Retirement Oz - Americans living in the Philippines? Not retiring but move there?

Americans living in the Philippines? Not retiring but move there?

Let me know your experience. My wife was born there and we thought about living there (more me than her).. We're married so I know I can work or own a business but how difficult would it be? Any of you do it? Give me your experiences. Thanks

Public Comments

Living in a developing country is probably one of the best ideas~maybe its subjective.But I would love to be able to do that.All what you have learned from the Us can be put to good use and the facts that you can teach the population who so badly need help from NGOs to almost everything else is most full filling.Bravo-go for it and the quality of life will be better-anytime.
My partner and I are also contemplating of moving to the Philippines, since your wife is from the Philippines then you wont have so much trouble adjusting, starting a business is also a good idea, and it's not easy either but make sure that you always go by the book when it comes to establishing a business and don't do anything illegal.
Let me get this straight. It's you than her. Financial difficulty is everywhere. If you respect your wife ( her second thoghts [ financial on you point of view], because of your main improtance), there would be no problem. Jojo: I don't know what to say...but come to the PI. 2. Dear Jojo, I'm also speaking as European/Fil. Please it was not an insult. 'til then. Pastor: c'mon.
Well to start with I don't know who told you owning a business was a possibility for you here. It's not ! Foreigners here cannot: Own property. They can only buy a condo. If you decide to buy a house, it will be in your wifes name. Own a business: Same as above. You can own up to 40% of a business with the other 60% owned by the locals by forming a coorperation. I would not recommend it, as I have personally know 5 americans that did that and they all got royally screwed and lost everything through their partners greed. Own a gun or weapon of any kind. Vote or be involved in politics. The only way you work legally is if you applied for and paid for the SSRV visa. $10k if your age 50 or above or get a working visa through a big company. Your odds of geeting one are extreamly slim. You cannot work on a tourist,balikbuyan or spousal visa. Besides I highly doubt you would be willing to work for $300 a month teaching english. There are very few jobs here for locals nevermid us expats and they are usually high level executive poisitions in big cooperations in big cities like Manilla or Cebu. How difficult would it be ? Let me tell you about my friend who is not old enough yet to collect SS. He works 10 hours a day 5 days a week teaching english and tutoring on the side. He makes a whopping $400-$500 on a good month. Lives in a very small rented native house. He does have internet,phone and catv. He does not run aircon or have any othe major appliances other than his tv set. He does not own a car and gets around on trikes/jeepneys. Eats mostly native food and occasionally goes out to a nice resturant with his girlfriend. He lives a mostly vative middle class lifestyle which for us is one step abouve the poverty line. Internet cafes, sari sari stores, jeepney,trike or cab businesses make very little (Under $100 a month). Bottom line is if you do not have an income stream of $600 minimum, do not move here. And that would be in a place other than Manilla or Cebu. But don't just take my word for it. Vist that website below and join that yahoo group below. There are dozens of us that actually live here in the Philippines that can answer your questions. Nice fantacy, but the reality is that the Philippines is a great place to visit and one day retire after you have saved up for it and have an $'s income stream.
Go for it man. It is a nice place to raise family and live in peace. If you are financially set then you and your wife should not even think twice about it. Go for a visit together, look into which area you want to live, have a business etc...Planning is very important to make your move easy and simple. If you decide to take a job then this mean you are taking a job away from Filipino person. So I would not do that. Start your own business and contribute by hiring Filipinos to work for you, this would be a big help as you enjoy what that beautiful country has to offer you.
You are not going to get the information you want here. They're are just to many people here who will give you the wrong information. They all mean well, but have no idea about what an American will get into when trying to live in the Philippines. I suggest that you visit this website http://liveinthephilippines.com/blog/index.php?paged=8 You will find information about Americans living in the Philippines as well as information about finances, employment, housing and other important things. This website is maintained by an American who actualy lives in the Philippines and contains very acurate and up to date info. There are also a lot of article from several other expats that are living and doing business in the country.
Ok, guys I have removed my answer because even though I was trying to let the asker know that it all depends on "what is important to you" and how you spend your money, I realized that the answer I gave might look like I was trying to pat myself on the back and say "look what I do and have" (that was not my intent). For those who saw the answer, it still holds true what I said, and the offer I made has been left on this answer as I stand by it. If anyone who read my answer though that I was trying to bragg, I ask for your forgiveness as again (that is not what I was trying to do) "JoJo"-Now you know one reason I stay in the Philippines. "diamond-4v" - What I do, I do for God, not a denomination (I have none) we take no offerings from the people and do not believe in tithes) If you would like to email me I would be glad to give you a detailed list of or expenses, along with our web site address. I AM SORRY THAT YOUR CONTACT WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN OR PASTORS HAS BEEN ONE WHERE YOU HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE TRUTHFULNESS OF A CHRISTIAN MUCH LESS A PASTOR. GOD BLESS YOU...
I am going to live there in about 5 years my wife and I are making plans. She is a Filipina
Selling to people in one of the poorest nations on earth isn't my idea of a good first step in biz world. Hope you like east coast style weather w/ humidity twice a high, the mosquito the national bird, water may give you the Lapu Lapu revenge, more poor people than you've seen in the US out begging for your scraps. Should I keep on going?
I do not doubt the living conditions or expenses stated by anyone on this site for liiving in the Philippines. I can only tell you mine. I have now lived in the Philippines for over five years. I lived in Manila for two and presently live in Davao City. I have a nice three bedroom house comfortable for most Americans and the rent is $350 a month. I have looked for the past two years for another place to move and I have not found any cheaper that I would live in. People move without thinking of the possibility of having emergencies. I know my case is an extreme, but I think it is far better to be prepared for the worst. In 2005 I contacted pneumonia, TB, relasped penumonia and had heart surgery in Manila all in the same year. In 2007 I was back in the hospital for two weeks with my heart. Social Security Medicare is of no use unless you live within the borders of the U.S.A. The expenses for hospital all were out of pocket. I do not drink, gamble or go to clubs. I live a very quite and conservative lifestyle. I do not have a car and do take a taxi instead of the jeepney which would be cheaper, but being over 6 feet and weighing over 200 pounds it is difficult getting in and out of jeepeneys. I only use the air condition in one bedroom and my electric bill averages 3,887.57 pesos a month, roughly 84 dollars My monthly telephone bill with PLDT with DSL and no long distant calls runs 3668.38 pesos, roughly $79. I came here originally as a missionary and stayed on after I retired. My water bill runs 150 pesos a month roughly $3 and this does not include the bottle water which is about 500 pesos every six weeks or $10. A doctors visit is about 350 pesos or $8 per visit. The heart surgery cost me between $10,000 and $11,000. I know thousands of expatriate claim they live like kings in the Philippines on $600 a month, and I applaud them for doing so, but quite frankly I have not been able to do so. I have a very generous retirement income and do not have to want for anything, but I believe I would be having a difficult time if I had an income of less than $1500 a month. I scratch my head in amazement every day knowing that the majority of the Filipinos are living on less than $300 a month and appear to be doing okay. It certainly has proven to me money is not the secret to happiness. I would suggest you visit and take some time to consider what you require to maintain an acceptable lifestyle for you and your wife and not be pursuaded by what others claim they are doing. I have an employee that has been with me for a few years now and I am very generous with the pay. I have considered returning to the States many times and each time I am troubled by what my employee would do if they had to return to living on the salary they had before they began working for me. You do not miss something you never had, but once you have had it that is a different story. I possibly could send money from the States, but I am aware a home like I live in here would cost me in excess of $1200 a month in Texas and I possibly could not afford to send money back to the Philippines. I say all this to say be careful in accepting as gospel truth what others say about living in the Philippines. It may work for them, but not for you. Prior to my being sent to the Philippines I spent six months on the Internet trying to get some ideas and quite frankly I am glad I did not base my decsion solely on what I read. Good luck!
I would suggest go for a visit first and see for your self if you can live in the Philippines. If you are not used to humid climate, then probably it will not be easy for your especially during summer. However, there are also provinces with colder climate. If you want to do business visit the site: http://www.dti.gov.ph that's the official site of the Department of Trade & Industry. Find out how much it costs to do business in the Phil. There are also some recommendations on what kind of business they promote. I don't think you will be having much difficulty putting up one because your wife is Filipino. Think and plan carefully before moving in this country. ______ Tom 1941: Is your heart ailment caused by poor environmental condition, or poor habits in the past? (Just wndering) and $650 dollars for an apartment! wow! I know condominium units in Makati (central business district in manila) with a cheaper rent than that! You can even own a beautiful home if you are willing to pay $650 for monthly amortization. But i agree, what worked for others may not work for this guy.