The joy of moving

Moving home ranks high on the list of life’s major stress events no matter where you live, but in Panama there are some extra challenges to face which even those, who have lived here a few years may not be aware of, particularly if they are moving from a rented home to a newly built house or condominium

In North America or Europe most dwellings come complete with light fittings, which you can sometimes arrange, via the builder, to vary during constructionSome dwellings even provide items like stovesand dish washers

In Panama when you inspect your new dream home you have to buy and install, your own fittings, after you have received the key

Now hunting for chandeliers, and cute little lamps for your bathrooms can be an interesting, even enjoyable experienceBut there is one lesson you have to learn

If you see something you like, BUY IT straight away,

If you hesitate and decide to hunt around one more day, you may return and find that the item you wanted has gone, and there will be no replacements until the next container arrives, and likely that illuminated bathroom mirror you hesitated over, will not be included

The reason? Population

The number of people in the whole of Panama could be tucked into a corner of many North American and European cities, so lighting and furnishing stores do not carry large inventories

And that creates another problem

Lamp fixtures you can probably find room for in your current homeBut furniture, that has to stay in the store

So that perfect sofa or dining room set that you want and know won’t be around when your moving in date arrives, has to stay in the store

A one third deposit will secure the items, and most stores will keep them for three months with no extra chargeAfter that you may well be hit with storage fees And there’s, the rubYou many not be so naive as to believe the initial salesperson’s personal guarantee: “Completion in December”, you may fall for the follow up lines issued in January: “February or early March”.

But when the darling buds of May have come and gone and you humming “In September in the rain” and you ordered your furniture in March, your budget will need readjusting.