Quiz - Should You Move To Panama

Moving to Panama is a big decision. Your biggest question is probably, “Will I be happy in Panama?” The quiz below covers the issues you need to consider before moving to Panama. There are 12 short questions.

Question 1 of 12

Your Cost of Living in Panama

pac-man icon with word budget, "eating" food, fun, etc

Can You Afford To Live In Panama?Panama can be incredibly affordable. But your personal cost of living will depend on both where you live and what you buy.

If you buy all the same brand names from back "home", then your cost of living will be significantly higher than if you shop more like a local.

And your location matters.

While Panama City is more affordable than some parts of the US, it is not an inexpensive place to live. In the same way, if you live in areas that have a big expat population, you are likely to spend more money.

About calculating your budget. If you receive a pension of some sort, it is much easier to figure out your monthly budget. It can be trickier to figure your monthly "retirement" income, if your plan is to sell everything and live on the proceeds.

To help figure out if you can afford to live in Panama (or anywhere), use these calculators.

What Will Your Average Monthly Budget Be in Panama?

(Don't forget to include travel costs to visit back "home".)

Choose one

$850/mo or less$900 – $1200/mo$1300 – $1600/mo$1700 or more

Question 2 of 12

About Panama Weather

graphic & text on top of photo collage about panama rainy and dry seasons

Will You Be Happy With The Weather In Panama? Panama has 2 seasons. Dry & Rainy

It is warm both seasons. But it is warmer in the Dry Season.

No matter where you live in Panama, you won't have the 4 season cycle of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.

When that happens in February, you will find yourself smiling because you are not dealing with all that cold & miserable weather back "home".

Are You Okay Living Without 4 Seasons?

Choose one

I'm not sure. I think I will miss the Fall leaves & Spring flowersThe Beach or Bust. If I miss having seasons, I will visit Minneapolis in January.I'm fine with it. I can alway go back and forth from beach to the highlands if I want a temperature change.I was meant for the tropics! I never want to scrape frost off my windshield again

Question 3 of 12

Culture Shock Potential

Am I Adaptable?

Goldfish leaping from one gold fish bowl to different one.

Panama is not the US or Canada or Europe….

Yes, I know that is obvious.

But while intellectually you know that everyone is different, experiencing it on a daily, in-your-face, way can be a huge challenge.

Depending upon your personality, it can be very hard not to cringe, mutter, or keep yourself from explaining to a local person that their culture, their way of doing things, is just plain wrong.

It will take some time to adapt and get over your culture shock, but you – and those around you – will be happier if you can do it.

What Would You Say Sums Up Your Ability To Deal With the Mind-Bogglingly Different?

Choose one

Not Well. I like things done right. That is, the way I think they should be done.I may mutter, but I'm okay with people who do things differently than I wouldYeah, it will be a challenge, but I think I can adapt. I might need an annual cultural shock outburst.Pretty well. If no one bothers me, I won't bother them.Excellent. My middle name is "go with the flow"

Question 4 of 12

Separation Anxiety?

cartoon of person on tiny tropical island thinking of their home

Will You Be Homesick?

There are many things from back "home" that you are likely to miss :

– Your native language spoken everywhere

– Your favorite foods

– Going to see your team play at its stadium

– Familiarity with the culture and how things work

– Seeing family and friends on holidays, etc..

Which Choice Below Fits You The Best?

Choose one

I am somewhat concerned about missing home. I am afraid I'll end up very homesickI'm not worried. I'm shipping all my favorite things down with me.I will miss a few things, but I look forward to finding new things to love in Panama.No, my country is going to hell in a hand basket. I'm happy to leave.

Question 5 of 12

About Your Health

cartoon of doctor and patient discussing whether to exercise or die

Do You Have Major Health Issues? If you have major health issues, where and whether you should relocate to Panama is an issue.

Luckily, Panama's health care is both good & affordable.

However, it is not good throughout Panama.

If you have major health issues, you will need to live near larger cities with good health services.

Which Situation Below Fits You The Best?

Choose one

I go to my doctor's office so often that other patients think I work there.Nothing major, but I like to keep close to good health care providers.Not yet, thankfully. But I plan on taking up skydiving.I'm as healthy as a pampered horse

Question 6 of 12

About Health Care

Do You Feel Comfortable Seeing A Doctor Who Is Not Fluent In English?

There are doctors and dentists in Panama who speak English fluently. You can find such doctors more often in bigger places such as David or Panama City.

However, if you decide to live in a smaller place, you may not be able to find health care professionals that speak English well.

Which Statement Below Is Most True For You?

Choose one

Whoa! What if we don't understand each other! No way, I'd be okay with that.To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about that.If I had a translator, I'd be okay with that.I'm okay as long as they speak English well enough. They don't have to be fluent.I speak Spanish well, so it is not an issue.

Question 7 of 12

Missing Family & Friends

How will you feel about being far away from:

– Grandchildren

– Aging parents

– Old friends

– People who are close to your heart

Which Statement Below Fits You The Best?

Choose one

It is scary thinking of moving some place we don't know anyone.Yes, that will be hard. Hopefully my friends & family will visit often.No Problem, we plan on being in constant communicationWe will keep in contact, but I am also looking forward to making new friends.I say good riddance to the lot of 'em!

Question 8 of 12

About Understanding The Language

Habla Espanol?

Are you comfortable living somewhere where most people don't speak or even understand English (or whatever your native language may be)?

Which Statement Is Most True For You?

Choose one

I am terrified at the idea of speaking Spanish!I plan on hanging out with English speakers and learning only minimal SpanishI will do my best, but I am not good at languages.I am learning it right now! Poco a poco.I already speak Spanish pretty well.

Question 9 of 12

About Earning Money

Woman on laptop, looking over shoulder at camera

Do You Need To Work in Panama?

4 Ways Expats Can Make Money

1) Start a business in Panama. Note: You will need a work permit to work in your business.

2) Work your current business or job remotely from Panama

3) Get a job online such as teaching English.

4) Start your own online business (FYI: unless you're experienced at online biz, you won't be making money fast)

Note: Starting a brick and mortar business will involve a lot of paperwork & regulations. An under-the-table in Panama business will not. Expats can be successful with either, but it is risky to work under the table.

Which Statement Is Most True For You?

Choose one

I need to make money in Panama. But I don't know how I will do itI am going to open up a restaurant and make money that wayI am an entrepreneur. Panama looks like opportunity to meI'm through with work! If I cannot afford Panama, I'll move to North Dakota.I don't need to work, but want to do something to keep busyYes siree bob. I have my "work in Panama" life set up alreadyI have plenty of money. I don't need to work

Question 10 of 12

A Team Decision?

Does My Partner Want To Live In Panama Too?

This is a sticky one.

What do you do if only one of you wants to move? .

What if one of you wants to live part-time in Panama, but the other wants to be a full-time resident?.

Which Statement Is Most True For You

Choose one

My partner thinks I am crazy to even think about living in PanamaMy partner is skeptical, but is open to persuasion (I hope!)I'm not married now, but would love to find a nice Panamanian to wedWe are going to do a long-distance marriage. Maybe absence will make our hearts grow fonder(?)That's why I'm glad to be single! Nobody can tell me what to do – or not to do.My spouse has already packed our bags!

Question 11 of 12

Culture Shock – Frustrations

Are You A Patient Person? Are you easily frustrated? – keeping your frustration to yourself doesn't count as patience!

If you find yourself all scrunched up trying to keep from venting your frustration about 'those Panamanians" with everyone around you, you many need to try harder to acclimate.

One issue many ex-pats find frustrating is that almost everything in Panama takes much, much, much longer to accomplish than in countries like the USA and Canada.

Often inexplicably so.

Which Statement Is Most True For You

Choose one

I am NOT a patient person!It will be a struggle for me. I hate to wait.I don't mind waiting if I have a good book with me.I'm easy like Sunday morning.

Question 12 of 12

About Lifestyle

text: Do what you love. Man with question marks, stick figure walking between sign posts, one with the word important, the other with unimportant

What Is Your Ideal Lifestyle? What do want your typical day to look like?

Do you want to sail, Go to the ballet, Watch TV, Fish, Go Birding, Read books, Garden, Live the beach life, Hike, Play with the grandkids, Volunteer, Play music, or…

Figure out your top 3 activities, then make sure you can do those things in the part of Panama you want to live.

Your lifestyle in Panama will be a huge factor in your being happy & successful here.

Which Statement Below Is Most True For You?

Choose one

Life for me is the same where ever I go. Just give me a comfy chair and cable TVAll I want to do is hang out at the beach, garden, and enjoy a slow-paced lifeSo far, I have only thought how happy I'll be NOT to be working anymore.I know exactly what I want out of my life in Panama. I'm checking it out with that in mind.

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Name

Should You Move To Panama Quiz

Your Cost of Living in Panama

About Panama Weather

Culture Shock Potential

Separation Anxiety?

About Your Health

About Health Care

Missing Family & Friends

About Understanding The Language

About Earning Money

A Team Decision?

Culture Shock – Frustrations

About Lifestyle

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