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    The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

    Super Cheap

    • Chitré, Panama
    • Santa Marta, Colombia
    • Phuket, Thailand
    • Dumaguete, The Philippines

    Cheap

    • Medellin, Colombia
    • Boquete, Panama
    • Kyrenia, Cyprus
    • Hua Hin, Thailand
    • The Algarve, Portugal

    Affordable

    • Valencia, Spain
    • Cascais, Portugal
    • Las Terrenas, The DR
    • Pisa, Italy
    • La Rochelle, France
    • Mazatlán, Mexico

    Luxury

    • Ambergris Caye, Belize
    • Kotor, Montenegro
    • The Panama City Beaches
    • Paris, France
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  • Home
  • Countries

    Top Destinations:

    Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Panama
    • Belize
    • Colombia
    • Cyprus
    • Mexico
    • France
    • Montenegro
    • Browse All Countries

    Best For:

    • The Best Places To Retire
    • Health Care Abroad
    • Cost Of Living
    • Investing in Real Estate
    • Establishing Residency
    • Gun Laws In The World
    • English-Speaking Countries
    • Safest Places For Retirement
    • Best Places In Latin America
  • Budgets

    How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

    The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

    Super Cheap

    • Chitré, Panama
    • Santa Marta, Colombia
    • Phuket, Thailand
    • Dumaguete, The Philippines

    Cheap

    • Medellin, Colombia
    • Boquete, Panama
    • Kyrenia, Cyprus
    • Hua Hin, Thailand
    • The Algarve, Portugal

    Affordable

    • Valencia, Spain
    • Cascais, Portugal
    • Las Terrenas, The DR
    • Pisa, Italy
    • La Rochelle, France
    • Mazatlán, Mexico

    Luxury

    • Ambergris Caye, Belize
    • Kotor, Montenegro
    • The Panama City Beaches
    • Paris, France
  • Resources

    Global Living

    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore & Diversification

    Making Money

    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing

    Follow Us:

    • Meet Our Experts
  • Real Estate

    Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

    • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

    Explore Our Latest Posts

    • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

    Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

    • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
  • Conferences

    Upcoming Events

    • Explore Our Events Site

    Live and Invest In Spain Conference

    Offshore Wealth Summit

    Argentina Workshop

    VALENCIA, SPAIN

    Sep. 17-19, 2025

    PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

    Oct. 15-17, 2025

    VIRTUAL

    Nov. 13, 2025

    Learn More About This Event
    Learn More About This Event
    PRE-REGISTER
    Learn More About This Event
    PRE-REGISTER
    • MORE EVENTS

    Contact Our Events Team

    Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
    1 (888) 627 8834
    From Outside North America:
    1 (443) 599 1221
    Working Hours
    Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

    Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

  • Store

    Unlock The World

    • Access Your Library

    Overseas Havens Reports

    • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

    Conference Kits

    • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

    Lahardan Books

    • Titles on living and investing around the world
    • Explore Our Store
    Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

    Services

    overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
    The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
    Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

    Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

  • My Library
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Home Countries France

Panama vs. Paris: Both Cities Are Great Expat Havens So Why Choose

Paris Versus Panama? Who Says You Have To Choose...

An image of buildings in Panama City Panama to the left and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France to the right

Back in Paris after a couple weeks in my former adopted home of Panama, I was struck anew by all the things I love about Paris…and a few of those I didn’t miss so much while I was away…

Panama was a wonderful respite from Northern Europe at the end of winter—by March in this part of the world, I think everyone is sick of clouds and dying for an infusion of Vitamin D. But as soon as I returned, I was struck by the diversity of climate that the tropics lack.

As much as it’s hard to hate everyday sunshine, I thrive on change. In the last week here in Paris, the weather has been sunny and warm, rainy and windy, sunny and cold, and one especially different day, we got Saharan dust clouds settling over the city, giving it an otherworldly orange hue all day. I love the fact that I have to check every day to see what’s in store here—in Panama, the forecast never changes.

Panama vs. Paris: Infrastructure

The Boulevard Saint-Germain, a major street in Paris on the Left Bank of the River Seine.
Adobe Stock/photoopus

I couldn’t help but smile as I walked down the litter-free streets around my home, appreciating that every manhole has a cover, every electrical wire is safely underground, and every sidewalk is well maintained with a gentle ramp to ease you from the curb to the street.

These are things that can’t be taken for granted in the tropics, least of all in Panama City…down the block from my hotel, a municipal electrical box was left hanging open to all—from the elements to pranksters to toddlers. A disaster of one sort or another in the making, I fear.

Many sidewalks were so broken, it was easier for me to carry my two-year-old over them than try to push a stroller over them. Instead of ramps on the corners, you’re more likely to find a gaping drainage hole big enough for my toddler to fall through.

For me, these things are charming for a short time…the week I spent in Panama City was enough to remind me of how difficult just getting from A to B can be and to appreciate the excellent infrastructure in Paris. That said, I do like the different challenges that life in Panama can present—for me, the beauty of this living overseas thing is that I don’t have to choose.

I can take Panama and Paris for what they each have to offer, and head to the other when I need a break from one.

Panama vs. Paris: Exercising

Young woman riding bike in Paris
Adobe Stock/Chouk

Last week, as I hopped on a bike to go to work, I couldn’t help but compare how much more active I am on a regular basis here in Paris than in Panama.

It might seem counterintuitive, but because of the sun and the heat, it’s difficult to stay active in Panama, at least until you’ve acclimated to the climate. Walking is taxing enough on its own, let alone biking, running, or sports. As long as you come to terms with being soaked in sweat, though, the hiking options in Panama are fantastic, even in the heart of the city. And that’s what pools are for, right? (And why every home designed for expats features them.)

In Paris, walking and biking are the two best ways to get around, and there are only a couple months of the year when they’re not enjoyable due to heat or cold. Likewise, sports can be hosted outdoors for most of the year, and you’d be surprised at how many opportunities for recreation there are even in this concrete jungle.

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Panama vs. Paris: The Food

Fresh fruit in Paris
Adobe Stock/Hugo Félix

While the grocery stores in Panama had me slavering over the extent of the options, the food I ate in Panama was almost exclusively fried (if eating out) or processed (if cooking at home). Food shopping in Panama is almost exactly like that of the United States, so products are familiar and wide-ranging…and typically not as healthy as making something from scratch.

Because these kinds of prepared or ready-to-make foods aren’t available in France, Paris forces me to do more cooking, which, in turn, has us eating healthier as a matter of course. My husband’s heartburn reappeared as soon as we got to Panama and faded away as soon as we got back to Paris.

The food culture here has also turned me into a better chef than I ever imagined being—foods I’d not heard of a few years ago are now in our regular dinner repertoire.

I’ll admit, though, that it can be annoying—sometimes you just want to pull something out of the pantry or freezer and have at least a semi-nutritious meal to be ready in under an hour. And practically the only option for that in France is frozen pizzas.

Another plus? Our grocery bill has been slashed thanks to the way we eat now. A lot of the pre-made groceries in Panama are imported from the States, and if you see them on the shelf, it’s hard to resist their temptation…but here, they simply aren’t available. Out of sight, out of mind (and out of budget).

Panama vs. Paris: Having Small Children

Happy family of three enjoying vacation in Paris, France
Adobe Stock/Max Topchii

On the other hand, there are a few things that I didn’t relish upon return…top of the list is France’s attitude towards children. In Panama, we were welcomed with open arms and everyone we met had a soft spot for families with young children. People went out of their way to accommodate us and the Latin lifestyle makes room for kids. Here in Paris, you feel as though you’re lucky to be tolerated if you have young children.

Panama vs. Paris: Daylight Hours

Paris beautiful street in the evening with lampposts
Adobe Stock/Crin

And second, something I talk about often, is the changing daylight hours. Days are getting longer here now, a relief after the winter months, but there’s only a narrow window when the hours make much sense…Either the days are too short, sun up around 10 a.m. and down before 5 p.m., or they’re far too long, with sun up before 6 a.m. and not setting until after 10 p.m.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, proven to me by my renewed appreciation for all the things I love about Panama after moving away and about Paris after being away…But the real beauty is not having to choose between places you love…to enjoy them all whenever you choose…

Kat Kalashian
Editor, In Focus: Europe

Tags: 'France''panama city'EuropeLife In PanamaLife In Parislive in parisPanamapanama vs parisParis
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Kat Kalashian

Kat Kalashian

Kat Kalashian has grown up around the world, living in the United States, Ireland, France, and Panama, and has traveled extensively in her few years. Growing up as a young expat she is familiar with the trials and tribulations of an overseas move and the adjustments that must be made in every new destination. After living in Panama for seven years, she and her husband relocated back to Paris, France, in 2018 where they now live full-time with their American-born cat, Panamanian-born dog, and two French-born daughters. She's now been living in Paris for over 10 cumulative years, and enjoys being able to explore France and the rest of Europe at every opportunity. As head of Live And Invest Overseas’ European Division, she is Editorial Director of Europe Uncovered, a monthly subscription service, MCs the Europe based Live And Invest Conferences, and scouts out new locations for coverage on the Continent.

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BROWSE ALL COUNTRIES

Budgets

How Much Will It Cost
To Live Overseas?

Super Cheap

  • Chitré, Panama
  • Santa Marta, Colombia
  • Phuket, Thailand
  • Dumaguete, The Philippines

Cheap

  • Medellin, Colombia
  • Boquete, Panama
  • Kyrenia, Cyprus
  • Hua Hin, Thailand
  • The Algarve, Portugal

Affordable

  • Valencia, Spain
  • Cascais, Portugal
  • Las Terrenas, The DR
  • Pisa, Italy
  • La Rochelle, France
  • Mazatlán, Mexico

Luxury

  • Ambergris Caye, Belize
  • Kotor, Montenegro
  • The Panama City Beaches
  • Paris, France

Resources

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From Outside North America:
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Working Hours
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Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

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Lahardan Books

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