Has anyone lived in Panama?

Travel Info
I've heard that now with the approved expansion of the canal, there is going to be a ton of jobs, and real estate is real cheap, and Americans have all sorts of advantages, like discounts and such. Also you get a big taxbreak because the Govt. is trying to get Americans to work down there.

Also Im looking for some college info for the area....
Have you ever lived there, or even visted there? I'm going to go for a few weeks in March to see what its like, but I was just looking for some info before than.

Travel Tips

Don't beleive the hype. Those jobs pay peanuts and most of them will be going to Panamanians and other Latinamericans(Colombians,Nica... You can make much more money in the USA. My aunt only makes 60usd a week= 120 usd biweekly(that's peanuts). Don't get me wrong it is beautiful down there but you'd be better off just going to visit and maybe, can start a business and buy property down there.Now there are so many American retirees down there, I could call it Geriatric City. Source(s): I grew up there.
FYI: You could probably get a job at one of the computer call centers but it only pays 400usd a month (that's peanuts too).

Other Travel Tips
Don't always believe what you hear. The jobs will go to Panamanians and real estate isn't cheap. Most decent homes are at least $100,000. That's a lot when you can only earn at most (being completely bilingual) $1000/month. Americans, nor anyone else that I know of can work there legally unless they own their own business. In a secured neighborhood, you'll easily pay $200,000. + for a home.

If you have more questions you can e-mail me at cary@movetolatinamerica.com.
hello, i have lived here for three years. with the expansion of the canal there are going to be a lot of jobs. these jobs will be hired by parsons brinkerhoff the company that was awarded the contract. they are taking resume on line. the real estate is less expensive thatn the united states in some areas and more than the united states in others. west texas has cheaper land...retired people from the united states have tax breaks...not working or student. these are visas that are hard to obtain due to the people here need the jobs that are available.there is 40% unemployment and the living wage is $240.00 a month. there is a hidden illegal immigration of panamanian men in the states working. the govt isn't trying to get americans to work down here. they are trying to get tourist to come and spend their money. college, there is florida state and louisville, kentucky...along with the foriegn universities...there are many panama web site with school info. panama city is hot and humid or hot and rainy. and clogged with traffic and you would be better off in miami..david is hot and humid or hot and rainy..and pretty much of a hick town. the mts are great but not for a young person..this is fastly becoming south central florida retirement village...i can't see what would have attracted you.
It is a lot of hype. Real estate costs as much as it does in florida and wages are 20% of what theya re in usa plus how are you going to get working visa. For more Panama info : http://www.panamalaw.org
http://www.panamalaw.org
Many people are starting to disagree on the voting for the Canal, many are sure that this will not bring profits! I've always found it wrong that Americans in Panama have better lives than the Panamanians. And they work very hard. So don't believe what you hear.

As for colleges, a good ones are the Universidad de Panama, Santa Maria la Antigua and Universidad Latina, as many others. Specifically, go to the University of Panama and ask, I think they are the best university.