Where do most expats retire in Philippines?

We find an excuse, not hard to do, every month and invite everyone in the family, about 50 within walking distance, for an all day party.  We have Lechon or just a couple of butchered pig's, make too much food and give everyone who wants some leftovers to take home.  Must remind them I am not a bank when they ask for a loan, ask them what interest rate, what are they providing as collateral.   That ends the discussion.

Yes and thankgoodness we have these forums to warn chaps about this, however the offer of free lots inside the family area looks just the thing doesn't it?  I suppose if we were in the same boat we'd do the same if we had the chance?

We have never met any expats who are happy with living near the Filipinos family, every instance is a bad one and left the expat penniless.

Peter Clark wrote:

Yes and thankgoodness we have these forums to warn chaps about this, however the offer of free lots inside the family area looks just the thing doesn't it?  I suppose if we were in the same boat we'd do the same if we had the chance?

We have never met any expats who are happy with living near the Filipinos family, every instance is a bad one and left the expat penniless.

We have not wound up broke, but we have been getting the message out for 23 years and 4 previous visits.  I give my wife the budgeted amount for the month plus about $100 extra, the rest of our assets are tied up in the USA.  Anyone that has an "emergency" gets referred to my wife.  Some months we eat better than others.

This is good Idea, I am doing the same, have budget for a month which I give to Wife, and $300 extra every 2 months, to have good shopping at S&R, the rest been saved in Australian Account, I am not sure if every one is happy about it, but I am looking out for my own future and my Son's hope they can understand that or they may think I am selfish, that is ok by me any way, I think if we do not look out for our self, then every thing is lost, they like to live day to day, not in to next week or next year.

That’s it, and exactly the location what I choose for my retirement...

We have friends whose family own a compound down the road in San Pablo and have offered them a 400 sq mt lot but Dave's concerned about his contribution to the family's welfare and despite saving money on buying some new land is not keen on taking up the family's offer. One of the houses in the compound is for a relative with 4 children and he doesn't contribute anything.  when you do not pay into the budget you are ignored by the family and that is just horrible to endure. Its great to live near a community where you don't always need your car to get about, we lived in Landcos Leisure farm near Lemery and every trip from home needed the car, get fed up after a couple of years.

I've lived in the Province, the suburbs of a large city, and also in a major City (Cebu).....and I much prefer the major city.   Better food and shopping...more civilized and less envious locals...fewer barking dogs, roosters, burning trash, littering, etc.   As they say, if you don't like one place, you should try another.  I got stuck in a bad place (for me) for far too long and it dampened my existence here, and definitely darkened my doorway.  Live and learn!

TheOtherGuy wrote:

I think Palawan is the best/safest/cheapest overall, but Iloilo province is a close second.

I asked question on this WEB-site about safety in Palawan. Many people clarified this situation for me. Most of them recommended avoid Palawan,because: - no safety (Muslims come from abroad o ntheir boats); -no reliable Internet; - too rustic;- there are no many expats. I am just sharing information. Cheers.

Lived in Lipa on and off for 4 years.  Good place.  Close enough to Manila, accessible to Batangas City and the ferry.  Lots of things to do and RELATIVELY cool.  Traffic not so bad, home to BARAKO coffee.  I recommend it.

Cebu has become a mini-Manila, imho not a nice place at all (traffic, pollution, beaches not very nice, crowded everywhere). Martinique, don't know at all. Davao very nice, orderly; however a very big big city.

Lipa is a nice place, it has just about everything and the traffic is not bad but look out at weekends near the SM and Robinsons outlet because the amount of cars causes back ups that stretch out of the city. We live in San Pablo down the road from there and a new road make the journey in 30 mins. The SM store is large and it has a "Fresh Bread" shop ! Yesterday we ate our fresh bread pastries in the posh coffee shop next door with a cup of their brewed coffee.......trying not to drop crumbs on the floor haha.