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Cebu, Philippines
An American who recently retired in Cebu, Philippines talks about finding a place to live, expat life in Cebu, the cost of living in the Philippines an much more.
Cebu City
It was cheaper and much more interesting.
Most of the year - about 10 months of the a year
Philippines is amazing. I can live well on $1200 a month, and it has a great social life and climate. Cebu is a great spot to launch on the way to other places, like Bohol, or Northern Mindanao.
No, but worked in Saudi and Japan.
For about three years. I will be fully retired in 2018.
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None
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.
For me, just the relaxation, and avoiding the cultural shift that has happened in the US over the past decade.
I am just starting. I think not much different because I really have educated myself about finances, local conditions, and other places to visit. For example, I have made two trips from Philippines to Cambodia. Cambodia has different things to offer, and a nice change of pace.
Cebu has expats, great nightlife, tourism infrastructure, networking, you name it. It is an inexpensive destination that has a broad appeal to visitors. Many new hotels and retail outlets.
So far I have just done visa extensions, making trips out of the country at least every three months. Later, I will go through the process to stay.
I am renting with an eye on building something on leased land. It is made difficult, mostly by cheap available rents.
With the local currency weakening over the past year, it has exceeded my plans. I have good spending power here, but try to economize when possible.
Exchange rate, keeping your cash secure.
I think the baseline is about $1000 a month, but with that you live modestly.
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.
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Petty crime, but I am alert to avoid it. Cebu is safer than most American cities.
Public transportation is decent, cars are affordable, buses to other towns are a real bargain.
Philippines internet has a poor reputatiion. You can spend more to get more however.
I think it is not for every one. For example, I think older women may not enjoy a place like Cebu as much as I do...
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Re: the American expat who retired to Cebu City (as published here), I would like to invite him to visit the north particularly San Fernando City, La Union. This is the place where a lot of expats prefer especially Americans. It used to host the U.S. Wallace Air Base & the City is really likeable with a "small town feel". The local government ensures that everything is indeed peaceful, orderly and clean. Everything you need from high quality healthcare, international & local banks, KFC if you like etc. From the city & 4 kms further to the north is a surfing haven and is famous. San Juan, La Union is frequented by U.S. as well as European expats. Welcome to the City of San Fernando !
Raven2Thanks for this story, makes me want to go to Cebu more and more. I will be going to Manila first to meet my girlfriend first and have a lot of things to do there first, but will make a trip to Cebu before I have to return home for a short while.
Get a quote for expat health insurance in Philippines from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
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Expats in the Philippines have a lot to say about the quality of medical care, hospitals, prescription medicine availability and health insurance in the Philippines.
Support your favorite restaurants in Cebu City as they recover from the pandemic. Submit a free listing for them on Expat Exchange to help spread the word about them to the expat community.
The Philippines attracts the interest of expats from all over the world - truly has a lot to offer for a variety of different people. However, it's also important to understand the pitfalls that can be avoided with appropriate homework and preparation.
Expats moving to the Philippines join others that have moved there for work or a lower cost of living during retirement. It's critical to understand what the realities of living there are, but those that successfully make the adjustment believe it is a good place to live.
With the rise of terrorism in certain parts of the Philippines, expats in the Philippines helped us compile a list of safe places to live in the Philippines. Here are 8 of the safest expat destinations in the Philippines.
Expats in the Philippines have a lot to say about the quality of medical care, hospitals, prescription medicine availability and health insurance in the Philippines.
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