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 one retiree in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City.

"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 one retiree living in Philippines.

"I think the poverty one sees is indeed disturbing but that is the way the world is. There are a lot worse places. It also teaches me to be grateful for what I do have. What I worry about is that I see the bad situations so much that I will become callous to it. I try to learn from it and gain more insight, understanding and appreciation. There is bad and good here. I've seen some amazing and very interesting people here," said one retiree in living in Davao, Philippines.

"The lack of infrastructure, heat & humidity, stark grinding poverty, and the increase of price for Westerners," said one retiree 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," commented one retiree living in Cebu 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.

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

"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," explained one retiree living in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao 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 retiree who moved to Cebu City, Philippines.

"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," said one retiree in Philippines.

"To get involved right away, join the very active American Women's Club. It's also for men here who have to leave their wives at home in the U.S," commented one retiree living in Manila, Philippines.

"Visit high-end malls such as Abrezza or SM Lanang that are frequented by foreigners and wealthier Filipinos," explained one retiree living in Davao.

"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," said one retiree in living in Philippines.

"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," explained one retiree living in Philippines.

"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," said a retiree who moved to 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," said one retiree in El Nido.

"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," commented one retiree living in Palawan Island, Philippines.

"There's a great golf club and driving range in the CutCut area and it's patronized by expats and locals alike. All top hotels have swimming pools that offer daily rates to casual visitors and many have a kids play area. All suburbs have a football/ sports pitches, but are not always well maintained. Unfortunately, there are few sports clubs," explained one retiree living in Angeles City.

"In the Philippines, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and sports complexes. Beaches are a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and other water activities. Parks provide a great place for picnics, jogging, and other outdoor activities. Sports complexes offer a variety of activities, such as basketball, tennis, and badminton. Other recreational facilities include amusement parks, zoos, and museums," said one member in Philippines.

"Shopping can be done in malls or markets. They are located in practically all cities in Metropolitan Manila," explained one member in Manila.