I moved to Panama. It feels like I'm living a dream because it's affordable and I'm so much more relaxed.

Kimberly Kelley moved to Panama in 2023.

Courtesy of Kimberly Kelley

• Kimberly Kelley, 71, moved from a small town in Arizona to Panama in 2023.
• Kelley lives in a condo on the beach, paying a little more than she spent on housing in the US.
• Her groceries, car-related payments, and healthcare costs are cheaper, and she's much happier.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kimberly Kelley, a 71-year-old retired hypnotherapist who moved from Arizona to Panama in 2023.