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Can I get more details on retirement in the Philippines?
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Can I get more details on retirement in the Philippines?
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Ive lived in the Philippines for the past 21 years. I am now 72 years old. You can live much cheaper in the Philippines, especially in the Provinces, rather than in Manila or any major tourist area. There are so many different kinds of places to choose from, depending on what you prefer, such as a beach area, or a place with a variety of restaurants, or if you want a place where many speak English, etc. . You can Google the 10 best towns to live in the Philippines. I saw that list of 10 cities before and agree with it. The only drawback I have found is the medical is not as good as in the U.S. I travel to the U.S. for any major medical needs, and I have Medicare insurance in the States. You can come as a tourist and stay for up to 3 years now if you keep extending your tourist visa (every 60 days in any of Immigration offices in the Philippines). Then when the 3 years is up, you can exit the country and come back the next day if you want and do that again for another 3 years. To extend a tourist visa every 60 days costs an average of $50 -$100, so annually it totals $300 -600. I originally came on a tourist visa, then I had a missionary visa, but when it expired, I have just done the tourist visa for the past 15 years. The cost was about the same for me. There is a special retirement visa, but you have to give the Government $10,000. (Maybe it Is returned at some time…I’m not sure how it works and I have never met anyone who has done this.) You can check out what they say on the website of Bureau of Immigration – Philippines. If you have any other particular questions, I would try to answer them. Or check out some of my other answers regarding life in the Philippines.
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Baguio City, Philippines: Not retired, work very much full time as owners of Ozark Diner and bnb. My husband is the chef. 56 yr old here. Approaching 57. Hubby is from AR and is 54. Pros: Our art museums are but few, but growing. Baguio City was included as a UNESCO Creative City last 2018. We're a very popular tourist destination because of the cooler weather. Lots of hiking trails for all levels of difficulty. We don't hike, but love driving out and pulling over to take in the view. Proximity to a surfing town west of us and lovely mountain scene everywhere. English is the medium of instruction in schools. No need to learn a new language. No need for a car within the city, which has parking problems during heavy tourist weekends. There are over 4,200 taxi cabs. Several expats from different countries are represented. The top are South Koreans, Americans, Japanese, Australians, Canadians, French and Germans. Baguio City passed an Anti-discrination Bill last 2018. There is a local MCC church. GLBT skews young as the city is host to 13 large universities. Yearly Gay Pride Parade. There are only 5 of us that identify as bears. Cheaper than wherever you are in the US. Rent ranges from P12,000/$231 30sqm 1b1b condo to P40,000/$770 100sqm 2b2b condo. $100 = P5,200. At Ozark Bed and Breakfast, we offer full serviced studios (fully furnished) at P26,000/$500 monthly. Wifi included. Two hour drive to the beach and 4 hour drive to Manila, the capital city or 5hrs by first class bus. Airport opening this year, 2020. Under one hour flights to Clark City and Manila for international connections soon. Healthcare – Regulated by National Healthcare Plan. P400 to see a top notch internist and heart specialist. P300 for seniors. Foreign residents may participate in the national healthcare by opting in at P17,000 per year or payable quarterly. A simpler lifestyle. Volunteer opportunities for community HIV testing and counseling. Speaking gigs for experts. Some affordable houses. Foreigners may buy condominiums but not land. You may lease land long term to build a house from scratch. There are legal work-arounds in ownership of land. Crime: Very low. Lowest crime rate among cities in the Philippines, 2019. Cons: Distance from the US, if you wish to fly back often. Flights to west coast range from $500 to $900. Proximity to exotic Asia is closer. Walking upwards or downwards. We are in a mountain area. Cars are expensive to buy, but cheaper labor to repair. Cost of living. Cheap. Restaurants are varied. Produce is cheap. Seafood is cheap. Good steaks are expensive. Health care: Doctors and hospital care are cheaper. But, major operations can get costly. VA benefits are accepted in specific hospitals 2hrs away or in the capital city. New airport is opening soon, the flights should cut the travel time. My husband loves the weather and culture. I miss my friends. Hopefully, when my friends retire, they can come and visit, or stay.