Well, we did it. Made the move to Panama from Canada! Despite all the nerves (and some family members protests) we're here in the hot Panama sun enjoying the cold Panama cerveza.
I'll start with the one question that everyone asks us when we told them about our move. Why Panama? I usually answer this question with a statement first. We love Canada. We are true Canadian Patriots. If Canada had a tropical province like Hawaii or Florida, we'd go there. We're not running away from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we're running towards a 12 month golf season...in the sun...for cheap.
Our journey actually started about 3 years ago when my husband quit his much hated boss and well paying radio sales job to begin a new career in a new industry. We visited Panama that fall and bought a condo. This was supposed to be our 7 year plan.
So, how did we come up with Panama? It wasn't a "throw a dart at the map and see where it lands" kind of answer. It was a deduction of where we couldn't go. There are yearly time limits that only lets us be in the States for a certain amount of time. Hawaii and Florida were out. We wanted to work and buy property and have a cheaper cost of living. The Caribbean Islands were out. Our search then took us to Central America where Costa Rica and Belize were contenders but we wanted a stable economy, stable banking system, good health care which landed our dart on Panama. Playa Coronado to be exact.
Albeit the timing didn't seem perfect since I was in the throes of a successful career, my husband's company dissolved and he was back to square one. We thought if he had to start over again, why not do it in paradise? So after many pros and cons lists and weighing out the yays and nays of friends and family...I quit my six figure a year job, got our youngest (16) enrolled in school at Panama Coast International School, sold or gave away gave away the majority of our belongings and nervously awaited for the day we planned to leave. I will add that I was a basket case the last few weeks before we left. Questioning our decision, wondering if we'd have enough money, giving away years and years of accumulated "stuff" and saying goodbye to loved ones.
On a personal note, I felt that I HAD to act a certain way. I thought if I cried or questioned the move to anyone that a) I would talk myself out of it or b) someone else would talk me out of it. Most people were proud of us and said we were brave to do such a big move. It didn't feel brave to cry. I did have reservations but as I sit here sipping my coffee (not even close to tasting like a good ol' Double Double from Tim Hortons) from the 7th floor of Coronado Golf with a view of the 10th fairway and the Pacific Ocean I feel grateful. Grateful my husband would follow me to the moon and back if I asked him. Grateful my daughter wanted to have a new experience, grateful I have the opportunity to follow my dream of living in a tropical country and grateful for technology so I can stay in touch with everyone back home in Canada!
For more info on Playa Coronado, check out this link: http://playacommunity.com/
For a Blogger Virgin I'd say you are off to a terrific start Karen! Your family and these blogs will serve as a reminder to the rest of us that change on your own terms is possible and there will always be sacrifices to any life decision. From my family to yours, congratulations on settling in there and we all look forward to keeping up with your journey through your new blog. No pressure:)
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