Retire in the Philippines
As I reviewed my site recently, I noticed that I have never specifically posted as to why I want to retire in the Philippines. I have stated why Samal Island was chosen for the place to buy our land and build our house. I’ve even written about frugality and the Philippines, which touches on some of my beliefs in how I’d like to live my life. I had always figured each post kind of spelled out my reasons, but maybe not. Of course these reasons may change as time passes, but for now here are my top ten.
1. My Asawa is from the Philppines
This may seem obvious, and it is, but I’ve met a number of filipina that have no desire to live in the Philippines any more. They want to live in the US or some other perceived rich country. That’s not entirely fair, sometimes they want to live where there true love is. My asawa wants to live in the Philippines, in particularly somewhere around Davao. That’s OK with me, as I like that area as well or better than any I’ve been to. Family is nearby, but not too near. Samal Island fits the bill nicely, and if not, then Bukidnon has its strong points, too.
2. Sister-in-law is from the Philppines
The reason I visited the Philippines in the first place was to meet my new nephew. My younger brother had married a filipina and they had their first child in Quezon City. During my visit I met my asawa to be. My sister-in-law has recently immigrated to the US, but they expect to retire in the Philippines at some point down the road, also. Probably not near Davao, but it won’t be a long trip to visit.
3. Cost of living
Many experts and expats will advise against moving to the Philippines for this reason. Truth be told, it’s why I moved to Spokane some twenty some years ago. I’ve always been very conscious of my money, and maintained a fairly strict budget. I feel we can live a decent life with what I’ll get in retirement pay, and to me that’s a factor. A fairly important one to my peace of mind, and being able to enjoy my retirement.
4. No Snow – no really!
For those that haven’t experienced a harsh winter, and then another, and then another – you may not get this one. Trust me on this. After the previous two winters (this one’s been mild so far) many newcomers packed their bags, and went home to warmer and more expensive locations (LA?).
5. Friendly people
People in the Philippines are friendly. Every single one of them, without exception. Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a wee bit, but as whole they really are!
6. Slower pace
Pilipino time anyone? The massage lady (what is the word for that again) that my younger brother used, and overpaid by about 10 times, couldn’t make it within a couple hours of the appointed time. Good thing we never had anything else we needed to to do during our day. This will take some getting used to, but I’m determined.
7. Different – really retired
I could retire right where I live now, but to me it will feel more like an accomplishment to retire some place new and exotic. I’ll have a lot to learn and explore. Much to adapt to. To me that’s a retirement.
8. English speaking
I’m learning Bisaya (slowly) and intend to keep doing so. Even so, it’s great to be able to communicate when needed, even if what I’m saying isn’t really understood as I mean it.
9. Instant family
When I married my asawa I must have increased my relatives by about a few hundred. Everyone I met in the province was my relative, and I sure was popular 
This can certainly be a good thing/bad thing but when push comes to shove, it really does help to have family around.
10. Mango shakes & ensaymadas!
OK everyone has their favorites. Maybe durian will make it’s way up my list, but for now I could live quite a few days off of nothing but mangga shakes and cheesy ensaymadas.
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Hi, Randy C
I was born in Davao City in mid 50’s, but live most of my younger age with my grandparents in Babak until we moved out in early 70’s to hawaii, since, that time i have never been back to that island until 2006, even though my parents still have a house and property in Babak which is only about a mile away from Babak Wharf…you know when i ran in to your website and started reading on your posting and comments about retiring in that island i thought to myself, you know i was wondering why my parents (living in hawaii) will not retire there, so, one day i asked my parents (they’re both in their 80’s) why don’t they retire in Samal Island for good, their answers are “we love to” but the only drawbacks are, the island does’nt have a good equip medical facility, any emergency has to be brought in or out from/to Davao City. you know randy me and my wife are in the mid 50’s and someday we will be retiring, infact we sort of discussing from time to time of when and where we retire, my wife from Cebu wants to retire there since she already has a property inherited from her parents, i want to retire in Samal Island, but right now we just sort of contemplating and having a discussion but nothing definite yet, let see how it’s goes..anyway i wish you luck and learning how to speak bisaya is a good thing keep it up and someday you’ll be as good as the the local samalenos…:)hehehe..keep in touch..
Jun Lantaya
Oxnard, California
Hi Jun – thanks for your visit and comment.
There are two hospitals on Samal, at this time, and plans for specialty medical treatment within one of the new resort subdivisions. I’m not too worried about it myself, but maybe that will change if my health were to change. As the high end subdivisions continue to evolve, I’m sure there will be more medical services for those residents. After all, they will undoubtable be in the upper class of income.
Maybe you could retire around Cebu, with a vacation home on Samal? Seems a lot of people that can afford to are keeping a second home on Samal. We aren’t in that situtation, so it will be Samal or somewhere else for us. I think Samal is going to work out just fine and we aren’t really thinking of somewhere else at this point.
Take care and drop by anytime.
you should go try some green mango shake. love the stuff.
Oh yeah, green mango shakes are great! Got introduced to mango shakes at Paradise Island. I had a cold and didn’t feel like I could eat anything, so I filled up on mango shakes. With my diet, they have become a staple for me there.