Retiring in the Philippines

[roy]

Originally Posted by Shouganai

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.

Indeed your experienced is unfortunate. It is typical to a big city where crowding is a way of life. I suggest you move to the rurals (Cagayan de Oro City perhaps?) where sleeping problems maybe minimized? Cheers.

[Shouganai]

Originally Posted by roy

Indeed your experienced is unfortunate. It is typical to a big city where crowding is a way of life. I suggest you move to the rurals (Cagayan de Oro City perhaps?) where sleeping problems maybe minimized? Cheers.

Sorry confusing you there. I lived in both Manila and Lipa City, Batangas. Lipa is around 300,000 people I guess. Smaller than Cagayan de Oro. I think it was just bad luck, but its the culture. They are poor, so they have relatives abroad trying to help them to create jobs. All they have is a few houses, so they empty out a residential house and use it as a business. Its not something I could have picked. Now though its clear - rent only in an estate with noise restrictions. A high-end estate a few kilometres away (where we bought the lot) does restrict cocks if you ask them to. Having said that, there are cocks in the estate, so if we ask, maybe we get bottles through the window if we have the cocks removed. Don't plan to live there. The rent for such a 'high end' estate was P11,000/mth for a basic (damp).

I think its hard to find a secure home away from people. Basically if you do that anyway, you are less secure. Basically you'd need to build a prison wall around you. We planted some trees on a vacant lot. They were stolen. You need to build the prison wall first. To keep them out. When you start considering those costs, the Philippines is not so cheap. I just bought a house in NZ for $NZ78,000 (US43,000). Cost of living is similar to living in a Philippines city for me, just I live differently. In the Phils I eat out always, in NZ I steam veges and don't drink. Far more healthy. My biggest problem is poor service (like Phils) and govt depts who want me to pay a $200 building permit to install a shower, and they want special child-proof glass besides. That makes me want to emigrate AGAIN! Oh, and did I mention the speeding ticket in Australia. Where does one go? Cagayan? It has occurred to me. Davao too.

[roy]

yes, consider cagayan de oro or davao. in cagayan i can be your guide- of course for free just to help. cheers.

[roy]

Hi Chris, it's roy again. Kindly google "How Can You Retire in the Philippines Like a King on US$1,000 per month?" for further info.

[lambstew]

$1000 goes a long way. Average income of many Filipinos is US$400 a month. I'd recommend staying in provinces. Just make sure you have good internet connection so you can at least do business online.

You'd need about $10 USD per day, that's already pretty grand.

[nomad4ever]

1000 USD should go a long way, if you are single and have low demands. Even on Boracay, although that would be too small for me. After 2 weeks I was bored there. Bali looks more interesting in the long run. But I haven't decided yet, where to stay longer, after a while, any place can ask for change.

Check my site for more details, if you are interested. ;-)

[daanlungsod]

Living among the common folk means piggeries, fighting cocks and noisy fiesta discos, other neighborhoods are not that expensive. We've been here 7 years w/3 kids in a college town with reasonable convenience and amenities ,snip>

[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

[Shouganai]

Hi Kuro, several answers for you,

Originally Posted by kuro

Hi everyone new to this forum
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.

I would not recommend getting a special tourist visa since you have to invest money in the Philippines govt for no value. You can extend a visa for up to 18 months. Can't think of another country so generous; but inconvenient if you are a long way from civilisation. If you are looking for love, upon marriage you can stay in the Philippines without paying periodic visa extension fee.

Originally Posted by kuro

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'm not a monk, but enough space to be just outside it and somewhere with a gym is a must.

You can rent a place for P6000-10000, or easily get a mortgage to buy a place, which likely makes sense for you. Refer to Japan Foreclosed Properties, Philippine Real Estate, New Zealand Property, Real Estate Inv. Food cost depends on how you live. Same as the West if you live like in the West, and buy from shopping malls. Live in Laguna or Benguet and quality food goes cheap. Based on your feedback I'd recommend going on a bus-plane trip to Davao City, Cebu Island, Nasugbu & Tagaytay (Batangas), Subic and Vigan City (Ilocos Sur?), as these places are likely to cater to your needs.
Understand that Filipino food is not for everyone. The Western style too is a burden because its a sterile franchise culture...20 different ways to cook chicken the same way. Of course this is not a problem if you stay in up-market locations, but things are getting better. Another 5 years and I think you will see changes. Best to start in Davao, Cebu or Subic, with plans to move to more accommodating places if need be.

Originally Posted by kuro

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.

Filipinos love their toys. Try looking on Sulit.com.ph. The best hospitals offer good care, and I'd get insurance here, though I've never believed in the concept for myself.

Originally Posted by kuro

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.

There is a culture in the Philippines which says that you are either a perpetrator or a victim. Herein lies the problem, some see your role as the victim. Non-perpetrators even joke about it. So beware! Its easy to avoid though. You see it coming. Otherwise very friendly people. Beware of middlemen!

[AsiaBill]

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!

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