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  • Blog

10 Mistakes People Make Moving Abroad

9/18/2025

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Thinking about moving abroad to Panama, Portugal, Costa Rica, or beyond? Before you pack your bags, watch this video on the biggest mistakes expats make when relocating overseas. From budgeting mishaps to healthcare surprises, I’ll walk you through the top 10 mistakes to avoid when moving abroad—so you can save money, stress, and time.

With over a decade of experience living in Panama and helping hundreds of North Americans relocate, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “what were they thinking?” If you want to make your international move smooth, safe, and successful, this countdown is for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ The #1 mistake expats make when moving abroad
✅ Why visiting first is non-negotiable
✅ How to budget realistically for life overseas
✅ The truth about healthcare abroad (and what to research)
✅ Why waiting too long could be the biggest regret of your life

Don’t let simple mistakes derail your dream of living abroad. Watch now and start planning your international move with confidence.

👉 Get my FREE tell-all book Panama Uncorked here: https://www.choosepanama.com/free-book.html

#choosepanama #melissadarnay #thepanamapodcast #movingabroad #expatliving #panama
Thank you for listening to this episode of The Panama Podcast. If you like it, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review.

To get a copy of your FREE e-book, go to: https://www.choosepanama.com/free-book.html

Stay tuned for more stories of adventure, relocation, and life in Panama. For more information, resources, and to connect with our community, visit our website at www.ChoosePanama.com. Until next time ... Cheers!
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13 Years of Panama Real Estate Experience in 8 Minutes

9/17/2025

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Considering a move? Get the inside scoop on purchasing property with advice from a seasoned expert. Learn essential tips about the Panama real estate market and discover Panama homes for sale. Avoid common pitfalls and confidently begin investing in panama and living in panama.

Buying real estate in Panama can be the opportunity of a lifetime—but it’s also full of pitfalls. In this episode, Panama Real Estate Mistakes Everyone Makes, you can  Learn from My 13 Years of Real Estate Experience in 8 Minutes. Join me as I share insider tips about buying property in Panama so you can avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence.

As a licensed real estate broker in Panama who has been in this industry for 13 years, I’ve seen everything—from delayed closings to nightmare contracts. This countdown reveals the biggest mistakes expats and investors make when buying real estate in Panama, and how you can protect yourself.

✅ Why the attorney you hire matters (and how to pick the right one)
✅ The truth about Panama real estate brokers—and how to know who’s licensed
✅ What happens with the 10% deposit (and how to safeguard your money)
✅ Hidden pitfalls of tax exonerations you need to check before signing
✅ The difference between titled property and Rights of Possession (ROP)
✅ Why due diligence in Panama is your best friend
✅ The mindset that will keep you sane during the buying process

If you’re serious about buying real estate in Panama, don’t go in blind. Learn from my experience and save yourself months of stress and thousands of dollars.

Get your FREE copy of my tell-all book, Panama Uncorked, here:
👉 https://www.choosepanama.com/free-book.html

If you enjoyed this video, please like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss more Panama real estate tips.

#choosepanama #melissadarnay #thepanamapodcast #panamarealestate #livinginpanama #expatlife
Thank you for listening to this episode of The Panama Podcast. If you like it, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review.

To get a copy of your FREE e-book, go to: https://www.choosepanama.com/free-book.html

Stay tuned for more stories of adventure, relocation, and life in Panama. For more information, resources, and to connect with our community, visit our website at www.ChoosePanama.com. Until next time ... Cheers!
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Could You Move To A New Country With No Plan? Chris Young Did.

9/16/2025

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Boquete Panama restaurateur Chris Young shares how he went from broke expat with $400 in his pocket to building some of the top restaurants in Panama, including Christopher’s Steakhouse, ranked #1 in Boquete. In this Real Expats interview, hosts Melissa Darnay and Stacey Jenks explore Chris’s inspiring journey of grit, reinvention, and culinary success in Panama’s mountain town of Boquete.

Chris Young arrived in Panama in 2010 with no visa, no safety net, and plenty of challenges. Instead of leaving, he doubled down on determination and built a culinary footprint across Chiriquí. From Big Daddy’s Grill to Boulder 54, Tapout Sports Zone, Big Daddy’s Beach Club, and his newest ventures—Christopher’s Steakhouse and Pollo Loco—Chris has shaped the dining scene in Boquete and beyond.

In this special Real Expats episode filmed in Boquete, you’ll learn:
✅ How Chris turned $400 into a thriving life in Panama
✅ The hardest challenges he faced starting over as an expat
✅ What makes Boquete’s food and community so unique
✅ Why Christopher’s Steakhouse is Boquete’s #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor
✅ How he and his fiancée are building Boquete’s dental tourism industry
✅ Advice for expats who want to launch a business in Panama

​If you’ve ever dreamed about moving abroad, starting fresh, or building a business in Panama, Chris’s story will inspire you. His journey proves that grit, determination, and having a dream can change everything.

📌 Don’t miss this chance to see how life in Boquete, Panama offers opportunity, community, and the possibility of reinvention.

👉 Watch now, hit like, and subscribe to The Real Expats for more inspiring stories from Panama.

​
#boquete #panama #choosepanama #melissadarnay #thepanamapodcast #expatlife #expatstories #panamarestaurants #panamaexpats #livinginpanama
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Could You Move To A New Country With No Plan? Chris Young Did.

9/11/2025

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Boquete Panama restaurateur Chris Young shares how he went from broke expat with $400 in his pocket to building some of the top restaurants in Panama, including Christopher’s Steakhouse, ranked #1 in Boquete. In this Real Expats interview, hosts Melissa Darnay and Stacey Jenks explore Chris’s inspiring journey of grit, reinvention, and culinary success in Panama’s mountain town of Boquete.

Chris Young arrived in Panama in 2010 with no visa, no safety net, and plenty of challenges. Instead of leaving, he doubled down on determination and built a culinary footprint across Chiriquí. From Big Daddy’s Grill to Boulder 54, Tapout Sports Zone, Big Daddy’s Beach Club, and his newest ventures—Christopher’s Steakhouse and Pollo Loco—Chris has shaped the dining scene in Boquete and beyond.

In this special Real Expats episode filmed in Boquete, you’ll learn:
✅ How Chris turned $400 into a thriving life in Panama
✅ The hardest challenges he faced starting over as an expat
✅ What makes Boquete’s food and community so unique
✅ Why Christopher’s Steakhouse is Boquete’s #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor
✅ How he and his fiancée are building Boquete’s dental tourism industry
✅ Advice for expats who want to launch a business in Panama

If you’ve ever dreamed about moving abroad, starting fresh, or building a business in Panama, Chris’s story will inspire you. His journey proves that grit, determination, and having a dream can change everything.

📌 Don’t miss this chance to see how life in Boquete, Panama offers opportunity, community, and the possibility of reinvention.

👉 Watch now, hit like, and subscribe to The Real Expats for more inspiring stories from Panama.

​
#boquete #panama #choosepanama #melissadarnay #thepanamapodcast #expatlife #expatstories #panamarestaurants #panamaexpats #livinginpanama
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5 Things Nobody Tells You About Living in Panama

9/10/2025

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Thinking about moving abroad? Discover the 5 things nobody tells you about living in Panama—from daily lifestyle quirks to expat secrets that can save you time, money, and stress. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to retire, invest, or start fresh in Panama, this episode of The Panama Podcast pulls back the curtain with insider tips you won’t find in a guidebook.

You’ll learn:
✅ Surprising cultural differences that can catch new expats off guard
✅ The real cost of living in Panama (and how it compares to the U.S. and Costa Rica)
✅ Everyday conveniences and frustrations no one talks about
✅ Tips to avoid costly mistakes when moving overseas
✅ How to make Panama feel like home faster Whether you’re considering Panama for retirement, a “Plan B” lifestyle, or real estate investment, this episode will give you the inside scoop to make your transition smoother.

📌 Subscribe to The Panama Podcast: From Dreaming to Doing for more real stories, expert interviews, and everything you need to know about living and investing in Panama.

👉 Download your FREE guide Panama Uncorked here: ChoosePanama.com

Hashtags:
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#thepanamapodcast #choosepanama #melissadarnay #panamarealestate #livinginpanama #expatlife #retireinpanama #moveabroad #panamavlog
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What Happens When You Move Abroad at 80?

9/6/2025

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Moving to Panama at 80 may sound impossible, but for American expat Benny Rains, it’s the best decision he’s ever made. In this inspiring episode of The Real Expats segment of the Panama Podcast, Benny shares his story of retiring in Boquete, Panama, building his own slice of paradise, and proving that you are never too old to start over.

Boquete is one of the most sought-after destinations for retirement in Panama, thanks to its year-round spring-like weather, breathtaking mountain views, and welcoming expat community. Benny didn’t just dream about moving abroad—he did it. His story is living proof that adventure has no age limit.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to create a new life in Panama as an expat, this conversation will inspire you to take action. Whether you’re 40, 60, or even 80, Benny’s journey shows that expat life in Panama is about living with vitality, purpose, and joy.

👉 Subscribe for more real stories from expats living, investing, and thriving in Panama. From dreaming to doing, we’re here to help you discover your next chapter.

​📢 Hashtags
#choosepanama #melissadarnay #thepanamapodcast #realexpats #movingtoPanama #retireinPanama #BoquetePanama #expatlifePanama #PanamaRetirement #livinginPanama
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    Melissa Darnay is a Gen X real estate broker who traded the hustle and bustle of American life for the charms of Panama in 2012.  Learn more... 

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