[Rodney Dangerfield]

That’s what exactly what I will be doing - either the Phils or Chiang Mai in Thailand.

Leaning towards the Phils, but health care is much better in Thailand.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I’ve heard some people want to retire in the Phillipines because of the girls.

Hard to believe, to American feminists, but I’ve heard that Filipino women treat their men in a certain way, and that it’s just a different type of relationship with them, compared to some modern American women.

[max americana]

same here. My in-law on bro’s side is Filipina and last year went around to scout for a nice high-rise condo. Hilarious that a 40th floor condo at Rockwell will only cost me 50 grand in the middle of the financial district.

[Ann Archy]

Health Care is better in THAILAND??? Do tell!

[WVKayaker]

Leaning towards the Phils, but health care is much better in Thailand.

Everything is much cheaper here, and my recent hospital stay was literally "first class". I stayed in a two room suite at Ormoc Doctors Hospital (affiliate of Cebu University Doctors Hospital system) complete with kitchen. leather couch and recliner, and of course tv/stereo and a stocked refrigerator, with water, juices and fruits. It has the standard hospital bed for sleeping. It was about 350 sq ft. They fed me with a special diet for Americans (good food, and entirely different from the hospital food back home!!!)!

I went in for two days of tests, so I could send my results back to the VA. I get free health care back in the states, but here you have to go to the embassy in Manila, and it is only for Vets with a disability rating (even 0%) on outpatient basis only.

But, I spent 27,000PhP for a complete physical, tests for damn near everything (including ultrasound and x-rays), and had two doctors, (including the best GastroEnterologist in Ormoc!). The total included the doctors' fees. I sent the test results back home and my doctor there authorized my free meds. They ship them to my daughter's house in NC, and she sends them to me by USPS/PhilPost. It takes a while, but it is far cheaper than buying the meds, and certainly less than a round trip ticket!

[WVKayaker]

Did I mention that I billed Medicare? They reimbursed it all! I am here on a “tourist” visa... and can stay for up to 18 months, fly to Hong Kong or some other nearby place, and return the next day for another 18 months, rinse and repeat. I know one guy who has done it for more than 17 years...

[Georgia Girl 2]

Maybe you better take a trip to Thailand before moving there. Everyday temps in the 90’s with 100% humidity. Ongoing civil war and the air is so polluted you can hardly breathe it. Well you could live at the beach I guess but then there’s always the TSUNAMI’s.

[LadyDoc]

for health care in the Philippines try Asian Hospital, where my niece studied nursing.

There are hospitals up to American standards in Manila; not so much in the provinces, but basic care can be found even in some smaller cities.

My US based insurance will pay for my care here, but only if I use their doctors. If you plan to move, check it out.

And we have a lot less HIV here than in Thailand, in case you need a blood transfusion.