When you move to a foreign country, it’s easy to make a lot of rookie errors, and expats in Panama all experience this. Avoiding errors as an expat means a lot of trial and error, and a lot of learning experiences. Moving to Panama is a big deal, and there’s a lot you need to adjust to; language, laws and customs, food, setting up a business or bank account, and buying/renting property, to name a few. If you’re looking to avoid making some simple mistakes in your future expat life in Panama, here are 7 easy ones everyone makes, and you can stay away from.
1. Not Planning Your Legal Paperwork Well in Advance
It sounds like a no-brainer but many expats living in Panama, in the interest and excitement of getting settled quickly, will move before starting the processes on their legal paperwork. While it is possible to temporarily live in Panama during this process, we recommend getting a good head start to stay ahead of schedule and make your transition smoother. Learn more about Panama immigration and visas.
2. Not Visiting Panama Before You Move
Panama has a lot to offer, but if you want to avoid a critical expat error, we recommend you visit Panama a few times before you commit to relocating to Panama. In order to get a good feel on how life will be, you need to see it first hand, and a trip or two will take care of a lot of this.
3. Budgeting Properly
Panama is a very affordable country with lots of lifestyles available for lots of budgets. That being said, if you want to avoid a simple expat error, make sure to do your due diligence when it comes to budgeting. Always err on the higher side to leave yourself some wiggle room, and remember to calculate your living expenses based on the lifestyle you want, balancing it with the funds you have to get there.
4. Not Ready For the Heat
Have you been to Florida in July? That’s pretty much how most of Panama feels all year round. Avoid the simple error of not being ready by preparing your new house/apartment and yourself for a hot tropical climate. There are a number of towns in Panama that have a cooler climate, too, such as El Valle, Boquete, and Volcan. So make sure you can handle the heat, or plan on living in a place that’s better suiting to your comfort zone.
5. Not Prepared to Learn Spanish
While English is spoken often in business and Real Estate, getting around Panama on a day-to-day level requires a decent understanding of the Spanish language. Avoid this simple expat error by doing some studying before you arrive. It’s also helpful to sign up for classes when you first get here, and make sure to take some time to learn from the locals. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to help!
6. Wanting Everything Done Quickly
In Panama, much like the rest of the region, things may move a bit slower as far as day-to-day errands and services. Don’t let this get you down; it’s all part of the experience. Learn to be patient with the pace of life and look at it from a positive perspective. After all, Panama’s not the world’s happiest country for nothing.
7. Buying a Car Upon Arrival
If you live in a remote area, or need your own transportation as part of a business, this isn’t for you. However, a common error made by expats in Panama is to rush into buying a car. Panama has good public transportation, and it is vastly improving every year. There are also cheap taxis available throughout the urban and suburban areas of the country, and many parts of the big cities have very walkable neighborhoods. Your best bet is to see how you get around without a car first, and then buy one based on your needs. In the end, you’ll save lots of money and time.
