This is a continuation of my interview with Adrian S., a married man with a family who sold most of his possessions in search of a better life. Links to earlier parts of the interview can be found below.
Adrian S: In November 2009, we went to Panamá because we had not been out of the country much, we’re kind of provincial people, we only speak one language. My two children really haven’t seen much except suburban life except for that brief time in the countryside of Oregon. And we thought it would be a good idea to go to Panamá. We stayed three months there, and that was a real eye opener. We saw that things were possible outside of the United States. There were a lot of things that were shocking.
I’m just not used to seeing people open up a bus window and toss a bunch of trash out and you see that all the time in countries where people have not been conditioned to recycle and not throw your trash on the highway. So it’s very different culturally.
We actually sold almost everything before we left for Panama because we didn’t want to pay storage fees. We weren’t even sure if we’d come back. We sold our trailer, both of our cars. All we have now is a little storage unit. I hate to have money go out for that but it’s really not much.
Jennifer Barry: Compared to a 3,000 square foot house I imagined you pared down quite a lot.
AS: Yes, I was so glad we sold the house. That was our top priority. The house is such a big anchor. However people got convinced it was an appreciating asset, shame on them. It’s a liability. A house is just a place for you to live.
JB: I agree. Too many people made their housing decisions emotionally rather than look at what was actually going on in the market.
AS: We don’t have much stuff left, but a lot of what’s left we’ll never be able to sell. We have a couch and a couple of easy chairs but there’s no market for that stuff. If I were to advise anyone planning what we are I’d say, “Sell as much as you can. It’s just stuff.” You don’t want to find yourself paying for storage. Pare down to essentials like tools, useful books, things you will benefit from in the future, and then pack light.
JB: So you advise getting rid of as much stuff as possible? I know some people advise putting all your stuff in a container and moving that.
AS: If we knew we were going to Panamá from the beginning we might have done that. I still don’t know if we even fit the criteria for the pensionado visa.
JB: Did they change the requirements?
AS: Yes, they’ve upped the requirements. You need quite a lot of income and I don’t know how people can generate that much when interest rates are so low.
JB: That is a problem.
AS: Most people moving there today have white hair, they are near the end of their lives, and they have a guaranteed income. We are unusual to be a traveling family.
JB: Was that your experience in Boquete or everywhere in Panamá?
AS: Boquete is where most of the older gringos have congregated because it’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful town, it’s got a nice climate, it’s charming. There’s another place with thermal springs, supposed to have healing waters, where a lot of gringos go.
Panamá was fun. It’s really changed our thinking now to where we say “That was good, Panamá is a good place for newbies [from the US].” But now we need to get more serious and figure out what is the right place for us.
JB: Can you explain why you say Panamá is a good for newbies?
AS: It’s a country that has a long history of not just white people living there, but it’s pretty easy to find someone who speaks English. If language is a difficulty as it was for us, you don’t have to struggle on in Spanish constantly. They also use the dollar so you don’t have to do any currency exchanges.
JB: Do you think that Panamá using the US dollar will hurt them in the long run?
AS: Sure I do. The dollar I think is heavily manipulated so it’s oversimplified to say it’s going to continue going down. It hasn’t gone straight down. It can be moved around by these bankers to serve their interests but I think it takes away independence from any country that latches itself to the dollar, because the dollar exists as a tool to serve someone’s interests and I assure you, it’s not Panama’s. The dollar is a tool of global warfare. It may provide some conveniences in trade or stability but if I were a country I would look to diversify into other currencies.
Read Part 5 here!
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This is a really intersting series. I differ completely with the goals this person has, yet it is refreshing to listen to such an oppostite perspective. I also wonder how these decisions will affect his family, compared to a more stable lifestyle.
Hi Bret, I’m glad you find it interesting! I wanted to interview Adrian because I feel his perspective is very different from the majority view. Just about everyone will find some of Adrian’s opinions controversial. I did ask Adrian about his kids’ views on their lifestyle, and he told me that they complain a lot to him, but are much more positive with others. I also know that Adrian’s son was miserable in public school and was much happier once he was homeschooled.
This is a really interesting series, Jennifer. I’m glad to stumble upon Adrian’s writings as he is showing what’s possible. That’s the thing about reading about other people’s lives (particularly if they have chucked the mainstream lifestyle for something else), they tell it like it is (good and bad) so that you can envision whether it would work out for you.
Very interesting to read his writings. Thank you.
Hi Karen, it’s good to hear you are finding the series interesting.
I wanted to interview Adrian precisely because he has chucked almost everything about the mainstream even though he was very conventional 5-6 years ago. I agree that it really gives you a foil to examine your own life, and all the possibilities there are in the world you might never have thought of!
Hi Jennifer,
This is really fascinating. I’m loving it because I have my house on the market and now I’m starting to think maybe I should rent for a while and not buy….hmm. Thanks so much for the interesting perspective.
Hi Angela, it’s so interesting to me that everyone gets something different out of this series! It’s funny that you should mention renting. My husband and I have been renting since 2006 and it’s saved us a lot of money as well as time (since we don’t have to do maintenance/landscaping). If you are not sure what you really want, renting may be the thing for you.
Very interesting series and a unique perspective. I am certainly no proponent of a “traditional” lifestyle, but it seems quite daring to start fresh in a new country with a family in tow.
Hi Steve, I’m glad you are finding Adrian’s perspective interesting. His choices are pretty radical even for “non-traditional” folks like yourself!
I hope this series has about 100 installments left, Jennifer!
“The dollar is a tool of global warfare.”
I love it – in a twisted kind of way.
I hope you follow up on that statement in Part 5. I can’t wait to hear Adrian’s answer.
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Welcome back Len. Hmm, I’m not sure about 100 but I’m sure I can come up with several more! It was about a 2 hr interview. I’m not sure if he says more about dollar “warfare” but I’m sure there will be something else equally controversial.
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