My Journey to Panamá: A New Chapter

As a single woman approaching 70, the idea of moving to a new country was a blend of excitement and a little bit of fear. For years, I dreamed, visualized, and fantasized about living in a cozy condo by the beach, feeling the ocean breeze, hearing the call of seabirds, and watching sunsets reflect across the water. But in my wildest imaginings, I never thought this dream would lead me to Panamá. This blog post is a heartfelt chronicle of my journey, from those first moments of preparation to the bittersweet final days of packing up my life in Arizona.

The Decision to Move

Moving to Panamá wasn’t a decision I made overnight. It took a lot of thought and soul-searching, fueled by my craving for adventure, a change in lifestyle, and the allure of Panamá’s perfect setup for retirees. The Pensionado Visa program, with its fantastic benefits, definitely caught my eye. But beyond the practical perks, there was something about Panamá that just clicked with me—a sense of possibility, a slower pace of life, submersion in a foreign language, and the promise of a more fulfilling chapter.

However, life had other priorities. My mother was in her 90s, and in 2017, my husband at the time (HATT) and I moved back to Arizona. By the end of 2019, I found myself happily single again, which gave me the freedom to spend more time with Mom at her Assisted Living Facility. I knew in my heart that I wouldn’t make a big move while she was still here. But then the pandemic hit, and everything changed. The facility went into lockdown, residents were confined to their apartments, and social gatherings were off-limits as we all tried to protect them from this virus we barely understood.

When they finally let a few family members in, it was clear that Mom’s health was declining rapidly. By October 2022, she was gone. Around the same time, my only remaining rescue Shih Tzu, who was nearly 17, was also nearing the end of her journey. I couldn’t imagine putting her through the stress of being shipped to another country. By late January 2023, she, too, had passed.

In February, with no more reasons to wait, I decided—it was time to move. After doing some research, I narrowed it down to two places: Belize and Panamá. But Panamá, with all its Pensionado perks, won my heart. So, I set off on a three-week vacation in Belize that I had already planned and then spent two weeks in Panamá to seal the deal. The die was cast —Panamá was going to be my new home.

Assembling the Right Team

One of the first things I did was put together a team of professionals to help me navigate the whole relocation process. About six months before my planned move, I hired a relocation coach to get the ball rolling.

Relocation Coach: My relocation coach was a lifesaver. She helped me get organized, create a timeline, and tackle all the tasks that needed to be done. From visa and documentation requirements to adjusting to a new culture, she guided me through it all with the right mindset. As my research pointed more and more toward Panamá, I discussed it with her, and she suggested I also hire an attorney and an in-country ‘handler.’

Attorney: I knew that dealing with visas and legal matters, especially in a new country in a language I wasn’t fluent in, wasn’t something I should handle on my own. So, I hired an attorney in Panamá right away. She made sure all my documents and legal requirements, especially for the Pensionado Visa, were in order. Thanks to her, my journey through the Panamánian Immigration system was incredibly smooth.

Panamánian Handler: Moving to a new country comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to navigating bureaucracy and language barriers. My Panamánian handler became my go-to person on the ground. She did everything from picking me up at the airport, driving me around to all the places I needed to be, booking hotels, making sure I was fed, and even meeting with the attorney to help me open my first Panamánian bank account. She was also a real estate agent, which turned out to be a huge bonus. She knew exactly the type of location and condo rental I was looking for, so we headed out to the beach area and stayed in this adorable little hostel near where I wanted to be. The day before we were set to head back to the city, we found my dream condo. The owner, who was rarely there, just so happened to be around and agreed to hold it for me until November. I felt like I was walking on air!

The Documentation Journey: Preparing for the Pensionado Visa

One of the main reasons I chose Panamá was the Pensionado Visa, which offers some great financial perks. But getting that visa wasn’t a simple walk in the park—it required a lot of preparation. With my relocation coach’s basic knowledge and my attorney’s guidance, I got started on gathering all the necessary documents, knowing it could take some time.

Proof of Income: The first thing I needed was proof of my retirement income. The Pensionado Visa requires you to show that you have a guaranteed lifetime income of at least $1,000 per month. Luckily, this was pretty straightforward for me. All I had to do was provide my Social Security Benefits letter, and I was set.

Health and Background Checks: Next up were the health and background checks. This involved a few steps, like visiting different government offices in the U.S. and making sure everything was coordinated with the authorities in Panamá. It took some time, but it was all part of the process.

Apostilles: One more critical step was getting my documents ‘apostilled.’ This is basically a way to authenticate documents for use in foreign countries. While it was a bit tedious, it was absolutely necessary to ensure that all my paperwork would be accepted by Panamánian immigration.

Starting this process early was a smart move. It gave me plenty of time to deal with any hiccups or delays, which really helped keep the stress levels down as my moving date got closer.

Visiting Panamá: A Sneak Peak to My New Life

In late July 2023, I spent 12 days in Panamá to finalize some important details and really get a feel for the place that would soon be my new home. This trip was a mix of practical tasks and emotional moments, as it helped me confirm that moving to Panamá was the right choice and gave me the chance to take care of some key logistics.

Getting My Temporary Resident Card: One of the first things I did was obtain my temporary resident card. This was a big step because it allowed me to open a local bank account, which is crucial for living in Panamá.

Finalizing the Condo Lease: While I was there, I also secured a lease on a condo. Finding the right place to live was super important, and being able to visit neighborhoods in person made all the difference. I met with potential landlords and finally chose a condo that struck the perfect balance between convenience and the peaceful beach environment I was dreaming of.

Exploring the Local Area: My 12-day stay gave me plenty of time to explore my new neighborhood and soak in the local culture. I wandered through local markets, tried Panamánian cuisine, and started to get a feel for the day-to-day life in Panamá. This visit was exactly what I needed to solidify my decision and make the idea of moving feel a lot less intimidating.

Visits to Friends and Final Preparations

After finalizing everything in Panamá, I continued my journey by visiting friends and family in Florida, Virginia, and Arizona during August 2023. These visits were a mix of farewells and rejuvenation. Spending time with loved ones provided emotional support and a sense of closure as I prepared to leave the United States.

I returned to my home in Cottonwood, Arizona, with a renewed sense of both purpose and urgency. I had precisely two months before my flight back to my new home in Panamá.

I faced the enormous task of selling everything I owned and packing up my life. This was perhaps the most challenging part of the entire process. Accumulated belongings needed to be sorted, sold, or donated. The emotional weight of parting with items that held memories was heavy, but it was also liberating. Downsizing was a symbolic shedding of the old, making space for the new life that awaited me in Panamá.

Wrapping Up Stateside: A Mix of Goodbyes and New Beginnings

After getting everything squared away in Panamá, I took some time in August 2023 to visit friends and family in Florida, Virginia, and Arizona. These visits were a blend of heartfelt goodbyes and much-needed rejuvenation. Spending time with my loved ones gave me the emotional support I needed and a sense of closure as I prepared to leave the United States.

When I returned to my home in Cottonwood, Arizona, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and urgency. I had exactly two months before my flight to my new home in Panamá.

The next big hurdle was tackling the enormous task of selling everything I owned and packing up my life. This was, without a doubt, one of the most challenging parts of the whole process. Accumulated belongings needed to be sorted, sold, or donated. Parting with items that held so many memories was tough, but it was also incredibly freeing. Downsizing felt like shedding the old to make room for the new life waiting for me in Panamá.

Embracing a New Adventure in Panamá

Moving to Panamá on my own at nearly 70 has shown me that adventure truly has no age limit. I’m fully embracing the warmth of the Panamánian people, the vibrant culture, and the stunning landscapes that surround me.

I’ve also made friends from all walks of life—more diverse than I ever had in Arizona.Here, the usual lines that divide us—race, religion, politics, income, age—are so blurred that they are irrelevant.

My journey to Panamá has been all about mindset (reminding myself that “It’s NOT the United States”), careful planning (thanks to my amazing Relocation Team), determination (telling myself, “What the hell are you waiting for?”), and the courage to step out of my comfort zone. With the support of my relocation team and the love of my friends and family, I’m feeling more alive and grateful for this new adventure, knowing the best is yet to come.

This move isn’t just about changing my surroundings; it’s a celebration of life’s endless possibilities, no matter where you are in your journey. I hope my story encourages others to chase their dreams, regardless of age. After all, it’s never too late to start a new chapter.

Author: Kimberly Kelley - Author / Proofreader / Editor /  Content Creator
“No Blame, No Shame - Living an Empowered Life After Divorce”

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