Visa options are limited, just start with the tourist visa, renewable up to 3 years, leave the country for a short trip then return and start again. Most big islands have areas of higher elevation, move around until you find your ideal spot, schooling could tie you down.

 

An important question is how far from relatives you want to settle
Same island? Perhaps you like north part of Bukidnon?
Other island? I recomend Palawan, because no eartquakes. Part away from tourists and not downstreams mines. Cheap land.

If/when you marry you get better Visa options. One is Balinkbayan, which isnt a Visa but can make Visa not needed by make yearly trips out of country together with wife, no other cost than the trip..

 

Make sure you know the laws about the gfs children and how and whether you can be in their company alone as you arent married to the gf.
Lots information about this online.
Yes welcome to the mad crazy world of the Philppines.

 

As a person living on Mindanao, I don't see why you would leave. The island is big enough to offer all the options and be far enough from the GF family to make it reasonable.
The town of Malaybalay is a nice mountain town. I like being by the ocean myself. The CDO area is nice and offers small communities and large cities.
The prices of land is still affordable too.

 

While that stuff happens in all countries I have been lucky and not been around any kids in that situation in the Philippines.
Mostly I am told about girls making money by offering services to locals. My circle of friends is small and the parents are very good with raising their kids.
I would be concerned about being alone with young girls since I witnessed some stuff in the US with young girls accusing relatives if touching them. Which is not taking away from the cases where girls are abused. My step daughter was abused in the US at a party.
I tend to avoid any situations here in Philippines that would have me alone with any female period. Just no reason to have female friends in the Philippines. GFs and wives can really get jealous quickly if you start chatting a woman.

 

Yes as graham said.
. .

While that stuff happens in all countries I have been lucky and not been around any kids in that situation in the Philippines

It seem to happen more often in Phils.

And the difference with that law¨, can be jail WITHOUT doing anything, not even thinking it can be illegal to be alone with a kid if not knowing of this odd law.

 

We should assume that as adults we know by now good from wrong and so why should we waste time warning anyone who acts up, let them find out and get kicked out for good on their own, but hey... if an older gentleman wants to retire and enjoy a tropical carefree clean life, and then it's totally possible scenario. If curious and anyone contemplating coming to the Philippines has a question about the changes, all you have to do is review the daily postings (deportations) on the Official Philippine Bureau of Immigration Facebook page and see the changes that were implemented "Interpol" access, late last year to foreigners misbehaving or somehow stuck in a 1970s time warp it's now 2024, you ain't getting away with it anymore if you have moral turpitude convictions in your home country or reported within the Philippines so zero tolerance, that's my warning and Topic still remains:

Moving soon to the Philippines

 

soon to retire and raise my daughter

Your g/f being the mother of your daughter ?

If you want to be in a totally comfortable (and legal) situation here, then I'd suggest you marry your g/f, then apply for a 13A visa, which will give you rights to permanent residency...and prevent any concerns about co-habiting with children unrelated to yourself. (They will become stepchildren, and perfectly legal to be in your company).

(Been there, done that).

 

Belgian found with 4 minors, nabbed

A BELGIAN national who is based in Switzerland was arrested inside the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) yesterday morning after authorities found him allegedly wi

www.sunstar.com.ph

https://plnmedia.com/koen-charge-dismissed-cebu-judge/

They ran to charge him sooo quickly without even checking his story. Some cops after a good headline , without respect to the fellows story.

 

Sound odd found "ALONE" when being together with two ABOVE minor AND 4 minor at BUS TERMINAL??!!

((But together with the Vatikan, Belgium is the worst centre in Europe concerning organiced by power supported pedophila, but this guy live in Switzerland, which reduce probablity his nationality make him guilty.))

If I would start coaching a youth sport team in Phils too, I would be "alone" with a GROUP often... 🤣
(But I would be careful to never be alone with one minor.)
((I am a national famous youth sport team leader in Sweden. Or at least I were before I had to quit when I got to injuried to move around.))

 

I have long since given up on trying to make sense of the Filipino psyche, their (mostly unenforced) laws, and their culture.
Rather, I drift along happy, and for the most part relaxed, in this parallel universe of theirs.

 

I have long since given up on trying to make sense of the Filipino psyche, their (mostly unenforced) laws, and their culture.

Well.
/Crazy very UNFAIR laws origin from SPAINISH COLONISATION, when they protected themselves and some rich priviligated Filipinos, who supported the Spainards against the big masses. I dont know if any of these have been taken away, but I know some very unfair are valid still. Even at murders.
(This part I havent red the laws myself, just heared so I am not sure if its a law or corrupt police habits demanding a complain fee to even start investigate.)
But rich guilty even murderers can BUY THEMSELVES FREE - WITHOUT corruption - by paying off poor relatives in exchange for take back the sue. And often poor cant even afford to file a case...

(E g I know of a murder WITH CLEAR PROOF where rich Filipinos only got the punnishment the few months they had been in custody until verdict!
More related to what I wrote is sued scammers bought themselves free buy pay them, who had sued them.)


/Not sure if it became any worse during AMERICAN COLONY period but a law Filipino said the mess concerning REAL ESTATE classifications partly depend of USA implemented ADDING parts of the American system, now mixed with what was before and messed up even more by types added later by Phil governments. Its a so big mess so its a "science" which not even some (none ? ) licenced real estates agents know all. ((I know most but not all.))


/So SOME of the crazyness are from when NOT colonies.
An other example than the added mess concerning real estate is
the law about "Lose Face". It can sometimes be a worse crime to tell the TRUTH about an OTHER crime, so the GUILTY "Lose face"!!!
(E g one got sued because of told a man beated wife and kids repeetingly. In THAT case the verdict was "leave each other alone" and none got punnished so the telling were found EQUAL serious as the beating! That made the "Lose face" man so angry so he hit the other ON PURPOUSE with motorbike!!! (Luckily nothing broken, bruses and a middle level concusion so around a week before could start moving around more normal.) And the beater go on being threating. (That hit case is waiting to be brought up at higher level than baranggay "court". )


/On top of that rich can ruin opponents and block using a property until ALL court levels have decided, which can take over 10 years. BUT similar can be done in our home countries too.
((I got so annoyed at a rather Filipino-American owner selling property, because they wanted to add unacceptable demand AFTER we had agreed and we had paid downpayment allready! So I thought of file such case to make they cant sell and then withdraw it after some years before it start become expensive. But I skiped doing it because I am not there so it would be my business partner, who would be in danger target.
They sold to other for same price as we had deal!
That buyer is friend of brother of my business partner and showed the brother.
-Look what I have bought!
-But thats same as my brother had deal to buy but seller broke!
-...Oh.
It ended up with we bought it for around 200k PESOS more WITHOUT the demand I refused to accept so the friend got some for his inconvinience and to pay his transfer fees.
Btw we HAVENT got the downpayment back from origin seller, who live in USA and their contact person has went into hiding (Not much. It was a to small amount to get enemies for to my business partner. But very annoying action total, so perhaps if I would be there I would take the fight just of princip. BUT such can be very dangerous in Phils "Lose face" culture...))

 

I would post something but the OP is probably not coming back.

 

From the original report (ages ago) I seem to remember that other family members were using alternative forms of transport (motorbikes ?) to get to the same destination as the foreigner and some of the kids.
Anyway, whatever, it has served as a warning to ALL foreigners here, that we need to be on our guard, and to be aware of such laws.

 

I will say I get a lot of stares and questions when I am out with my 2 year old son alone. So far nothing too concerning but if I were to go anyplace far away I would take all his documentation.
I am old and white, he is young and very brown.
Better to be prepared than not.

 

I will say I get a lot of stares and questions when I am out with my 2 year old son alone. So far nothing too concerning but if I were to go anyplace far away I would take all his documentation.
I am old and white, he is young and very brown.
Better to be prepared than not.

You'll be okay Amcan, the look is where's your escort or wife. Many here are used to seeing us with escorts but I'm noticing many other Expats out and about on their own and GOOD 👍 heck they think we can't even wipe our behinds without assistance but let's show them we've already lived a very successful life and now retirement pension.

I went everywhere with my two year old grandson (my old car) and people are just curious, they thought he was my son but I explained that I'm grandpa "Lolo", I've had many conversations while with him.

 

haven’t figured out what the best location is yet

It's like asking what's the best location in the US. Generally you want to balance convenience and comfort, in the Philippines that means the surroundings of Manila or Cebu.

 

I was out in the local market with my 8 year-old son last week.

He told me that the man at the street food stall had asked if I was his lolo.

Blimey, I'm only 72 !

 

Often when you think they are being just friendly they really checking you out.

 

They have no respect for us old guys.
They think my son is very good looking and ask if he is mine. A way of them to say I am way to ugly for a good looking kid.
Then they always think my niece is the mother, poor girl being associated with me as father. Then they see my wife , who is 50, and then they don't know what to think.
So far we have had no issues flying in country. I pity any offical that questions things with my wife in ear shot.
Except for the diapers having a kid is nothing but fun when retired.

As to the best location, I would assume each of us has a different place. I don't think you can really go wrong picking a place to live. All the talk about earthquakes, weather, volcanos is just that. There is no safe place or rather any place has its issues. I happen to live my corner of Mindanao. I have been to Manila and Cebu areas and it was not for me. I like a more quiet life and don't mind a 40 to 70 minute drive to the big city.
I would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a little fish in a big pond.

 

They have no respect for us old guys.
They think my son is very good looking and ask if he is mine. A way of them to say I am way to ugly for a good looking kid.
Then they always think my niece is the mother, poor girl being associated with me as father. Then they see my wife , who is 50, and then they don't know what to think.
So far we have had no issues flying in country. I pity any offical that questions things with my wife in ear shot.
Except for the diapers having a kid is nothing but fun when retired.

As to the best location, I would assume each of us has a different place. I don't think you can really go wrong picking a place to live. All the talk about earthquakes, weather, volcanos is just that. There is no safe place or rather any place has its issues. I happen to live my corner of Mindanao. I have been to Manila and Cebu areas and it was not for me. I like a more quiet life and don't mind a 40 to 70 minute drive to the big city.
I would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a little fish in a big pond.

Being any sort of fish would be useful in Mindanao at the moment. 🤣

 

They have no respect for us old guys.

Well. Dont they have more respect for old than its in our home countries?

I would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a little fish in a big pond.

I prefer to have my own pond

 

If you are a veteran of the US military, you can get an SRRV (I forget the age limit for that visa) for a DEPOSIT of $1500 which can be used to buy a condo (townhouses are titled as condos FYI). Here's the info I forgot: If you are over 50 years old, have a pension or similar benefit of over $1,000 USD, served honorably in the military, have a DD Form-214 or retired military ID card, you may be eligible for this program. New Courtesy SRRV For Veterans

For a cool, mountainous area, Medina is not far from the area around Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, where it may very well be the coolest place in the country. Many people think that Baguio or Tagaytay are the coolest places, but I can assure you from personal experience that Malaybalay area is much cooler than Tagaytay & I am soon leaving Tagaytay & going back to Bukidnon. Baguio, I read, is a living traffic jam & essentially overcrowded, and no place I even feel a need/desire to investigate in person.

 

I have been to Manila and Cebu areas and it was not for me. I like a more quiet life and don't mind a 40 to 70 minute drive to the big city.

Nothing is more quiet than a subdivision in the city, they even have rules about being quiet. 🙂 And no need to drive anywhere.

I prefer to have my own pond

Foreigners can't own ponds in the Philippines. 🙂 Or anything else, basically.

 

Nothing is more quiet than a subdivision in the city, they even have rules about being quiet. 🙂 And no need to drive anywhere.



Foreigners can't own ponds in the Philippines. 🙂 Or anything else, basically.

If a guy trusts his wife/partner, then he can buy land in her name & have his own pond if he wants. I can think of very few things that would make living in a subdivision even palatable. The ONLY thing would be the noise ordinances, which even in most subdivisions, are mostly ignored anyway. The only 1 I know of (in 20 years here) that is serious about their noise ordinance is Verona Estates in Silang on the Tagaytay~ Santa Rosa Road.

 

Baguio is quite pleasant for a family day out. Lots for kids (and adult kids) to do in the parks, and some huge vegetable and other produce markets.

I only live 30-40 miles south of it , so not too far to go....on the bus, and no traffic/parking worries. Most of the interesting stuff can be walked to.

 

Nothing is more quiet than a subdivision in the city, they even have rules about being quiet. 🙂 And no need to drive anywhere.

What?! Are you Shadowman, who has changed name?
He claimed untrue things about subdivision superiority

E g an American got murdered by four rich bratt Filipinos, when he had got annoyed at e g them made noice at nights by driving inside the subdivision inspite of they didnt live there...

Foreigners can't own ponds in the Philippines. 🙂 Or anything else, basically.

I ment it as symbolic
="My" small place in the world, trying to improve that small part, with a few people included.

I have told many times foreigners CAN own part of real estates.
Similar as for condo unions including what owned together in such,
foreigners CAN own max 40% of any* land through a company.
((Earlier we thought of buying a very interesting land along highway with business similar to one I bought. That lot have two natural ponds feed by natural spring, but seller hadnt documents in order and internal disagreement inside owner family, so we skiped it and bought other. Officials had messed up additional by part of SAME lot is A&D**, part is not!!! 🤣

*Titled land. There are land too where the owning is just "for ever" user right with government as owner with NO lease fee but can have property tax, although many dont have even that.

**A&D mean the parlament have approved lots there can be transformed to titled for a small fee IF a few demands are fullfiled. although if not fullfiled allready it can take many years to do so, even as much as 10 years.

 

I ment it as symbolic

I ment is a literal fact: Nothing is more quiet than a subdivision in the city, they even have rules about being quiet. 🙂

You're correct that few people know this, which is why you seem to lump together those of us who do. 🙂

And the reason few people know this, like you for example, or the poster I was replying to, is because you have much experience in Philippines noisy and crowded cities, but zero experience inside city subdivisions. You aren't even allowed to enter a subdivision, and why would you? That's not why people visit the city anyway.

So when those of us with actual experience hear someone say the city life isn't for them because they want "a quiet life", we laugh a little, knowing they just don't have experience with exclusive gated communities whose entire purpose for existing is "the quiet life". 🙂

 

Interesting as we seemed to have shifted from the OP to a debate on where one should live based on experience from those living here as well as those that don't. A great learning curve for the OP. as well as him/her searching relevant posts.

@Lunkan I was thinking the same thing when it comes to shadowman and the next name he called himself and booted many times.
Choices Lunkan whether a condo, subdivision, living off grid in the mountains or renting in a desired province or city. Home is where you make it and if you don't like move. We all find our place in the world.

@Howard_Z A very cynical approach and thoughts to a relationship. Hijacked and jeopardized from day one thinking like that, relationships are built on trust not fear but there are those stupid enough to find themselves in deep water because they never looked or simple lust or infatuation led to a sad ending. I have known all Bens family and 5,000 relatives for 12 plus years and never threatened, we give, they give. When we took over this property 5 years ago I was working in Oz and 10/12 of Bens relatives turned up here to clean for several days as the old owner left in a pigsty, it's reciprocal. Good people and the old saying?
You can pick your friends but not your relatives,,,,, I picked the right ones.

@grahamw57 Yes fools rush in.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

 

You know simply reflecting here, all my years on expat sites has taught me heaps from those that know as well as others that speculate,13 years ago I was lucky enough to catch a winner, took awhile but here we are and so far happy. Ground rules were set by both of us as they should be. I always loved the Philippines from day one with its ups and downs/frustrations.

Life is here and enjoying the very quiet beach and Neighbourhood, my better half is a treasure and puts up with me. Puts me in place when needed.

Cheers, Steve.

 

Interesting as we seemed to have shifted from the OP to a debate on where one should live based on experience from those living here as well as those that don't. A great learning curve for the OP. as well as him/her searching relevant posts.

Yes. OP seem to have thought of distance to family-in-law though by he said he will NOT live where they live.

@Lunkan I was thinking the same thing when it comes to shadowman and the next name he called himself and booted many times.
Choices Lunkan whether a condo, subdivision, living off grid in the mountains or renting in a desired province or city. Home is where you make it and if you don't like move. We all find our place in the world.

Yes. Many believe there are less options than there are though - still inspite of I have told several years - and you have an other solution than condo yourself.

 

Arms length Lunkan and ground rules when it comes to family and free loaders, we are pretty well blessed by distance,,,, well not distance as only 12/14 klicks away but up to 1 and a half hours by public commute. Seems to keep the cats and mice away.

I/we lived in a condo for a year in Manila, being a country boy was exciting for the first few months. got tired of the pollution and mayhem and Ben constantly telling me not to walk where there are too many people, don't go there it's not safe, never had a problem walking and looking.

Yes we found our nirvana but took many years of boots on the ground and plenty of research and a dozen visits. My/our solution is not for every one but as you say there are many ways and means to skin a cat. City or Country.

The wisest things I've learnt over the years from those more experienced on expat sites and in person is never put money into the Philippines that you are not prepared to lose, keep your wealth in your own country.
The next thing was boots on the ground, taste the flavours and culture. Try many areas and experiences not simply land in one place and commit. A trap for young players in our retirement years.
Keep your wits about you and watch for the shady operators, generally never a problem in my years here but always alert.

Cheers, Steve.

 

The wisest things I've learnt over the years from those more experienced on expat sites and in person is never put money into the Philippines that you are not prepared to lose, keep your wealth in your own country.

and we go round and round again. The wisest thing I heard from expats living here was invest in what you know. Buy quality and recognise that Filipinos with money are willing to pay for well known real estate developers such as Ayala Premier and Rockwell.
I know real estate and am on my 3rd condo over 15 plus years .. previous 2 did very well for me, gain of approx 20 mill plus. Guess I havent lost anything yet and nor will I if I ever sell the one im in now ( up about 16 mill from purchase )
I guess I didnt meet the wise expats I clearly should have met lol .

 

My/our solution is not for every one

IF I have understood correct, you dont have the safest solution, but no problem as long as it functions for you...

The wisest things I've learnt over the years from those more experienced on expat sites and in person is never put money into the Philippines that you are not prepared to lose, keep your wealth in your own country.

Well. The odds are MUCH better in Phils than our home countries by there is a shortage of capital special in provinces, rich Manila Filipinos dont bother about. Thats why there are both superbargains to buy in provinces and labour cost even less there than in Manila even when I pay more than the normal.

(In normal gambling odds are MINUS 5 to 85 ? percent.
At "western" stock market long trend odds WAS plus 8 percent in average. Thats what average stock market companies EARNED compared to invested capital and thats what CORECT earning is, not the sometimes crazy overvaluing - and bubble bursts... Of course better if know what they do, but the majority of small investors dont - and several of big investors neither And when more of unskilled investors entered the market, the odds droped to even lower.
While in Phils at the business I started first expected MINIMUM gain is around 250 percent in around in 5-6 years.
(My second is more gambling, can become anything from loss (if we dont reach export quality and amounts) to 10 times the money in 2-.3 years.)
Now I am trying to buy a third, similar to the first. If we get that, its even better and faster until earning.
I am a gambler and like such extreem good odds