Is it really cheaper to live in Panama?

Thursday, 11/11/10-Friday, 11/12/10. Well, I saw my first lawnmower today. Every time I have seen a lawn being mowed, it has been with a weedwacker. I was told that the reason for that is because they don’t put topsoil on lawns here so it’s difficult for lawnmower use because of all the stumps, rocks and debris. So needless to say, I was surprised when I saw the gardener mowing the lot in front of my house. His partner was trimming the trees and after about three hours of working in this heat, I took pity on them and gave them a glass of lemonade.

The police are supposed to show up in a while. There is a pack of stray dogs on the road to the beach. I had notified my landlord several days ago about them as they seemed to be getting more aggressive as I walked past them and he called the police. They were supposed to pick them up but obviously they didn’t because they were still there when I walked by this morning. So I emailed the landlord and shortly after he called to tell me that the police claimed they came out before and couldn’t find them. So they are coming back out today and picking me up so I can show them exactly where they are. I don’t know how they missed them if they came down the correct road, because they all coming running out from the abandoned house where they live and barking whenever anyone passes. I’m not sure if the police do anything here in Panama.

I’m taking the bus to another little town tomorrow to meet with a lady I met on the expat website. I started this trip with the intention of finding out for myself if it is really cheaper to live in Latin America like I have heard from many sources. People who live here claim it is 30-40 percent cheaper. I saw savings in Ecuador, but that is a case of you get what you pay for. In Panama, I’m just not seeing the savings. Maybe if these people came from California it would be cheaper, but Texas is a pretty reasonable place to live and I think groceries, utilities and rent are about the same price. I’m going to pick her brain and find out why she lives here. I will let you know what she says.