David, Panama
David, Panama: Retiring, Cost of Living and Lifestyle
Apartment or House Ownership Budget (for a couple)
| Expense | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | – | Not included here as too variable. |
| HOA Fees | – | |
| Property Taxes: | – | |
| Transportation | $20 | Community bus and occasional taxi. |
| Gas (cooking/heating) | $8 | Per tank. |
| Electricity | $40 | Average without air conditioning. |
| Water | $15 | |
| Cell phone | $35 | Using Movistar prepaid minutes. |
| Internet | $55 | Includes Cable TV and a landline. |
| Cable TV | – | Bundled with the internet. |
| Household help | $40 | Cleaning once every two weeks. |
| Entertainment | $180 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant; drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole; movie theater trip twice a month. |
| Groceries | $400 | Basic items for a couple. This includes wine, beer, and some imported organic foods. |
| Gym membership | – | |
| Medical appointment | $15 | Basic checkup in a public hospital. |
| TOTAL | $891 |
Apartment or House Rental Budget
| Expense | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $600 | In a desirable part of town (city center, if applicable), furnished, two-bedroom, comfortable apartment. |
| Transportation | $20 | Community bus and occasional taxi. Might be a bit more or less depending on the frequency of use. |
| Gas (cooking/heating) | $8 | Per tank. |
| Electricity | $40 | Average without air conditioning. |
| Water | – | Included in rent. |
| Cell phone | $35 | Using Movistar prepaid minutes. |
| Internet | $55 | Includes Cable TV and a landline. |
| Cable TV | – | Comes bundled with the internet. |
| Household help | $40 | Cleaning once every two weeks. |
| Entertainment | $180 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant; drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole; movie theater trip twice a month. |
| Groceries | $400 | Basic items for a couple. This includes wine, beer, and some imported organic foods. |
| Gym membership | – | |
| Medical appointment | $25 | Basic checkup in a public hospital. |
| TOTAL | $1,384 |
Penny-Pincher’s Budget (for a couple, bare minimum costs for all)
| Expense | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent: | $400 | Cheapest part of town (still desirable), most basic one-bedroom rental. |
| Transportation | $10 | Cheapest forms of public transport; assuming a bit less movement. |
| Gas | $8 | Per tank. |
| Electricity | $30 | Without air conditioning. |
| Water | – | Included in the rent. |
| Cell phone | $20 | Cheapest option available. |
| Internet | $48 | Basic internet. |
| Cable TV | – | Most basic cable. Bundled with the internet. |
| Entertainment | $40 | Eating out once a week at a local restaurant. |
| Groceries | $300 | All local-brand items only, shopping markets and local vendors along with grocery stores. |
| TOTAL | $856 |
Eating Out:
- A beer: $2 to $6
- Rum & Coke (or other local drink): about $5
- A coffee: $2
- A sandwich (or equivalent): $5
Average cost of a meal out per person: $10
Cost Of Car/Motor Bike Ownership:
- Vehicle insurance: $400 per year.
- Fuel: Depends on your car usage. It can be anywhere from $20 a month in town to $100 for greater distances.
- Upkeep: $200 to $300 per year, depending on condition of vehicle.
- Monthly payments: N/A
- Parking: N/A
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