Considering a move abroad is a thrilling journey on which to embark.
Often, it signifies a major turning point in your life. Maybe your last child moved out and you’re ready for a new adventure. Maybe you’re retiring soon–or have recently– and you want to consider all your options. Maybe you’ve heard your dollar will go further abroad, and you have beachfront bliss and swaying palm trees in mind.
Over the years, we’ve talked plenty of people through their consideration phase, and we’ve seen a great deal more come through Panama armed with various levels of self-knowledge and research. Needless to say, those who have thought through their journey tend to be better equipped for the emotional and strategic decisions that lie ahead. These are our tips for thinking through your potential move to Panama in a mature and mindful manner.
Consider the why behind your search.
Start your process by getting real about why you are considering a move. Are you looking for adventure? New friends? Leaving an old life behind? Seeking a different you? Immersing into a different culture? Broadening your global understanding? A new business idea or income stream? Just ready to start a new chapter in your life?
Getting to the why behind your interest can help you identify the concrete things you’re looking to get from your new life. This awareness will help guide your decision-making as you develop a clearer picture of what is non-negotiable for you and what you could be willing to compromise on.
What do you see when you envision your life abroad? Are you laughing with new friends at an elegant wine bar on the beach? Or maybe you’re cozying down in a remote mountain cabin, practicing yoga on your patio and Spanish as you browse the local mercado for produce.
With its diverse landscape and distinct communities, Panama supports a great variety of lifestyles. While the scenes above are not necessarily at odds with one another– in Panama, you can swim in the ocean in the morning and be in the mountains by the afternoon– you will have to make difficult decisions and weigh the pros and cons of each community.
Knowing what is most important to you will help guide you along your journey and make in-the-moment decisions that are aligned with why you set out on this journey in the first place.
Consider the alternatives.
It’s very important to know why you are considering a move to Panama specifically. Did friends or family get a place here, and you’re tempted to do the same? Did you read an article hailing Panama as the be-all, end-all of your problems? Have you visited, fallen in love with the country, and decided you want to stay? (We’ve been there!)
Living abroad is an exciting and fulfilling experience, and it’s easy to get swept up in the romanticism of it all. But no matter where you go, it’s not all rainbows and coconuts. If you can’t see yourself actually settling somewhere long-term and coping with a few surprises, you may want to first consider elongated travel.
What does that look like? It’s up to you.
How about three months in Panama, then three months in Portugal and three months in Kuala Lumpur before going “home” for the holidays? You don’t need a fortune to pull it off, you just need to be up for the research and energy such a journey would require.
If constantly moving around isn’t for you, start asking yourself some serious questions about potentially moving to Panama. Doing so will help ensure your next step is something well planned and almost perfect. (Nothing’s perfect!)
Consider your concerns.
Next, it’s time to get real about your fears. Moving abroad is a major life event, and it’s only natural that such a transition– or the thought of it– stirs some anxiety. So ask yourself, when considering moving abroad, what worries you the most?
Inadequate healthcare? Missing family and friends? Crime? Being alone? Being shocked by the culture? Finding discrimination? Missing your favorite foods? Not having enough money? Find the lack of Four Seasons disconcerting? Not being able to cope with a second language? Can’t live without Amazon Prime?
You don’t want to ignore or deny your fears only to have them bubble up during stressful moments. While not all concerns will be solvable, acknowledging them will help guide your research so you can decide if they are valid. Then, you can reflect on which are dealbreakers and which you think you can live with.
Having acknowledged your fears can also be helpful when they do inevitably come knocking. Knowing that you thought through the potential risks will restore your trust in the process and help you keep a cool head in those moments of stress or uncertainty.
Do Your Research.
Now that you’ve done a little soul-searching and have a better idea of what you’re looking for, you can set out to learn more about your options. This is the fun part– or at least, it should be. There’s a digital universe of resources available to you, which is incredibly exciting and occasionally overwhelming.
Make a game plan for your research, and get organized– keep a running list of questions you have, options you’re considering, and those all-important needs and concerns we covered earlier. Become a member and get full access to hundreds of in-depth articles, videos, and monthly webinars. Take advantage of the infinite resources the web has to offer– but be wary of outdated, inaccurate, or too-good-to-be-true information. There’s a lot of that out there, unfortunately.
Weigh it all out.
Now that you’re armed with, some frank soul- searching and well-exected research, ask yourself again if moving to Panama is right for you.
Consider what you’ve learned about yourself, your needs, and your fears. Weigh that against all you’ve learned about Panama and its culture, communities, and lifestyle options. Confirm that the research or information you’re relying on is truthful, up-to-date, and unmotivated– i.e., they’re not trying to sell you something.
If you haven’t yet, this would be a good time to schedule a visit to Panama and arrange your itinerary in a way that allows you to explore your options and get your questions answered.
