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Punta Paitilla Neighborhood in Panama City

Pros and Cons of Living in Panama City

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Sep 25, 2023

Summary: The pros of living in Panama City, Panama include its tropical climate, its vibrant culture, its low cost of living, and its proximity to the Caribbean Sea. On the other hand, the cons of living in Panama City include its high levels of air pollution, its high crime rate, and its lack of public transportation infrastructure.

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What are the pros and cons of living in Panama City?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Panama City responded:

"Traffic is bumper to bumper during rush hours, stop signs are useless since they don't stop and just slow down.....if you're lucky! If you drive on the highway from Panama City to Costa del Este, you feel like you are going thru a gigantic dumpster with so many garbage on the beaches. (refrigerators, tires, furnitures, etc, etc). Rivers connected to the Pacific ocean in Panana City on Balboa Street and in Coste del Este smell terrible (pee) and you can see garbage floating from these rivers to the Pacific ocean in low tide then back on the beaches (if you can call beaches) on high tide. I asked many questions about this situation as if it was a complete lack of education or lack of interest from the Panamians. Panama is carbon negative for the air so air is pure but the garbage and smell when you cross these rivers are terrible. Walking on the boardwalk of Balboa street crossing a river, you need to pinch or cover your nose, same by crossing a river in Costa del Este and any rivers," said one in Panama City.

"Nothing works right in Panama. It's very difficult to get quality workmanship. Also, it's too humid here for most people. The Covid lockdowns have been terrible and Panama is going through a near-depression right now. We plan on leaving this year for Portugal," explained one expat in Panama City.

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Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.

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Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in PanamaKovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.
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About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama
Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

We've partnered with Kovalenko & Vera to help with your move.
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Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in PanamaKovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

We've partnered with Kovalenko & Vera to help with your move.
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Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

We've partnered with Kovalenko & Vera to help with your move.
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Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in PanamaKovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

We've partnered with Kovalenko & Vera to help with your move.
Learn More

Contribute to Panama Network Contribute
Help others in Panama by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

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