Retiring to the Philippines
Jun 18th 2010, 1:34 am
#76
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Philippines
Posts: 386
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
If you like kids or enjoy activities with them then this is where you can help out with the community and at the same time make you retirement interesting.
Whilst waiting for our home to be built we visited a local what they call tutorial group in Taal. The group consisted of 6 teachers and had young children from about 4 to 12.
We provided dart boards, scrabble, monopoly, chess, but most of all, our time.
We encouraged the youngsters to stand and read out loud, played out several scenarios and generally had a good time. I was Sir Peter and Mila”Ate” Mila.
One day I got them tying ropes and another was a singing time ie “London’s Burning” and the Farm yard song. I also did “Swing low Sweet Charriot” with the actions suitably modified of course!
The time was well spent and I endeavored to improve my blackboard writing.
The children were always excited to play Maths or quessing games on the blackboard and of course they learnt all the time.
Christmas party time we were judges over some of the games and helped the staff to organize the events.
If you miss your grandkids then this activity will be for you. Try doing a chess game with youngsters all over you. ……. And then getting beat!!!!
Whilst waiting for our home to be built we visited a local what they call tutorial group in Taal. The group consisted of 6 teachers and had young children from about 4 to 12.
We provided dart boards, scrabble, monopoly, chess, but most of all, our time.
We encouraged the youngsters to stand and read out loud, played out several scenarios and generally had a good time. I was Sir Peter and Mila”Ate” Mila.
One day I got them tying ropes and another was a singing time ie “London’s Burning” and the Farm yard song. I also did “Swing low Sweet Charriot” with the actions suitably modified of course!
The time was well spent and I endeavored to improve my blackboard writing.
The children were always excited to play Maths or quessing games on the blackboard and of course they learnt all the time.
Christmas party time we were judges over some of the games and helped the staff to organize the events.
If you miss your grandkids then this activity will be for you. Try doing a chess game with youngsters all over you. ……. And then getting beat!!!!
Jul 3rd 2010, 2:31 am
#77
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
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.
Here's the company website: http://www.sophilcor.com/
Jul 3rd 2010, 12:24 pm
#78
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Location: Masbate Philippines
Posts: 1,056
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Thanks for the info,
The prices quoted are they in Pi Peso or in USA Dollars ????.
For the Home System.
The prices quoted are they in Pi Peso or in USA Dollars ????.
For the Home System.
Jul 4th 2010, 5:51 am
#80
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Location: Masbate Philippines
Posts: 1,056
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Thankks for that info.
I will email them later this week.
I will email them later this week.
Jul 23rd 2010, 3:28 am
#81
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
I live in Naga City Camarines Sur In a sub division. I get by on a British state pension plus a private pension plus a monthly balikbayan box containing goodies from home sent by my filipina wife who lives and works in the UK. I can get to the sea in less than one hour. There is a small expat community including a warden from the British Embassy. We meet once a week in a local bar. Its a good life. Of coarse we have a moan about the Philippines being a Banana Republic but at the end of the day no one wants to leave. You are welcome to stay at my house for a few days to suss the area out. 3 bedrooms.
3 bathrooms and only me and a maid living there.
Good Luck.
Steve
3 bathrooms and only me and a maid living there.
Good Luck.
Steve
Jul 23rd 2010, 7:12 am
#82
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Sound nice turko-steve.
Rapidly, I am coming up to retirement myself. My son is grown up and my wife of many years and I decided to call it quits so I think it high time for a total change of tapestry. For some years I considered Thailand but the political situation there is such that I no longer feel it a viable option, at the very least not for the time being.
So, maybe I should check-out Ph and some of the places mentioned. I still have property in the UK would would see the proceeds more like an income bond then buying in a far flung land.
Maybe also time to make new aquaintances and friends as it will make the transition easier and I dont want to reinvent the wheel so to speak. Learn from others and avoid pitfalls as there will be plenty of opportunities to make other mistakes. Turko-Steve, I would love to hearing from you.
greetings to all
hgl
Rapidly, I am coming up to retirement myself. My son is grown up and my wife of many years and I decided to call it quits so I think it high time for a total change of tapestry. For some years I considered Thailand but the political situation there is such that I no longer feel it a viable option, at the very least not for the time being.
So, maybe I should check-out Ph and some of the places mentioned. I still have property in the UK would would see the proceeds more like an income bond then buying in a far flung land.
Maybe also time to make new aquaintances and friends as it will make the transition easier and I dont want to reinvent the wheel so to speak. Learn from others and avoid pitfalls as there will be plenty of opportunities to make other mistakes. Turko-Steve, I would love to hearing from you.
greetings to all
hgl
Jul 24th 2010, 2:10 am
#83
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
good Day hgi.
Its best that you hang on to your property in the UK. Buying a house or Beach Resort in the philippines is usually a bad investment Foreigners are not allowed to own houses. Only apartments. My house is in my filipina wifes name. Its usually best to rent than to buy. You can get a Philippine retirement visa with a refundable deposit of 10.000.00 GBP. This allows you to go and please in and out of the country as many times as you please without any hassle. Never ever think of buying a business as these projects usually end in tears. Just remember that the Philippines is just a poor ramshackle corruption ravaged country. The best thing to do if you decide to come is to make contact with the local expat community as soon as you arrive for some good info.
Best of Luck.
Steve
Its best that you hang on to your property in the UK. Buying a house or Beach Resort in the philippines is usually a bad investment Foreigners are not allowed to own houses. Only apartments. My house is in my filipina wifes name. Its usually best to rent than to buy. You can get a Philippine retirement visa with a refundable deposit of 10.000.00 GBP. This allows you to go and please in and out of the country as many times as you please without any hassle. Never ever think of buying a business as these projects usually end in tears. Just remember that the Philippines is just a poor ramshackle corruption ravaged country. The best thing to do if you decide to come is to make contact with the local expat community as soon as you arrive for some good info.
Best of Luck.
Steve
Jul 24th 2010, 5:39 am
#84
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Location: Masbate Philippines
Posts: 1,056
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Steve.
Thanks for your postings.
Ilive not far from you in Masbate.
I normally travel there a couple of times a year.
Living on the is land has its advantages peace quite,
but also any thing thing major i need then its either Legazpi or Bulan on the boat.
I am working in Saudi but my little rugrat is on the island just finnishing the house.
I will be back in less than 6 weeks time. ishhhhhh
Thanks for your postings.
Ilive not far from you in Masbate.
I normally travel there a couple of times a year.
Living on the is land has its advantages peace quite,
but also any thing thing major i need then its either Legazpi or Bulan on the boat.
I am working in Saudi but my little rugrat is on the island just finnishing the house.
I will be back in less than 6 weeks time. ishhhhhh
Jul 24th 2010, 12:18 pm
#85
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Thanks coffindodger.
You live not a million miles from Naga. I have never been to Masbate. I have been to Legaspi a few times and have even been to their expats meetings. They are dry affairs and they bring their wifes along.In contrast to us naga expats who come alone and drink. Dave their warden is OK he is a retired ships engineer. If you ever want to visit Naga just email me. I can put up up for a few days and show you around.
Best wishes.
Steve.
You live not a million miles from Naga. I have never been to Masbate. I have been to Legaspi a few times and have even been to their expats meetings. They are dry affairs and they bring their wifes along.In contrast to us naga expats who come alone and drink. Dave their warden is OK he is a retired ships engineer. If you ever want to visit Naga just email me. I can put up up for a few days and show you around.
Best wishes.
Steve.
Jul 25th 2010, 6:51 am
#86
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Location: Masbate Philippines
Posts: 1,056
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
Cheers for the invite.
Maybe one day !! will have to drag along her in doors as well.
I like Legazpi its ok the new Marina it looks good.
The old light house is a vast transformation.
Some nice places to shop as well.
All very peacefull and a simple life.
Maybe one day !! will have to drag along her in doors as well.
I like Legazpi its ok the new Marina it looks good.
The old light house is a vast transformation.
Some nice places to shop as well.
All very peacefull and a simple life.
Aug 27th 2010, 8:25 pm
#87
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Zone 2, Cabaroan, San Fernando 2500, La Union, Philippines
Posts: 4
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.
I too live in San Fernando, La Union and endorse all that "slowsmile" has said.
Anyone passing through would be very welcome to look me up.
Sep 14th 2010, 10:27 am
#88
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
I've lived in Angeles City, still go there on visa runs every once in a while.
Sep 15th 2010, 1:35 am
#89
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Island and Province of Cebu-Philippines
Posts: 562
Re: Retiring to the Philippines
As John Hayns days:
Yes the Century Hotel, and it's neighbour Mercedes with more facilities at slightly more cost, are both good places to stay. They are on Pelaez street just off Colon.
The current exchange rate is P67.75 for £1.
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.
The current exchange rate is P67.75 for £1.
