So I have been reading this discussion about being nearly impossible to find a decent house near or around Boquete for $300, with many giving opinions as far as suggesting moving to another country.
Well, I can tell you, it is possible. If you stay away from the Boquete Realtors who want to cash into the Gringo Bingo and even some expats themselves who charge their peers at comparable US rates, of course, getting those prices is impossible.
YES, Boquete has gotten expensive because WE have allowed it by accepting higher prices.
Here are some links, which are in no way promoting anything or anyone in particular, but just to show it can be done for a nice home, newer in a nice area.
All those homes are available for rent where the nationals go to look for rentals which is www.encuentra24.com, there you find REAL prices for properties as it is not aimed for expats, there is no different price, but one price, the real and reasonable price. I only opted for houses $300 or less, however there are very nice homes for $400-$600, some semi or fully furnished. Additionally I saw 1 home at Mystic Gardens for $600, where we are paying up to $800 per month if we go through our Boquete Brokers and liaisons who often over charge us tremendously.
Please do not give ill advice and tell people they better move to another country or another city, just because you think it does not happen or you are paying way more, it does not mean others cannot find it at the real market value. Do not discourage those on a fixed income to come down to Chiriqui and checking it out for themselves and please stop using craigslist, this is only for expats, nationals do not use it, they use olx or encuentra24 for their classifieds
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Correct, Porerillios does not presently have the public interest of Boquete due to limited resources along with more difficult transportation issues for those relying on public transportation to get around. Maybe when the road from Cera Punta to Caldera becomes a reality it will change.
There is more to renting a house than price and climate. Security and Area (this is area from your closest neighbor) should also be a major consideration along with Internet, Cable TV, water supply and access (bus, taxi ...). If you rent a house without good security (bars on windows, double or outer doors, fence around the entire property, dog's allowed) then you are leaving yourself set up to be robbed. If you do not have space between yourself and your neighbor then you might end up listening to loud music you do not enjoy. Many homes do not have Internet or Cable TV coverage nearby (you will end up going to Internet cafe's and watching local TV channels all in Spanish). Guaranteed Water supply is a necessity, not a luxury, make sure there are sufficient backup tanks installed. If you do not own a car and you are in low cost housing in the boondocks then how are you going to go for supplies. If you do not speak Spanish than how will you communicate or speak with your neighbors. And lastly, if you are on a limited budget and cannot afford health care, what will you do if you get sick? I am sure there are many other things that I left out but what I have listed are considerations. There are no shelters or food stamps or social programs for the poor here. Most Panamanian poor are helped by their family network, do you have a family network here?
patrick
For those who don’t mind the heat and enjoy city living David has its attractions and could be managed on a low income budget. Accommodation can be found for a reasonable price, taxis are plentiful and most of the city is accessible for $2 or $3, many more dining opportunities that are kind to the pocketbook and entertainment choices continue to grow. Buses to Boquete are plentiful and cheap for take in its rural charms.
Dolega which most of us refer to as being the stretch we pass through on the David/Boquete road, is also hot with budget accommodation but doesn’t have the entertainment or dining options of David. With the growth of David, Dolega will no doubt expand and gain more recreational diversity in the future, but that will be years in the future rather than near future.
Boquete as stated in previous posts is being pushed out of the reach of moderate income expat households. It is no longer a well kept secret. When it was found that there was money to be made the internet lit up promoting this once quiet hamlet as a retirement haven for a fraction of the cost of your present home. But today for those with modest incomes waking up daily to the beauties of the Boquete countryside could be a fantasy. Unless you are a single who is willing to enter into a situation where you rent a room from a Panamanian family or find someone to share the expenses of apartment or house living, I don’t see a lot of hope.
Marie....your comment is right on!
Please when writing this give the facts.First as stated above these homes are not in the boquete area.Second we have a realty company and I can tell for sure it is not the brokers setting the prices it is the owners of the properties.Please don't paint a picture that we are somehow ripping people off,we simply are giving the prices the owners want and try very hard to accommodate everyone we work with.
https://chiriqui.olx.com.pa/apartamentos-casas-alquiler-cat-363
Here are more links with over 12 homes for $300 or under
Again, we do not sponsor or advocate for any of these websites, just giving them to you as a reference point
Olga, there are a few things I like about this post. The www.encuentra24.com, site I was aware of but the https://chiriqui.olx.com.pa I was not; thank you. These sites are valuable resources for all sorts of merchandise on sale, not just housing. Your reference to the fact that “we” allowed the higher prices is true. If we do not educate ourselves before laying down hard earned cash, prices will continue to escalate. Don’t be in a rush to give someone money for property because you made a trip specially to purchase, if someone is pressuring you it is because they think they have you cornered. Go home and think on it, do more research and then make another trip if your mindset hasn’t changed. One of my personal pet peeves is the high prices in restaurants catering primarily to gringos. I firmly believe the 25% pensionado discount is calculated into the menu price.
Getting back onto subject matter, if you are willing and able to forgo all the resources that have cropped up to feed off the gringo market and utilize Panamanian sources the country remains a viable option to consider for relocating your home.
The language, even if the most basic just to get you by, must be learned as to avoid depending so much on these services and persons who take advantage