How can I retire in the Philippines?

I am 56 years old. I can leave my job with early retirement benefits. I like Cagayan de Oro City, was there about 2 years ago. Can an American buy land?

Public Comments

1. No, you can't buy land here but if you marry a local, she can. You could also have a local lease it to you on an ironclad lifetime lease, but be careful of any of that. It is better to rent for a year or two anyway because all things are not as they seem in this country. Take your time, look around and find out who will be your true friends before you commit to anything here.
2. First, there's a lot of abu sayaf, rebels, and american haters in PI, just spend some time in YAP and chat with "My Rabbit Loves Me". My advice is to go to a better place, like Singapore or China or Japan or even Korea or Taiwan or how about Thailand or Cambodia. You can't buy land in PI as a foreigner, but you will be told differently once in PI by scammers. You could buy a condo though, again there's a lot of scammers. South Korea has no restictions on foreigners owning land. Singapore and Japan, even Korea and Taiwan are fare more developed and regulated. In PI police still take your bribes on the street, and there is a lot of political corruption, pollution, etc.
3. You'd be better off in Thailand...
4. Yes to the first question. No to the second. I recommend you spend a little time (3-4 months) visiting the place you plan to retire and then make the decision and don't buy anything like cars, land, beach cottage, condo, rice field, coconut plantation. Otherwise you won't have anything left to get the hell outta here with. And, yes, that desire will come sooner than you think.
5. First you have to come here ha ha When you was here before did you check the prices of houses & living expenses? How long did you stay before?re you married? Have family? We need more info on this question please. You cannot own land as a private person without a lot of hassle so I suggest you forget that idea.
6. Check out other parts of Asia first. But if you must come to retire in the PI, then I suggest in the Visayas. It maybe be boring for you here as there are many brown outs, corruption, pollution, poverty everywhere just to mention a few. But you can live like a king for under $2000.00 a month. Good luck.
7. A foreigner cant own a land in Phil. Usual cases, it will be under his filipina wife's name. CDO is real nice place I guess it true two years ago. Its pretty laid back, close to the ocean, fresh fish, veges, fruits, relatively clean than Manila, not a lot of people, the standard of living is not that high compared to davao,cebu or manila. But a lot have changed. Rampant crimes (snatching,robbery, carnap,kidnapping are just a few) have been committed a lot but seem the perpetrators, always get away.Crimes have risen and its just isnt safe anymore than it used to. Have you considered the nearby Camiguin Island?