Pros and Cons of Retiring/Living in the Philippines

@whackerdog123 where are you getting an apartment for $180/month?

- @sekmet

"Everywhere" except perhaps Metro Manila and Metro Cebu

Maybe thoughts about flying Aussie to the Phils may be good, for any wondering?

Here's some experiences and decisions regards booking and flying this journey 

Although lots of airlines fly out of Australia, very few offer flights direct to Manila. It's always to other Asian capitals. So if you want a shortish 8hr or so maximum main flight, and then a short hop to your province, we've found it's usually best to fly PAL all the way.

Their website isn't bad, a little slow, but booking flights is easy and usually works reliably and well. Booking your connecting flights to provincial areas with PAL, and your return flights with them, is a logical and a straight forward one-transaction task.

Go to [link under review] with your departure and return dates and your province.

Last time I checked, I believe PAL only flies into Manila from Australia, but the website also handles quite cheap provincial PAL flights from the same Manila terminal which is handy.

We've been looking at our return flights to Palawan, and as usual we love getting cheap yet comfortable and quick flights. Spending as little as possible on flights is an adventure and a challenge that we love. We like to spend our money on other things besides world airlines.

Turns out, currently we can fly the four flights each to Palawan, with around 10 hours total journey time each way, for around US$ 550 each all up. Quick, cheap and very easy. Suits us.

And the PAL flights out of Australia will be either Aussie, Kiwis or Pinoys, and all are in good spirits, and usually naturally Aussie / Kiwi friendly. So the flights are often happy and quite social times. We've never had any problems flying PAL.  Sure, there are certainly slicker international airlines, but PAL will do us. Everybody is usually relaxed and happy during this journey.  Probably the main reason is because it's not that far, or very long time-wise I'm guessing.

Anyway, how about other Aussies here, must be some, care to share your experiences?

- @PalawOne

Maybe thoughts about flying Aussie to the Phils may be good, for any wondering?  ... Anyway, how about other Aussies here, must be some, care to share your experiences?  @PalawOne

I take it when you say that the flights are happy and quite social, you mean there is a lot of booze involved, people are noisy and there is no chance of getting any Kip.  - @Cherryann01

@Lotus Eater If you stay a few days or more in Dubai. you will be amazed at the number of excellent restaurants available - Most in the two big Malls there where you can spend days looking at adjacent local sites. I am a Beef Eater so looking  forward to eating Steaks and Burgers while there, plus some Lamb at Belly Dancing  Awtar Lebanese restaurant. AirBNB has some good selections - I am staying at StarMetro Deira Apts - Over 500 Sq Ft with kitchen and washing machine for about $80/night, and near cheap Metro. Also, Gold jewelry at the Gold Souk is supposed to be much cheaper there in case you want to buy a bauble for your significant other.

Maybe thoughts about flying Aussie to the Phils may be good, for any wondering?  ... Anyway, how about other Aussies here, must be some, care to share your experiences?  @PalawOne

I take it when you say that the flights are happy and quite social, you mean there is a lot of booze involved, people are noisy and there is no chance of getting any Kip.  - @Cherryann01

`

Haha .. no, both Aussies and Kiwis are friendly, but also usually polite, same as many Phils folk are.

By "happy and quite social" one means we are exactly that. We're also very aware of good manners.

Sure we drink, usually beer, and even our drunk guys are normally just happy, not anti-social and will usually try to think of others as appropriate. As I said in another post, by being quick, one can often grab three back row seats on the overnight flights to lie down, and one can sleep very well. The PAL hosties couldn't care less. Last time the first time I woke up was when we were landing in Australia. I'm not making this up, that's just the way we are. No worries.

- @PalawOne

Well that sounds ok but I cannot sleep on planes. Also nobody will ever persuade me that flying is safe.

But no difference , the plane will crash or not undepending of if you are awake or not

I have seen these Air Crash Investigation programmes where the pilot on one occasion just decided to take off without permission from the tower. It did not end well and he managed to plow straight through the top of a plane that just landed.

- @Cherryann01

Well that sounds ok but I cannot sleep on planes. Also nobody will ever persuade me that flying is safe.

But no difference , the plane will crash or not undepending of if you are awake or not

I have seen these Air Crash Investigation programmes where the pilot on one occasion just decided to take off without permission from the tower. It did not end well and he managed to plow straight through the top of a plane that just landed.

- @Cherryann01

It seem you tall about same as where the nvestigation reached the conclusion the failing pilots THOUGHT they had got ok, but because of there were some interuptions in the radio communication they didnt hear the ok was told to an OTHER plane.

- @coach53

No Coach it was not the same incident. On the reconstruction you could hear the tower and the co-pilot tell the pilot not to go, the pilot simply ignored them both. It was a KLM Flight from Tenerife if my memory serves me correctly.

- @Cherryann01

@coach53 There used to be an Irish comedian called Dave Allen, who did a joke about flying. It was very funny but there was also a lot of truth in his observations.

Well that sounds ok but I cannot sleep on planes. Also nobody will ever persuade me that flying is safe.

But no difference , the plane will crash or not undepending of if you are awake or not

I have seen these Air Crash Investigation programmes where the pilot on one occasion just decided to take off without permission from the tower. It did not end well and he managed to plow straight through the top of a plane that just landed.

- @Cherryann01

It seem you tall about same as where the nvestigation reached the conclusion the failing pilots THOUGHT they had got ok, but because of there were some interuptions in the radio communication they didnt hear the ok was told to an OTHER plane.

- @coach53

No Coach it was not the same incident. On the reconstruction you could hear the tower and the co-pilot tell the pilot not to go, the pilot simply ignored them both. It was a KLM Flight from Tenerife if my memory serves me correctly.

- @Cherryann01

Going back to your twice aborted flight departure from Manila. Of course it only has one main runway for take off and landings. I don't think in all the times I've flown into Nino Aquino that my aircraft has been 'stacked' but taking off there is always an interminable queue. If you are seated on the right hand side of the plane at night at the turn onto the runway you know how long the departure will be because you can see the 4 aircraft headlights in the distant sky - time for another quick G+T

@Enzyte Bob Yes agreed but at no time did I class myself as having escaped an emergency situation. If that were the case I would have escaped many times. I once had a car that had more warning lights on than you see at the fun fair haha.

@Enzyte Bob Yes agreed but at no time did I class myself as having escaped an emergency situation. If that were the case I would have escaped many times. I once had a car that had more warning lights on than you see at the fun fair haha.

- @Cherryann01

@Enzyte Bob Yeh I know that. One more thing about being in a car rather than a plane, which may as they say need to put down on water, is that I have never noticed any sharks on the motorways over here. Lone sharks maybe but not the ones that swim. And like the Comedian (Dave Allen) said in his sketch, feathers put down , leaves put down but a plane from 35,000 feet does not put down.

I do recall seeing a documentary on that tragic accident many years ago. It occurred in dense fog

- @Lotus Eater

my experience is that unless you are very healthy, the Philippines might not be the best place to retire.

- @moonunit010383

@Cherryann01  I lived in the Philippines 2 years (during Covid), and, for me, the biggest drawback was the level of healthcare before the lockdown.  I got some help in Cebu, but they had to send some blood work to Manila (St. Luke's).  Then, they shut down the ferries, and I could not travel from Leyte to see my specialist.

After being in the US 16 months, I think I have my medical conditions sorted out (Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), but my experience is that unless you are very healthy, the Philippines might not be the best place to retire.

- @moonunit010383

my experience is that unless you are very healthy, the Philippines might not be the best place to retire.

- @moonunit010383

Well. You are right mostly but there are some good hospitals in some places in Phils, so if having bad health it can be a factor when decide where to live.

Before covid there where American "medical tourists"  going to Phils to get treatmert and then back to USA. 

I know there were such to Cebu city, but I dont know which treatments.

Similar with "dental tourists".

- @coach53

In the past, I've tossed back and forth trying to make up my mind regarding retirement in the Philippines.  The fact that it's on the other side of the globe along with a significant amount of other obstacles has lead me to believe it's not in my best interest to retire in the Philippines.  As much as I love it when I'm there, I just don't think I could stand it 24/7/365.  I am an introverted type of person and don't have an appreciation with the fascination of everything going on with my life being the town fodder/chiz mis.  I've tried working with relatives and non relatives on projects in the Philippines and although labor is cheaper so is the outcome of the project at finish.  This appears to be so regardless of the project cost or estimates.  In other words, my experience is that regardless of what I pay for something it always seems there's a glitch with something that makes everything turn out inferior to what was expected while other's and their projects turn out as desired or even better.  Also, the delicate nature of the Philippino mental state doesn't allow me to adequately explain what I want without offending somebody.   They don't take constructive criticism well as they see it as loosing face while I'm just trying to get the desired outcome/product.  So I have very little faith in having a satisfactory retirement in the Philippines.  Besides, once I am there what am I to do?  I wouldn't be able to work/keep busy.  Most of the time people don't speak english and I'm left out of the conversation.  I do understand tagalog and visaya but like they say I often get nose bleed from the conversation.  However, I do plan to visit most of the countries on the International Living recommended list for about a month to three months per place just to see if there's a better alternative.  I've come to realize that most latin countries are similar to the Philippines but are closer to home and speak spanish rather than tagalog...  Best of luck to the rest of you in making the decision regarding where to go in retirement.  For me it's not that much cheaper as I've paid off everything that I own and since I can't own in the Philippines why would I go somewhere else to pay rent in a place with substandard infrastructure and all the other hassles associated with living in the Philippines?  Some would say what about the women?  Since I'm not going to get married, I can get women here in the states why do I need to go across the globe to meet a woman that can only travel to a handful of countries. If my situation were different, I would probably feel grateful to retire in the Philippines.  I'm running on so I will end for now but there are numerous other reasons not to retire overseas/Philippines.

- @thedfords

@Lotus Eater You know the funny thing is that I am not even looking for two of the things most people classify as important went choosing a place to retire. The hot weather was never essential for me, in fact it was more of a negative. Not all that bothered about living some where with beautiful beaches either.

I just don't think I could stand it 24/7/365.  I am an introverted type of person and don't have an appreciation with the fascination of everything going on with my life being the town fodder/chiz mis.  I've tried working with relatives and non relatives on projects in the Philippines and although labor is cheaper so is the outcome of the project at finish.  This appears to be so regardless of the project cost or estimates.  In other words, my experience is that regardless of what I pay for something it always seems there's a glitch with something that makes everything turn out inferior to what was expected while other's and their projects turn out as desired or even better.  Also, the delicate nature of the Philippino mental state doesn't allow me to adequately explain what I want without offending somebody.   They don't take constructive criticism well as they see it as loosing face while I'm just trying to get the desired outcome/product.  So I have very little faith in having a satisfactory retirement in the Philippines. 

- @thedfords

The tribe Filipinos I know* LIKE to learn from foreigners too, FOLLOW instructions and ASK when they havent underrstood   And say "Thank you"    to me which I have never heared of any malay Filipino say other than to God...   

Thats why I chose  tribe people as much as possible. A few smaller missunderstandings by their English is not so good and my Tagalog/Pala'wan is much worse     while we hired a malay Filipino for acounting, because I didnt find any tribe acountant,  and that malay Filipino screwed up totaly and lied a lot making big trouble bad reputation at BIR before we hadnt even started  But now we have switched to an other malay Filipino acountant. She seem good and fast, but I havent checked her work yet.   The tribe people have done very good jobs so far, but have been simpler jobs they are used to. They can build ok quality wood houses, Left to see if they can build in concreete too, when we will build a small manufactory. Their leader has asked me some intelligent construction questions allready months before the construction will start, so I give them the chance to do it. They are working with clearing and preparings of the land now.

If you want calm its calm up in the mountains/hills(forests where these guys live. Much less populated per squere KILOmeter, no need to count per squereMETER 

Besides, once I am there what am I to do?  I wouldn't be able to work/keep busy.  Most of the time people don't speak english and I'm left out of the conversation.  I do understand tagalog and visaya but like they say I often get nose bleed from the conversation.  However, I do plan to visit most of the countries on the International Living recommended list for about a month to three months per place just to see if there's a better alternative.

You can start business      These tribes realy want jobs.   I am in progress to start the SECOND business now.

since I can't own in the Philippines

there are numerous other reasons not to retire overseas/Philippines.

Its an American and I are making projects adding some jobs to tribe people there, but we dont have resourses to do all ourself   

my wife wants to retire to the Philippines. She's from the provinces, and the Philippines is in her heart. My heart is in Mexico. I have to say, the heat...it's completely different in BCS than it is anywhere I've been in the islands. I'm sure it has to do with relative humidity, but, man, I can barely enjoy myself when out and about with my wife on a trip to see her family. Whereas, in Mexico, on a 90-some degree day, it's hot for sure, but I'm happy as a lark.
- @sartechjf

I've thought about when I retire here in the states applying for a professorship in the Philippines to teach psychology and then work my private practice via Telehealth...but, gosh, the wages just aren't worth the hassle, in my opinion.

and at same time have Filipino salary level support staff... 

my experience is that unless you are very healthy, the Philippines might not be the best place to retire.

- @moonunit010383

Well. You are right mostly but there are some good hospitals in some places in Phils, so if having bad health it can be a factor when decide where to live.

Before covid there where American "medical tourists"  going to Phils to get treatmert and then back to USA. 

I know there were such to Cebu city, but I dont know which treatments.

Similar with "dental tourists".

- @coach53

I hope that was not a deliberate pun Coach - Moonunit is a Dentist. You have not been paying attention again!

- @Lotus Eater

There are dental tourists to Phils UNDEPENDING of what occupastion moonunit has  - so you have failed to manage to think correct again 

And in top of that dentists have some hard to repair their own teeth

@whackerdog123

I liked your comments regarding the Philippines.  Unfortunately, I have five more years until I retire.  Right now, I'm gathering intel about three or four retirement locations: Panama, Thailand, the Philippines, and Mexico City.  My predicted retirement income is expected to be 60% of my current annual income in metro Chicago.  Depending upon whom you talk to, and based on current inflationary rates, I either move to places like Iowa, Wyoming, or similar US locales.  Or, I can get the heck out of Dodge and live abroad; I'm investigating the latter,

I"m taking a seven-day, six-night tour of Panama in October 2023.  In 2024, I'll go back to Panama City with a tour guide to look at the neighborhoods and apartments and then fly to Mexico City for a five-day stay.  In 2025, I'll have twenty vacation days, so I might combine the Philippines and Thailand, but I'm leaning toward splitting those trips between 2025 and 2026.  Between 2027 and the first part of 2028, I'll be finalizing where I'll retire and start the visa process.

Are you married? Any family? Mexico is a lot closer to the US than Philippines and Thailand. My wife is Filipina so I have done a lot of work preparing for a move to the Philippines. It checks more boxes than any other place I have looked at. If single, I would recommend Philippines, unless you speak Spanish. Just my 2 cents

@burtonknows

I can't imagine having Wyoming and Mexico City on the same list? Many of my assignments before retiring were South of the border, mostly in Mexico. Mexico City has cooler temperatures but it would be last on my list for other reasons. If I were looking for a coastal city I would consider Huatulco down in Oaxaca with its nice beaches and great fishing. If I were looking for a more inland city I would consider Villa Hermosa. It was where our Mexico main office was located and I worked with a guy who was happily retired in Villa Hermosa. Salina Cruz is also very nice and safe to take a midnight stroll but too isolated.

There is one country that really stands out for the friendly people and beautiful scenery and that is Chile. I was treated like royalty while working in Concón. The workers at the ENAP Aconcagua refinery have their own park complete with swimming pools and tennis courts. It was once used to house the refinery manager but now it has been given to the workers to use as they wish. They threw me a huge going away party and these guys know how to party! They barbequed choice cuts of beef and locally made sausage which were amazing. When it started to drizzle rain a canvas cover was quickly erected and they projected karaoke on the under side of the canvas. When it was time to go the workers all came to the shop and we all hugged and said our goodbyes. I still get a lump in my throat thinking about it. Sightseeing in Viña del Mar and Valparaíso was incredible. Beauty abounds in Chile. Of all my Southern assignments Chile was the best, Mexico was very good and Trinidad was the worst.

@Moon Dog

Always wanted to visit Chile, Colombia also.

@whackerdog123
I liked your comments regarding the Philippines. Unfortunately, I have five more years until I retire. Right now, I'm gathering intel about three or four retirement locations: Panama, Thailand, the Philippines, and Mexico City. My predicted retirement income is expected to be 60% of my current annual income in metro Chicago. Depending upon whom you talk to, and based on current inflationary rates, I either move to places like Iowa, Wyoming, or similar US locales. Or, I can get the heck out of Dodge and live abroad; I'm investigating the latter,

I"m taking a seven-day, six-night tour of Panama in October 2023. In 2024, I'll go back to Panama City with a tour guide to look at the neighborhoods and apartments and then fly to Mexico City for a five-day stay. In 2025, I'll have twenty vacation days, so I might combine the Philippines and Thailand, but I'm leaning toward splitting those trips between 2025 and 2026. Between 2027 and the first part of 2028, I'll be finalizing where I'll retire and start the visa process.
-@burtonknows

I honestly think it would be difficult for you to achieve what you are trying to do with only 20 vacation days. By all means do your research and go ahead with your planned trips but I honestly think you may be better just leaving the final decision until you retire. If you Google the best places to live for Ex Pats in a country, you will probably come up with a list of about ten locations and even though you can dismiss some immediately depending on your requirements, I would say you would would be left with about 3 or 4 suitable locations, each you would have to visit and explore.

X by 4 countries - that would probably give you a minimum of 12 locations. I would suggest that it may be better to save money and then when you retire, spend two or three months in each country exploring the places you are considering to retire in each country. Then make your decision. I think a week or two in each country is simply not enough time to make an informed decision.

I can tell you that I have been to the Philippines 5 times, each time to see a woman, I have been to Cagayan De Oro 3 times, Davao once, Tacloban once, visited Cebu for 3 days on one of these trips and as for Manila, all I saw there were hotels, just passing through. If I were moving there as a single man I would dismiss Cagayan and Tacloban straight away (my opinion only), Davao I would re-visit for longer to check out and Cebu would be a ?. There are of course lots more locations to consider.

Chile is awesome. I visited for a few weeks in 2001 to see some of the scenery, including Patagonia and Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine, which was awe-inspiring. Stayed in a hotel on an island in the glacial lake below the "horns". Also visited Puerto Montt and of course Santiago and Valparaiso with the crazy steep hills and the funicular. The whole country kind of reminded me of the US Pacific Northwest, only turned 180 degrees. Santiago and Valparaiso were like San Francisco, even had the eucalyptus trees and the fog rolling in off the ocean. Then as you go south it was like going north into Oregon and Washington - Puerto Montt was like the Oregon Cascades, even had volcanos and the wineries. And the region of Puntas Arenas and the long dirt road into Torres Del Paine kind of reminded me of Alaska. Santiago is a lovely city. The country definitely has a more temperate climate than the tropics.

I second CherryAnn's point about the research time. A few weeks is nothing. And in 5 years everything will change so it will be hard to compare. I vote for 2-3 weeks each year.

What does a retiree look for in a place of residence? Everyone has their own unique connection to different places. For us, we have our work history here in the Philippines at first. Other important considerations are medical services - availability and cost, and connection with families. Needless to say, screening out those that have a higher cost of living than you can afford for a decent standard of living is the first step.  In terms of medical services, Philippines has good dental service at affordable prices, while other medical services are ok but not great, compared to advanced countries.

@Cherryann01

Hello,

Have you considered Chiang Mai?

Believe it or not, everything is cheaper. Food,taxi,rent... massages everywhere.

It's cooler. It's safe everywhere.

Many very good restaurants with western food.

A residence visa is available for expats but its not as convenient as the SRRV.

As far as corruption

Goes, beyond Singapore, good luck in Asia.