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Retiring to the Philippines

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Pearl of the Orient

April 17, 2013 by Gary McMurrain 6 Comments

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pearl-of-the-orient
I won’t bore you with a lot of statistics and geographical information that you can easily search and read on the internet about the Philippines, however I want to share the real Philippines with you. The Pearl of the Orient.

Twenty seven years seem like a long time to many people but it doesn’t seem that long ago to me when I made my first trip to Manila, Philippines in 1986. I spent one year in the country while I studied a few college courses and I lived with a wonderful Filipino family. From Day One, I fell in love with the Philippines, Filipinos and the Filipino Culture. After returning to the USA to live and work, the Philippines was my annual vacation destination, as I returned to visit my many lifelong Filipino friends and to experience the beauty of the Islands and the vibrant Filipino Culture.

I have lived in Bacolod City, Philippines the past 4 years with my beautiful wife and our lovely son. Bacolod City is my permanent home. After 4 years, everyday still unfolds a new adventure for me and each morning brings a new joy into my life.

The Philippines is famous for having the most beautiful women in the world and I certainly agree. However, the Philippines is much more than only beautiful women but that is a good beginning. If you ever go out and enjoy the nightlife with a few Filipino friends, your life will be forever changed. Most Filipinos can enjoy the very moment without worries or cares of the world and without thoughts of what tomorrow may bring. Live for today, live for right now is often the attitude of the local people in the Philippines. While many are in the daily grind in other countries of planning for the future, if you are living in the Philippines, today is the future. You can enjoy life now and live life to the fullest everyday in the Philippines.

The cost of living is much cheaper in the Philippines than in most every developed country in the world. Foreign currency goes a long way in the Philippines when you exchange to Pesos, the Philippine currency.

If you love the beach, you can go everyday, all year round in the Philippines. I could not do that even when I lived in Florida for 15 years! There are so many nice beaches and one is not limited to going to a famous Beach Resort, such as Boracay. There are many local beaches that cost minimal admission and for rental of a day cottage. When we go to the one beautiful beaches in Bacolod, we usually spend about $8 for admission and the cottage rental for a family of 3.

The laid-back lifestyle in the Philippines is the allure to many. There is never a sense of urgency unless there is an emergency. Many people rush head long through life in other countries and never get anywhere but you can take your time in the Philippines and experience the grandeur of the islands.

Filipinos love to eat and there are many good things to eat in the Philippines. There is breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, coffee time, merienda (a larger, late afternoon snack) and supper, which is often eaten later in the evening. Concerning the price, less than $3 USD will buy a lot of food in the Philippines unless you are eating in a 5 Star Restaurant.

One of the main attractions that expats hold for the Philippines is the marvelous beauty of the many tropical islands. Other than the fabulous beaches and coral reefs, there are mountains, mountain resorts, both active and no-active volcanoes, rainforests and there are almost 4,000 species of plants and animals in the Philippines.

There are many islands in the Philippines to choose from and there is one island waiting just for you to make your retirement paradise.

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Filed Under: About the Philippines Tagged With: orient, pearl, philippines

About Gary McMurrain

Gary McMurrain has been involved with the Philippines in one way or another for over 30 years. He has been living in Bacolod for 6 years and is widely considered an authority on living the expat life.

Comments

  1. rick says

    June 3, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    i totally agree with you gary. i fell in love the first trip with the philippines, the people the culture, everything. i guess you either love it or not. i tell all philipinos it is the greatest country in the world. i really love it there.

    Reply
  2. Gary McMurrain says

    June 4, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    Hi Rick,

    It is nice hearing from you. I agree that the Philippines is not for everyone and most of those who do not like it are the ones hoping to find the logic and culture of their home country here. They don’t want to give up Monday Night Football, either!

    For those seeking a great new adventure in life, I can’t think of a better place to find it than in the Philippines.. After 4 years living here year round, there is never a dull moment! Everyday is a new adventure.

    Have a great day!

    ~ Gary ~

    Reply
  3. Herb says

    November 15, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    Hey Guys, thank you for appreciating the beauty of the Philippines. We love to share with you our warm culture and beautiful smile. You are all welcome. It’s more fun in the Philippines. !!!

    Reply
    • Gary McMurrain says

      November 17, 2013 at 5:12 am

      Hey Herb,

      Thank you much for your compliments! Yes, we love the Philippines and all its marvelous beauty, in both land and the people. We certainly agree that it is indeed more fun here!! There is no other place on earth like it.

      Have a great day!

      ~ Gary ~

      Reply
  4. Raoul says

    March 25, 2014 at 8:00 am

    Hi Gary! I was born and raised in the PHILIPPINES, migrated and worked/lived in Canada for 20 years and now on-the-process of going back to the native land for retirement. Got lots of insights from your writings, good job.

    Reply
    • Gary McMurrain says

      March 25, 2014 at 11:43 pm

      Hi Raoul!

      Welcome back and welcome home! I think you will enjoy the Philippines once you actually get here.

      Thank you much for your compliments and I am happy you enjoy my articles on Retiring to the Philippines.

      Take care and have a very nice day!

      ~ Gary ~

      Reply

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