How is David, Chiriqui Province, Panama cost of living compared to Boquete, Chiriqui Province?

David is lot cheaper than Boquete. If you want to buy or rent a house the prices in Boquete are lot higher because of the high demand of people from other countries.

Food at restaurants and supermarkets is the same story.  David will be cheaper since local people from Panama live and work here. Boquete is a little more touristic and lots of people from different countries that have moved there in the last 10 years.

But if you can afford the higher cost, Boquete is...

David is lot cheaper than Boquete. If you want to buy or rent a house the prices in Boquete are lot higher because of the high demand of people from other countries.

Food at restaurants and supermarkets is the same story.  David will be cheaper since local people from Panama live and work here. Boquete is a little more touristic and lots of people from different countries that have moved there in the last 10 years.

But if you can afford the higher cost, Boquete is way lot nicer than David and has the best weather in Panama.

David is appreciably less expensive than Boquete. The reason? Gringos. There are thousands of foreigners living in Boquette, mainly Americans, and that has driven up the cost of everything -- from restaurant meals to commercial and residential rents. It is fairly common, for instance, to pay $1,000 -- $1,500 to rent a house in Boquette, an amount that would be almost unheard of in David. 

 

That said, the restaurants in Boquette are often better than those in...

David is appreciably less expensive than Boquete. The reason? Gringos. There are thousands of foreigners living in Boquette, mainly Americans, and that has driven up the cost of everything -- from restaurant meals to commercial and residential rents. It is fairly common, for instance, to pay $1,000 -- $1,500 to rent a house in Boquette, an amount that would be almost unheard of in David. 

 

That said, the restaurants in Boquette are often better than those in David, as is also the quality of housing.

 

So, if you want to save money (and live in a cooler climate), go to Boquette. If you want a better burger (and a warmer climate), come to David!

 

 

All the other answers to this questions in this section are right on the mark.  Overall, David is less expensive than Boquete for living costs (primarily housing) but more expensive for energy costs (it would be impossible for me to live in David without air conditioning).

 

In summary, the cost of living is less in David but the quality of living is better in Boquete.

All the other answers to this questions in this section are right on the mark.  Overall, David is less expensive than Boquete for living costs (primarily housing) but more expensive for energy costs (it would be impossible for me to live in David without air conditioning).

 

In summary, the cost of living is less in David but the quality of living is better in Boquete.

David is the largest city close to Boquete, only 25 minutes away.  At David you can find anything you need.  All the larger businesses from Panama City have a branch in David.

 

The cost of living in David is very reasonable and slightly less expensive than the cost of living in Boquete.

David is the largest city close to Boquete, only 25 minutes away.  At David you can find anything you need.  All the larger businesses from Panama City have a branch in David.

 

The cost of living in David is very reasonable and slightly less expensive than the cost of living in Boquete.

Cost of living in Boquete is higher than in David, including when you hire maids, gardeners, and also in construction areas.

 

For example, the cost of a housekeeper or a gardener working full time for you in David is about $200 a month.  If they work twice a week, they will probably be asking for $15 to $20 a day.

 

The cost of housing is also lower in David.  For example, the cost to rent a furnished house with...

Cost of living in Boquete is higher than in David, including when you hire maids, gardeners, and also in construction areas.

 

For example, the cost of a housekeeper or a gardener working full time for you in David is about $200 a month.  If they work twice a week, they will probably be asking for $15 to $20 a day.

 

The cost of housing is also lower in David.  For example, the cost to rent a furnished house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a maid´s quarter and a small garden will probably be about $1,500 a month, with utilities paid separately.   The cost to buy a house this big in a nice area in David will probably be between $145,000 to $160,000 (unfurnished).

The cost of living in David, Panama is cheaper than the cost of living in Boquete. The rentals are cheaper in David. Restaurants are also a little bit cheaper. The main difference is the influence of the foreigners in Boquete because the presence of foreigners makes everything expensive.  Tourist places are a little more expensive than other places in Panama. That is why Boquete is getting expensive. I have a house in Boquete, which I rent.  If the same house were in David, I...

The cost of living in David, Panama is cheaper than the cost of living in Boquete. The rentals are cheaper in David. Restaurants are also a little bit cheaper. The main difference is the influence of the foreigners in Boquete because the presence of foreigners makes everything expensive.  Tourist places are a little more expensive than other places in Panama. That is why Boquete is getting expensive. I have a house in Boquete, which I rent.  If the same house were in David, I would not be able to rent it out at the price I’m renting it out right now in Boquete.
 
If you are looking to rent a house in town in Boquete, you have to prepare for a higher price. A small house in Boquete could cost around $500 to $1,000 per month. The same house in David would be around $300 to $500 per month. Everything else in David, like food and clothing, are also cheaper.
 
One of the higher expenses of living in David is that you would have to use your air-conditioning, whereas in Boquete, you don’t have to. I live in David because it is more convenient for my work, and also because I’m younger.  For me, it’s better to live in David because everything is nearby. I don’t have to drive 45 minutes from Boquete to get to David because all the public offices are located in David, such as the notary, the public registry, the public ministry, the courthouse, etc. I don’t have to drive 45 minutes to 1 hour from Boquete to David to submit documents or to do errands. I have clients in Boquete, but when I have a meeting I try to schedule three or four clients on the same day so I can I can get it all done on one trip to Boquete. I go to Boquete every two weeks to visit my clients or they come down to David when they have to go shopping, go on a doctor’s appointment, and come to my office here. 

 

(Pictured: El Rey Grocery Store in David, Panama.)

I have only one thing to add to what's been said:

 

In this case you get what you pay for and Boquete is worth the added cost of living.

 

(Pictured: stream in Boquete, Panama.)

I have only one thing to add to what's been said:

 

In this case you get what you pay for and Boquete is worth the added cost of living.

 

(Pictured: stream in Boquete, Panama.)

Unless you are comfortable in hot and sticky heat, you will need to run an air conditioner in David and many areas near by. Some months the air conditioning might be needed both night and day.

 

The cost of electricity is pretty high and should be factored in.

 

Also, most places are not insulated, roof nor walls, and so the kind of energy efficiency you would get in many States is missing. Windows are for the most part louvered.

...

Unless you are comfortable in hot and sticky heat, you will need to run an air conditioner in David and many areas near by. Some months the air conditioning might be needed both night and day.

 

The cost of electricity is pretty high and should be factored in.

 

Also, most places are not insulated, roof nor walls, and so the kind of energy efficiency you would get in many States is missing. Windows are for the most part louvered.

 

(Pictured: rainbow over some homes in David, Panama.)

Hello All,

 

This is just my personal opinion. First, I lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL for over 30 years - heat and humidity is something that we understand. David reminds me, most of the time of summers in FL- high humidity and very warm, well "hot" is a more appropriate word. David is the 2nd largest city in Panama and has much more in terms of items that are needed if one lives here and yes, it is much less expensive than Boquete.

...

Hello All,

 

This is just my personal opinion. First, I lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL for over 30 years - heat and humidity is something that we understand. David reminds me, most of the time of summers in FL- high humidity and very warm, well "hot" is a more appropriate word. David is the 2nd largest city in Panama and has much more in terms of items that are needed if one lives here and yes, it is much less expensive than Boquete.

 

Again, this is my opinion, Boquete, due to the major altitude increase, is much cooler, but still close to David  (with the new roads, maybe 40 minutes at the most?). It is also significantly more expensive and for us too cold - 60's at night or possibly less coupled with high humidity was not what we wanted.

 

I sincerely feel that for us, we have the best of both worlds. We live more or less in the middle between David and Boquete. The days can be hot, but central AC is not necessary and it is comfortable at night. The prices of property were probably 1/5  to 1/10th  of what you would pay in Boquete but that is changing. In addition, it is unlikely you could find as much property as we have near Boquete central unless you have a large bank account. Our property has views of Baru and also has a year round river. Thus we have privacy, views, and also are somewhat protected from the winds that are incredible at this time of year.

 

I am not a realtor so I don't have any ulterior motives to market where we live. I am just glad that I am here but it isn't for everyone. I understand that many prefer cooler weather, closer access to amenities, and that is what we did sacrifice.

 

Next month, we have lived here for 4 years and the planning started 5 years prior to that. Bottom line - this wasn't an impulsive decision and I am glad we took the "plunge".

 

Happy New Year!

No question that Boquete is more expensive than David.  Being that Boquete is an enclave of Americans, prices have been drive well out of range even for local Panamanians.

 

David has more services, and is cheaper for food, rents, and property ownership.

 

(Pictured: Road in David, Panama.)

 

No question that Boquete is more expensive than David.  Being that Boquete is an enclave of Americans, prices have been drive well out of range even for local Panamanians.

 

David has more services, and is cheaper for food, rents, and property ownership.

 

(Pictured: Road in David, Panama.)