Posted on 03/26/2016 8:03:48 AM PDT by Lurker
To add - drug prices are extremely low.
Your medication regime will be a trivial expense - in most cases this is the major medical expense covered by Medicare.
Sounds like Guam would be a better bet.
Southern P.I. still an Islamist hotspot?
Most Filipinos are among the nicest and politest people in the world. Love ‘em! But Manila has maybe the world’s worst traffic. Also, lots of typhoon danger everywhere except maybe in the extreme southeast around Davao. Cost of living extremely low outside of Manila.
Taking it all into account, I can’t see why an American would want to retire in the Philippines unless he had Filipino relatives living there. If I were dead-set on a foreign locale for retirement, I think I’d rather go to some place like Costa Rica.
>> Sounds like Guam would be a better bet <<
Unless you don’t like snakes!
I understand the Muslim problems are very localized and not as prevalent as reported. The Filipino authorities are cracking down on the terrorists and giving them no quarter - as in no court dates...just deaded on site.
The Philippine nation consists of hundreds of islands. Do your homework and sure you'll find many places where Americans can live in peace. There are still many expat Americans living in Subic Bay (former US Naval Station) area that includes Olongapo and Baguio that are enjoying the low-cost of living. Haven't heard of any being killed or captured by the small Muslim faction that occurs mostly around the capital of Manila on another island.
Plus, read recently that because of China's military buildup, the Philippines want us back. Think negotiations are under way for ports and air bases as I write this.
In my Navy days when visiting the Philippines (70's-80's), I found them to be totally westernized and a friendly people - the "adult disneyland" of Olongapo has changed into a regular town without the Masaysay strip of bar after bar and hookers and pick-pocket children. Plus, most Filipinos speak English. Wonder if they ever cleaned up "shit river" as called during my day. You may also want to look at the town of Cebu on a different island.
Costa Rico is probably the #1 country for expat Americans. Lots of benefits there, but mostly being in close proximity to the USA if you need to visit. However, it is about the same latitude as the Philippines so the heat and humidity is similar. Takes a while to adjust, but everyone does.
Personally, I would consider Costa Rico first. Google is your friend, or maybe not, but informative.
I have a friend whose son is in the Army and they were told not to leave the base in Philippines.
Yes, even back in my Navy days all the "hostesses" in Olongapo were courteous and friendly, and not just to get American dollars. I also worked with many Filipinos on my first ship and their work ethic was second to none - plus great friends.
"I think I’d rather go to some place like Costa Rica."
Agree. However, I'm not sure of the cost of living compared to the Philippines.
There are places in Central America that are safe and cheap and its not 95 degrees at midnight. The smog in those Asian countries will cut 10 years off your life. My BIL is with the state dept and they were in Thailand for 3 years. The smog was so bad he had a permanent cough.
Location of base and why? Muslim monsters? Please elaborate.
Thank you.
It’s becoming more and more difficult to escape Islam.
No snakes in P.I. ?
Not what I remember...
>> No snakes in P.I. ?
>> Not what I remember
Sure. The Philippines Islands have plenty of snakes. But on a per square mile or per human basis, people tell me that Guam has a lot more — specifically, the brown tree snake.
I've lived in Manila, Baguio, Subic, Angeles and Leyte. I had a friend who lived in Dumaguete and he loved it as there is a fairly large American community there.
But again, no one in my opinion should consider moving there without having spent considerable time there first. It's impossible to really describe what it is like without experiencing it yourself. Most Americans would hate it there
but for folks like me it can't be beat. Feel free to Freep mail me if you want more specific info.
Rent in the Phils will be $150/month for a nice place. $300/month for a VERY nice place.
In Guam, prices are US levels. Pension doesn’t stretch.
I’ve heard about how the brown tree snake has changed the environment in Guam.
I was in the P.I. in 1960-61 as an Army Brat. We were stationed at Yokohama back then. My folks were looking for a business opportunity with I-Paper. Dad was to build and be in charge of a new paper mill...
I have a house there and a farm ,, I’m going back this summer to buy more farmland and plant cocoa trees... I don’t like the big cities myself. If they’re on a limited but reasonable budget , I’d say at least $2k USD/month , they can live very well there and travel around asia cheaply... I would suggest this mans YouTube channel for a Californians take on living there ... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe3PDv7F4Uex3ii9zdMbvWQ
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