I love Thailand also but the Philippines always felt like HOME. Yes 900 quid is more than enough to make up the difference in the cost of living between Thailand and RP( RP is more expensive for short term stays although with appreciation of Thai Baht the cost of living difference is narrowing ) For example we offer a "Beach Bum" Yearly Special discount here at our beachfront resort, Casa Camilla on Boracay Island rooms with kitchenettes and apartments from U$2100 to U$3600/ year + Utilities usage paid in advance. You can rent 2 to 4 bedroom houses in sub-divisions on the outskirts of the larger towns and cities for the same price.
Take closeup pictures of your cycle to show the Filipinos here but sell you trike and have another one made here for maybe U$3000 to U$4000 ( only my guestimate if you're wise to buying the parts engine and know what you're doing ). Forget about the longer term visas which require deposit and just budget U$500 ( 340quid ) / year to extend your tourist visa; being late also is no big deal as I'm often 2 to 4++ months late whcih costs P1000/ month late fee.
Health insurance , well, I have never had it since leaving my parent's home at 18 and raised our daughter without a family doctor. Hospital care is cheap here so we chose to keep U$10,000 ready for any type of medical emergency rather than feed the insurance company money every year. You and many others may feel differently than us about that issue. I'm about ready to get my first "executive check-up" at 55 years old for 3 days on an out-patient basis for only P19000 ( 300 quid ). So really can't advise oyou on that other than I just created a new Philippine Healthcare webpage where I have included many choices with links for you to investigate on my website at:
Health Care Philippines
Welcome Aboard Mabuhay Philippines!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kuro
Hi everyone new to this forum
I have been considering retiring for some time and at first I was set on Thailand as this is a place I have been many times. After reading about the Philippines, however, this option is sounding rather attractive and not as tied up with red tape as Thailand (how does the Philipines compaire with Thailand as a rule of thumb?). I am coming over towards the end of the year to check things out but I was just looking for a little bit of advice and guidence from the people who know to help me out.
As I understand it there are two ways to retire one officially and one unofficially on an extended visa. For retirement I have a monthly income of around £900 GBP a month and I do believe you may have to put a certain amount in the bank which I think equates to around £6,000 and be over 35
I believe, however that you can come on an extended tourist visa which will last you a year and then you only have to leave the country for a day to have it renewed. Could anyone tell me the pros and cons of both these ways of an extended stay.
Reading your threads I believe £900 per month would be a decent standard of living but if you have any further advice on how far this would go that would be great. I am looking for somewhere, to visit initially and to check out for a more perminant stay that is not too busy. If anyone is familiar with Thailand somewhere like on the out-skirts of Chang Mai but preferably near a beach. It would be good to have some night life to go to, I'm not a monk, but enough space to be just outside it and somewhere with a gym is a must.
Also what is the situation with regards to health insurance. Is it better to get cover in your own country or to get it over there. I also have a trike which is my toy is it advisable to bring that considering import duty and the like and is it advisable to be on the roads I do not want to be under a truck within the week.
Has anyone got any suggestions or good and bad experiences it would be much appriciated. Hope this is not too many questions and thanks for any help you can offer.
Kuro
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