How to destroy a country

[RaptorSA]

First off, in Panama City jobs is not an issue. Problem though is salaries. Life in Panama City is extremely expensive. But, as you move out to the smaller towns, it becomes much more affordable, but then jobs are becoming more scarce.

From my experience when I was there, in the smaller towns you can rent a 5-bedroom house on a massive property for anywhere from US$400-US$1,000 a month. For a family of 6, your monthly water and electricity works out at about US$70. Uncapped Internet about US$30. Groceries, meat and luxuries for the whole family for the whole month around US$800. Petrol is around US$0.87 a liter, so that is not an issue. School fees for 3 children in a private US-based school works out to around US$1,100 a month. So, for a family of 6 living a middle to upper class lifestyle, you can get away for around US$3,000 or less a month. There are a lot cheaper alternatives though. I have met a few families of 4 or 5 who comes by at less than US$2k a month.

In Panama City for the same lifestyle you will probably be looking at US$25k a month or more.

Sounds like you know what you're talking about.
One of those "impossible" to answer questions I know, but if like me, if you were in your late 30's, single and could take over about R700K would you move there?

I'm been torn on what to do for a long time now, and for some reason the idea of moving to a first world country doesn't really appeal to me that much. Think it's time I planned a little scoping holiday.

 

[ForceFate]

Panama.

Where some of the loot is stashed

 

[RaptorSA]

Where some of the loot is stashed

haha, as long as they bury it on the beach somewhere, where I'll be squatting.

 

[Jopie Fourie]

Sounds like you know what you're talking about.
One of those "impossible" to answer questions I know, but if like me, if you were in your late 30's, single and could take over about R700K would you move there?

I'm been torn on what to do for a long time now, and for some reason the idea of moving to a first world country doesn't really appeal to me that much. Think it's time I planned a little scoping holiday.

Although our family got PR in Panama, I can definitely tell you that I would not have thought twice doing it for myself if I was in my 30's and single. I think, in fact, I would have been well off if I was in this position. There are just so much more opportunities from Panama to the rest of the world and I would have grabbed it with two hands if I was in your position. R700k (US$48k) is a lot of money in Panama. It will carry you for a number of years and you could even start investing there with a portion of it too.

 

[thestaggy]

Step 1 - Vote the ANC in to power
Step 2 - Keep the ANC in power
Step 3 - Burn everything to the ground because the ANC is ruining your country
Step 4 - Keep the ANC in power

I blame the majority electorate for a lot of what has gone wrong in SA due to their ignorance, apathy and continued blind support of a failed government.

 

[3WA]

Although our family got PR in Panama, I can definitely tell you that I would not have thought twice doing it for myself if I was in my 30's and single. I think, in fact, I would have been well off if I was in this position. There are just so much more opportunities from Panama to the rest of the world and I would have grabbed it with two hands if I was in your position. R700k (US$48k) is a lot of money in Panama. It will carry you for a number of years and you could even start investing there with a portion of it too.

¿Hablas español?

 

[ForceFate]

What do you mean? It's a recipe for being wealthy.

1.Become successful
2. ????
3. Be profitable

So easy.

BTW. This post is complete sarcasm.

The absurdity on its own gave it away.

If you can dream it...

 

[Jopie Fourie]

¿Hablas español?

Aun no

 

[ForceFate]

Although our family got PR in Panama, I can definitely tell you that I would not have thought twice doing it for myself if I was in my 30's and single. I think, in fact, I would have been well off if I was in this position. There are just so much more opportunities from Panama to the rest of the world and I would have grabbed it with two hands if I was in your position. R700k (US$48k) is a lot of money in Panama. It will carry you for a number of years and you could even start investing there with a portion of it too.

/Prepares to move to Panama


In a playful mood

 

[Jopie Fourie]

Also to be fair. Panama is not without its faults. It is hot. Extremely hot. Around 28-32 degrees (which feels like 40) each and every day and night for the most of the year. Many smaller towns still do not have proper sewerage systems. Toilet and bath water goes straight to the ocean and they ask you not to throw toilet paper in the toilet, but rather use a dustbin for that. Power and water outages do occur in many neighbourhoods, but not due to inability to provide it, but rather expansion of these areas. But, at least they notify you when they plan to switch it on and off. Yes, there is crime, but it is not major. For the most part Panama is safe. The police are effective. Closer to the border towns the military is active and efficient. Be prepared for a lot of stops, searches and checking of documents anywhere in Panama.

 

[3WA]

Also to be fair. Panama is not without its faults. It is hot. Extremely hot. Around 28-32 degrees (which feels like 40) each and every day and night for the most of the year. Many smaller towns still do not have proper sewerage systems. Toilet and bath water goes straight to the ocean and they ask you not to throw toilet paper in the toilet, but rather use a dustbin for that. Power and water outages do occur in many neighbourhoods, but not due to inability to provide it, but rather expansion of these areas. But, at least they notify you when they plan to switch it on and off. Yes, there is crime, but it is not major. For the most part Panama is safe. The police are effective. Closer to the border towns the military is active and efficient. Be prepared for a lot of stops, searches and checking of documents anywhere in Panama.

Yada yada yada, only thing I need to know, are there hot chicks?

 

[hj007]

The ANC currently has no other option but to collapse the economy. It can no longer be fixed. Unfortunately for them, they also found that this is not a fast and easy task to do. Nonetheless, they are on the right path.

All I can say is that each and every person who do not want to live in poverty and oppression should ensure that that they have a second passport or at least permanent residency elsewhere so that they can flee the day when this is needed. It is not expensive, just be sure that you have around R80k if you are single or around R130k for a family of any size. This will at least buy you permanent residency when needed and you will get most of it back when the residency is issued.

Which residency?

 

[RaptorSA]

Although our family got PR in Panama, I can definitely tell you that I would not have thought twice doing it for myself if I was in my 30's and single. I think, in fact, I would have been well off if I was in this position. There are just so much more opportunities from Panama to the rest of the world and I would have grabbed it with two hands if I was in your position. R700k (US$48k) is a lot of money in Panama. It will carry you for a number of years and you could even start investing there with a portion of it too.

Awesome, thanks for the advice. My biggest financial problem at the moment is not having saved up for retirement so I need to keep that in mind all the time.

My only issue would potentially be finding a well paying job in Panama City (sadly I'm not exactly the entrepreneurial type) but if I can take over enough cash I'd be less worried, at least I'll have some time on my side.
I'm definitely considering it and I'm trying to get some of my single friends to go visit the place.

 

[Jopie Fourie]

Yada yada yada, only thing I need to know, are there hot chicks?

The girls are hot....

 

[Jopie Fourie]

Which residency?

There are a number you can pick and choose from in South and Central America. A large number of farmers are taking up the South American route. Young entrepreneurs and families are preferring Central America, such as Panama and some Caribbean Islands. We have done the Panama route for a family of 7.

 

[Jopie Fourie]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. My biggest financial problem at the moment is not having saved up for retirement so I need to keep that in mind all the time.

My only issue would potentially be finding a well paying job in Panama City (sadly I'm not exactly the entrepreneurial type) but if I can take over enough cash I'd be less worried, at least I'll have some time on my side.
I'm definitely considering it and I'm trying to get some of my single friends to go visit the place.

The problem you will be facing is a well-paying job. Salaries are low in Panama, but they make a decent living on it. I have found that the past 5 years, with so many new people immigrating there, starting new businesses that salaries are slowly increasing. It would still be a better bet to try and start your own business, even better if you can generate income from abroad. In this case, Panama will not let you pay any taxes on foreign income, which is an additional bonus.

But, even if you are not yet ready to move there as yet, still do it just to have a backup should you ever need to get out of this country on a permanent basis. If you do go this route, you will have to visit Panama at least once every 2 years to keep the PR active.

 

[3WA]

Right, let's do a MYBB Panama reccie!!!

 

[RaptorSA]

Right, let's do a MYBB Panama reccie!!!

In all seriousness I'm keen...
I just need to save up leave days so it'll be a few months before I can go visit the place.

Enough time to prioritise current expenditure and save up some cash without eating into my savings.
(Need to also do a google data engineering certification course anyway so this is as good an excuse as any to live a cheap hermit lifestyle for the time being)

 

[RaptorSA]

Panama: Everything You Need to Know in 2019 | International Living

Why do so many expats choose Panama? Often the intangibles…the feel of a place…play a big role. But there are also a lot of concrete, quantifiable reasons Panama is so appealing, starting with its modern infrastructure. Panama’s cosmopolitan capital, Panama City, is the only true First World...

internationalliving.com

"El Valle is a small community about a two-hour drive from Panama City located in an extinct volcano crater. This quiet enclave has a small expat community among the just over 7,000 inhabitants. This unique location is close to the ocean beaches and yet has a small-town appeal."



Seriously, WTF am I still doing in this sh1thole?!?

 

[Jopie Fourie]