When I go out to the malls and the restaurants in Greater Bacolod, I see more expats in the Philippines are gathering and joining us all the time! The word is spreading and catching on that this part of the world is a great place to retire, live, do business and even raise children. If you are not interested in doing business and if you do not have plans to raise children, this is still a great area to enjoy and as they would say on Billboard, the Philippines is climbing the charts… with a bullet! In reality, expats in the Philippines are going for the gusto! The good life!
Expats in the Philippines come in all shapes, sizes and nationalities. They do not all come here with the exact agenda but most all come here for a positive reason! They want to enjoy life in a location of the world that has good climate, is not polluted, is not overcrowded, is not crime infested and is an area where they can enjoy an excellent lifestyle without it costing them an arm and a leg. Negros Occidental, and in particular the Bacolod Area and Greater Bacolod, meets all the above criteria!
How Long Has It Been?
When was the last time you could really enjoy life without worrying about your finances? Can you afford to play golf? Can you afford to eat in nice restaurants? Can you afford to take in the local sites? Can you afford to go deep sea fishing? Can you afford to attend a Jazz Festival or go to a music concert most anytime you like? Can you afford to rent a very nice place to live with all the amenities? 24/7 Security, swimming pool, tennis court, clubhouse, basketball court and fitness gym? If you cannot afford those things without worry in your home country, come on down! Being amongst the expats in the Philippines is a fabulous lifestyle!
Well, I’m afraid I’ve got some good news! If you have a monthly income of around $1,200 per month, then this area of the Philippines is just waiting for you! You can do it on less than $1,200 per month, a good bit less, but it depends on your lifestyle and exactly what you require to be happy. Internet is here! Dream Satellite is here! You can have both for about $37 per month. That is what I pay!
What’s Common Amongst Expats in the Philippines?
Some are in a state of denial, however, we all have an appointment one day. We are all going to be knocking on Heaven’s door at some point. I know a number of folks in America this very minute, who continue putting off their retirement. Each year they are getting one year older and closer to that appointment date. Yet, they could retire today and being enjoying a fabulous life with other expats in the Philippines! By next week! None of us are guaranteed another minute of life and while it is great planning for the future, once you hit ages 60-70, you only have so many decades left. Right?
I am glad I opted out of the work force at age 54. My wife and I were financially able to acquire our homes, invest in business and go for the gusto at an early age. On the amount of money we had to work with, and it is a lot less than you may imagine, we could never do this in the USA! No, never!
I am not just sitting around, waiting around to die and I won’t come up short when they come for me to take me to the cemetery! I have been very much alive and kicking unlike some expats in the Philippines since 2009. Every day continues to unfold a new adventure in my life in the Bacolod Area. Living a stress-free life, eating all the tropical fruits and healthy vegetables I could imagine, very cheaply, engaging life with full gusto, have all no doubt added years to my life, most likely. I am healthier today at age 59 which is considered an average age for expats in the Philippines than I was at age 46 in south Florida, near Miami!
It is up to you, amigos! If you are in a position to retire today, why not do it? Most expats in the Philippines enjoy a fabulous lifestyle. I am only one among more than 300,000 US citizens who have retired to the Philippines, enjoying life in the islands year round. Americans certainly do not have a monopoly and their are many nationalities amongst the expats in the Philippines! There are many others from Australia, UK, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Korea, Japan and from many other countries around the round world.
Are you ready to get started and join us? Today is a good time as any, di ba?
I am in the planning stages right now to move there, marry my girlfriend and buying a home. Going to take a few years to do, but I am in my late forties so I have a little time to prepare. Can’t wait to be a part of the growing expat community there in the Philippines!
Well said, as usual. That’s why I’m moving to Cebu soon! As an expat I’m concerned about health insurance. You mentioned Caritas Health Shield. They have a cut-off age of 65. I’m 67 so I can’t apply. Are you aware of any other companies that would accept me? Thanks.
Hi Terry,
I would check out Pacific Prime Health Insurance, as they are well known all over Asia.
I wish you the best!
Gary
I Love The Philippines. I Was Stationed There In Navy. But Now I’m Ready To Retire There.
..was nice of you to share your perspective on retirement in the Philippines especially in other areas of this country that even one “pinoy” like me, born and raised in the northern part (ilocos) has so much to appreciate as I have never been to places like Bacolod, Bohol, GenSan, Iloilo, and mostly in the southern part as traveling in my younger days is beyond my means and usually not the norm when summer rolls in…. like you, as acclimated as I am in California now, I still look forward to settling and joining the drove of expats coming here to enjoy this journey we call “LIFE”…. I still work at the local university but i am lining up all my luggages now to look forward to a retirement life in the Philippines…
It sounds great, Ener. Let us know when you get here!
Best Regards,
Gary
Hi Calvin and Richard, It is nice knowing you guys are already making plans to join us here in the Philippines. Best Wishes!
Gary
When I get back to Tagaytay I’ll have all the conveniences, great foods and cool weather that I want. I’ll also get out from behind the walls and gates I’ve been behind these last 9 years. Chickens, goats and a good garden are in the plans and I can hardly wait for August to get me out of Pangasinan.
Hello
I am wondering where you can find a good contractor in the Cavite area of the Philippines someone you can trust to build a house for us on our 180sq meter lot? Is there a place you can go to chose a contractor? We don’t live in the Philippines yet so we need someone we can trust to build our home the way we want it.
Thank you
Alan
To be honest I would suggest you come and rent before and while building. Look at well built homes in the area where you will be building and find out who built them. A couple things I would do would be to make sure the electrical system is a proper 3-wire grounded set up and not just 3 hole sockets with a ground-to-nowhere. You will want to demand ground fault interrupters as you would get in the US, but finding both supplies and a good electrician will be problematic. You might also know that most plumbing here is encased in concrete so any time you need to do some maintenance, or add some service you have to chop out the concrete to access the pipes. I personally would rather look at the pipes than have to chisel my wall apart.
Hi Gary sounds like you are very tuned in. I was in Bacolod and other parts last year for the second time. Stayed in Davio, Makati, Cebu too. I am trying to pick the right spot to retire. Coming back from Dallas soon for extended stay and Bacolod is on the top of the list had a great golf experience with some expats at the club there. Anyway, how much is your consulting? I am happily divorced, 61 in good shape, healthy, active, ok Financially, want to rent a place first, want to find a girlfriend or wife, connect with successful, good expats and locals. I am a businessman.
Maybe you could share some ideas, links, etc. we can get aquatinted and I can learn about your service. Hope to hear from you soon!
Thanks,
Bill
Hi Bill,
I am glad you enjoyed your stay in Bacolod City. I have been tuned in concerning the Philippines for the past 28 years and even more so since we have lived here year round for more than 5 years now.
I charge $100 per hour for private consulting. You can read more about it and schedule an appointment on this page…
http://retiringtothephilippines.com/philippines-retirement-consulting/
The above link is the only link you will need to have all your questions answered about the Philippines.
Have a great day!
Gary
What would be a comfortable amount for a family of 3 to live on in a province?