Our Decision To Move and Live Outside the U.S.

Vic and I have dreamed for years that when we both retire, we will live outside the US to immerse ourselves in another culture and learn another language. We have always loved traveling, but early on, we knew that our favorite way to travel was to go to one place and explore from a home base. We love meeting new people (especially other travelers) and discovering where they have been, their favorite places, and why.

In the Fall of 2022, I reached out to a holistic wellness and fitness coach, Stephanie Whitley Kemp, who I have known for years. I had put on some weight through the Covid pandemic and wanted accountability to improve my health. She invited us to attend a wellness retreat she was hosting in Panama. We would experience living off the grid for a whole week, hiking, swimming in the ocean, learning about and practicing meditation, yoga, and reiki, eating holistic meals, and meeting the local indigenous people to learn about the medicinal plants they have used and continue to use for the health and well-being of their villages. I had been experiencing burnout at work, and Vic agreed this was not only precisely what I needed, but he would also enjoy an experience like this.

We were surprised to learn about a couple we would meet on this retreat who had sold everything and moved to Panama. This and learning about Panama’s affordability and quality of life piqued our interest. We began researching, watching YouTube videos, reading articles, and stumbled across Panama Relocation Tours. Their website is a wealth of information. Even though they offered bus tours of the most popular places to relocate to in Panama, our budget and my time off work were limited. We opted to purchase their online guide, which included trusted resources and detailed processes for moving to Panama. After our retreat, we booked a private tour of the area we thought we wanted to relocate to get a firsthand experience. That trip confirmed all our research. We also learned that travel outside the United States is much more affordable, and if we had to get back to the United States in an emergency, it isn’t that long of a flight. 

Safety – When most hear that we are going to Panama, I’ve been surprised at how many ask about the country’s security. That was never really on my radar because, with all our travels, we have learned that people are people. Everyone wants to live in a safe place. There are a few dishonest people everywhere. Overall, most people are good, honest and want to raise their families in homes filled with love. With that said Panama is a very safe country. We felt very comfortable on our two trips and never felt unsafe. We rented a car and drove halfway across the country, stopping to get gas and food while not speaking the language. Everyone we met was friendly and smiled as we attempted to speak Spanish using our translator app and pictures. The Panamanians have a beautiful culture centered on spending time with family and friends. They enjoy celebrating everything with fireworks, music, and food.

Health Care – Vic and I are fortunate to enjoy good health, and our research discovered that healthcare in Panama is excellent, with most Doctors studying in the United States, and it is a fraction of the cost in the United States. Medications are more affordable everywhere outside the U.S., including Panama. We hope we never need it, but with all the testimonies we have heard, we are confident that we will receive excellent care at an affordable price. 

Climate – You might be surprised to learn that you can pick the temperature you want to live in by selecting an area according to elevation. With Panama being so close to the equator, having a primarily tropical climate with a rainy and dry season, you can enjoy a daily 73 degrees in the mountain areas of Boquete or, like us, enjoy the warmer temperatures of the coast with ocean breezes and anywhere in between. We plan to explore it all, and with Panama being such a small country, it will be accessible on our budget. 

Affordability – Vic is retired, and I am not. Even so, a couple can live comfortably on $1500 per month. Most rentals come furnished. Rent, utilities, and food are very affordable. Panama has public transportation (a bus ticket from Panama City to David, more than ½ way across the country, is about $10), and most towns are walkable. You can take a cab for $3 to $5 in even the more expensive cities. Having a car is not a necessity as it is in the US. 

Time – The biggest reason for us to move to Panama is time. Panama practices a slower lifestyle. We want to savor life, not race to the end of each, but enjoy the journey.