I just saw a photo that literally took my breath away. It was taken near Ojo de Agua, Panama, and showed slightly treed land sloping down to the Pacific Ocean in the distance. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was posted on a website by a developer who is putting in a gated community which is obviously designed to appeal to expats. And while the view was absolutely to die for, I can’t see myself living in that sort of community completely divorced from the lives of the people nearby.
Would love to hear from folks who have lived on both sides of the gate, so to speak, both within such a gated community, and also out in the local community.
Sharon says
April 16, 2009 at 1:35 pmHi Future Expat
You bring up a very interesting point.
Personally I haven’t lived in a gated community, and I don’t think I would like to.
What will be the point of relocating overseas, if you do not experience the country, people, culture, language? You better stay in your own country, and just travel 2-3 times a year.
I have been living in the U.S.A as a kid, and in Venezuela and Canada as an Adult. For me a huge part of the expatriate living is about experiencing the local culture, and making friends with the local people.
I still have very good friends in Venezuela and Canada, who are not from the expats community.
I hope this helps.
Sharon
Megan Fitzgearld says
April 24, 2009 at 3:14 amI’ve visited friends and family who have lived in gated communities in other countries – it was for safety reasons. It’s a hard call – trading experiencing local culture with safety. If you don’t have safety, then you can’t experience anything because you are living in fear. One has to work to create opportunities so you are not living in an mini-country of expats….would be interesting to hear how expats living in gated communities are getting out there….
Thanks for topic!
Megan