From Oregon to Panama: How One Entrepreneur Built a Relocation Empire and Why He's Passionate About Helping Expats Avoid Costly Mistakes

Austin Hess's story reads like a Hollywood script, except it's completely real. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest outside Portland, Oregon, he spent his twenties in California building businesses before landing in Maui, Hawaii where he started an in-home elderly care business. He sold that company in nine days with plans to move to Sydney, Australia. He'd already bought his plane ticket four and a half months in advance. Then his buddy casually mentioned he was heading to Panama for three months and asked if Hess wanted to tag along. Five days later, Hess was on a plane. He planned to stay three months and return in time for Australia. That was nearly 11 years ago. What changed? Hess describes it as a spiritual connection. Every social interaction, every experience, every moment in Panama just felt right. The country's energy, the Panamanian culture of celebration and fun, and the unique blend of expat communities drawn to adventure all resonated deeply. Today, he's not just staying in Panama - he's helping thousands of others discover what he found.

You don't just wake up one day and decide to move to a foreign country on the other side of the world. It takes a certain mindset. Hess has spent over a decade observing the expat communities throughout Panama, and he's noticed a clear pattern. People relocating to Panama - whether from the United States, Canada, or Europe - share fundamental qualities. They love adventure. They embrace new experiences. They're not afraid to bet on themselves in unfamiliar territory. They're drawn to like-minded people and genuine connection. This isn't accidental. Panama naturally filters for a specific demographic: entrepreneurs, remote workers, retirees seeking authentic experiences, and people who value personal freedom and exploration. The expat communities, whether in Boquete's cool mountain climate, the tropical Caribbean vibes of Bocas del Toro, or the cosmopolitan energy of Panama City, all share this adventurous DNA. That's why friendships form quickly and business connections develop naturally. These aren't random transient populations - they're intentional communities of people choosing a radically different life.

When Hess first arrived in Panama, he quickly realized the country was full of incredible restaurants, world-class hotels, and amazing destinations, yet there was no comprehensive guide to find them. He was sitting in a restaurant in Bocas del Toro when he overheard two young women from the US or Canada complaining that they couldn't find any great restaurants. That moment sparked an idea. He launched the Panama Good Times newspaper as a restaurant and travel guide. Pre-pandemic, it focused exclusively on dining establishments. But during the pandemic, Hess merged his newspaper with another publication, expanding coverage to include hotels, restaurants, and lifestyle content across Panama. Today, the magazine serves expats, tourists, and even native Panamanians looking for curated recommendations. The publication is free and available in both print and digital formats at therestaurantpty.com. What makes it special isn't just comprehensive listings - it's Hess's authentic voice and genuine recommendations. He's been everywhere, experienced Panama's gastronomic scene deeply, and writes from real experience rather than sales pitches. For expats considering Panama, this magazine offers practical insight into the lifestyle quality available in different regions.

During the pandemic, Hess was running an app that helped people find happy hours, live music, and specific shops near their location. With the world in lockdown, he pivoted. He started a live show called Living La Vida Lockdown interviewing people and discussing life during quarantine. The response was overwhelming. Some episodes hit 30,000 to 40,000 views. More importantly, viewers started reaching out with a consistent message: they watched Hess interview fascinating people living incredible lives in Panama, and they thought, why am I stuck in Chicago when I could do what I do from anywhere? That pivotal realization exposed a gap in the market. Thousands of people - remote workers, entrepreneurs, retirees - wanted to move to Panama but didn't know where to start. They didn't know which neighborhoods to choose, which attorneys to trust, which real estate agents were legitimate, or how to navigate visas, residency, and logistics. Hess had built deep networks with realtors, attorneys, and service providers throughout the country from his years running publications and living in Panama. He understood what US expats specifically needed because he was one. So he launched DoPanama, a relocation services company designed specifically for people wanting to move to Panama the right way.

DoPanama doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all relocation packages. That's the cookie-cutter bus tour model where 12 to 30 people visit the same destinations and see the same neighborhoods regardless of their individual needs. That doesn't work. Instead, DoPanama starts with a free relocation survey available on their website. This 23-question assessment helps identify exactly what you're looking for. Do you play golf? Do you need beach access? Do you prefer cooler mountain climates or tropical heat? How critical is reliable internet? Are you retiring or working remotely and need rock-solid connectivity? Do you have children with special educational needs? These details absolutely matter. Someone working as a software engineer needs completely different internet infrastructure than a retiree. A parent with a competitive swimmer needs access to quality swimming programs and coaching. A golfer's needs differ drastically from someone seeking mountain hiking. Based on survey responses, Hess and his team connect clients with the right real estate agents, immigration attorneys, schools, healthcare providers, and insurance specialists. The goal isn't to sell expensive packages - many clients get free introductions to attorneys or realtors with zero service charge from DoPanama. Hess's philosophy is simple: if he helps someone find the right resource, that person tells three more people about him. Short-term sales don't matter compared to long-term reputation and genuine service.

One of Panama's greatest assets is its shocking geographic diversity packed into an incredibly small landmass. Think about the scale: Mexico City alone has 25 million people - five times Panama's entire national population. Yet within Panama's tiny borders, you can experience completely different climates, cultures, and lifestyles. Travel from Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast, take a short 30-minute boat ride, then drive over the mountains for two and a half hours, and you arrive in Boquete. The contrast is staggering. Bocas del Toro feels like the Pirates of the Caribbean - tropical, island-vibes, water everywhere, a laid-back Caribbean aesthetic. Boquete is a completely different planet. It's cool, refreshing mountain air, coffee plantations, charming colonial architecture, and an entirely different pace of life. That three-hour journey represents the difference between living on a tropical island and living in a mountain town. Add Panama City's cosmopolitan energy, El Valle's cool weather and hiking culture, Coronado's beach-golf-lifestyle combo, and the diverse communities throughout Panama and you realize this small country offers extraordinary options. For expats, this means you can find your perfect fit. The active outdoor person, the beach lover, the city professional, the quiet retiree - all can find ideal neighborhoods within a short drive of each other.

People often assume expats move to Panama purely for financial reasons. Cost of living is certainly a factor, but it's not the whole story. According to Numbeo data, Panama's cost of living is approximately 30 to 40 percent lower than major US cities. Rent in central Panama City averages $800 to $1,200 for a nice one-bedroom apartment, while comparable apartments in Portland or California run $1,800 to $3,000+. Healthcare costs are similarly attractive - a doctor's visit might cost $40 to $60 versus $150 to $200+ in the US. But money is only part of why people stay. The culture matters. Panamanians genuinely celebrate life. There's a joy, a social energy, a preference for gathering together and enjoying experiences. Expat communities in Panama absorb that culture. Friendships develop quickly because people are intentional about connection. Professional opportunities exist for remote workers and entrepreneurs who don't need local employment. The visa options are reasonable - pensioner visas require approximately $1,000 monthly income, friendly nations visas exist for various countries, and temporary residency for investors is accessible. But perhaps most importantly, people relocate to Panama seeking a fresh start, an adventure, a chance to live differently than they would back home. That psychological freedom, that sense of possibility, that's what people really came for.

Panama City is the cosmopolitan hub - modern skyscrapers, excellent restaurants, international business, expat communities, and all urban conveniences. It's where you go if you need corporate jobs, high-speed internet for digital companies, or a full-service city lifestyle. Boquete is the mountain escape - cool weather, coffee culture, hiking, gardening, and a tight-knit expat community of retirees and creatives. Perfect if you love nature and prefer cooler temperatures. Bocas del Toro is the Caribbean adventure - islands, water activities, a bohemian vibe, younger expats, and a tropical party culture. Best for beach lovers and people seeking an island lifestyle. Coronado is the beach-golf hybrid - beautiful Pacific beaches, an 18-hole golf course, modern development, and a growing expat community seeking beach life with upscale amenities. El Valle is the cool mountain alternative - fresh air, agricultural culture, hiking, and a small-town feel without Boquete's commercialization. Coronado is for golfers and beach-lifestyle expats. Pedasi is the quiet beach town on the Azuero Peninsula - authentic Panamanian culture, beautiful beaches, slower pace, and significantly lower cost of living. Best for retirees seeking authentic Panama with minimal expat infrastructure. Each neighborhood attracts different people. Hess's approach through DoPanama ensures clients get placed where they'll actually be happy rather than where marketing brochures suggest they should be.

Relocating internationally without proper guidance can result in serious problems. Mistakes can affect your finances, your legal status, your living situation, and your overall satisfaction with the move. You could hire a real estate agent who isn't actually licensed. You could sign a property agreement that's legally questionable. You could misunderstand visa requirements and face deportation. You could choose a neighborhood completely wrong for your lifestyle and be miserable within three months. You could overpay for property or services because you don't understand local market rates. You could get involved with dishonest people exploiting expat inexperience. These aren't theoretical possibilities - they happen regularly to people who don't get proper guidance. This is why Hess started DoPanama. He couldn't stand seeing people get screwed by the system, taken advantage of by bad actors, or making uninformed decisions that cost them tens of thousands of dollars and months of heartache. Having an expert who knows the legitimate realtors, the trustworthy attorneys, the appropriate neighborhoods, and the actual process can mean the difference between a smooth transition and a disaster. Some people only need one connection - a recommendation to the right realtor for a specific neighborhood. Other people need full-service relocation support including visa assistance, property inspection, home-finding, and logistics coordination. DoPanama adapts to each client's specific needs rather than forcing everyone into the same package.

One detail that surprises many people considering Panama is the quality and diversity of food. Panama isn't just rice and beans - though those are excellent. The country has a thriving gastronomic scene with world-class restaurants, international cuisines, and passionate chefs. Hess mentioned that Panama's multicultural population - a country of immigrants with people from all over the world - means you can eat Asian cuisine one day, Italian the next, then Panamanian traditional food, then French bistro fare. This diversity exists throughout the country, not just in Panama City. Even smaller communities have quality dining options. The food culture extends to fresh seafood, tropical fruits you've never heard of, and cooking traditions influenced by Caribbean, Colombian, and Spanish heritage. For expats, this matters. You're not consigning yourself to limited food options. You can maintain international cuisine preferences while also discovering new flavors. The Panama Good Times magazine, Hess's publication, catalogs these restaurants by region, helping both expats and visitors navigate the culinary landscape. If you're a foodie considering relocation, Panama deserves serious consideration.