Panama vs Ghana for Black Women Over 65

Maggie shared her Top 5 considerations for her move abroad. Are any missing for you? Leave a comment and let us know.

February 2017, I retired, at 60, and rejoined the Peace Corps (Armenia 2017/19 and Ethiopia 2019/20). I joined AmeriCorps, in 2020, and worked in Alaska for two years. As soon as I reached full social security retirement age (66 years and four months) I left the USA the following month. I’ve been traveling full time since December 2022. I only own one small under the seat suitcase and a backpack. I have nothing in storage, back in the USA. Good luck ladies! Enjoy your travels!

I am so happy to see Black women over 65 talk about their experiences. Thank You

She had me at, "No Karens in Panama!"

I have been in Ghana now nearly three years. Unscrupulous people in abundance. Lack of respect for women. All the things mentioned in this talk. I desire to live by the beach and rent in a coastal town and in the capital too. I have a good network of friends and am building now. My initial journey was one of the hardest seasons of my life but I am on the other side now. I'm on you tube a three part narrative. The African Building Hub, Part 1, Buying a house in Ghana, lessons from a Jamaican. It is imperative to share our journey, good and bad so others can make an informed choice. Thank you for your channel it also gives valuable information with regards to travelling. Thank you.

Having lived in both Ghana and Panama I can agree with most of what was said during the interview. I love Ghana and have dear friends there but if you want to live there navigating most systems (govt, financial, medical etc) can be frustrating. Panama is well run comparatively and has a quality of life not found in the US. Panamá is a hidden gem but i would encourage people to explore further than Panama City to find beauty and peace. And there are cooler temps in the mountains if you don't like the heat.

I enjoyed this interview. I am married and in my 70s. I want to leave the U.S. because this is not a place to grow old. I have been watching you ladies and it has inspired me to go on a relocation tour. I convinced my husband to go to Mexico to check it out. We will be in San Miguel de Allende for a week, followed by a week in Queretaro in October. He is not sure he wants to leave the U.S., but I am ready to go. I had him watch some of your videos and he says maybe. Good work ladies.

Also to note panama University has one of the best medical faculties. Panama care is great. And urgent care is 24/7 at clinics.

This interview was extraordinary!! About 6 months ago I was complaining to a friend, because I was very unhappy with my financial position; & realized that I could not retire with dignity in the US. People in the US do not like anything old (people, houses, cars etc.) I was especially angry, anxious, worried.... because of some poor financial choices my husband made that placed us in a compromised position. My friend said to me "what are you worried about"; & shared some videos of expats in Panama. This was such a blessing because I saw Black women taking care of themselves. Caring for & teaching each another. Going all over the world "Como si nada". Made me soo proud, hopeful & encouraged. Thank you so very much for making a difference!!

If it doesn't sit well with your spirit, that is what you pay attention to. Forget about what others say, Spirit and intuition trumps all as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for sharing one Africa; one people. If you educate a woman; you educate a Nation ❤💪🏾✊🏾👍🙏🏼

Great interview as it hits all the topics Black senior expats must ponder when making their exit. Not until recently did I have to deal with one other issue: friendships as a senior expat. When my family moved to Bahia, Brazil ten years ago making new friends did not cross my mind. I watched my Brazilian husband rekindle old friendships, our daughter started high school and quickly made friends, but I felt I would never have a best friend in my new community. One day I met a sister from LA— my area, my age, living around the block from us who retired to Brazil 5 years earlier. We became fast friends. My friend started getting sick about three years ago, landed in the hospital for 3 months and then sadly passed away June, 2023 at the age of 70. This is one more reality that we must weigh. I must add that there is also the issue of unscrupulous evil people who pretend to be friends and prey on this vulnerability. So I would not trade the last ten years of peace for anything, but I do know that making friends and having that person is so important to our experience and ability to adapt.

Ghanaians American here who now lives in both places and I agree with her analysis. I am looking for somewhere also and have some similar considerations to her. Ghana can be hard to navigate, even for me. There are other places with much easier transitions and we are lucky to have a choice to explore options.

I absolutely love Panama. I am going on my 4th visit in July. I knew from my 1st visit that it was #1 on my list.

You are all welcome to come and retire in CapeTown South Africa

This was excellent! I really enjoyed watching this interview. I just turned 30 and I’m now fleshing out my vision for the next 3 decades, if I’m healthy and able (God-willing). I hope to retire early in Panama when I’m in my late 40s and early 50s.

I am 67. I love your sense of adventure and wanting more of the various world experiences. Sistets, keep sampling around until you find the best for you. As for me, I am a Black African woman. Rwandan to be precise. Born and raised in Uganda, worked in Kenya, returned to Uganda and worked there in the mid-1980's to early 1990s. Then I moved to Rwanda in 1995. I have traveled the world a bit. If I wasn't living in Rwanda, I would live in Uganda.

I will be 81 in October, and I retired at 58, and return to work at 61 to 69. Over 60 years visiting and living in Mexico, and traveling the world on my own dime all over the world. I relocated to Queretaro in 2021, and very happy. I earned my money in the computer field, and teaching English to Spanish speakers. I do not go to doctors, and plan for direct cremation and no service. or donate my body. teaches around the world, and Bali is he favorite. She is 43, and told me she was not going to marry or have children, and that is her life. Marriage had too many deal breakers, so I stayed friends with them, but divorced the first one and the second one died, when our daughter was 7.

Thank you from a widow Black African American in her 40's 🤗 ❤️💛💚✊🏾🖤

Why do Black Americans think going to Africa means going to Ghana only???? Much better countries in Africa for Afro Americans than Ghana, Like, for exampe, Kenya, or Rawanda. To be honest Ghanians are known for being unfriendly and it's true. And Kenya, Rawanda, and 7 other countries on the continent offer automatic citizenship to Black Americans also. I'm from Atlanta.