Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
#1
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
As the 'retire in Malaysia' thread seems to be a popular topic, and I've nothing better to do on this monsoony Sunday afternoon - have any of you retirees any regrets on moving to Asia? Do you miss Britain? Do you miss your previous home?
Myself - only 4 months into "retirement" (whatever that means), no regrets so far. Do I miss Britain - No. Do I miss my previous home (in Singapore) - not really, only the Mee Gorengs and Char Kway Teows lah (yum yum).
Myself - only 4 months into "retirement" (whatever that means), no regrets so far. Do I miss Britain - No. Do I miss my previous home (in Singapore) - not really, only the Mee Gorengs and Char Kway Teows lah (yum yum).
#2
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
As the 'retire in Malaysia' thread seems to be a popular topic, and I've nothing better to do on this monsoony Sunday afternoon - have any of you retirees any regrets on moving to Asia? Do you miss Britain? Do you miss your previous home?
Myself - only 4 months into "retirement" (whatever that means), no regrets so far. Do I miss Britain - No. Do I miss my previous home (in Singapore) - not really, only the Mee Gorengs and Char Kway Teows lah (yum yum).
Myself - only 4 months into "retirement" (whatever that means), no regrets so far. Do I miss Britain - No. Do I miss my previous home (in Singapore) - not really, only the Mee Gorengs and Char Kway Teows lah (yum yum).
Anyway Penang is famous for her food. So the Mee Goreng and Char Koay Toew here in Penang might be as good or even better.
#3
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Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
Yes will definitely take a trip to Penang one of these days (if only for the food!!). Thai food is lovely but I do miss some Malay/Straits Chinese/Nonya food.
#4
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Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
Penang do have many nice Thai food too.. you shoud try it out!! Cheers!!
#5
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 14
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
As the 'retire in Malaysia' thread seems to be a popular topic, and I've nothing better to do on this monsoony Sunday afternoon - have any of you retirees any regrets on moving to Asia? Do you miss Britain? Do you miss your previous home?
Myself - only 4 months into "retirement" (whatever that means), no regrets so far. Do I miss Britain - No. Do I miss my previous home (in Singapore) - not really, only the Mee Gorengs and Char Kway Teows lah (yum yum).
Myself - only 4 months into "retirement" (whatever that means), no regrets so far. Do I miss Britain - No. Do I miss my previous home (in Singapore) - not really, only the Mee Gorengs and Char Kway Teows lah (yum yum).
To have no climate or money worries plus to live with the most delightful english speaking people on earth is a privilege.Im still very Brit even after 30yrs in wonderful Canada.
Palwan is so inexpensive you live like a king on half your pension.
Sophisticated health proceedure are available in nearby singapore and manilla and insurance is available even to 68 yrs old and would be your only concern.
Recently i used a local hospital for gall bladder removal and the cost was 2000 pounds..
For men who find themselves alone at 65 the local Filipinas are Gods gift to menkind.
Last edited by Southseastrader; May 11th 2008 at 1:21 am.
#6
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
Karen - I thought of you Friday as I tucked into my barbequed pork steamed bun. Moving a few train stops away from Chatswood was a very good move; if I get homesick for SEA I'm up there like a shot.
(Having fun here at the moment as car dealers, etc., say "I know that where you come from..." and we say "no, not really". Bet you have same same.)
(Having fun here at the moment as car dealers, etc., say "I know that where you come from..." and we say "no, not really". Bet you have same same.)
#7
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
I have been here In the Island of Palawan which is a distant province of the Philippines for three years, and every day I have to pinch myself to discover if im dead in heaven or alive in heaven.
To have no climate or money worries plus to live with the most delightful english speaking people on earth is a privilege.Im still very Brit even after 30yrs in wonderful Canada.
Palwan is so inexpensive you live like a king on half your pension.
Sophisticated health proceedure are available in nearby singapore and manilla and insurance is available even to 68 yrs old and would be your only concern.
Recently i used a local hospital for gall bladder removal and the cost was 2000 pounds..
For men who find themselves alone at 65 the local Filipinas are Gods gift to menkind.
To have no climate or money worries plus to live with the most delightful english speaking people on earth is a privilege.Im still very Brit even after 30yrs in wonderful Canada.
Palwan is so inexpensive you live like a king on half your pension.
Sophisticated health proceedure are available in nearby singapore and manilla and insurance is available even to 68 yrs old and would be your only concern.
Recently i used a local hospital for gall bladder removal and the cost was 2000 pounds..
For men who find themselves alone at 65 the local Filipinas are Gods gift to menkind.
Best wishes,
David:
#8
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Joined: Jun 2007
Location: San Fernando, La Union, Illocos Sur, Luzon, Philippines
Posts: 41
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
Drinks and a posh meal out in a nice hotel costs about £5 per head . Beer is 20p a bottle. Cigarettes are 23p a pack(King Size) and a huge weekly shop(8 bags of groceries) costs £20. Petrol is 41p per litre.
There is no council tax, VAT(on some items only) is only 12%, no water or sewage rates - in fact I pay no taxes at all.
How does this compare to the dirge and slog of a "UK Lifestyle"?
....I've never been happier.
#9
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Joined: May 2008
Location: Lagrange 2
Posts: 1,507
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
You guyz that have settled in have done well and I bet you will remain happy and secure for ever. I'm not there yet but have moved to Gambia - which for the sake of argument will be my retirement place with some of the advantages posted.
Along the way I have seen a lot of people who have tried to make it in Gambia and just failed coz they can't fit in or can't cope. This must apply to PI or to Thai as well. Yes is is great to be retired but you have qualities that some people just don't have and courage too.
Good luck to you all.
Along the way I have seen a lot of people who have tried to make it in Gambia and just failed coz they can't fit in or can't cope. This must apply to PI or to Thai as well. Yes is is great to be retired but you have qualities that some people just don't have and courage too.
Good luck to you all.
#10
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
I'm glad that you're happy. I just wanted to point out that "dirge and slog" isn't the experience of everybody or - going by the generally cheerful attitudes of my friends in the UK - even the majority. My mum, who is also retired, lives in a beautiful rural part of Britain, surrounded by friends and family and is very happy! Life is what you make it, wherever you are.
#11
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 14
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
You guyz that have settled in have done well and I bet you will remain happy and secure for ever. I'm not there yet but have moved to Gambia - which for the sake of argument will be my retirement place with some of the advantages posted.
Along the way I have seen a lot of people who have tried to make it in Gambia and just failed coz they can't fit in or can't cope. This must apply to PI or to Thai as well. Yes is is great to be retired but you have qualities that some people just don't have and courage too.
Good luck to you all.
Along the way I have seen a lot of people who have tried to make it in Gambia and just failed coz they can't fit in or can't cope. This must apply to PI or to Thai as well. Yes is is great to be retired but you have qualities that some people just don't have and courage too.
Good luck to you all.
Before making the leap go stay there for 3 months so that you are getting free of old expectations and are not a tourist.
Before leaving spend time in front of the mirror trying to see why you wish to move,Paradise is between our own two ears..
The same rules go for those of us that built a boat and headed offshore around the globe, can you handle real bad stuff coming at you..many expats quickly get into habit of bad mouthing the locals,and this becomes poison.
Its wonderful living with new nice people in great surroundings and now within a budget that permits dignity..but it takes work .So many folk on forums are asking the wrong questions...the only question is "can i adjust".
#12
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 17
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
I really notice this a lot. Many Brits retire in Asia. What is it about Asia?
#13
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
If you are nearing retirement look at the Malaysian My Second Home (MM2H) Thread.
As many say, you have to adjust: but then living anywhere except your own Home town requires adjustment ....
#14
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 395
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
The smiling People, The wonderful Food, The Weather, the lower cost of living as cf. "Rip Off Britain", and if non-resident tax free UK Income.
If you are nearing retirement look at the Malaysian My Second Home (MM2H) Thread.
As many say, you have to adjust: but then living anywhere except your own Home town requires adjustment ....
If you are nearing retirement look at the Malaysian My Second Home (MM2H) Thread.
As many say, you have to adjust: but then living anywhere except your own Home town requires adjustment ....
#15
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5
Re: Any regrets - retiring in Asia ?
I have retired too, have traveled in phi for 2 months now and still looking for a nice place to stay permanently at