Retire in Philippines

"Recreation is great for me as I am a swimmer. Nightlife is mostly at Hot Legs bars which offer temptations which are not supportive of my fidelity to my wife. A night out is mostly people watching or a restaurant meal," said a retiree who moved to Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City, Philippines.

"Life for a retiree in the Philippines and its surroundings offers a range of activities, attractions and services. The small and welcoming expat community is an ideal social resource for those looking to make friends in an unfamiliar country. With the country’s tropical climate, there is plenty of opportunity to get out on the water and partake in activities such as swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just simply relax on the beach. Cultural attractions are abundant with ancient temples and other historic locations scattered throughout the country’s islands. There is also no shortage of nature parks where retirees can appreciate the region’s unique wildlife and plants. For adventurers, the lively nightlife of the Philippines provides many dining, music and entertainment experiences. Those looking to stay close to home have plenty of options as well, with local markets and festivals offering shopping and activities throughout the year," said one retiree in Philippines.

"I just want to add that anyone who visits me near Laguna, but in Silang, Cavite, they have to visit Tagaytay with us. It is a touristy town, but small enough not to be too crowded. That term is relative, traffic can be hell on the main roads. I love the zoo, the parks, the shops, and got married at Estancia resort, a great place. Nowadays I run two restaurants near my house, and try to spend my free time in Quezon City which is a wonderful big city, known in some parts as Little Manila. QC is very popular for its jazz clubs and many sites, sports clubs and Aranetta Coliseum," commented one retiree living in Philippines.

"I think it is not for every one. For example, I think older women may not enjoy a place like Cebu as much as I do..," said one retiree in living in Cebu City, Philippines.

"I think the two most important attributes you MUST have is a thick skin and a sense of humor. If I have to explain why, please stay home," explained a retiree in Philippines.

"The life here is somewhat chaotic and unorganized. I miss the clean streets and organized living of Canada. I find the poverty disturbing. The Filipino men can be abusive to their wives and drink way too much alcohol. Last week an out of town family group abandoned a little 4 year old girl where we sit at the beach. She didn't even have clothes. That bothers me," explained one retiree living in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City.

"The challenges are less for me in Philippines because I have been visiting here regularly for over 20 years. I saved a fair amount working between the ages of 48-55. That, and social security in 2019 and I am set. The key for me is to be able to get away from some of the local nonsense, i.e. noise, pollution, scammers. I build a buffer from that," said one retiree in Cebu City.

"The lack of infrastructure, heat & humidity, stark grinding poverty, and the increase of price for Westerners," commented one retiree living in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City, Philippines.

"The most challenging aspect of retiring in the Philippines could be the lack of resources for expatriates. Another challenge could be the lack of access to specialized health care services, as well as the cost of adequate medical insurance coverage. Additionally, the language barrier could be a difficulty for retirees who are not native speakers of Tagalog, the national language. Another challenge could be the cultural differences, which could make it difficult to adjust to living in the Philippines. Furthermore, the cost of living could be more expensive than other countries, and shopping for monthly necessities can be difficult to find. Finally, the climate and tropical storms could be a nuisance for those used to more temperate climates," explained one retiree living in Philippines.

"An affordable 2 bedroom home 5 minute walk to the beach. Very minimal property tax. Cheap transportation and food costs. Friendly people. Loving wife. Not having cloudy, wet & cold weather. Not having to shovel snow and ice and pack firewood for my wood stove," commented one retiree living in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City, Philippines.

"For me, just the relaxation, and avoiding the cultural shift that has happened in the US over the past decade," explained one retiree living in Cebu City.

"There are many decent hospitals all over Philippines, with their staff trained to work in other countries. Fortunately so far I have not required much care," said a person in Cebu City.

"Healthcare services in the Philippines are widely available and generally of a high quality. The country has both private and public hospital systems, with public hospitals providing cheaper services. Most medical practitioners are foreign-trained and specialized medical services are widely available, including obstetrics, surgery, cardiology, and neurology. Additionally, many of the public hospitals have a wide network of rural health centers for access to basic healthcare services in the countryside. The Philippines is also a leader in telemedicine, with several hospitals and clinics utilizing video conferencing and other modern technologies to bring medical services to remote areas," remarked one retiree in Philippines.

"Expats in the Philippines often join clubs and activities that cater to their specific interests or hobbies, such as photography, sailing, cooking, and language learning. Expats may also join local sports teams, visit local concerts and events, or volunteer at nearby organizations. Additionally, expats may explore online forums and social media networks to connect with like-minded people. Through these networks, expats may discover meet-up groups and expat clubs, which provide opportunities for socializing, networking, and learning more about their new city and culture," commented one retiree living in Philippines.

"On the weekends most people go out shopping in the huge malls to socialize and then go out to eat in one of the many restaurants and fast food places. Along with the Filipino restaurants, there are franchises from every corner of the world, so there is something for everyone. Everyone goes out Friday night after work, so there are traffic jams all over Manila," remarked one retiree in Manila.

"I live outside of Butuan in the province area on Mindanao, it's very nice and quiet. My asawa and I are taking short trips around Asia. We just got back from Indonesia a few months ago and will be going to South Korea. Our electric bill runs around 4,000 php to 4,500 php (80-90 USD) a month, internet - 1,700 php (about 34.00 USD) a month. Would love to hear from others on how they are doing. I'm 73 and ready to take on the world Lol," said a retiree who moved to Philippines.

"Living as an expat or digital nomad in the Philippines is an attractive option for many people due to the country's tropical climate, beautiful beaches, hospitable people, and relatively low cost of living. Expats and digital nomads tend to be welcomed with open arms and quickly integrate into the local communities. Due to its popularity, the Philippines has enjoyed steady and fast-paced economic growth and modern infrastructure. This provides expats and digital nomads with a comprehensive choice of activities, conveniences, and a relatively well-connected transport system. The Philippines also offers a wide variety of culinary experiences, having inherited flavours from different eras of its history, allowing expats and digital nomads to enjoy the freshest seafood, the most exciting spices, and the best choice of local and international dishes," said one retiree in Philippines.

"I have lived on Palawan for over 20 years and that information is not up to date. We have fine hospitals unless you are looking replacements then go to Cebu. Shopping in 3 large centers plus the usual. I have never had any trouble except minor stuff. The police were good. Great place; for me at least," said one retiree in Palawan Island.

"Be patient. Learn to accept "indirectness" as a form of communication. Just because someone doesn't tell you something, it doesn't mean they aren't telling you something. Listen with all your senses," commented one retiree living in Manila, Philippines.

"Electricity still the major issue - install a solar panel. Communication and internet is improving - StarLink is already available. Road Network is improving - new roads open and cemented," explained one retiree living in El Nido.

"Swimming can be done in the public pool of a sports stadium rather close to where I am living. Golfing in a nearby golf course by members of the golf club. Hiking in a public park nearby," said one retiree in Manila.

"Shopping can be done in malls or markets. They are located in practically all cities in Metropolitan Manila," said one retiree in living in Manila, Philippines.

"There are large supermarkets dotted all around the city and there are numerous markets with fresh produce. Shopping malls, with all the latest gear, as well as nice affordable gear are found in most areas," wrote one person in Angeles City.

" Shopping for almost anything is plentiful, in excellent malls. Malls here can compete globally with both the Mall of America and the Dubai Mall. One HUGE caution. Pricing here is just as expensive as those malls. You can certainly shop cheaper in the smaller stores and in the provinces off the mainland, such as Ozamis and La Nao Del Norte where I am visiting, but the options are much less, though fresh veggies are in abundance. Next caution, many provinces do not accept credit cards, even for hotel stays. No such problem in Manila (for the most part). Lastly, the green peas here are not tasty, no lima beans in sight, and recently due to a corruption scam at highest levels no onions were available for a month," explained one retiree living in Philippines.