Why We Chose Panama for Our New Home
Our Family's Global Quest included Portugal, Brazil and Barbados
We were at a crossroads post-pandemic. Things were beginning to shift, and we decided we needed to make a change. But where to plant our roots next? The world beckoned with possibilities, each carrying its own set of opportunities and challenges.
Panama wasn't our first thought.
Like many, we considered Portugal with its cobblestone streets and terracotta rooftops, where history seeps from ancient walls and the Atlantic Ocean crashes against rugged cliffs. The allure of access to the rest of Europe, excellent healthcare, and those golden visas had strong appeal. Yet distance has its price – an ocean between us and everything familiar and costs that didn't align with our vision.
Brazil had particular resonance, its rhythm already familiar to my husband
who had lived and worked there years before. His fluency in Brazilian Portuguese meant one less barrier for our family. We imagined ourselves exploring vibrant markets with relative ease, surrounded by extraordinary landscapes. The cost of living looked promising, but political uncertainties were concerning. And again, that vast distance from home remained a consideration - São Paulo looks close on the map, maybe because its in the western hemisphere, but it’s at least an 8-hour flight from Miami. We could literally get to Lisbon, Portugal in the same time.
Barbados offered crystalline waters, year-round sunshine, and English-speaking shores. This wasn't just a tropical island fantasy; it was a place where my roots run deep, a piece of my heritage calling me back. Their Welcome Stamp made entry straightforward for digital nomads like us. Yet islands have limitations – confined space, sometimes unreliable infrastructure, vulnerability to hurricanes, high costs for many goods, and an economy heavily dependent on tourism.
And then, there was Panama.
It didn't immediately stand out. Instead, it made its first case practically – a straightforward territorial tax system that made financial sense. Plentiful flights home measured in hours, not half-days. The familiar comfort of the US dollar. Modern hospitals alongside Panama City's impressive skyline.
What surprised me was the comfort I felt in Panama. Having grown up in Trinidad & Tobago, the strong Caribbean influence felt like finding an unexpected piece of home – the aromas from kitchens with that familiar blend of green seasonings; the tropical fruits in markets that mirrored those of my childhood; the beautiful diversity of features and complexions we encountered daily.
Just like Trinidad & Tobago, Panama displayed that beautiful tapestry of humanity – Black, White, Indigenous, Spanish, Chinese, South Asian, Lebanese, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu – all coexisting in a cultural mosaic that felt deeply familiar to my own birthplace.
Our initial research happened through screens, not maps or brochures. Sunday mornings became dedicated to YouTube – coffee in hand, still in pajamas, watching expats guide us through their adopted cities and towns. We'd follow along as they navigated markets in Lisbon, pointed out hidden beaches in Panama, or detailed the process of opening a Brazilian bank account. Some videos showcased sweeping vistas; others delved into garbage collection woes or the comparative costs of laundry detergent. We absorbed it all, these digital insights from those who had made the leap before us.
Of course, we consulted with professionals at every stage – immigration attorneys, accountants, and real estate specialists – to ensure our decisions were based on solid information rather than just impressions or YouTube anecdotes. We also joined expat Facebook groups for all our potential destinations, quietly reading posts late into the night and discussing the insights over coffee in the mornings, building a mental database of real-life experiences.
But YouTube videos and Facebook groups could only tell us so much. We needed to feel the place ourselves. Our first scouting trip to Panama was a reconnaissance mission – my husband and a well-traveled friend with time on their hands exploring neighborhoods, testing the waters. They returned with promising reports.
For our second visit, we brought the whole family for a Spring Break exploration – splitting our time between the urban energy of Panama City and two nights at the beach. To be honest, I came looking for all the negatives. I found none past the usual stuff any big city has to offer. We felt safe. We felt welcome. And at the very least, Panama would offer the soft landing of a first destination for this nomad family.
Panama had earned itself a longer visit and a deeper look.
Our final validation came during a three-week extended stay in the summer. We visited grocery stores and pharmacies, spent time at play spaces - chatting with parents while our child played with their children, toured neighborhoods and vacant units with our real estate agents, and spoke with immigration attorneys and school admissions counselors. Our just-retired Canadian family members, whose opinions we deeply trust, joined us for part of the journey. Walking the streets together, sharing meals, and discussing the pros and cons and practicalities with people who know us so well provided the external perspective we needed.
Our decision formed not around what we were leaving, but what we were moving toward. Panama offered more than favorable visa terms or tax advantages – it offered familiarity within novelty. A place where we could build something new while still finding comfort in the familiar.
So we chose Panama. Or perhaps Panama chose us. Either way, the decision was never a compromise, but a clear realization that sometimes the place that feels both fresh and familiar is the place that becomes home.
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