Menu
Expat.com

Aussie Retiree Moving to Zambales Soon (I Think)

Last activity 15 June 2015 by Aussie Engraver

Post new topic

Aussie Engraver

Hi Folks

I'm selling my business and retiring to the Philippines in the near future.
My partner, Gloria is a Filipino staying with me here in NSW (12 month visa).

Am interested in communicating with other guys who are a bit further down the process of retiring into The Philippines.

Financial Status
Am retiring on the Aussie Age Pension with not much cash to spare. Have looked at the $10,000 deposit to get residential status and am not keen on it because I don't think I'll need that much as a deposit on the kind of house I'm after.
Am also not entirely comfortable with my spouse having to own the land. It's OK if I pass away before her - but what happens if I outlive her?

Any comments most welcome!

Where to live
I want to be by the sea, not far from "town and decent medical services" 1-2 acres with 3 bedroom cottage. Away from typhoon hazard and in a Filipino community that is congenial to a kindly Aussie Old Fart becoming part of.
I've toured around a bit and have decided Zambales is worth having a closer look at - mainly because it's on West Coast and reasonably accessible to Manila for overseas visitors coming to see us.
We're planning to rent an apartment in Subic or Olongapo initially so we can have a good look around.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

My Interests
Boating - just a day boat for fishing and motoring around - so a nearby river would be great
Home workshop - I have heaps of tools
Daily exercise - walking, swimming
Gardening
Blue water sailing - experienced sailor interested in occasional crewing on international yachts - but not around the buoys every weekend.

Gloria's interests
Cooking - cooks international cuisine
Small business
Gardening
Pets
Taking care of me!

Looking forward to connecting with you all

Aussie Engraver

gmcne4

Good luck with your requirements. Look me up if you are in cebu. Always keen to catch up with fellow Aussies.

ABCDiamond

Aussie Engraver wrote:

Am also not entirely comfortable with my spouse having to own the land. It's OK if I pass away before her - but what happens if I outlive her?


If you outlive her, then it can get complicated.

From what I have read, it can depend on if a will is made, or not, and how many of her relatives are still alive.

In some cases her assets are distributed according to law, and the house would go to her relatives, before a foreign husband.
In some cases, assuming no prior children, parents etc., the foreign husband will get the title to the property, until his death.  He cannot bequeath it to another foreigner.

if I was doing this, after buying it for her I would probably try to get a long term lease on the property from my wife, ensuring I could live in the property, no matter what, for the next 50 years.

At the very least, get a good professional guide on this. Preferably a western firm with Philippine Law experience.

Too many people with wrong or not complete info, and that includes local lawyers I think...  What am I saying.. "I think" - I am damn sure !!! 
A local lawyer told me I need to go to an Australian Embassy to get my signature witnessed, after they had done what they do for 500 peso (as in what a JP does in Aus).  I didn't need the Embassy involvement, it was accepted with a Philippine lawyer only witnessing my signature.  But the Philippine lawyer didn't know that, and assumed being a foreigner I needed the embassy to be involved.

Aussie Engraver

Thanks for your comments ABCDiamond - a sensitive but realistic cause for concern that now even my partner can see I have cause for concern

Articles to help you in your expat project in Cebu

  • Traveling to the Philippines with your pet
    Traveling to the Philippines with your pet

    Pets, particularly cats and dogs, are often considered as family members. So if you are moving to the Philippines, ...

  • Removals - UK to Philippines
    Removals - UK to Philippines

    We used Wentworth International Movers for our removals from the UK to the Philippines. Their local shipping ...

  • Moving to the Philippines
    Moving to the Philippines

    Relocation will be an important part of your expatriation project to the Philippines. Here are some guidelines to ...

  • Accommodation in Cebu
    Accommodation in Cebu

    Located in the Visayas region, 750 km from Manila and West of the Negros Island, Cebu is one of the major ...

  • Work in Cebu
    Work in Cebu

    What are the career prospects for expats in Cebu? How to proceed to find a job there? What is the work culture and ...

  • Getting married in the Philippines
    Getting married in the Philippines

    Getting married in the Philippines provides a backdrop of immense beauty through stunning beaches, tropical ...

  • Accommodation in Manila
    Accommodation in Manila

    There are lots of renting options to choose from when relocating to Manila. Most expats in the Philippines live in ...

  • Accommodation in Iloilo
    Accommodation in Iloilo

    Iloilo, nicknamed the 'Heart of the Philippines', is a province stretching over 4,663 km² in the ...

All of Cebu's guide articles