Torsten

Born and raised in Hamburg, Germany

hsv Soccer Fan

Four decades in the financial industry

Planning to move abroad since my first trip to the tropics in 2016

2022–2023: Scouting trip through Latin America

Made Panama home in 2023

First Boquete, then Panama City and stayed

Building project in El Valle de Antón

Always along for the ride: my 2011 G 350

From Hamburg’s “Safe Harbor” To Panama

Born in Hamburg in 1965, a city often described as Germany’s gateway to the world, I was fascinated by foreign cultures and new perspectives from an early age. For a long time, I never imagined that one day I would trade my view of Hamburg Harbor for a view of the Panama Canal.

Soccer has always had a special place in my life. My team? HSV, of course.

For more than four decades, I worked in international finance as a Client Relationship Manager for German and international asset management companies. I believe much of my success came from the strong relationships I built with my clients. Understanding people, finding individual solutions, and working with clarity, honesty, and reliability have always been important to me.

Together with my wife, I also rented out vacation apartments on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, which sparked my interest in real estate.

It all started with our first trip to Sri Lanka in 2016... Over the years, our desire for a lifestyle with more freedom, more sunshine, and greater independence continued to grow. After several trips to Paraguay, Panama and Costa Rica, we finally left Germany in 2022 in search of a new home. We traveled through several countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Panama Wasn't The Plan

We never expected Panama to be the place where we would eventually settle. In fact, Panama was one of the countries we knew the least about, from everyday life and the people to visa options and the advantages of living here compared with other countries in Latin America.

Today, we live here, happy and grateful to have found our place. As foreigners, we have been welcomed with such warmth and kindness that at times we could hardly believe it.

Over the past few years, I have supported my wife in building her business, mainly taking care of finances and organization, exactly my area of expertise, while also managing our real estate project. In the meantime, my father-in-law, now in his late 70s, has also moved to Panama to join us.Life in Panama felt complete. I thought things could happily stay just as they were.

And Suddenly, I Was a Private Guide

It happened completely by chance. Within a short period of time, I was approached from two different directions, once by a company and once privately, and asked if I could put together a private tour of Panama City. My first reaction was probably something along the lines of: Me? A tour guide?

My wife, however, thought it made perfect sense. “You love this city. You’ve lived here for years. You know what it’s like to arrive as a European expat. And after everything we’ve learned through our own relocation and building project, you know an incredible amount about how things actually work here. Plus, you’re a very safe driver. Just do it.” So I did.

One tour led to another, and what started completely by accident has become something I genuinely enjoy. Today, I offer private, personalized tours of Panama City for people who want to experience the city from the perspective of someone who actually lives here.

The classic is my Relocation Tour: a full day focused on what everyday life in Panama City really looks like: neighborhoods, housing, healthcare, infrastructure, shopping, getting around, and all those practical details that are hard to understand from abroad.

But not everyone comes to Panama with plans to relocate. Some simply want to discover the city beyond the usual checklist. So I also offer tours built around particular interests: Panama City’s highlights and hidden corners, coffee and Casco Viejo, or nature and hiking in and around the city. One of the things I love about Panama City is how quickly you can go from skyscrapers and traffic to tropical forest, hiking trails and wildlife.


Discover Panama City With Me

Whether you're considering a move to Panama or simply visiting, my tours offer a personal introduction to the city and life here.

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