If you are of retirement age and wondering what to do and where to live when you retire, consider moving to the Philippines. This beautiful tropical country is one of the best kept secrets in the world, as every expat living there will tell you. Some of the benefits of living as an expat in the Philippines include:
- Hospitality. Filipinos are as warm and friendly as the Philippine climate. They are fascinated by the Americans and other foreigners who visit or live in their country and always make them feel welcome. Everyone smiles at you and treats you like royalty. And since Filipinos speak English, it’s easy to strike up a conversation with anyone. You will make friends quickly! One trip is enough to convince many tourists of this fact and keeps them coming back for more. Filipinos are so kind and hospitable that you will definitely miss it all when you go back home.
- Low Cost of Living. Cost of expat living is very cheap. With a modest income (by western standards) you can live like a rich man in a nice house with your own maids and driver (or use cheap taxi if you don’t have a car). Labor is ridiculously cheap as you will find when you need a plumber, electrician or carpenter to fix something in your house. That is unheard of in the US where it is better and cheaper to do the work yourself.
- Romance. If you are looking for love and marriage, you cannot find a better place for that than the Philippines. Love in a tropical paradise is no mere fantasy; it can become a reality for an expat living there. The exotic beauty and allure of Filipinas is no myth; it’s real as you will find for yourself. Filipinas make beautiful, loyal and devoted wives. Every expat living in the country with a local wife will swear up and down he is married to the nicest person in the world. Not only the women for that matter. Filipino men are romantic lovers who know how to respect a woman and make her feel like a queen. There’s something for everyone and you need never be lonely!
- Tourist’s Haven. The Philippines is a tourist’s dreamland. Beautiful beaches, hotels to fit all budgets, world-class shopping malls, diving resorts, and exciting night-life are just some of the things you can enjoy during your vacation. Another thing is medical tourism. If you need to have cosmetic surgery or heart bypass, get it in the Philippines. Medical costs are unbelievably cheaper than in western countries. What is more, the service provided by caring doctors and nurses is unparalleled.
These just some of the good things that an expat living in the Philippines enjoys. Why go into lonely retirement in your own country when there is a secret haven waiting for you?
Still not convinced? Ask any expat living in the Philippines. They will tell you!
Nicely put I must admit,
I have been living in Surigao City for 12 months now & there is nowhere on earth I would rather be. I got so fed up with the escalting crime rate & the rat race in the UK ! Moving to the Philippines to be with my wife was the best move I have ever made.
Regards
Steve (Taffy)
Hi, thanks for the information. Something that would be of great help would be a budget giving expats an idea of what one can live on. The basics would be housing [or apt. rental] electricity, Internet/cable, food, clothing, other utilities and would give us a good idea of whether we could afford living there. TIA
well... well...
This report is quite fulli correct...
I had holidays two years ago with my father in the philliphines... amazing!
I trought very often of immigrating to the Philliphines... Shure, I`ve learned that I need to reach the age of 21 first... but I`m getting fed up with the fact, that immigration without marriage and relatives needs that you deposit USD $75k for 1 year at a philliphine bank... This is a great problem, while I want to go there and found an IT-Company (or open an office of it) there...
The problem of less capital for fpounding ones can be compensated by finding investors for it... But 75k is too lot money, and borrowing/open a credit in the philliphines is too costly (they want 30% premium!!!)
Otherwise, I`ve saved a little amount of money, which I want to invest there (same bank gives 20% premium!!!)
However... I`ve found an entry at the official goverment`s forum (forum.gov.ph) where somebody asked another ones how to immigrate easy and fast without leaving U$D 75k on an banc-acc.
(Hope, it`s not a marriage & divorcement agency...)
so cu...
PS: SeaExplorers Philliphines offered my fantastic diving-trip with true Island-Hopping!
i also want to ask many of the same questions about cost/expenses for things like rent,electric(w/aircon)food & i realize location can make much of a difference so i will say i.e. living in a small-medium size city? I was in the philippines in 2008 nov& dec. and it was brutal hot & HUMID!
MANILA & MAKATI. I know it's one of the most expensive places to stay.i am not looking for the big city life. but also would like to walk or drive in a few minutes to a where i can shop.i think davao city or maybe a place where it's cooler.Please give me some feedback!!! salamat po!
I collect Social Security and V.A. Compensation once a month by Direct Deposit. Would I have a problem collecting my money there once a month ?
Hi, i am a local. As regards housing, electricity , food and other necessities are all cheap. Me myself i rent a house in Quezon City worth 6 thousand pesos a month and water and electricity for about 1-1.5 thousand per month for both. Food, yeah there are many restaurants that cater real delicious food for affordable price or just buy raw from market or supermarket if you want to cook or save and that will only cause you i guess per meal about a hundred peso. As regards internet, it is not that faster when you compare it to other counties but still works. When i say 6 thousand pesos for house rental that’s a residential and price may vary if you will choose a condo which worth abouth 8-15k per month and depends also in the location but if you will be living with someone or a group then there’s no problem right? Just divide your monthly expenses. Thanks.