Transporting the Dogs: Bringing our Pets to Panama

Our second dog, Wyzer

Our three dogs have finally joined me to live the expat life in Panama, but there were lots of twists and turns in the process since I last wrote about it in December. Back then, we had followed airline guidelines and purchased proper travel kennels for them. We were putting two of the dogs in [...]

More Expat Info from the Interwebs

Casa Mila, Barcelona, Spaing

It’s time for another list of helpful web sites, blogs and resources for expats and travelers. Here are 11 for your edification and enjoyment. Expat Sites AngloInfo Panama. AngloInfo has been providing English-language information for expats in a variety of locations. The Panama site has just launched. It’s a good all-around resource, very focused on [...]

Traveling with Smart Phones

Recently I was in Panama City for a day, before flying back to the US for a family wedding. In my hotel room, I went through the ritual that’s becoming familiar to all of us internet-connected travelers: I checked into my flight online and then tried to download my boarding pass. I don’t know what [...]

Six VPNs for Expats

worldwide communication technology

I won’t rehash all the reasons you need a VPN (virtual private network) — you can see them here. Just think of it as a must-have service if you’re to access all the websites you’re used to, and to continue doing business online with your bank back home. (It helps keep others from spying on [...]

US Expats — Let’s Talk Taxes

expat taxes

As the deadline for filing US tax returns approaches, we have a guest post from CPA Diane Siriani. Who Needs to File As a US citizen living abroad, you must file a tax return reporting your worldwide income. So whether you live full time offshore, work anywhere in the world, collect interest/dividends/capital gains, receive retirement [...]

9 Lessons I’ve Learned about Finding a Rental House in Las Tablas, Panama

Future Expat's rental casa

When last seen, Future Expat was grumpy. Tired of living in a hotel and having to go out for every meal, tired of not having a place to call her own. . . just tired. There were even a few tearful phones calls with my husband back home, running along the lines of, “I don’t [...]

In Search of the Elusive Rental Casa in Las Tablas, Panama

House in Las Tablas, Panama

When you’re in a part of the world that doesn’t have an organized real estate or rental market, finding a place to live is hard. You can’t just waltz into an agency and say, “I’m looking for a two-bedroom house to rent in a nice neighborhood with a fenced yard for my dogs.” I’m here [...]

Going with the Flow in Panama

Center of Las Tablas, Panama

My loose plan, before I arrived in Panama, was to spend a few days exploring Penonome to see if it might be a place we’d like to live. I flew into the country on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday I hopped a bus for Las Tablas. Why Las Tablas? Because I discovered there wasn’t a [...]

On the Ground in Panama

Panama City, Panama

On Tuesday I flew from Orlando to Panama. The plan is that I will locate a short-term furnished rental, then my husband and the dogs will join me. It’s a little complicated because in April we fly back to Florida for our son’s wedding. If I find a rental quickly, we’re fine. If it takes [...]

Advice for Expats from the Online Taxman

expat taxes

Guest Post by Vincenzo Villamena There are many rewards, as well as challenges, for Americans who choose to live outside of the U.S. Amongst all the cultural and language barriers, there is still one fact that remains regardless of where you are living in the world –- you need to file your U.S. tax returns! [...]