Retiring to the Philippines
Apr 20th 2010, 5:14 am
#61
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Philippines
Posts: 386
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
We went to Palawan many years ago when it was the place rated as the cleanest place in the PI. We happened to get the last flight out of Manila before a typhoon took over and at the place we stayed in Puerto Princessa had the owner hanging on to his enormous San Miguell sign swinging in the wind! Cleanest place maybe but full of tricycle fumes and so we spent three days at an island called "coco island". The resort ran on a generator and it didn't take kindly to my plug in water heater for a shower, sound of running down as we plugged it in! Needed a kettle from the kitchens after that.
Apparently there is very good fishing off Palawan says a diving friend of ours, just throw your line over ......
Moving to San Pablo city for us will be a wise move, we have met many of Milas old friends on our trips over the last 4 years and we will never be without company IF WE NEED IT. Living on a high end subdevision out in the countyside can be a bit TOO quiet. Think its important to consider when you reach the real old feeble age and moving about, okay now with SUV but what about 20 years time.....we could drop dead here and no one would know
Apparently there is very good fishing off Palawan says a diving friend of ours, just throw your line over ......
Moving to San Pablo city for us will be a wise move, we have met many of Milas old friends on our trips over the last 4 years and we will never be without company IF WE NEED IT. Living on a high end subdevision out in the countyside can be a bit TOO quiet. Think its important to consider when you reach the real old feeble age and moving about, okay now with SUV but what about 20 years time.....we could drop dead here and no one would know
May 24th 2010, 9:17 am
#62
Just Joined
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
[QUOTE=slowsmile;6619166]Well, I am settled and living in a place called San Fernando in Ilocos Sur, Luzon. It's on the west coast, about half way up. Not many people know about it, so it's never "crowded" with tourists. My requirements were very similar to yours, although I am settled now with my Filipina girlfriend.
Hi, presumably that's not San Fernando in Pampanga? Could you give me ur email? Would be really helpful to have a dialogue with you.
Hi, presumably that's not San Fernando in Pampanga? Could you give me ur email? Would be really helpful to have a dialogue with you.
May 25th 2010, 1:04 pm
#63
Just Joined
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
My first post so here goes.
I have tried to contact slowsmile but as yet with no joy. Hopefully life is still rosy and he is safe and well.
I plan to retire to the Phils in about five or seven years so am starting my research nice and early. I have travelled quite extensively around the Philippines in my younger days. I was stationed in Hong Kong in the mid 80's, this was with the Cheshire Regiment, British army. All my leave periods were spent travelling around the phils and I promised myself that I would live and retire there later in my life. I now find myself five years from retirement as a Firefighter in mid England. My circumstances mean that I may be ready to fulfil my dream in the quite near future. I have two sons aged 12 and 9 who I want to steer in the right directions before I make any move.
I plan to make a few two or three week trips over the next few years to recover my bearings. I am sure that the country is just as unstable as it has always been with no offence intended
Slowsmiles posts caught my eye. He seemes to be living his dream.
I have always liked Baggio. Although I wish to retire close to the sea I want to be in a position to escape to there when it gets to hot and bothering lower down.
I intend to emigrate using the retiree Visa which will hopefully still be available. I will purchase an open ticket from the UK for the first few years returning for a few months each year. I have to reaserch whether I can somehow continue to use our health service if needed.( lots of study to do ) About Tax, National insurance, My banking, Philippine banking, health insurance, accomodation rentals. Lots to think about.
I have a dream to be near the sea and renting a suitable secure home so that my boys can visit occasionally. I plan to visit many waterfalls and shady beaches, watch fireflies, read books and newspapers, drink beer every day in sensible moderation, mix and be part of the local community helping when possible. I plan to be safe, be streetwise and to be at peace with the world.
My dream approaches
I have tried to contact slowsmile but as yet with no joy. Hopefully life is still rosy and he is safe and well.
I plan to retire to the Phils in about five or seven years so am starting my research nice and early. I have travelled quite extensively around the Philippines in my younger days. I was stationed in Hong Kong in the mid 80's, this was with the Cheshire Regiment, British army. All my leave periods were spent travelling around the phils and I promised myself that I would live and retire there later in my life. I now find myself five years from retirement as a Firefighter in mid England. My circumstances mean that I may be ready to fulfil my dream in the quite near future. I have two sons aged 12 and 9 who I want to steer in the right directions before I make any move.
I plan to make a few two or three week trips over the next few years to recover my bearings. I am sure that the country is just as unstable as it has always been with no offence intended
Slowsmiles posts caught my eye. He seemes to be living his dream.
I have always liked Baggio. Although I wish to retire close to the sea I want to be in a position to escape to there when it gets to hot and bothering lower down.
I intend to emigrate using the retiree Visa which will hopefully still be available. I will purchase an open ticket from the UK for the first few years returning for a few months each year. I have to reaserch whether I can somehow continue to use our health service if needed.( lots of study to do ) About Tax, National insurance, My banking, Philippine banking, health insurance, accomodation rentals. Lots to think about.
I have a dream to be near the sea and renting a suitable secure home so that my boys can visit occasionally. I plan to visit many waterfalls and shady beaches, watch fireflies, read books and newspapers, drink beer every day in sensible moderation, mix and be part of the local community helping when possible. I plan to be safe, be streetwise and to be at peace with the world.
My dream approaches
May 26th 2010, 8:29 am
#64
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Location: Masbate Philippines
Posts: 1,056
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
I have a place in Masbatte .
I also am looking to retire in about 4 years time .
The house is just about done and i live about 75 metres away from the beach. nice white sandy beach !!!
enough said ha ha
My much better half is finnishing off the house this year.
I am looking for any companies dealers etc that could supply me with a solar / wind powered system for my house.
I really dont want to run a generator, unless i have too.
Just for the brown outs they had one last week and it lasted 4 days!!
Any one any ideas or tips please.
I have found a couple of companies in Manila,
but none out side of Manila itself.
I also am looking to retire in about 4 years time .
The house is just about done and i live about 75 metres away from the beach. nice white sandy beach !!!
enough said ha ha
My much better half is finnishing off the house this year.
I am looking for any companies dealers etc that could supply me with a solar / wind powered system for my house.
I really dont want to run a generator, unless i have too.
Just for the brown outs they had one last week and it lasted 4 days!!
Any one any ideas or tips please.
I have found a couple of companies in Manila,
but none out side of Manila itself.
Last edited by coffindodger; May 26th 2010 at 8:31 am. Reason: spelling.
May 26th 2010, 9:50 am
#65
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
For firefly44:
Regarding the use of NHS when you are retired overseas.
Be careful who you ask and what you say.
There is a thread on here or maybe some other site where a retiree back in the UK mentioned to someone at a BBQ that they were enjoying living overseas and rarely returned to UK.
The person they were talking to was a receptionist at a surgery who then told the surgery manager and the retiree was 'struck off' the doctors list and couldn't use the NHS.
Don't know if the retiree got reinstated but better to be safe....
I didn't have a problem during the 30 years or so I was working overseas and officially non resident but when I read this story and am now retired overseas I am very careful what I say when I visit UK doctors or consultants, just in case.
Regarding the use of NHS when you are retired overseas.
Be careful who you ask and what you say.
There is a thread on here or maybe some other site where a retiree back in the UK mentioned to someone at a BBQ that they were enjoying living overseas and rarely returned to UK.
The person they were talking to was a receptionist at a surgery who then told the surgery manager and the retiree was 'struck off' the doctors list and couldn't use the NHS.
Don't know if the retiree got reinstated but better to be safe....
I didn't have a problem during the 30 years or so I was working overseas and officially non resident but when I read this story and am now retired overseas I am very careful what I say when I visit UK doctors or consultants, just in case.
May 26th 2010, 10:59 am
#66
Just Joined
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Hello Ex Reg.
Thank you for the advice. I have no intention of being dishonest by using our health service. I have lots of time to look into that. If the rules can be deviated slightly I hopefully will find out. I will set something up in the Philippines when the time comes anyway. My health is not now an issue but one never knows.
Hello Coffindodger.
I wish you well. I have never been to Masbate. I do know that each year there is a week long Rodeo. Masbate I am sure has its share of lovely beaches. I will be visiting the Waterfalls near Palanas one day ha ha .
Thank you for the advice. I have no intention of being dishonest by using our health service. I have lots of time to look into that. If the rules can be deviated slightly I hopefully will find out. I will set something up in the Philippines when the time comes anyway. My health is not now an issue but one never knows.
Hello Coffindodger.
I wish you well. I have never been to Masbate. I do know that each year there is a week long Rodeo. Masbate I am sure has its share of lovely beaches. I will be visiting the Waterfalls near Palanas one day ha ha .
May 26th 2010, 10:55 pm
#67
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Philippines
Posts: 386
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Hi chaps,
the old adage of "sun sea and sand" is all you need is just not true and kind screen the problems that can arise after 5 years or so, specially with a new young Filipina wife/gf caring for all your needs.
Some expats go frustrated with boredom after gaining all the nice trappings and year for the British contact or a hobby. The result can be San Miguel
.
Do bear this in mind and have an activity to pursue whilst here.
Don't want to put a damper on these plans but this is reality and with the Peso system there is no going back with your retirement savings.
the old adage of "sun sea and sand" is all you need is just not true and kind screen the problems that can arise after 5 years or so, specially with a new young Filipina wife/gf caring for all your needs.
Some expats go frustrated with boredom after gaining all the nice trappings and year for the British contact or a hobby. The result can be San Miguel
. Do bear this in mind and have an activity to pursue whilst here.
Don't want to put a damper on these plans but this is reality and with the Peso system there is no going back with your retirement savings.
May 27th 2010, 2:12 am
#68
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Philippines
Posts: 386
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
I'm on my bandwagon now so here is some more general info to any newcomers with the Philippines in their sights.
Most of us Westerners marry Filipinas from an impoverished background who need financial support……nothing comes free in this world! Some of us are let off lightly others are drained of savings. The Filipinos will sacrifice all to keep a family member alive despite the age. A Brit in Cebu paid expensive Dialysis treatment for his 85year old mother-in-law until his money was all spent when of course she passed away. HE was blamed for her death!!! My friend not far away paid 15,000 pounds on lung treatment for his jobless Brother-in-law who has two jobless sons with expanding families.
Another acquaintance lives in a luxury bungalow amongst his family relatives and discovered that their financial support for the school children was being used for beer drinking. They stopped support and now they are ignored by the family. Can you imagine living your retirement like this, do we need hostile environments at our ages?
When you marry a Filipina you marry the family and are expected to help out financially.
The other girls looking for a foreigner are single parents who made a wrong decision and cannot afford to support themselves. Unlike the UK where the couple usually are close to the girls parents, here it’s the other way round and a girl will surrender all to escape her poor family circumstances and hope to live a better life.
Another important aspect of marrying a girl from a poor family is the social background. The family will not be able to converse with you because of English language difficulties, many of them have not been to school. The homes will be shanty type dwellings with lino over soil floors and bathrooms where water is used in lieu of toilet paper. Conversation with any of the family is hopeless and you are surrounded by members with what can be unpleasant social habits. It will be normal for everyone to eat the food from the table with their fingers and talk at the same time. Sorry for painting a bad picture but I’ve been there and spoken to others who have similar experiences!
Taking your wife to meet higher class people fails because these people regard your wife as their maid and will not have anything in common to speak about.
Most of us meet our wives through internet or other means miles away from here and fall for their charms not knowing the responsibilities they face…….it can be a “honey trap”
If you choose the wrong sort of girl, she can have you deported and keep any property you have purchased together since Foreigners are not allowed to own land. The exception is a condo where you can own up to 40% of the total building.
They say “love is blind” and it can be here. There are thousands of available partners to choose from but you will of course only choose the one for you. They say that the Filipina makes the best wife in the world and they are correct but you have to choose VERY CAREFULLY and check out the FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES. I would say to any foreigner looking here for a partner be it man or woman, to make no promises and stay in the Philippines for at least three years to get the feel of the place. If you meet on the internet judge their background from expressing the English language.
Make the most of internet forums for expats in the Philippines, they are a blessing and provide a wealth of information.
This is ramble, being an engineer I am better with a screwdriver than a pen so forgive my style.
Ps. eating soup base meals, noodles etc, with dessert spoons is frustrating, cannot buy soup spoons here so bring some with you.
Pps. Get yourself something to occupy your time with, the “7 year itch” could be a temptation and be a bombshell!
Most of us Westerners marry Filipinas from an impoverished background who need financial support……nothing comes free in this world! Some of us are let off lightly others are drained of savings. The Filipinos will sacrifice all to keep a family member alive despite the age. A Brit in Cebu paid expensive Dialysis treatment for his 85year old mother-in-law until his money was all spent when of course she passed away. HE was blamed for her death!!! My friend not far away paid 15,000 pounds on lung treatment for his jobless Brother-in-law who has two jobless sons with expanding families.
Another acquaintance lives in a luxury bungalow amongst his family relatives and discovered that their financial support for the school children was being used for beer drinking. They stopped support and now they are ignored by the family. Can you imagine living your retirement like this, do we need hostile environments at our ages?
When you marry a Filipina you marry the family and are expected to help out financially.
The other girls looking for a foreigner are single parents who made a wrong decision and cannot afford to support themselves. Unlike the UK where the couple usually are close to the girls parents, here it’s the other way round and a girl will surrender all to escape her poor family circumstances and hope to live a better life.
Another important aspect of marrying a girl from a poor family is the social background. The family will not be able to converse with you because of English language difficulties, many of them have not been to school. The homes will be shanty type dwellings with lino over soil floors and bathrooms where water is used in lieu of toilet paper. Conversation with any of the family is hopeless and you are surrounded by members with what can be unpleasant social habits. It will be normal for everyone to eat the food from the table with their fingers and talk at the same time. Sorry for painting a bad picture but I’ve been there and spoken to others who have similar experiences!
Taking your wife to meet higher class people fails because these people regard your wife as their maid and will not have anything in common to speak about.
Most of us meet our wives through internet or other means miles away from here and fall for their charms not knowing the responsibilities they face…….it can be a “honey trap”
If you choose the wrong sort of girl, she can have you deported and keep any property you have purchased together since Foreigners are not allowed to own land. The exception is a condo where you can own up to 40% of the total building.
They say “love is blind” and it can be here. There are thousands of available partners to choose from but you will of course only choose the one for you. They say that the Filipina makes the best wife in the world and they are correct but you have to choose VERY CAREFULLY and check out the FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES. I would say to any foreigner looking here for a partner be it man or woman, to make no promises and stay in the Philippines for at least three years to get the feel of the place. If you meet on the internet judge their background from expressing the English language.
Make the most of internet forums for expats in the Philippines, they are a blessing and provide a wealth of information.
This is ramble, being an engineer I am better with a screwdriver than a pen so forgive my style.
Ps. eating soup base meals, noodles etc, with dessert spoons is frustrating, cannot buy soup spoons here so bring some with you.
Pps. Get yourself something to occupy your time with, the “7 year itch” could be a temptation and be a bombshell!
May 27th 2010, 6:17 am
#69
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Location: Masbate Philippines
Posts: 1,056
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Sunnydays!!
How true every single word of it.
I have been comming over to the Pi now for about 5 years.
I met my much better half here in Saudi,
I go over there twice a year and she comes over here once a year.
But yes please gentlemen do your home work, even set your self up in a small business while you are there.
You dont have to make lots of money , just enough to keep your head a float and keep you ticking over.
It will pass the time and of course the boredom.
Like Sunnydays said plenty of older gentlemen are just looking for a LBFM.(Sorry to say that type of word but it is true.
How true every single word of it.
I have been comming over to the Pi now for about 5 years.
I met my much better half here in Saudi,
I go over there twice a year and she comes over here once a year.
But yes please gentlemen do your home work, even set your self up in a small business while you are there.
You dont have to make lots of money , just enough to keep your head a float and keep you ticking over.
It will pass the time and of course the boredom.
Like Sunnydays said plenty of older gentlemen are just looking for a LBFM.(Sorry to say that type of word but it is true.
May 27th 2010, 11:09 am
#70
Just Joined
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Mm Me thinks Solar power and wind turbines are a very good bet for the future. I will have to look into that and see what might be possible. I have only seen a few smaller wind turbines here in the uk.:
I am really looking forward to my study periods for a change.
Reference the pitfalls. Bahala na. I realise ones head must be firmly screwed on at all times, and those eyes at the back must be wide open.
I am really looking forward to my study periods for a change.
Reference the pitfalls. Bahala na. I realise ones head must be firmly screwed on at all times, and those eyes at the back must be wide open.
May 27th 2010, 12:25 pm
#71
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Location: Masbate Philippines
Posts: 1,056
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
I have found a company in Tiwan that can supply every thing you need for to set up a solar powered house and not expensive either.
May 28th 2010, 1:20 am
#72
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Philippines
Posts: 386
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
There is a chap living on a windy rise near the sea in our area that has wind and solar powered machines for his electric supply. He is the warden for the Brit Emb called Tom Layng. Nice old chap. maybe contact him on 09189235697
Jun 5th 2010, 11:49 pm
#73
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 403
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Well, I am settled and living in a place called San Fernando in Ilocos Sur, Luzon. It's on the west coast, about half way up. Not many people know about it, so it's never "crowded" with tourists. My requirements were very similar to yours, although I am settled now with my Filipina girlfriend.
I looked all over the Philippines before I settled. Came out four times, for a month each time. Since my girlfriend is Cebuano, I also went to Cebu to have a good look. Lovely city, beats Manila easy. But I just don't like cities. I see that someone above has recommended Mactan to you. The Mactan area will be very expensive(I looked), all the hotels there are run by Koreans or the Japanese. So it is expensive to live there. Try the Consolacion area of Cebu. It's OK and reasonably cheap.
And then I eventually ended up in San Fernando and had a good look. And it was beautiful but not boring. Quiet, but not dead quiet. I now live near a white beach at Canaoay. My rent is £135 p m for a 5 bedroomed(3 floors) house(you can get an apartment here for well under half this). Food is extremely fresh and cheap here, way cheaper than Cebu or Manila.
There are also nice hotels like the Bali Hai East(£10 per night) in Bauang, Sunset Bay(£17) on Canaoay Beach. These hotels are usually only too happy to give special lower rates for long/permanent stays. But the cheapest way to live is by renting an apartment - usually costs only about £40 to £75 per month.
There are interesting and cheap little beach hotels in Bauang and SF. There is a lazy airport here. I say lazy because there are only 3 flights a week. There is surfing in nearby San Juan, scuba diving and there is a big flash Casino(which has the best steak in the area).
If I get fed up of the hot lowlands, we hop in the car and go to the mountain city of Baguio, 2000 ft up in the mountains(only takes an hour by car or bus). Cooler there. I like options. Also has a remarkable and cheap wet market and a nice mall on the mountain.
There are plenty of European(mainly) expats here and one or two Americans. No Koreans or Japanes though.
San Fernando also has virtually no earthquakes or tsunamis, and the typhoons, which always come from the east side and have to travel over the mountains, are usually well diminished in force when they reaches us. A chap called Ortega is the Governor and he has zero tolerance to any violent crime here, so its very quiet in that respect.
I've also been to Boracay, Manila, Bohol and Baguio. Palawan is on my list to see, but I think it may be a little too quiet for me. It also gets pounded by storms in the rainy season. But a beautiful place to be sure.
I moved here for all the above reasons. It may well appeal to you as well. It's far cheaper living in the provinces or semi-provinces(where I am). But stay away from the east coast of the Philippines. There you tend to get hit by all the vicious storms from the east. And you are right on the main Asian earthquake fault line.
I've also been told that the rules for a retired residency visa have recently changed for the better. It used to be you had to have or invest £25,000 in a Philippines Bank. Now it has been reduced to only about £10,000. Not sure whether you know about this.
Some more details -- whenever I stay in Cebu(going there in two weeks), I always stay at the Century Hotel(+63322551341) in the Colon area of the city. It's daily rate is about 640 pesos(£7) a night and the rooms are spacious and you will have everything you need. And there is an ATM right outside their hotel door. Good value and convenient.
Hope you find what you want,
Good luck.
I looked all over the Philippines before I settled. Came out four times, for a month each time. Since my girlfriend is Cebuano, I also went to Cebu to have a good look. Lovely city, beats Manila easy. But I just don't like cities. I see that someone above has recommended Mactan to you. The Mactan area will be very expensive(I looked), all the hotels there are run by Koreans or the Japanese. So it is expensive to live there. Try the Consolacion area of Cebu. It's OK and reasonably cheap.
And then I eventually ended up in San Fernando and had a good look. And it was beautiful but not boring. Quiet, but not dead quiet. I now live near a white beach at Canaoay. My rent is £135 p m for a 5 bedroomed(3 floors) house(you can get an apartment here for well under half this). Food is extremely fresh and cheap here, way cheaper than Cebu or Manila.
There are also nice hotels like the Bali Hai East(£10 per night) in Bauang, Sunset Bay(£17) on Canaoay Beach. These hotels are usually only too happy to give special lower rates for long/permanent stays. But the cheapest way to live is by renting an apartment - usually costs only about £40 to £75 per month.
There are interesting and cheap little beach hotels in Bauang and SF. There is a lazy airport here. I say lazy because there are only 3 flights a week. There is surfing in nearby San Juan, scuba diving and there is a big flash Casino(which has the best steak in the area).
If I get fed up of the hot lowlands, we hop in the car and go to the mountain city of Baguio, 2000 ft up in the mountains(only takes an hour by car or bus). Cooler there. I like options. Also has a remarkable and cheap wet market and a nice mall on the mountain.
There are plenty of European(mainly) expats here and one or two Americans. No Koreans or Japanes though.
San Fernando also has virtually no earthquakes or tsunamis, and the typhoons, which always come from the east side and have to travel over the mountains, are usually well diminished in force when they reaches us. A chap called Ortega is the Governor and he has zero tolerance to any violent crime here, so its very quiet in that respect.
I've also been to Boracay, Manila, Bohol and Baguio. Palawan is on my list to see, but I think it may be a little too quiet for me. It also gets pounded by storms in the rainy season. But a beautiful place to be sure.
I moved here for all the above reasons. It may well appeal to you as well. It's far cheaper living in the provinces or semi-provinces(where I am). But stay away from the east coast of the Philippines. There you tend to get hit by all the vicious storms from the east. And you are right on the main Asian earthquake fault line.
I've also been told that the rules for a retired residency visa have recently changed for the better. It used to be you had to have or invest £25,000 in a Philippines Bank. Now it has been reduced to only about £10,000. Not sure whether you know about this.
Some more details -- whenever I stay in Cebu(going there in two weeks), I always stay at the Century Hotel(+63322551341) in the Colon area of the city. It's daily rate is about 640 pesos(£7) a night and the rooms are spacious and you will have everything you need. And there is an ATM right outside their hotel door. Good value and convenient.
Hope you find what you want,
Good luck.
Cheers Kim
Jun 16th 2010, 8:22 pm
#74
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Cebu, Philippines
Posts: 11
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
I live in Cebu have been here on and off for 3 years so far regarding "class" with women depends on your age and circumstances generally my wife doesn't like mixing with most expat's here down to too many Americans and too many with bar girls in Cebu or those that married the maid. It's not about "picking" the woman its about meeting the right person too many people assume its a must to get married yet here is someone saying about land ownership etc...truth be known there is no reason to buy property here unless your doing something in business. The market is overvalued and no doubt some recheck will happen especially on the condo market as its bought up mainly by OFW's on installments expecting to make a profit or rent. The rents are too high for the local market and most people i know buying buy the latest development so where is the sale market?
Biggest problem on retiring to the Philippines is being bored. Socially most people seem to just want to drink so finding good friends and a good location are too major hurdles. Six months would be an ideal time to settle in and decide if its for you though as i find that the first few months its all shiny and new quickly followed by renting and sorting out your house etc. finally followed with what do i do now? Same reason one of my friends is back in Scotland realised he wasn't ready to retire. Im 36 and generally doing business but even that causes down days where you just want something else to do! So be warned it may be sunshine and beaches but at some point its just not enough..
Biggest problem on retiring to the Philippines is being bored. Socially most people seem to just want to drink so finding good friends and a good location are too major hurdles. Six months would be an ideal time to settle in and decide if its for you though as i find that the first few months its all shiny and new quickly followed by renting and sorting out your house etc. finally followed with what do i do now? Same reason one of my friends is back in Scotland realised he wasn't ready to retire. Im 36 and generally doing business but even that causes down days where you just want something else to do! So be warned it may be sunshine and beaches but at some point its just not enough..
Jun 17th 2010, 8:12 am
#75
Banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,478
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
I live in Cebu have been here on and off for 3 years so far regarding "class" with women depends on your age and circumstances generally my wife doesn't like mixing with most expat's here down to too many Americans and too many with bar girls in Cebu or those that married the maid. It's not about "picking" the woman its about meeting the right person too many people assume its a must to get married yet here is someone saying about land ownership etc...truth be known there is no reason to buy property here unless your doing something in business. The market is overvalued and no doubt some recheck will happen especially on the condo market as its bought up mainly by OFW's on installments expecting to make a profit or rent. The rents are too high for the local market and most people i know buying buy the latest development so where is the sale market?
Biggest problem on retiring to the Philippines is being bored. Socially most people seem to just want to drink so finding good friends and a good location are too major hurdles. Six months would be an ideal time to settle in and decide if its for you though as i find that the first few months its all shiny and new quickly followed by renting and sorting out your house etc. finally followed with what do i do now? Same reason one of my friends is back in Scotland realised he wasn't ready to retire. Im 36 and generally doing business but even that causes down days where you just want something else to do! So be warned it may be sunshine and beaches but at some point its just not enough..
Biggest problem on retiring to the Philippines is being bored. Socially most people seem to just want to drink so finding good friends and a good location are too major hurdles. Six months would be an ideal time to settle in and decide if its for you though as i find that the first few months its all shiny and new quickly followed by renting and sorting out your house etc. finally followed with what do i do now? Same reason one of my friends is back in Scotland realised he wasn't ready to retire. Im 36 and generally doing business but even that causes down days where you just want something else to do! So be warned it may be sunshine and beaches but at some point its just not enough..
In the end it resulted in me returning to the UK and the ending of my 27 year marriage as she does enjoy her idea of retirement.
At least I am happy now!