New to forum and want to settle in Philippines

[DannyRDG]

First of all I better introduce myself. Very rude not too! My name is Danny and I hail from Gods Country......England! I'm 44 years old and have a Filipina girlfriend who is currently holding a Canadian passport and residing in Canada. It is both our intentions that once we are both divorced from our current partners that we will marry (I have known her for 24 years). We have recently returned from a 4 month holiday in the Philippines where I met her family for the first time. I was blown away by their hospitality and friendliness. I have also fallen in love with the country and want to move over there soon and retire. I served for 23 years in the British Army and currently have a pension of approximately P50,000 per month, between us both we will have some savings of about C$100,000. We already have a place to live in Angeles City. As I will be retiring, and don't want to spend every day of the rest of my life sitting under the mango tree playing tong its, is there anywhere for me to do voluntary work? Maybe helping kids at school with learning English? Or anything really, just don't want to end up going stir crazy and end up with alzheimers at the age of 45!

I have read this forum for quite a few weeks now picking up tips and handy hints, great for information. One last question, do you know of any ex British Military clubs around the Angeles area? Seen plenty of US ones, but then again, that's understandable seeing as you were stationed there!

Thanks again!

[seram]

Hi Danny. Sounds like you have everything under control with an impending retirement.

Mate, is it really necessary to retire in Angeles? Angeles is full of con men scammers and vices that will put pressure on a relationship.

Above all it is very expensive. On some items it is dearer then Manila.

Friends of mine living in Angeles need around 65,000 - 75,000 peso a month to survive comfortably. (depending on what you consider comfortable.)

In Angeles there is an Australian RSL so I would say the British would have something similar. A Google check might help.

In Angeles you wont have to worry about becoming stir crazy bored because there are many things to do. Pool comps. Darts, Golf, Hash, Trail Bikes, Bar Hopping, Bingo and the list goes on..

Good Luck in Angeles. Dont burn your bridges or risk your relationship......cheers

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by seram

Hi Danny. Sounds like you have everything under control with an impending retirement.

Mate, is it really necessary to retire in Angeles? Angeles is full of con men scammers and vices that will put pressure on a relationship.

Above all it is very expensive. On some items it is dearer then Manila.

Friends of mine living in Angeles need around 65,000 - 75,000 peso a month to survive comfortably. (depending on what you consider comfortable.)

In Angeles there is an Australian RSL so I would say the British would have something similar. A Google check might help.

In Angeles you wont have to worry about becoming stir crazy bored because there are many things to do. Pool comps. Darts, Golf, Hash, Trail Bikes, Bar Hopping, Bingo and the list goes on..

Good Luck in Angeles. Dont burn your bridges or risk your relationship......cheers

Agree 100% with the dangers and cautions of Angeles City. We live 30 minutes from there and it is or can be a VERY risky place to live--especially with a wife or long term girlfriend.

P65,000 per month? I don't know if we could spend that much in a month! Hmmm-maybe Viol could manage it spending on shoes etc-Hahaha!!!
Actually, my wife budgets the money every month and is excellent at doing it. Our total monthly budget is about P8,000 and can't remember a month we went over that other than in January when I spent two or three days in the hospital.

Gene

[seram]

wow Gene..You are a Kuriput, lol.

An apartment to rent will be around 7,000peso a month. Cable TV, Internet, Electric with air-con and water would add another 3000 peso a month.

I guess it depends on how you live. I drink 2 cases of a beer a week which is 1,200 peso. I would blow your budget Gene.....haha... Sorry Danny for hijacking your thread...cheers

[Gene and Viol]

Hehehe---it's Viol that budgets the $$$ not me. I could never do that well at cash management. Spending little is not hard in our location especially that we don't have housing costs. It's paid off. Only extra we usually spend is for the kids, going to the mall for fun, and travel at times. Went to Taal Volcano last weekend and hated to come home...

[DannyRDG]

Thanks for the reply guys. I know I don't have to settle in Angeles but all her brothers and family live there and I enjoy both her brothers company. Many a Monday night we head out to play pool and have a few beers. The "girlie" bars really don't interest me, never have. That's why I only drink and play pool in Margaritas, lol. She also has family in Leyte, Bataan, and out in the province near Concepcion. They don't really appeal to me though. She also owns property in Angeles so it's not as though we need to find somewhere to rent or buy. I understand the talk of living further away from family but she is totally "westernised" and doesn't take any s@*t from relatives that visit hoping for pasalubong (spelling). Her immediate family (brothers) are absolutely fantastic to get on with and both work very hard. Her parents are both living in Canada and are also retiring home in the near future with a pension. So it's not as though my pension will have to feed all and sundry.

[Phil_expat]

I live in Angeles which has advantages and disadvantages. There are several malls two of them are very large and modern so many nice items available. If an item is available in a hole in the wall place it is cheaper! There are also a lot of western style restaurants. The cost of housing really depends on your personal taste and needs. Currently I am looking for a new apartment/home to rent (I expected to pay in the high 20,000 pesos). The lowliest price I found for my taste is 16,000 pesos I do admit everyone does say I am picky! I am a family man, so I would like to live farther away from the clubs.
I enjoy going to the province, love the warmth of Philippine family. I have not experience begging and very little scammers there. It is a wonderful retreat from the games in Angeles. The provinces are too primitive with no medical care to move there, just visit.
An item you have not mention is medical care. I will not go into detail but this is an important item. Angeles does have a good hospital, Angels University, but the best are in Manila. I would NEVER live in Manila but Angels is near enough for emergencies. For emergencies you need cash (savings) or good insurance. Medical cost is extremely low in the Philippines.
Living very near your wife family is not a good idea. Read the post of others. Most suggest at least 2 hours travel time.

[wingnut22]

Hi Gene and Viol,
You have given me very good information in the past. Thank you. I just read that you live 30 minutes from Angeles. I'm still looking for a place to settle down. What you described sounds very good to me. Is there room for another expat where you live. I'm still not interested in living in Angeles city.

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by wingnut22

Hi Gene and Viol,
You have given me very good information in the past. Thank you. I just read that you live 30 minutes from Angeles. I'm still looking for a place to settle down. What you described sounds very good to me. Is there room for another expat where you live. I'm still not interested in living in Angeles city.

Good Morning,

I don't blame you for not wanting to live in Angeles. Too many people and mostly can be a danger of set-ups involving the ladies etc.

There is room here and in the many other resettlement towns in the area. Rent runs at or under $30.00 (thirty) US dollars per month. Utilities you would need to make arraignments for. These are or would be EXTREMELY basic housing units. Bare inside and only a corrugated steel roof above your head. Very, very hot unless you invest in having a wood (with insulation) ceiling installed along with air conditioning. Air conditioners can be bought at any of the local malls and workers to install a ceiling are everywhere.

Downside is that these places as I said are resettlements. Filled to overflowing with the poorest of the poor. Noise from children, dogs, chickens, immature adults, and late night street parties are common place.

Upside is that overall cost of living is very low including at the public market for meats etc. People are very friendly and helpful, and despite the rough look of these towns, life is much, much safer than in Angeles/Balibago or Manila etc.

Will try to add a few photos of resettlement houses below. These are not my photos but are just taken from the internet.
Also adding one photo of us taken last weekend close to the Taal Lake Volcano way South of Manila...


Gene

[wingnut22]

Gene,
Thanks for the quick reply. When I get to RP I will send you an email so that you can give me directions to those areas. I will want to see the area for myself. I am looking for a laid back lifestyle but i'm not sure that I could live in the heat and humidity without ac. Although for a primitive area, your internet seems to be pretty good.

Thanks again,
Ron