Is there a canal around there that the U.S. ought to take back?

I hear that he's doing the preliminary planning.

We are 6 hours away from the Canal. It seems that the threats from Cheeto Jesus are of no concern to the every day Panamanian.

There's really no need for the average resident of Panama, Greenland or Canada to freak out over the ramblings of an idiot.

Sounds wonderful. Enjoy!

For your own sanity please do not engage with Trumpers. There's no point to it and it just legitimized their nonsense when you try to engage. They are dying to tell you what they just heard on some stupid podcast. Just go dark like they don't exist.

This falls into the old saying of never argue with dumb people. They just drag you down to their level where they have the clear advantage.

one acquaintance said to me, "I voted for Trump, let me tell you why." FUCK OFF I told him, and walked away. There is literally NO REASON he could give me I would find acceptable so WHY FUCKING BOTHER, UGH

Traveling right now and stop for coffee at McDs. Trumpers usually throw out a little hook , I just listen .I always think they are saying "if only hitler knew". One guy could not understand why his buisness went way down in 45s first term. Some other guy said he was from NYC and understood 45 because he was a buisness man too. I could have responded 6 bankruptcies and fraud convictions.

We have our passports already.

We have skills that would likely be in demand within Panama.

What did your trajectory look like when y'all moved to Panama?

We flew from Atlanta to Panama with two dogs. The most stressful I have ever been..... Including the combat tours!!!!! Once in Panama, we picked up the car we had bought through a friend here. Ended up in my little piece of paradise and now I am enjoying my retirement.

Last edited Thu Mar 20, 2025, 10:17 AM - Edit history (1)

The basic requirements are:
FBI Background investigation
Proof of $1000 a month income, $1250 for a couple
Good standing with your bank.
Marriage Certificate.
If you are bringing pets, that is another side of the freaking story.

I think that is about it.

Thanks y'all!

I'm the same age as OP. Currently I'm planning to work till at least 65 -- but if my job gets axed before then I'll be OK. But I'm not leaving the USA. I love this place and I'm not about to let a bunch of brain-dead thugs destroy it. If I get axed I'll have a lot more time to resist and fewer fucks to give.

I'm fixing up a big old 145 year old house in a blue state near the Canadian border that I bought a few years ago. A good base to fight this BS from. Interestingly in a village that played a role in abolitionist movement and underground railroad.

I will STAY AND FIGHT too; I served once, I WILL SERVE AGAIN.....FUCK fascism

I hope you enjoy each moment in the tropics. We are heading to CR in December for 4 or 5 months. Gonna do a little bus riding with the locals down to Dominical and San Isidro de El General. Haven't seen any Trumpers down that way but I am sure they are there.

Enjoy you retirement, I am 65 and getting close to pulling the plug.

you will have to apply in person now.

You will only have to apply in person if they can’t verify your identity online.

about Costa Rico. I'm planning on taking a Rhodes Scholar trip there to check it out.

Let us know how it goes!

You will never regret it.

Four months is the right amount of time to have a relaxing experience. Good for you and I hope I get to see you if you decide to adventure a little more south.

Can you buy property there, and how do prices compare?

In fact, the government makes it very attractive for foreigners to invest in property in Panama. The Pensionado Visa for retirees is awesome and includes half price on Copa Airways. Check out the Panama government website for details.

We’re buying an apartment in Coronado, about 90 minutes from Panama City. Our realtor was Casa Solutions and they have been fantastic! Check out their website, too. Prices are significantly lower than comparable places in the States.

YES. The Pensionado Visa gives you 20% off a lot of stuff. I went to McDonald's to see the taste difference and without even asking for my ID I was given 20% off my breakfast. I felt good and old at the same time. Coronado is beautiful and it was one of the places were were looking before settling in the Los Santos province.

A lot of Ex-Pats are buying property by the sea, if not sea front property. In the mornings I run 1.5 miles on the beach, barefooted and many days, most that not, I never get to see another human on the beach with me. 1.5 miles of sand, ocean, pelicans and the feeling of absolute freedom.
I will see tomorrow what the average price is in the local economy and will post the information here.

you will have to come back to the US and apply in person if there is an office that is still open.

you need to keep your SS quiet if you move to another country. Keep your US address but do something like have someone you trust mail your checks to you.

I’ve been here almost a year. There’s just no hatred. Or hurricanes!!!

Amazing, isn't it??? This last few days we have had a great breeze that makes me feel in heaven.

We were going to retire abroad when we retired but most of Europe was too expensive.

Good for you.

He raves about the ease of access to health care as well as just how fast and cheap the care is for everything. When he first arrived in S. Korea, he needed a standard chest x-ray and told his colleagues that he was going to the doctor and wondered how much he'd pay for the visit. He estimated about $200 at the time. Their reply was both telling and funny. They said, "You're not having surgery". My last surgery in the US was 120K.

$100 for an appendectomy. I went to a private doctor for my over 60 full medical. The Labs were less than $20 and the face to face with the doctor was $13. I was told to keep doing what I was doing because the only thing abnormal was my cholesterol (hereditary).

I would feel guilt about paying people who are supplying me with goods and services slave wages

in Bocas in 2005. It was intended to be an escape during second Shrub administration. After Obama won in 2008--and our house here burned down in 2007--we sold the Panama property to use the money in rebuilding here.
I'm 74 now and I don't have the energy to relocate abroad solo. Panama is a great choice. We already had applied/received pensionado cards and had permanent resident visas stamped in our passports before we sold the property.
I have friends who have lived on Bonaire for 30 years. They charge everything to an American Express card and pay it with funds from a US bank checking account. They maintain a US address in Florida that is not a PO Box.
Enjoy your retirement!

No goo tacos.

Parts of the "Mosquito Gulf" – Level 4: Do Not Travel
The “Mosquito Gulf” is an extremely remote and inaccessible area along part of the north (Caribbean) coast.

Do not travel within 10 miles of the coastline, from Boca de Rio, Chiriqui to Cocle del Norte. Drug trafficking and other illicit activities occur in this area.

It has been my experience that simple names mean simple things: Isla culebra is a snake infested island, El Zancudo (large mosquito with annoying Doppler effect near ears) turned out to be quite true.

I have heard stories about those places and you are right. Hell the hell not!!!!!

It is of little or no consequence, If you can use Google translate, you will be fine. Most people here speak enough English to understand you. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TRY...... The locals will help you.

I have a Canadian partner, so my out is to the north next year or sooner.

I remember during Trump part one riding in a cab in Panama City with a driver who got so angry taking about Trump that he almost crashed banging his fists on the wheel.

To paraphrase another Central American president's slogan, "sí corrupto, sí ladrón".

1/2 of the Expats here are from Canada....... "sí corrupto, sí ladrón" I want that in a T-Shirt.