$155,000 Beachfront Bargain: How I Scored My Dream Home in Panama 

I visited Panama City. I was harassed immediately upon arrival by the migration. I was the only white person in the airport and got pulled out of line. My son was arrested because he didn't have $500 in his wallet. He was not allowed in the country. I was finally allowed into the country. I showed everything. My air&b had both our names. The airport security was absolutely the most terrible experience. This airport hates white people that are Americans. I will never return.

Hey where in NC ? I'm in Columbia SC

@@trdriver430 I live in Greenville but moving back to Charlotte soon. I used to live in Columbia and I loved it there. Used to work at the NE library.

@@Ddm7879 I always hear Greenville is awesome good to hear you liked Columbia. Charlotte has lots of jobs.

Yes, please move back

Yo también! Everything you said!

I’m with Anthony on this one 🤙🏼 Been scoping MX too but always looking for something better

Coronado is a slum. Take off your rose-colored glasses and look closely. Pay attention to the condition of the main road and all the dirt roads. They will destroy your vehicle's suspension. Ask about powere and water outages. Think hard about what there is to do in the area - the answer seemed to be "not much besides drink." Lot of old expats getting drunk before noon.

Check out PLAYA BLANCA, not far from Coronado. It has several beautiful resorts with apartment buildings and houses inside these very secure Resorts.

Hi Sarah do you have a one bedroom or studios for rent ? I am arriving on July 25th . About 10 days . Please let me know if there are availability, thanks .

Me too !

, you're great at talking and dreaming though.

Thanks for sharing that you’re living in Cambodia! We're always looking for new stories and experiences to feature on the International Living website. If you'd like to share your journey and insights, we'd love to hear from you.

Five dollar

Rome. You're welcome

I live in Panama. Yes, protests are a part of life here. This past year road blocks for over 4 weeks from protests about the mine, salaries, cost of living expenses.

They were peaceful protests.

Creep

@@KeepingItRealBro The beauty you see in me is reflection of yourself!

Me too... doesn't that SUCK !!!

Me too man, after serving in the military. Panama has a lot of good hospitals that is the reason I'm considering moving there. Health care is dirt cheap.

@@papi7672- they even have care established for US veterans.

You give excellent reasons to rent and not buy!

That's why they're 1/5th of the price, Sherlock

@@KeepingItRealBro 1/5th of what price? No idea what you mean. To explain to anyone who is interested to buy a property in Panama. I lived 10 months in a beach community. Properties are sold between locals for around $30,000 (smaller lots) to $100,000 (for a newer big house). Than you have Americans. They come for 14 days, think they know everything. Take out their checkbook and pay $300,000 for a house or $100,000 for a lot. 3 months later, they just don’t like Panama anymore for what reason nobody knows. Now they like to sell the lot for $120,000 or the house for $350,000. You know. Americans know it all. And they like to make money. But this is Panama! The real estate market is in no comparison to North America or Europe where you sell a property in at least two weeks to 3 months. And don’t even think to “flip “ a house. In the beach community, there are 40-50% of houses empty, on the market for MANY YEARS! You are looking for a new house on the beach? El Rompio Los Santos Province. Very nice and big houses. You can even buy barely used houses including furniture. Price was around $140,000. I did take a look. A really humongous metal chain on the gate. The houses falling apart! Finished in 2014 and still “new houses” for sale. So. In 5 years, I only know people who lost money to finally get rid of their properties. Because they just paid Gringo prices! - Again. I was in the market and drove around. Checking places & prices. If you use common sense, you can only say NO GRACIAS. Apartment or Condo in a gated community where you have to pay a couple hundred dollars for maintenance? What maintenance? When the paint is already falling off the walls & balconies? The metal starts rusting? NO GRACIAS. A lot on the beach for $300,000 and more? Right. Where the ocean is eating up your property? And if not, the ocean brings you plastic garbage over night. If you talk about Panama. Please talk about the real Panama. And if nothing of the mentioned “small issues “ to own a beach property doesn’t matter to you, then maybe the Airbnb right beside your property or close by. Loud music and parties until 5 in the morning. Don’t matter if you live in Panama City or the beach area. Panamanians don’t care about you or neighbors. They just party from Friday to Sunday and leave. - Did I got myself a property in Panama? Absolutely! A small lot. Paid the same as my Panamanian future neighbors in the area. Not one cent more. - Do I care if Americans throw around with money and buy to ridiculous prices? A little. Do I care that they need years to get rid of it? Not really. Do I care about that they lose a lot of money when they sell. Absolutely not. - Just use common sense!

I'm a single American woman also looking for a roommate. What area are you looking at?

I live in New York City, and trust me, Panama City is CHEAP.

@@guillermogouldburn763 cheap compared to NYC yes, but you can't compare Panama City and NYC, it's apples and oranges. NYC is the financial capital of the world and one of the world's megacities. Panama City isn't that cheap compared to places like Dallas Fort Worth or even Chicago which are more comparable. Rents are on par with those US cities.

@@sbkpilot1 Do you get jubilado discounts in Chicago? Can you take the subway from the city center to the airport for 85 cents in Chicago? Can you Uber anywhere for 4 dollars? Can you just pay 25 cents to take the bus? You need to look at the whole picture to see the financial benefits. Rent is just one factor to consider among many. I can't wait to retire in Panama and cut my costs in half.

I live in NYC and Panama City and my quality of life is far better in Panama. My property taxes alone in NY are ridiculous. I can live like a king on that amount alone and don’t have to pay ANY taxes in Panama.

​@@guillermogouldburn763from NYC, every place is cheap!

Suburbs more like

No need to be rude.

No need to be rude