Looking for property in Boquete area

[Wayne and Nancy Burks]

We will be visiting in mid-April and looking for a modest home with a couple of acres and some fruit trees.  Several cabins instead of main house would be OK.  We want to do some small scale farming and gardening.  Nothing fancy needed.  Just sturdy construction and in a reasonably safe area.  What are we looking at by way of a price range?  

[Wayne and Nancy Burks]

I have been overwhelmed with advice to visit before buying.  My original feed stated that we would be visiting.  We are looking for a home we are not planning to buy anything but plane tickets and a few meals on the first trip.  Maybe I didn't make myself clear. Sorry about that.  My thoughts were to at least identify a few potential prospective properties before we even come to visit.  If it is entirely impractical that we could find what we are looking for, then we need to save our funds and look elsewhere.  Thanks to you all.  I probably will not answer those emails that are just telling me to be careful.  If you have actually offered some sound ideas and things to consider (like water quality) then I will respond sometime in the next week.  I still work part-time as a nurse and my schedule is pretty hectic this week.  I am certainly health minded and want to consider any aspects that my compromise our health.  Thanks.   

[Bill]

You received a lot of tactful advice.  Let me be more blunt.  Based on what you have said in your post and your other replies, you will not easily find what you are looking for here at your price point.  But, there are always two other possibilities for patient people:  (1) rent, or (2) wait for a fire sale from someone in a hurry to leave.  

But, I think that most of people with thoughts of leaving have come to the realization that renting their properties is the lesser of the evils, at least for the next few years.  So, fire sales may be harder to find and will get the attention of locals in the know before you ever have a chance to grab them.

[Wayne and Nancy Burks]

Thanks for your input.

[Shery Norriss]

Hello Nancy,

You have received a lot of good advice.  If you remain interested in discussing the Tinajas property we can discuss it off line.  You may call us at 406-272-4782.  It's a voice over network phone number with a Montana area code so no international calling charges.  Good luck in pursuit of your dreams!

Mike and Shery

[wryawry]

"Nobody goes there anymore -- it's too crowded."

[Bruce Laidlaw]

Well stated Fran. Ms Burks, you seem very concerned about escaping the problems that seem imminent in the US. To me, that's the wrong reason to move to Panama. I haven't once heard you say anything about the quality of living and the culturally enriching experience offered by living in Latin America. As others have stated, go to Boquete and rent a place for a year, even 6 months. Then you'll know if this is what you want. Good luck!

[Wayne and Nancy Burks]

I am totally amazed that anyone chooses to live in Panama if everything is so terrible there.

[Keith Woolford]

We're all here because we're not all there.

[Libby Helprin]

Well said, Keith.

[Libby Helprin]

Regrettably, you are being very naive about making a move to Panama without knowing more about the area and making at the very least one visit to get the lay of the land. We have many established professional egg and chicken farms, organically grown veggies, herbs and fruits farmers and the like. What do you expect to achieve with $150,000.00 and no local knowledge? Boquete is an expensive place to live. To even consider making a move and purchase of this magnitude (much more than you have to spend) and without doing your homework is foolhardy. Perhpas if you have money to burn and can live on outside income..... I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but really.... Take your time. You could well lose your shirts!