Panama vs Ghana for Black Women Over 65 

Maggie shared her Top 5 considerations for her move abroad. Are any missing for you? Leave a comment and let us know.

February 2017, I retired, at 60, and rejoined the Peace Corps (Armenia 2017/19 and Ethiopia 2019/20). I joined AmeriCorps, in 2020, and worked in Alaska for two years. As soon as I reached full social security retirement age (66 years and four months) I left the USA the following month. I’ve been traveling full time since December 2022. I only own one small under the seat suitcase and a backpack. I have nothing in storage, back in the USA. Good luck ladies! Enjoy your travels!

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you Maggie for your candid responses about your real life experiences. I’ve never considered Panama but now it’s on my list.

I enjoyed the conversation. Lots of good information.

Having lived in both Ghana and Panama I can agree with most of what was said during the interview. I love Ghana and have dear friends there but if you want to live there navigating most systems (govt, financial, medical etc) can be frustrating. Panama is well run comparatively and has a quality of life not found in the US. Panamá is a hidden gem but i would encourage people to explore further than Panama City to find beauty and peace. And there are cooler temps in the mountains if you don't like the heat.

Why do Black Americans think going to Africa means going to Ghana only???? Much better countries in Africa for Afro Americans than Ghana, Like, for exampe, Kenya, or Rawanda. To be honest Ghanians are known for being unfriendly and it's true. And Kenya, Rawanda, and 7 other countries on the continent offer automatic citizenship to Black Americans also. I'm from Atlanta.

I am so happy to see Black women over 65 talk about their experiences. Thank You

I have been in Ghana now nearly three years. Unscrupulous people in abundance. Lack of respect for women. All the things mentioned in this talk. I desire to live by the beach and rent in a coastal town and in the capital too. I have a good network of friends and am building now. My initial journey was one of the hardest seasons of my life but I am on the other side now. I'm on you tube a three part narrative. The African Building Hub, Part 1, Buying a house in Ghana, lessons from a Jamaican. It is imperative to share our journey, good and bad so others can make an informed choice. Thank you for your channel it also gives valuable information with regards to travelling. Thank you.

She had me at, "No Karens in Panama!"

I enjoyed this interview. I am married and in my 70s. I want to leave the U.S. because this is not a place to grow old. I have been watching you ladies and it has inspired me to go on a relocation tour. I convinced my husband to go to Mexico to check it out. We will be in San Miguel de Allende for a week, followed by a week in Queretaro in October. He is not sure he wants to leave the U.S., but I am ready to go. I had him watch some of your videos and he says maybe. Good work ladies.

Also to note panama University has one of the best medical faculties. Panama care is great. And urgent care is 24/7 at clinics.

This interview was extraordinary!! About 6 months ago I was complaining to a friend, because I was very unhappy with my financial position; & realized that I could not retire with dignity in the US. People in the US do not like anything old (people, houses, cars etc.) I was especially angry, anxious, worried.... because of some poor financial choices my husband made that placed us in a compromised position. My friend said to me "what are you worried about"; & shared some videos of expats in Panama. This was such a blessing because I saw Black women taking care of themselves. Caring for & teaching each another. Going all over the world "Como si nada". Made me soo proud, hopeful & encouraged. Thank you so very much for making a difference!!

Great interview as it hits all the topics Black senior expats must ponder when making their exit. Not until recently did I have to deal with one other issue: friendships as a senior expat. When my family moved to Bahia, Brazil ten years ago making new friends did not cross my mind. I watched my Brazilian husband rekindle old friendships, our daughter started high school and quickly made friends, but I felt I would never have a best friend in my new community. One day I met a sister from LA- my area, my age, living around the block from us who retired to Brazil 5 years earlier. We became fast friends. My friend started getting sick about three years ago, landed in the hospital for 3 months and then sadly passed away June, 2023 at the age of 70. This is one more reality that we must weigh. I must add that there is also the issue of unscrupulous evil people who pretend to be friends and prey on this vulnerability. So I would not trade the last ten years of peace for anything, but I do know that making friends and having that person is so important to our experience and ability to adapt.

If it doesn't sit well with your spirit, that is what you pay attention to. Forget about what others say, Spirit and intuition trumps all as far as I'm concerned.

Without water for two weeks in Ghana? That’s a massive exaggeration. Still a fair analysis. You want a place that feels like the US and has close proximity? Panama. You want an Afrocentric environment? Africa.

Thanks for sharing one Africa; one people. If you educate a woman; you educate a Nation ❤💪🏾✊🏾👍🙏🏼

Thanks for your honesty, I lived in Ghana for 7 years and I would not retire there. No one talks about no water or electricity because they only visited. But it's true and the people are friendly but they don't like change.

How about Jamaica? Many of our nurses went to the USA due to the high demand for them and the attractive US$ with our 152J$ to 1 USD exchange rate. We are now having a nurse shortage. You could try the University of The West Indies hospital which has a nursing school but if you want to be by the beach then St. Ann's Bay hospital near to Ocho Rios is great and there are some beautiful gated communities down that side of Jamaica on the North Coast and it is very beautiful. Just don't date the men especially the younger men who target older retirees and take their money

Africa has 54 countries keep exploring

I am 67. I love your sense of adventure and wanting more of the various world experiences. Sistets, keep sampling around until you find the best for you. As for me, I am a Black African woman. Rwandan to be precise. Born and raised in Uganda, worked in Kenya, returned to Uganda and worked there in the mid-1980's to early 1990s. Then I moved to Rwanda in 1995. I have traveled the world a bit. If I wasn't living in Rwanda, I would live in Uganda.

A word of advice to you all, especially women in the diaspora, don’t come to Africa with superiority complex. The arrogance of the so-called self made women does not have a place anywhere in Africa like it is in the only world you know. Africa needs all its diaspora to come back home, but not to come and see everything wrong and try to impose their norms on everything.

Ghanaians American here who now lives in both places and I agree with her analysis. I am looking for somewhere also and have some similar considerations to her. Ghana can be hard to navigate, even for me. There are other places with much easier transitions and we are lucky to have a choice to explore options.

U can't go to Africa in keeping a US mindset. Staying in Africa for a couple of weeks isn't enough to give u a feel of Africa's reality.

I appreciate the work you 2 do, and the information you share as my husband and I ponder and plan what's next for us. This interview was REALLY good, and relatable to me being over 60 😊 I wish Maggie the best in her endeavors. It's Never too late to bust a move!

I'm really impressed by what you are doing. It's unfortunate about Ghana. It seems Africa does not like change/progress. I'm a Zimbabwean and retired. But going back home has been a challenge in some areas. With all my professional qualifications, nurse midwife, health visitor with 26 years experience of working with children and family, some children with disabilities. I've also got an Bsc Hon. degree in psychology. I found it very difficult to register to work with families with children with disabilities. I advise parents how to help their child reach their full potential. So I help those whom I meet in supermarket and self referrals by word of mouth. One guy said to me in a supermarket after hearing my accent shouted "go back where you came from, we don't need you here". That's the type of mentality some people have. I'm also a Montessori preschool teacher. I did the course when I retired. So it makes it easier to help those children with disabilities. I am Zimbabwean by birth. Thank you and stay blessed. One guy in s

Thank you, Ladies for this wonderful video. I’m a few years from 60 and the thought of growing old in this country is terrifying, especially the way things are going now politically. I want desperately to travel while I still have my health and I have STEM skills that I hope can be of use to someone, somewhere. At my age, no one is knocking down my door to hire me and frankly I’m just over the office and the commute. I will definitely be looking into attending the summit in October.

I appreciate your content so much! I love taking Mini-retirements. I realized 3 to 4 weeks was as long as I wanted to be away from my comforts and family. The best part is learning things about yourself. Then be brave enough to try something new. There is no paradise or perfect place, but, we can create our own peace by discovery.

I'm retired in Yaounde, Cameroon.

I spent three weeks exploring and teaching at the primary levels in Ghana. I agree with her evaluation of the country, but each person is different. I'm still a decade away from retirement age, but I absolutely loved everything about Ghana. The infrastructure is the biggest issue for me, but the people and pace are fairly slow and laid back so the time it takes to commute is still bearable. There was nothing I experienced, including the water scarcity, that I could not handle. I would love to live in Ghana and teach for free. I've put together a group of women (mostly younger) who travel frequently to Ghana. It's a true love! Also, compared to anywhere else in the world, there is nothing like being a Black woman raised in Western countries being in a space where everyone looks like you. It's an indescribable feeling. I will probably eventually pursue dual citizenship.

*Lucca health care is African American hospital in Ghana* i think you did not contact right people in Ghana 🇬🇭

Some visitors from the West who go to Africa think they can impose their ideas on Africans because they feel Africa is less developed. When they don't get what they want, they go about doing videos lambasting the countries they visited with all sorts of degrading comments. This is unfair. Africa receives different personnel from the West who go for internships, Secondments, and different exchange programs, if the host countries accept all the ideas from these non-permanent staff, there will be a total breakdown.

Kenya for us, and we're so glad about it. We luv Joburg too. I luv my Sister's process and am happy for her.

Thank you from a widow Black African American in her 40's 🤗 ❤️💛💚✊🏾🖤

I absolutely love Panama. I am going on my 4th visit in July. I knew from my 1st visit that it was #1 on my list.

the best advice in ghana to have a busines mindset ,thats the only way to make money,in a health care busines,opening our own chemist or phamacy shop busines,little packaging busines or small scall productions,also pls have the mind set of adventure in the beginning ,study the life style,busines

Maggie is so inspirational. Thoroughly enjoyed this and determined to live my life to the max x!

Retired RN/Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner here. I called it quits after losing both of my parents. It hit home at age 59 that it was time to pull back and retire. I think about Panama, but to live a few months out of each year. I also like as a 65 year old Panama has a pretty good healthcare system and it is only a few hours plane ride from eastern states in the US. I did my NP degree at University of Maryland and when I rotated thru Johns Hopkins some of the residents were from Panama with goals to return back home. Wow and I worked as an RN at the Peace Corps headquarters in my hometown of DC working with the Peace Corps volunteers after returning back to US.

Ok Ms. Maggie thanks for your tips, but what's your skincare routine, I'd love to be this glowy as I age.

3:33 Of what company/program is Maggie Lazarre speaking? The woman out of the UK that does "internships" abroad?

@exodussummit - Ladies, thanks for the interview with Maggie Lazzare. I love her spirit and admire her call to service. @Maggie, wishing you all the best in Peace Corp. Blessings.

This was excellent! I really enjoyed watching this interview. I just turned 30 and I’m now fleshing out my vision for the next 3 decades, if I’m healthy and able (God-willing). I hope to retire early in Panama when I’m in my late 40s and early 50s.

Love it Maggie! Welcome to my country. You will love it here in South Africa. Welcome to mzanzi❤

This was very delightful. Many of us “seniors” are of sound mind and excellent-good health. I was assigned as a registered nurse in Panama when I was in the military. I enjoyed it there. I’m now retired and seriously considering another country to enjoy retirement. Very interesting conversation!

Can you ladies explore more Countries in Our Motherland, Africa, instead of so many in these other cultural countries. So any other than Western Africa's Ghana. We are missing the MOTHERLAND and its beauty, culture, resources. And it needs our assistance to return and take Africa back and help take the Continent back. It's not going to be eze peze... it all has to be rethought. You want what we appear to have in the USA. It's going to be starting from the beginning and rebuilding.

This was such an awesome interview. It gave me many things to consider. I am still trying to work through some things but I am learning so much from this community.

To Maggie, I can understand why you did not go back home to Haiti at this time. My question is: Do you think you will ever move back to Haiti?

I will be 81 in October, and I retired at 58, and return to work at 61 to 69. Over 60 years visiting and living in Mexico, and traveling the world on my own dime all over the world. I relocated to Queretaro in 2021, and very happy. I earned my money in the computer field, and teaching English to Spanish speakers. I do not go to doctors, and plan for direct cremation and no service. or donate my body. teaches around the world, and Bali is he favorite. She is 43, and told me she was not going to marry or have children, and that is her life. Marriage had too many deal breakers, so I stayed friends with them, but divorced the first one and the second one died, when our daughter was 7.

Stephanie & Roshida, thank you for this informative video that featured Ms. Maggie Lazare, an adventurous, professional, skilled business owner who happens to be a senior who has a positive mind set in knowing her priorities. I thought about the Peace Corp in my 20's but after researching they are not always welcome in the foreign countries.

As a Jamaican raised here in Washington DC. I i can't turn my back to Mama Africa, so I went to Ghana first and second trip, my third trip, we are all bkacks, no discrimination, I purchased 10 acres of land Started building apartments for rent and also I poulty farm. I just found a girlfriend. You can own lands in Ghana, that why most of Africans/Americans living in outside America are living in Ghana, and also Caribbeans and those from UK. The weather In Ghana is so good

I love the information. 💕💕Panama is on my list.

Watching Replay.. I really enjoyed this video and agree with everything the guest stated about Panama. I just came back from Panama. I got my Retirement visa (due to I’m medically retired from the military)and started looking for my apartment. I chose the city for now because need to be close to a hospital and I don’t want to buy a car or travel far for things. I’m going back next month to move. I want to use it as my home base and travel other countries. Thanks again Stephanie and Roshida for all your helpful content.

I agree, you have to feel it in your spirit as well as ticking those boxes.

Trying decide Panama costa Rica or Ghana. There is an American couple that went to Costa Rica just to have their baby. They said the medical benefits was there. An another elderly couple moved to Ghanah did research on the best hospitals b/c the husband is a veteran who had a stroke. They are the only people I've seen on RU-vid that said they found a very good hospital and doctor in Ghana

I'm from the Caribbean, and I spent time in Ghana. The number one reason I wouldn't retire there is that it's too far from my grandchildren. I hear your negatives regarding Ghana and some of them are true but if you had taken time to find out the reason for the water problem you would not be so negative. I'll educate you on one of the reasons: the foreigners stealing gold mess up the water system in the washing of the mineral. It takes time to clean up the system again. Panama operates on the American module. Ghana is independent in many ways. You can't go there and tell them what to do. It's offensive. The infrastructure is what it is. The West dominates and old colonialism is alive and well. Some of those who try to make a difference are taken out. Do your home work my sister to change your mindset and negativity .

I agree with most of your comments. But i also think that you didn't really get to see the full picture of Ghana. Ghana has to do better with it's infustractue, but i think you are exaggerating the problems in ghana. You can find better health care in ghana if know where to go.

Maggie's points on Ghana is absolutely correct. The bad and good. Ghana's not ready for the 21st century.

Maggie, thank you so much for your interview. I am former Peace Corps Volunteer right out of college and you made me think about maybe rejoining now that I am retirement age. I was in Burkina Faso and the Cameron in West Africa for six years. You and I had so much in common, the travel, the risk taking, the adventure and the interest in other cultures.. Thank you again so much. Your talk was so inspiring and now I also really want to visit Panama. I had a friend who invited me years ago, but I haven't got there yet. Blessings! Thanks to the presenters as well.

I love listening to the perspectives of everyone here. I know my final list of places to retire/ make my forever home will unfortunately not be in west Africa. Infrastructure, healthcare, and socio-political stability are critically important to me. Having grown up in west Africa, the trauma of political unrest, etc still impacts my perspective. But at the end of the day, everyone must do their own research, do their cost-benefits analysis, etc.

No Karens in Panama, great selling point😂

I love this community and so thankful for all the knowledge that is shared. Are there any women in their 30's - 40's who are considering moving to Panama? My family is interested in moving there. I would like to meet women who are around my age who are visiting/ interested in moving to Panama as well.

You are all welcome to come and retire in CapeTown South Africa

The poverty and the hardship in Ghana is problematic

Bottomline Africa is not for everybody. I have been to Rwanda and Ghana love both places but my stop would be Kenya only because Kenya is a little more developed.

I had a good friend who lived in a city with no relatives. She became ill and relied on her next door neighbor. She realized she needed to be near her family ( esp😢god- daughter since she had no children. Wanted to be near her brother too. She was too I’ll ti travel home however. That neighbor had taken control over her finances and never returned the god daughter or her brother. My friend died and body was shipped home to family. That was it!

Cuba health care is short plane ride away.

That nurse misinformed her about the educational and teaching system. It's possible to create your own style of teaching in Ghana. She needs to revisit Ghana.

Thank you!!! This is awesome 💕 I feel she was reading my mind. She checked off all of my boxes 📦 ✨✨ I’m also looking to relocate outside of the United States. I’m 60 years old and ready to live!!!!! Thank you 🥰

I have been watching you Ms Perry for about 6 months now…I really enjoy these forums. I also do not want to retire in the USA and this has given me a lot of useful information..thank you ladies 🙏🏽

I'd choose Afraka over any place in the world.

Well ladies...thank you so much for the opportunity. I so enjoyed our chat. Currently in PA on the first leg of my newest adventure. Excited.

Love,Love this interview! Wishing Maggie all the best on her next adventure in the Peace Corp! Thank you Ladies for having this very interesting "Senior" citizen on your program!!

Check the dates in the notes. It says 2024. We know it’s 2023, but you might want to change that

I'm 63... Onto my 2nd trip to Capetown...I need an inexpensive home base... Any suggestions

Jamaica, pananma, certain African countries, bahamas, mexico, costa rica, these are the best places also italy the most likely place where you are safe and welcome. other places not so much.

When you guys ever get around to advising people that are not financially independent or the working disadvantaged (POOR to make it plain) Let me know

Love this. I loved listening to Maggie talk. Question: Maggie, what is the name of the Medicare Advantage plan that reimburses expenses that you mentioned?

Loved this interview!

This was JUST what I needed!!!

Great interview. Good insights!

Im eager to leave the US im going to do research on Panama definitely

Ms Maggie is so beautiful!!! And wise, free-spirited, and exudes peace & with such agency!!! As a masters level RN, I'm intrigued!!! I'm 70!!!! Prayers for safe, adventurous & 20:08 fulfilling life in Panama!❤❤❤❤

Wow. I just came across this video . Woe. You rock. Doing great work thank you. Hope you enjoyed being in South Africa ❤

What's wrong with retiring to the Caribbean eg the West or East Indies? There's a whole West Indian community in the SouthEastern and Western part of Nigeria ( Enugu Lagos and Benin-City) but they've been there since the early 50s and they're part and parcel of the Country cos they're married,settled and have families..

I really enjoyed listening to Maggie talk today

Don’t U worry sister I’m from there and wouldn’t live there inspite of some very Good things about the place

I don't use Facebook,😊 I did sign up for Facebook and was waitlisted to join Exodus. Is there a method we may use instead of Facebook?

I’m getting ready to retire to Panama Republic, after living in the USA for 40 years

She is used to the accommodations of the USA but did she not say she was from Haiti.

This was such an enjoyable interview 🙂

Very informative stuff. Happy I found this. Joberg is in Stage 6 load shedding. Secure a generator ASAP! The infrastructure in S. Africa isn’t that great either. The driving apps even list potholes. Yes. There are that many. “Thank You!” for sharing ❤️🖤💚

I think you were in the wrong hospital and met the wrong person. I think you should have gone to the ministry of health In Ghana and talked about your intentions with the minister and am sure they would have welcomed you with open arms, since you were bringing fresh air to the nursing job. Honestly there’s a lot that could have been learnt from you. Do try again if you had not decided already. Even the private hospitals would love to have you.

Love all your top five(s)❤️

Are you fluent in Spanish ? What race of people are predominant in Panama ? Funny how you b w don't want to live amongst your people .

This was such a great interview with Maggie! I wish her the best on her journey!!

What was the residency process for Panama? What language groups do you recommend to improve my Spanish? What local areas with beach access or proximity do you recommend (with community)? Ive lived in Nevis, Saba, St Maarten many years. Could I easily transition my medical career in Panama?

Amazing interview. I appreciate how thoughtful your main guest was. Bless the algorithm for show me this. My buddy recently told me about the advantages of his dual Ghanain citizenship and landownership during his visit this Saturday.

Y’all are soooo awesome! Maggie inspires!

Yeah!! For Panama.. Let's hear it for S. AFRICA!

Usa is not fit for blk elders to dwell in until thy pass on. No way.

My aunt had a bad experience when she returned to Panama. They gave her a tough time with her US health insurance. She had cancer and needed chemo. When they finally approved the insurance for cancer treatment it had spread. So everyone’s experience is different. She was born in Panama and so was I.