New members of the Philippines forum, introduce yourselves here - 2018
Why do you discuss foreign object,that is not corresponding with the particular theme ? If you want to "bla-bla-bla",open your own,another topic and discuss everything what do you want - women,eclipse,quality of food in Antarctic etc. Follow rules of the forum !
I retired from the Australian Army in 2007 at 55, happily separated and divorced 4 years ago and now in a relationship with a lovely Filipina girl 37; who works at one of the international call centers in Manila.聽 Fortunately I was introduced to her by friends (one a Pinay married to an old Army mate) here in Australia and have good reason to believe she's a good type.聽 聽
I'm flying over to Phils in late April after holidaying in Thailand with my girlfriend; and all things going well plan to relocate to Phils in the next year or two.
I hope to glean as much info as possible from this forum, understandably at this point I'm wondering if my Australian pensions will be more than adequate for an enjoyable though conservative retiree's lifestyle there.聽
I've no debt or encumbrances, and a more than reasonable bank account;聽 at 65 I'm drawing on the Australian aged pension and my DVA TPI pension which puts me on around 165,000聽 Phils pisos tax free a month.聽
I don't intend to rent in Manila, and not angling for a luxurious lifestyle,聽 I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on where I sit for the want of a better term.
You can choose whatever you like to live in Philippines, but with your GF, I think they like to be close to family, this can be a problem at times, but then again everyone is different, hope you got the good one.
samangelevski wrote:HI for 165.000Ph, you can live well more than well if you wish, it is huge amount of money here, but by now your GF would have told you that and how much they make in call centres per month, you are just fine, i wish i had that much per month haha..
You can choose whatever you like to live in Philippines, but with your GF, I think they like to be close to family, this can be a problem at times, but then again everyone is different, hope you got the good one.
Thanks for your reply,聽 naturally I've no intention to advertise my pension benefits to her or the family.
Her parents are both from Mindanao but comfortably retired in their own house outside Manila.聽 I'm impressed with her siblings, one brother is a Cop on Mindanao, the other a Computer programmer with her older sister a Bank teller.聽 聽It all indicates a respectable family environment (if I can use the term).
My girlfriend is happy enough to live away (but not too distant) from her family, I'm considering cooler places like Tagatay,聽 maybe Palawan; Baguio among others.聽 聽I only intend to rent not buy, preferably a lengthy lease if the right location and house comes up.
Any further advice on good locales for westerners is welcome.
I'm a moderate drinker and non-gambler, not into the local boys boozing clubs preferring to avoid cliques and over familiarity.
Thank you!
Like any country, there are safes areas and "no-go" areas. It's a matter talking to others once you arrive and become familiar with do's and don'ts. I would suggest your husband ask the potential employer if they have some sort of "Security & Safety Awareness" briefing you can acquire prior to arrival. Such would provide the basics when it comes to Filipino customs, commuting, money, household help, crime, etc. As with visiting any foreign country it is good to be familiar with certain aspects in advance.
I have worked security in the Philippine urban and rural threat environments for a number of years (and hope to be back on ground again soon). Feel free to ask me any security or safety related questions via post or PM.
I'm a very non trusting guy in real life,聽 had more than my share of manipulating bitches and wore the pain of property settlement here in Aussie land.
No intention of visiting let alone living in Mindanao,聽 and yes the girlfriend has been open about the ongoing risk there.
Her Cop brother is in Mindanao, so nowhere I'll be and I've no intention of being pally with him.
I'm considering places like Tagatay, among others, certainly not Manila or anywhere in Mindanao and not before another 2 years has gone by.
Thanks for your advice, it's appreciated.
All said and done I didn't come out too poorly off, no kids and ex wife was a doctor so had to pay me out, not enough to cover my losses though.聽 聽My 2 now adult kids (first marriage) are doing well for themselves and don't need me around, now I'm 65 it's time for me to focus on what I need in retirement and it's certainly not here nowadays.
I prefer SE Asian women in my life, a regular live-in girlfriend would be ideal; but not to dictate where the money goes.聽 聽If it doesn't happen then I'm content to indulge in playtime when it appeals to me.
I played in Pattaya and other spots in LoS since 2014, then tired of the scene, met the current Pinay girlfriend through some good friends of mine here in Aussie.聽 聽She comes well recommended and regarded so at least that's a plus to begin with.聽
I'm not blind or ignorant to the possible outcomes though, had a couple of "relationships" with Thai girls who's money agendas became obvious, and their families "farang pays"聽 plans.
My attitude is that I'll be living where it suits me, not the girls family; if that causes a problem with her then she's easily replaced.
No plans to marry and I certainly won't be making babies, as I had the vasectomy decades ago.
My aim is to change my lifestyle and live somewhere that doesn't drain my resources or pension;聽 without merely existing in a shit hole supporting a hoard of parasites.聽 聽
Up until recently Thailand was the option,聽 but terrain wise its generally flat and monotonous (other than north west fringes etc) and farangs aren't that welcome there.聽 聽I find the Thais a quietly arrogant people and only Buddhists by convenience, funded up tourists are welcome, residents aren't.
At least the Phils folk can speak English and public signs are readable,聽 it remains to be seen whether or not I finally resettle there;聽 before I learn more from those of you who've already traveled the path.
We are originally from the Philippines and it's not top of my list to retire. Considerations are Merida, MX, Oaxaca, MX... A few other countries in central American. We plan to also look at other in South America. Even some places in southern Europe.
Additionally there are plenty of decent Aussie ex pats there to socialise with when it suits me.
I served for 37 years in the Australian Army and a good slice of it overseas, USA, Canada and UK on exchange postings etc; but now at my age I've no interest anywhere else but SE Asia.
The most significant loss for me will be the free medical and dental cover if I relocate,聽 at this point in time I'm only thinking and exploring the "what if " scenarios,聽 if the girlfriend and I work out;聽 but any decision point will be at least a year or two if it does happen.
I can live well here on my own, but not if I hook up with a woman.聽 聽Currently I holiday in SE Asia 2 sometimes 3 times a year.
If it was 50 years ago, I would not hesitate living in the Philippines. But the population has gone up exponentially and so did the cost of living. You will have to lower your standards a bit to stretch your $$$. And as every expat here seems to point out - theres the crime element towards expats to watch for.
There's a fella on Youtube by the name of Bud Brown. May be he is a good one to consult with. Looks like he lives in Dumagete. Thats in the Island of Negros. Theres actually plenty of information from expats on youtube. Its interesting to watch.
Worked for 2 x 6 month stints with an international film company, met my partner in 2012, lived in a condo in Manila for 12 months after that. Moved back to Oz, partner now permanent resident in Oz.
Looking at SRRV as we should be able to convert deposit to 50 year lease from my better half. (good luck with that)
I am 58, will be self funded retiree, nary a pension for me it appears. Looking forward to a quieter life, family and friends.
I read all the negatives on this site and most other forums and though some are valid most gripe to no avail just to be heard. Personally I see the negatives are far outweighed by the positives hence choosing PH as my destination.
I have found some great information on this site and will continue to scour the archives.
Cheers, Steve.
聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽I'm Tony, guy, 22 from India. I've done graduation in mechanical engineering.Can any one help me in getting a job in Philippines.. I'll be very glad if anyone come forward.
Thanks and regards,
Tony.
samahantayo wrote:Steve, La Union in general is a good area. One the provinces I would recommend. Ilocanos are good and practical ppl. Good farming land in Bacnotan. Not sure if cement plant is still there. San Fernando is ok but getting quite crowded. Just stay away from the big cities.
Thanks for the welcome sam, tried Manila and not my thing, we are a couple of kilometres south of Holcim (cement plant), yes it's still going. SFC is busy yes but we are some 40 minutes north and much quieter.
Cheers, Steve.
I'm Eric. Thank you for the warm welcome. It's really difficult to make a move in my part as a newbie. Hoping this would be a good start for me to discover and relate to expat community.
Welcome to expat.com.
I left Australia in 2014 and at that time聽 to live anywhere in the world was OK with Centrelink.
I believe that they have changed their rules.
Before you make too many plans check that they will not put a time limit on the time you can stay out of Australia and still collect your pension.
My name is Neil
I met my partner Jen in Cebu 2 years ago while I was there trying to sell an Aquaponic design concept (no joy)
Jen is currently applying for Australian citizenship so I'm not too sure how this goes if we head over to the Phils for a year????
I'm semi retired (in my early 50's and cant get work in my small cosy seaside village other than the odd lawn mowing job) and rely on my ebay store, Airbnb and rental income to get by. I have a science background among other things.
I've been to the Phils twice and really love the friendliness and pace of life
I'm from the U.S. married to a Filipina. We've been in Palawan 5 years and love it. Built a homestead on 2 hectares and considering longterm leasing about 3000m2. Near the beach, away from the city. Would need to build but there is a native house to rent on the property in the interim. Building a decent western style house would be about P2M. To build a sizeable native approx P500K.
Quite a few Aussie expats in the area as well as UK and Europe. Any questions hit me up.
Bill
Had so much bad experiences while living here but still happy bcos of my wife and my son.
OLENCROWE wrote:Hi..Im a newbie her in this site聽 but been living for more than 10 years here in P.I.
Had so much bad experiences while living here but still happy bcos of my wife and my son.
Welcome Olencrowe. Sorry to hear of bad experiences. Would you care to share what they were? It could help. Thanks.
in Tagaytay - buy a piece of land to build my house. If any of you can connect me to a good land lawyer and a good realtor to find a lot within a subdivision that would help me. I plan to visit PI in mid December for 30 days to buy a lot. No Kids and No wife - I'm very must a single person with no wish to get married - but as life goes, you can't plan on things to happened the way you want. Anyway, looking for at lease 1/4 Ac. lot and a good contractor to oversee house built. I'm a designer in Civil Eng. - design roads, subdivisions, single family homes lots/ commercial/retain/office development sites. Also Ex. US Army - thanks
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