Debbie Boyd, a 71-year-old woman from Atlanta, Georgia, moved to Panama in early 2025 with her 97-year-old mother to access better healthcare and escape rising living costs in the United States.
Since settling in, they’ve adjusted well and are enjoying their new life abroad. Debbie had considered leaving the U.S. for years, she told Business Insider.
After retiring in 2016 and recovering from a serious health issue, she decided it was time for a change. Panama stood out for its affordable healthcare, lower cost of living, and the chance to personally care for her mother, Doris Britto, who has dementia.
She didn’t want Doris to remain alone in a nursing home back in Atlanta. To prepare, Debbie made several trips ahead of the move.
She searched for a wheelchair-accessible home and completed the necessary paperwork. Doris joined her a few weeks later.
Within days, Debbie arranged a doctor’s visit and home care. Now, a caregiver visits six days a week to help with meals, bathing, and other daily needs.
They live in a spacious four-bedroom house with a pool. Rent is $1,500 a month, which is more than her old mortgage in the US, but the space and quality of life make it worth it.
Debbie still owns her house in Atlanta, though rising taxes and insurance have increased costs there. In Panama, she relies on affordable services like Uber and enjoys shopping at local markets.
Debbie appreciates Panama’s friendly community. She didn’t choose to live in an expat area and instead immersed herself in the local culture.
While she’s still learning Spanish, people have been helpful and welcoming. She has joined expat groups and plans to volunteer as she continues to settle in and make Panama her permanent home.
