Retiring in the Philippines

[big_fact_hunt]

Just wanted to throw in a bit of current knowledge regarding places in Lapu Lapu by Cebu.

My girlfriends just got back from 5 weeks back home in the Phils. She was looking round for somewhere where her daughter could continue her current work. She's moved into a 3 bedroomed house, with garden, furnished too, in Lapu Lapu that works out around 20000 Peso at todays exchange rate. I reckon you could get a 2 bed place for maybe 15000
It's a completely new compound with security guards and everything.

If you want further details, let me know

BFH

[jeanny_nuevo]

Hello, I'm a real estate broker here in the Philippines and I can help you look for a good place to retire to. I handle residential developments by Ayala Land and if you're not familiar of them yet, Ayala Land is the leading developer and an expert in providing good homes whether for end-use or for investment. We have suggested prime locations such as the Fort Bonifacio Global City, Makati City, or the South, whichever you prefer. Foreigners also have an option to purchase a townhouse with a condominium title at the Bay City Area, also a developing area that is near the major business districts of Metro Manila.

some of the properites I handle are listed here: www(dot)rentproperties(dot)blogspot(dot)com

[oceandakini]

hi. my name is viviana and i am also considering retiring in the phillipines. i was sitting googling away, and up came your post on the expat forum. i WAS headed to bali, but have decided to go the phillipines instead because i heard it was less expensive than bali and just as wonderful. i am just beginning my research and will be moving by april of this year. i am looking to connect with other x-pats to exchange information. I have recently sold all of my possessions and feel excited to go and live abroad (again). i do not have any answer to your question of cost of living in the phillipines (although i am about to connect with a friend who lives there through another friend of mine) and well, i simply wanted to inquire why you have chosen the phils over bali? i have been searching the globe for nearly 5 years and know why i have decided on the phillipines. save that for another email. if you think you would like to chat more about bali and the phillipines, please post a message and i'll check back in soon.

[Shouganai]

If you are looking to buy property in the Philippines the current weakness will present some good timing in the future. There is an expat property report at www(dot)foreclosured(dot)blogspot(dot)com that might help you on your way.

[roy]

Originally Posted by oceandakini

hi. my name is viviana and i am also considering retiring in the phillipines. i was sitting googling away, and up came your post on the expat forum. i WAS headed to bali, but have decided to go the phillipines instead because i heard it was less expensive than bali and just as wonderful. i am just beginning my research and will be moving by april of this year. i am looking to connect with other x-pats to exchange information. I have recently sold all of my possessions and feel excited to go and live abroad (again). i do not have any answer to your question of cost of living in the phillipines (although i am about to connect with a friend who lives there through another friend of mine) and well, i simply wanted to inquire why you have chosen the phils over bali? i have been searching the globe for nearly 5 years and know why i have decided on the phillipines. save that for another email. if you think you would like to chat more about bali and the phillipines, please post a message and i'll check back in soon.

Kudos for the choice. Perhaps you won't regret choosing the Philippines particularly Cagayan de Oro City. People here are not racists.

[roy]

Originally Posted by chris nayton

I'll be more specific. In the smaller cities outside Manilla, how easy is it to rent a 2-3 bedroom villa or unit for 6k-8k php per month which is Not on top of a Sewerage treatment plant, or in the middle of a busy highway. Sales information seems to indicate that nice units are available in this price range everywhere, but I'm not sure that they are.
In Bali, meals are readily available at $2-3 (you can spend a lot more if you wish)
Is this the same in PI or would you need to spend a lot more to avoid some serious gastro.

If one is not careful you will get the unexpected. Have you read the recent salmonella infections in the U.S. ? Indeed incidents similar to this may happen anywhere. Your choice to consider Philippines may not be a mistake depending on your lifestyle. Assimilation with people of any country is most certainly a good attitude.

[roy]

Originally Posted by Shouganai

That is fine for living in the Philippines. You can rent a basic place for $120/mth in Lipa City, or $400/mth in Manila. Beers $1 each. Eat out for $4-8. Cheaper food in the countryside if you buy from dry/wet markets. eg. I saw nice green beans for $0.50/kilogram. Watch the parasites, and I don't mean the bugs, but rather the buggers. Find a nice girl to take care of you, not bar girls. Find one you dont need to pay off.

Also if you intend to stay I recommend buying foreclosed property. See Foreclosed Property.

Yes it is cheaper to buy foreclosed properties-banks is the right place to inquire.

[Shouganai]

Originally Posted by roy

If one is not careful you will get the unexpected. Have you read the recent salmonella infections in the U.S. ? Indeed incidents similar to this may happen anywhere. Your choice to consider Philippines may not be a mistake depending on your lifestyle. Assimilation with people of any country is most certainly a good attitude.

I was eating out in the city all the time in Metro Manila at fast food places. I think it is all the oily, fried food, more than bacterial. After 6 months the diarrhoea ceased, so my intestines got used to it.
I rented a place in the countryside for P5500/mth. A lovely 2br, 2-storey townhouse. The problem was the landlord living next door was very noisy, then a 2nd cousin turned the house next door into a pig feed factory, and bought a fighting cocks besides. I guess my experience is not typical. It was nice and quite for a while...of well, the neighbours kids played stereo all the time, the kids played right outside my house (next to basketball court), there was noisy tricycles, so I would make sure you don't have these elements. Cocks crowing at 2-5AM is the worst, so I would make a point of avoiding them. The best way is finding an upmarket residential estate where they are not allowed. It needs to be explicitly stated as a rule of the estate - so you can sue them for non compliance. Otherwise you will not get action.
Paradise quickly descended into a nightmare with that escalating incident. I ended up moving out. The problem is - as I see it - different values in different cultures in conflict. There is a good chance you could be moving into a place of conflict, and of course they will recent your intrusion. Some things you can let pass, but sleepless nights? If you have a 12mth contract, it all gets a bit much.

[roy]

Originally Posted by AsiaBill

Mabuhay from Boracay! Where Life's a BEACH! We have 3 Aussies ( one from Sydney and two from Byron Bay )staying with us on a yearly basis and another Aussie with his Filipina wife who booked a week but are considering taking advantage of our yearly "Beach Bum" special discount. Learn more from our website, EXPLORE PHILIPPINES. ( not allowed to post URL at the moment but you should find it by using google.

Our rentals range from U$2000 to U$4000 / year ( paid in advance with a hand shake )so it's EASY to live a quality lifestyle on U$500 to U$800 / month. Budget U$600 / year for your visa extensions. My wife and I are 54 going on 55 so NO WORRIES MATE GO FOR IT. Ciao for now, Bill

Camiguin island (a dead volcano island), Philippines may also be considered-a quite place away from pollution. Very much cheaper than Boracay.

[Shouganai]

Originally Posted by roy

Yes it is cheaper to buy foreclosed properties-banks is the right place to inquire.

Well I never got a bargain. You need to get a Filipino to negotiate for you. As soon as a foreigner talks of buying a property, and they know where you live, they are shooting their mouths off saying they have a foreign buyer. Trying to get a mark up.
No different dealing with the bank managers, so you need to get in to get the details, then get a Filipino to negotiate. So you need a fairly intelligent, educated GF to do that otherwise you will die of frustration before you die of dengue fever.
My GF was able to buy a residential lot in a gated estate foreclosed for P2700/m2, when the market price was P4500-5000/m2.