construction to about $135.00/sf for a high level of finish. La Mesa is a very pretty area, like all the white fencing.
@@mtngrl5859 La Mesa is very pretty - and that's up near the entrance to the Gaital Mountain hike. Someone told me there's a road that goes to the Caribbean but I'm not so sure about that!
Great video. Thank you. I'm retired. I'll be traveling to Panama in 2025 and applying for the Pensionado Visa. I'm very excited about this new adventure in my life. Everything I have read about and learned about Panama has been very positive. My plan is to take private tours of Volcan and Boquete. May be there for 3 weeks. And, get the immigration lawyer to file my Visa application. Once the residency is permanent, I'll rent for possibly 6 months to a year and decide if I'm moving there permanently for the final chapter of my life.
@Pattybluehayes Hi Patty. I have been researching Panama, online, for about a year now. Lots of good information on youtube, such as from you and others. Also, PRT. My plan is to purchase their online guide. That should answer a lot of the high-level remaining details that would help me get this done effectively. I'm guessing that if my plan is to move to the Chiriqui region, then a lawyer in David would make the most sense, right?
@@Pattybluehayes Yes. PRT FB info may finally be the reason for me to use FB. I have never needed it. Patty, for my planned trip. Is the airport at David the closest one to Boquete and Volcan. I haven't looked or planned yet on how I will get to those towns from the US. But, do you know if it is possible to fly directly to David from the US? Or, should I plan to take a connecting flight from Panama City? BTW, I hope you don't mind all my questions. I do appreciate all the help, obviously.
@@peterdavila3045 I sometimes wish I’d never joined Facebook 😆 Yes, David is closest to Boquete/Volcan. You fly to the city and take a connecting flight. You can rent a car and drive if you have time and want to explore. The bus from pty to David is also an option, though a long drive. I recall the connecting flight fares being reasonable.
Hi , the problem with your roof is the roof being almost flat , like most buildings ( I guess that’s the way to make it cheaper ? ) If you gonna do a new roof , build one with higher angel or pitch . Best of lucks .
My wife and I just watched. Great information and wisdom. My wife and I would love to share nachos with you some afternoon. We are staying at the Golden Frog for a week beginning on the 5th. Also I have been a builder all my life in the US but have worked in projects in the Amazon and Andes Mountains. Glad to inspect your roof if you want a second opinion. Thank you again for sharing your journey.
Hi Patty, great vid and the scenery...sigh...one of the things I absolutely NEED to have when I move is nature and animals, lots of birds, and mountains. I take in every word you are saying, you're my fave channel now :). I find a lot of myself in you. I'm 57, no kids, divorced, have a condo in Wisconsin I will sell, have already finished purging most of my belongings bc I thought I was moving back to Mexico, but after my two trips this past year, that's not happening. I had to grieve the dream I thought I had, but it wasn't meant to be. So I'll be taking a week long tour next spring in Panama and possibly come stay at your casita on a separate trip bc you've kinda sold me on El Valle! haha I wouldn't buy, I'd rent. Thank you for your wisdom, your honesty and all the rest. I am slowly getting through all the rest of your great vids. QUESTION: are there opportunities to volunteer teach English there, do you think? I've been an ESL teacher for several years and love it and would like to continue doing that. (I'm also fluent in Spanish.) Sorry for the long post!!! haha Gracias!!!
@@brendalamalfa5030 The important thing is that you went to Mexico and your IGS said, no, not for me. You grieved that dream and are creating another! That’s wonderful. And you’ve been purging the stuff - you just need to have your Panama experience ✨
I just finished watching.....thank you for all the awesome suggestions! I am currently TRYING to downsize my house.....I'm thinking very seriously about moving to panama! And, if I don't end up moving, then, I will have cleaned up the clutter!!!! LOL And your comments at the end are so true......I just turned 68, so, it's just so true. I am starting to really re-think EVERYTHING. All these years, I've just thought about my life in the same way. But, then, all of a sudden, our bodies start showing their age little by little, and reality sinks in. It's harder to do what we have always taken for granted. I'm finding even getting in and out of my bathtub is harder....I have to hang on to the wall as my balance is not what it used to be.....lol So, watching all these videos is great, but, even from a year ago when I started thinking about Panama, I find I am changing my mind on where and how I want to live out my golden years! I will be headed there sometime next summer.....I can't wait to finally check it out for myself and see if i can handle the heat and humidity....lol
@@susanbeno7724 Those tubs can be dangerous!! 😆 Yes, I’m really noticing my rethinking in acknowledgement of my age and future capabilities. I don’t want to leave because I have to, I’d rather move when I still have some pep and I really like the idea of cruises when I’m older - it’s easy travel ☺️ Make your trip and keep purging, little by little. I like Marie Kondo’s strategy of putting same items together; sweaters, pens, bowls, scissors - I was shocked how many of everything I had.
Patty I like your narrative but please be specific in home prices food prices of places, or else you going to look like you are selling BS for RU-vid sake. I am being honest and I am your subscriber
All of the property walkthrough videos I've done have the asking/listing price stated in the videos. I've never been one to go into food prices or rental prices - but there are plenty of videos that focus on cost of living specifically. Nor do I have ANY content about budgets for living in Panama. I just like to share my life experience here in Panama. Can you point out something specific that came across as BS?
I posted my last comment before the end of the video. Great minds think alike. I am going through the same thing thought process now and I'm not even in Panama yet. Live outside Panama City as I begin my new life in Panama then as I get older (and probably need more health care) move into Panama City for the closeness of healthcare options.
Check out that Generation Tower project. The website doesn't mention the assisted living aspect, but Mike Kelly interviewed someone from Bern who talked about it. I think it's good to remain open-minded and practical. Also, for me, with no kids - the house might be a pain in the butt for someone to deal with after I'm dead.
@@Pattybluehayes I think that I had heard that project mentioned somewhere before, maybe even your RU-vid channel. You put it back on my radar and I'm going to do some research on it tonight. TY!
@@guillermogouldburn763 Soooooo many people, communities in the path of that destruction. It’s just awful. These storms seem to get more ferocious with each year. Another reason I’m so happy to be in Panama - no hurricanes 🙏
Strong words from Patty........defeat. 😮 Tracing and fixing water leaks have driven many a person insane. I have also found that if you start purging early rather than at the last minute it becomes an easier, less painful process. Start with purging things you really don't care about to desensitize yourself to the process. I have donated four boxes of books to a local nonprofit used bookstore this summer. Last fall I couldn't have even thought about doing that let alone actually doing it. The process is getting easier for me and at times feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I know, right, I don't use that word often But Amado is coming tomorrow, and my hope has been restored!!! Yes, giving yourself plenty of time for the purging process is the best, and to start with less sentimental/meaningful stuff. I had to do that after my divorce and it was incredibly difficult.
So I did a tour with PRT. But it was a very small group because it was 2021 and the bus had to have lots of space between each person. It had some great pros and a few cons. One of the cons was that we did not go to all the places and see all the things that they normally did but in the end it was a slower pace which I enjoyed. I am still planning to go back when I get my SS, as I cannot afford any of the other visas. since I was solo, I would never have gone any other way. I have a few pieces of art that I will have a really hard time letting go of. Gotta figure that out. As far as the real estate deals go, I would not recommend doing it ANYWHERE without lots and LOTS of reflection. I have a house here in Cape Coral Florida. It was an impulse purchase. I had sold my house in NW Florida and was living in an apartment that I did not like. Buying the house was a long term and expensive solution to a problem that I could have solved by just moving to another rental. And now for me to leave and go to Panama, or anywhere, I will have to go through the process of selling this one.
I hope that real estate purchase will gain in value for when you sell it to move!!! We all have those personal learning lessons 🥴That slower pace tour and less crowded sounds nice! For the art, if it's not a huge sculpture or something, can you bring it with you? I brought all my mom's paintings, though I got rid of most of the frames due to the weight.
Never say never, but for me personally at this point in my life I would never consider buying a seaside condo/apartment in Panama. Rent yes, but not buy. The weather conditions in Panama are probably not that much different than in Miami. Best case scenario HOA fees go up exponentially to the point you can't afford to keep your property any longer. Worst case scenario is that your apartment/condo building is declared unsafe and you must vacate immediately.
I'm a single gal, late 50s, going to do the PRT next spring. Want to take early retirement and move somewhere soon. Can't handle the US anymore and I'm a fluent Spanish speaker and Panama has popped up on lots of lists. Glad you enjoyed the tour. Good to hear that, even with its limitations. I would never go solo either, as I'm not a very solitary person. I have a condo I'd need to sell, I'm in Wisconsin.
I agree, looking to the smaller retire in panama tours for a first look in February 2025. Looking at an interim living solution as I once sell my home I want to rent before heading to Panama! El Valle or Potrerillos are on my list to check out!
@@seizeself-loveself-care9869 Well, being a car person, that would be my first choice. You can rent at Allbrook Mall instead of the airport. Shuttles are available, like Services Coronado. And there are direct buses. Some people will get the bus to Coronado and rent a car there, much easier if you haven’t driven in Panama before.
@@seizeself-loveself-care9869 I don’t know why it didn’t show. You can take a bus direct to El Valle from Allbrook Mall at the bus terminal. The local buses will stop EVERYWHERE 😆 Or you can get a shuttle like Services Coronado, or post in the FB groups for drivers.
Great video and a super interesting property. Question: is there a particular day of the week when expats gather at the Golden Frog? We are going to be there next weekend and wondered? YOU are the reason we are going to visit. thank you in advance.
@@cnevins3866 Awwwwww!! I’m sure you’ll love El Valle. The Golden Frog has a happy hour, and live music on occasion but it’s not a weekly hangout that I’m aware of. You can post in the EV Facebook group to see if there are any gatherings. Some people meet for coffee on Saturday mornings.
@@timmaloney6441 It depends on where you’re looking. In the city, prices have come up. Playa Venao is seeing a rise in prices. I don’t know about other areas. I’m not seeing increases in El Valle, some of the same properties still on the market.
@@Pattybluehayes I really loved that new house you posted ( i think it was $350 ) all white , good sized yard . good to hear El Valle seems steady . Thanks Patty .
Give me a break! Panama has no infrastructure to support the people and it has remained like this for decades. Horrible roads; pot holes everywhere; no water every other day; electricity goes out constantly. The government is always in turmoil over something. People are always rioting in the streets. In 2023 the country was shutdown for months because the Indian people were blocking the roads over the corrupt mining project in the mountains. People died because of this and the government did nothing to control the indigenous people. I could go on and on. I have been traveling to Panama for over 30 years so I know firsthand about the atrocities. Panama will remain a typical banana republic unless the people change their mindset. Individuals love to run for office so they can steal from their country instead of helping the people. The Social Security system is a fiasco. The government buildings are falling down literally. Elected officials promise they will make things better and in the end they flee the country as criminals after stealing millions. CRIMINALS roam the streets everywhere. It is not safe for people to walk the streets which is evident as there is no one on the streets except when they are sitting in traffic jams. The person producing this RU-vid video should be ashamed and reproduce “7 REASONS I HATE LIVING IN PANAMA”. Publish the truth instead of PROPAGANDA.
Loved the video, Patty. Thanks, I needed that calm and peace. Frustrated more and more living in the US. Going to take a tour in spring 2025. Can't wait to watch your other vids. :)
Thanks for all this Patty 😊 very helpful! Would you make a video of your finished Reno. I saw the beginning many months ago, but didn’t see the finished product. Also do you rent your casita long term, if so how much? Thanks again 😊
Thanks for all this Patty 😊 very helpful! Would you make a video of your finished Reno. I saw the beginning many months ago, but didn’t see the finished product. Also do you rent your casita long term, if so how much? Thanks again 😊
@@florisabelcastillo7688 Glad you liked the information. I have a before and after video, maybe in the house playlist. I only do short term stays, up to a few months - through Airbnb. My link is in the video description.
Hi Patty, my wife, Toni, and I watch your posts. Thank you for sharing. We have been to Panama twice. Once with PRT and once alone. We have our temporary Visa and plan to come when we are approved for our permanent Visa. At that point, we plan to visit El Valle. Hope to see you within a few months. Say hello to the gentleman from San Clemente CA, I can't remember his name, but we lived in San Clemente for several years. Blessings, Edward Fife
