Panama City Q&A

I made improvements to a $28,000 apartment I was buying through a charity organization, which I'm now being asked to undo for $1,500, after being blocked by the director for over a year. I'm considering taking them to court, but I'm worried I'll lose and be left with a huge bill for lawyer fees.

I live in a 6th floor apartment in Casco Viejo, very close to the Santa Ana area. This morning, I woke up at 5:30am and heard what sounded like many gunshots, similar to an automatic weapon, lasting for 5 minutes or more. I've never heard or seen the police respond to the area. I'm concerned about the noise and its implications. Is this a normal occurrence in the area?

I'm considering buying an apartment in Río Abajo and renting out one of the rooms. My partner and I would live in the other room and share the common areas. We're looking for advice on what price to consider reasonable to charge per month, and what amenities to include to make it attractive to potential renters. If anyone has experience renting in that area or has shared an apartment, I'd appreciate their feedback.

I'm considering buying an apartment in Obarrio, but I'm worried about the traffic during rush hour. I've heard it's pretty bad, but I'd like to know if anyone has experience living there. The building is close to the Sortis.

I've been having issues with people cutting me off while driving in Panama City. I was driving in my lane on Avenida Balboa when someone tried to merge into my lane and I let them in. However, another driver, who was texting or chatting, crashed into the back of my motorcycle. Luckily, no one was hurt and my motorcycle was fine too. This happened again on my way back from work, when a taxi driver, who was also texting, crashed into me. I'm starting to think I need to be more defensive while driving. What can I do about this?

I'm planning to visit Rana Dorada in Cantabria and I want to know if it's worth getting a cofounder jar. I've heard it's a good deal, but I want to be prepared.

I've been hearing people say the economy is bad, but I think it's 'normal' because people are comparing it to the good times during Martinelli's presidency. I mean, 2009 was a couple of years of economic abundance, and the global economy was coming out of a recession. Now, people want to spend like we're still in those times, which makes them think things are 'bad'. I'm not saying it's perfect, but the purchasing power, excluding real estate, has increased compared to 20-30 years ago. Panama hasn't had a strong economic recession like other countries.

I've applied for a job at Signify, a company I don't know much about, and I'm trying to learn more. I'm a telecom professional with experience in networking and servers.

I've always been curious about how car thieves operate in Panama City, especially with all the stories about cars being stolen in a matter of minutes. I'd like to know the methods they use to steal a car, specifically the keyless entry system.

I've had a few issues with my car after buying it from Grupo Silaba, including problems with the maintenance, scratches on the car, and faulty parts. They're also promoting the new model of my car as if it's a good idea. Has anyone else had a bad experience with them?

I'm looking for a kimono and hakama in Panama City for a Halloween costume, specifically for the character Naoya from Jujutsu Kaisen. I've found a blue kimono with a dark tone and white hakama, and I'd like to know where I can buy these items in the city.

I'm a British expat living in Panama City, and I've noticed that some Panamanian service staff, particularly women, can be quite rude and unhelpful, especially in local markets and shops. I've tried being patient and polite, but it seems like they're often put off by my presence. I'm looking for an explanation for this behavior.

I'm a Brazilian trans man living in Panama City for 2 years, looking for resources and doctors who can provide hormone therapy without a stable income, and I'm not sure if there are any options available in the city.

I'm a Panamanian lawyer who helps expats with residency visas and real estate. I'm interested in knowing the changes in Panama's public transportation system over the past 20 years, specifically what improvements have been made since the 2006 bus explosion that killed 18 people, and if those changes have made a significant impact on transportation in the city.

I've been to Santo Tomás Hospital with my partner, who had an eye issue. We didn't have insurance, so we went to the public hospital. The doctor sent him for a tomography, and we waited for the results, which took over 7 hours. I understand it's a public hospital, but it's a long time to wait for test results.

I'm a Brazilian expat living in Panama City and I've noticed that many locals have strong opinions about certain aspects of the city. I'd like to know what things Panamanians dislike about Panama City.

I'm an American retiree living in Panama City, and I'm looking for advice on what to do after a job interview was cancelled due to an earthquake. I had already prepared and invested time and money in the process, and I'm feeling disappointed and frustrated.

I'm looking for a good garlic sauce to keep in my fridge, but I haven't found one yet. I'm currently using Kraft Mayo Garlic Alioli from Ribasmith, but it doesn't quite satisfy me. I think the garlic sauce from sandwich qbano or the fried empanadas sold on the street might be better.

I'm considering opening a savings account in Panama City, and I came across Global Bank's Online Max account with a 4% annual interest rate. I've been maintaining a $1,000 balance for a month, but when I checked my statement, I was only credited with $1.80 in interest. The bank told me that the first $500 doesn't generate any interest, and the 4% is only applied to the excess.

I used to buy these small toys at a Chinese store around 2010-2015 in Panama City. They came with a small plastic figure called a Gogo's Crazy Bone. Does anyone know what these 'chiwis' were?