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Started By
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Texas family dumps US for new, ‘safer’ life in Central American jungle
Posted on 8/4/25 at 2:47 am
Posted on 8/4/25 at 2:47 am
Texas family dumps US for new, ‘safer’ life in Central American jungle: ‘My kids can finally go out alone’
quote:
They put new roots down South — over the US border.
Makayla and Brian Oberlin sold their five-bedroom house and a majority of their belongings before ditching life in the U.S. in April 2025. Alongside their three children — aged 14, 12 and 10 — and almost a dozen suitcases, they established a new home in the jungles of Panama.
The 36-year-old mother of three and her husband, a former military man, moved from Amarillo, Texas, to the tropical Central American country.
Though life looks different, Oberlin says she and her husband love it, and their kids are enjoying exploring their new home, meeting new friends and learning Spanish in school.
“My kids can finally go out alone,” which she didn’t feel comfortable allowing back in Amarillo, Oberlin, a business owner told SWNS.
quote:
One of the other major differences between life in the Lone Star State and the family’s Panama pad is the cost.
“We were paying $1,900 a month for our house in the States, and here we are paying around $1,700 — to live in the jungle,” Oberlin said.
64
Posted on 8/4/25 at 2:54 am to SPEEDY
Central America is a vibrant region bursting with rich cultures, stunning natural beauty, and warm, welcoming communities. From the lush rainforests of Costa Rica to the ancient Mayan ruins of Guatemala, it’s a place where adventure and history intertwine, offering endless opportunities for exploration and connection.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 3:03 am to SPEEDY
What could possibly go wrong?
This post was edited on 8/4/25 at 3:06 am
Posted on 8/4/25 at 3:06 am to SPEEDY
quote:what a savings!!!
We were paying $1,900 a month for our house in the States, and here we are paying around $1,700 — to live in the jungle,”
Eta this thread will be bumped when the inevitable tragic ending occurs.
This post was edited on 8/4/25 at 3:07 am
Posted on 8/4/25 at 3:31 am to SPEEDY
Posted on 8/4/25 at 3:39 am to SPEEDY
Just need to watch out for the deadly diseases, narco terrorists, migrant caravans, and extremely dangerous wildlife. Lot safer than Amarillo
Posted on 8/4/25 at 3:54 am to SPEEDY
Good luck
Posted on 8/4/25 at 4:04 am to SPEEDY
Prob couldn’t find a job with that tattoo.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 4:15 am to SPEEDY
The last time I visited Panama was at Christmas in 1989. Took a direct flight from NC, which was crowded and loud. The plane didn't even land, my friends and I had to disembark at 500 ft in the middle of the night. We were shot at upon arrival. The food was all packaged in plastic and cardboard and tasted exactly like similar food in the US. The open-air accommodations were minimal, and the bugs were prevalent. The weather was not bad, and fortunately, it was the beginning of the dry season, but nobody explained that to the dew point.
High points: a CIB and mustard stain for a couple of days' work
Low points: everything else
would not return 1 star only because the app won't allow zero stars
High points: a CIB and mustard stain for a couple of days' work
Low points: everything else
would not return 1 star only because the app won't allow zero stars
Posted on 8/4/25 at 4:52 am to SPEEDY
And now they have outed themselves to the cartel by going public with their story. Good luck.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 4:57 am to SPEEDY
quote:
“We were paying $1,900 a month for our house in the States, and here we are paying around $1,700 — to live in the jungle,” Oberlin said.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:03 am to northshorebamaman
I don't think it's as cool as the Van Halen song. Hard pass
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:09 am to SPEEDY
Good luck to them.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:09 am to Yakker
quote:
Central America is a vibrant region bursting with rich cultures, stunning natural beauty, and warm, welcoming communities. From the lush rainforests of Costa Rica to the ancient Mayan ruins of Guatemala, it’s a place where adventure and history intertwine, offering endless opportunities for exploration and connection.
This sounds like what the voice over guy on Price is Right would say when describing a Central America vacation prize package.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:10 am to SPEEDY
quote:Nice
We were paying $1,900 a month for our house in the States, and here we are paying around $1,700 — to live in the jungle,”
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:22 am to SPEEDY
Amarillo by mornin'
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I've got on
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I'll be lookin' for eight
When they pull that gate
And I hope that
Judge ain't blind
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo's on my mind
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I've got on
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I'll be lookin' for eight
When they pull that gate
And I hope that
Judge ain't blind
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo's on my mind
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:31 am to SPEEDY
More middle class Americans should follow them. Better lives exist there for people with a little money. The states have become ruinously expensive for ordinary people.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:32 am to SPEEDY
There are a few countries in central America I’d live in but not because they are safer. Unless I was moving from New Orleans
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:34 am to SPEEDY
You couldn't pay me $1,700 a month to live in a Panamanian jungle.
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