David, Panama

🏛️ Capital City

Banking and commerce dominate David's economy—it generates over half of Chiriquí Province's $2.1 billion GDP. You'll find regional headquarters for major banks, import-export firms, and agricultural businesses here. The Pan-American Highway runs through the city, making it a logistics hub for Central America. Unemployment is genuinely low and the middle class is stable, which means steady work exists for accountants, logistics coordinators, and bilingual business staff. Agriculture still matters (coffee, livestock), but white-collar jobs are where the money is.

A 1-bedroom in the city center runs $550/month; outside downtown, expect $400–$450. Taxis are cheap and reliable, though traffic during rush hours is real. Healthcare is solid—private clinics meet expat standards, and a doctor visit costs $30–$50. Spanish is essential; English is spoken in banks and tourism but not on the street. Residency paperwork is standard Panama bureaucracy: slow but navigable. Internet is decent (25–50 Mbps for $40–$60/month). The humidity is relentless year-round.

Tropical heat and rain define life here—expect 80°F+ and afternoon downpours most of the year. Food is good: fresh seafood, plantains, and decent restaurants, though dining out isn't cheap by regional standards. The expat community is smaller than Panama City but growing; you'll find retirees, remote workers, and business people. Weekends mean hiking to Boquete (45 minutes uphill), swimming at nearby beaches, or exploring local markets. David suits people who want a real working city with lower costs than the capital, not a beach town or retirement village.