Retire in Philippines

"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," said a retiree who moved to Cebu City, Philippines.

"I just want to add that anyone who visits me near Laguna, but in Silang, Cavite, they have to visit Tagaytay with us. It is a touristy town, but small enough not to be too crowded. That term is relative, traffic can be hell on the main roads. I love the zoo, the parks, the shops, and got married at Estancia resort, a great place. Nowadays I run two restaurants near my house, and try to spend my free time in Quezon City which is a wonderful big city, known in some parts as Little Manila. QC is very popular for its jazz clubs and many sites, sports clubs and Aranetta Coliseum," said one retiree in Philippines.

"Life for a retiree in the Philippines and its surroundings offers a range of activities, attractions and services. The small and welcoming expat community is an ideal social resource for those looking to make friends in an unfamiliar country. With the country’s tropical climate, there is plenty of opportunity to get out on the water and partake in activities such as swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just simply relax on the beach. Cultural attractions are abundant with ancient temples and other historic locations scattered throughout the country’s islands. There is also no shortage of nature parks where retirees can appreciate the region’s unique wildlife and plants. For adventurers, the lively nightlife of the Philippines provides many dining, music and entertainment experiences. Those looking to stay close to home have plenty of options as well, with local markets and festivals offering shopping and activities throughout the year," commented one retiree living 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," explained one retiree living in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City.

"The life here is somewhat chaotic and unorganized. I miss the clean streets and organized living of Canada. I find the poverty disturbing. The Filipino men can be abusive to their wives and drink way too much alcohol. Last week an out of town family group abandoned a little 4 year old girl where we sit at the beach. She didn't even have clothes. That bothers me," said a retiree who moved to Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City, 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 Davao.

"The lack of infrastructure, heat & humidity, stark grinding poverty, and the increase of price for Westerners," commented one retiree living in Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City, Philippines.

"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," explained one retiree living in Cebu City.

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

"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," commented one retiree living in Philippines.

"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 a retiree who moved to 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," said one retiree in Manila.

"On the weekends most people go out shopping in the huge malls to socialize and then go out to eat in one of the many restaurants and fast food places. Along with the Filipino restaurants, there are franchises from every corner of the world, so there is something for everyone. Everyone goes out Friday night after work, so there are traffic jams all over Manila," said one retiree in Manila.

"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," explained a retiree in Manila.

"1. It is important to understand the local culture prior to retirement in the Philippines, as etiquette and lifestyle will differ from other countries. 2. Expats should research the cost of living in the Philippines before settling in, as certain locations will have higher living costs than others. 3. Due to the very humid climate in the Philippines, expats should invest in air-conditioning and fans in order to remain comfortable during hot days. 4. English is widely spoken across the Philippines, though expats may benefit from learning some Tagalog in order to converse with locals more easily. 5. Access to healthcare in the Philippines is generally good, with reliable infrastructure across major cities. 6. Expats may need to apply for a visa prior to retirement in the Philippines, so it is important to check all relevant visa requirements," explained one retiree living in Philippines.

"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.

"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 in Angeles City.

"Swimming can be done in the public pool of a sports stadium rather close to where I am living. Golfing in a nearby golf course by members of the golf club. Hiking in a public park nearby," explained a member in Manila.

"There are large supermarkets dotted all around the city and there are numerous markets with fresh produce. Shopping malls, with all the latest gear, as well as nice affordable gear are found in most areas," explained one retiree living in Angeles City.

" Shopping for almost anything is plentiful, in excellent malls. Malls here can compete globally with both the Mall of America and the Dubai Mall. One HUGE caution. Pricing here is just as expensive as those malls. You can certainly shop cheaper in the smaller stores and in the provinces off the mainland, such as Ozamis and La Nao Del Norte where I am visiting, but the options are much less, though fresh veggies are in abundance. Next caution, many provinces do not accept credit cards, even for hotel stays. No such problem in Manila (for the most part). Lastly, the green peas here are not tasty, no lima beans in sight, and recently due to a corruption scam at highest levels no onions were available for a month," 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 retiree in Manila.