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Retiring to the Philippines

Magazine for expats living or retiring in the Philippines

  • Guide
    • About the Philippines
    • Moving to the Philippines
    • Visas
    • Packing & Shipping
    • Bringing Your Pets
    • Importing a Motor Vehicle
  • Living in the Philippines
    • Culture Shock
    • Property
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    • Driving
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    • Hobbies & Interests
  • Travel
    • Airline News and Promotions
    • Places to Visit
    • Best Way to Get There
    • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
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    • Imported Foods & Drinks
    • Home Cooking
  • Entertainment
    • Nightlife
    • Things to Do
  • Shopping
    • Where to Shop
  • Health
    • Doctors
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    • Insurance
  • Economy
    • Cost of Living
    • Business News & Information
    • Investing in the Philippines

The Philippines – Retire In A Tropical Paradise

July 1, 2016 by Joseph Git 49 Comments

philippine-paradise-borocay

The Philippines is such a great place to retire, but few do, and that's a shame. First of all, the people in the Philippines are different from what you may have grown accustomed to. There's no sulky faces, no complaining. Instead, the Filipino people are easy going and friendly and smile a lot. For a first timer to the Philippines, you may just wonder if you have been … [Read more...]

Personal Safety Tips in the Philippines

September 8, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 30 Comments

Last month, the expat community in the Bacolod area was  shocked by the deaths of an American and his Filipina wife. They had lived in the area for some time and had an organic farm in Murcia, outside Bacolod City. Many of us knew the couple and some of us actually bought organic vegetables from their farm. A very sad and tragic story. The husband was reportedly found in a deep … [Read more...]

Philippine Flu Season Is Here

August 24, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 4 Comments

philippine flu season

It's that time of the year again. The flu and cold season is here and runs from July-December in the Philippines. Frequent and proper hand washing is one of the best ways to help avoid catching colds or the flu, in my opinion. Muscle aches, bone aches, backaches,  a dry hacking cough, a low grade fever and loss of appetite are the symptoms that are making the rounds. In … [Read more...]

American Pie

July 30, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 4 Comments

Several years back, I recall a foreigner's plan for his restaurant in the Philippines. He was going to cater only to the foreign crowd and he just knew they would pack out his restaurant morning, noon and night. It didn't happen and not even close. He lost many Filipino customers, who would come in, sit down, read the menu and then leave without ordering. The restaurant was … [Read more...]

Green Onions

July 20, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 2 Comments

Are you considering opening your own restaurant when you retire to the Philippines? There are probably not many places around the world where you can accomplish your dream with less money. I am referring to the place as right here in some areas of the Philippines. I personally know several foreigners who have successful restaurants in the Bacolod area. I am not telling you that … [Read more...]

The Bright Future Requires Sunglasses At Night

June 30, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 12 Comments

We hear more often from the guys who lost their shirts trying to do business in the Philippines. Most discourage others from even trying because they failed and they don't want to see another foreigner succeed. I'm sorry about their bad luck but it hasn't rubbed off on me. I am successful. My wife and I have not made a fortune but make enough to live comfortably every month. … [Read more...]

Who Let The Dogs Out

June 19, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 2 Comments

Four years ago, when we first moved to the city from the farm, that was the burning question. Who let the dogs out? It was about 10pm one evening when we returned home from Chicken Alley, listening to live bands, when we noticed our front gate was open. Our 2 dogs were missing. One dog was a Doberman and the other was a Gamboa, which is mixed St Bernard. We went immediately … [Read more...]

Winds of Change

June 11, 2015 by Gary McMurrain Leave a Comment

On Saturday, June 6th, I woke up and discovered I live in a different Region of the Philippines. Without actually moving, I now live in the NIR. Negros Island Region. I went to sleep Friday night living in the Western Visayas but woke up Saturday morning living in the NIR. Imagine that. President Aquino used his pen and by executive order, he created the new Negros Island … [Read more...]

Sell It Or Ship It?

June 4, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 13 Comments

That is the big question many foreigners have, as time is growing near for them to retire to the Philippines. What to take with them and what to leave behind? I remember those days in 2009 when my wife and our son began the countdown to paradise living in the 'Land of Smiles'. It was easy for us to decide what to ship, sell and give away. Winter clothing was given away and … [Read more...]

Fatboys, Fatboys, Whatcha Gonna Do?

May 25, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 3 Comments

I am not an official Bacolod Restaurant Reviewer but I enjoy passing on information to other foreigners when I find a gem. My family and I very recently discovered a gem while dining out for lunch. Fatboys Restaurant, across from the Triangle in the Chinatown section of Bacolod City known as Shopping. If I go to a restaurant and it is not worth a crap, I don't pass that … [Read more...]

A Miracle At Midnight

April 30, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 1 Comment

The guns were loaded, checked and re-checked by the executioners. The firing squad was ready to execute a group of convicted prisoners known as the Bali 9 on Execution Island, Indonesia. Among the Bali 9 was a 30 year old Filipina, who had captured the world's attention... Mary Jane Veloso. In the midnight hour last Tuesday, the impossible happened. A miracle occurred. Mary … [Read more...]

Marvelous Coffee And A Laid-back Lifestyle

April 23, 2015 by Gary McMurrain 6 Comments

Did you know that the Philippines was once the world's 4th largest coffee producer in the world? For a number of reasons, the Philippine coffee industry fell on hard times. Coffee rust and the explosion of coffee growers in South America both played big parts in the demise of the Philippine coffee industry. It has only been during the last 10 years that an effort has been made … [Read more...]

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Latest Articles

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Latest Comments

  • Robin Litchfield on A Personal Story of Life in the PhilippinesI am trying to locate a little girl that was born there the summer of 1983. Her Mom's name is...
  • Neil on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesBut the state pension is roughly £165 per week £660 per month would not support a single retiree then ?...
  • Norma Bartram on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedHi, you can get your husbands balikbayan visa (one year to stay )at the airport when you arrive. be sure...
  • Bon on The Catfish HunterHi Gary, Is the Negros Sport Fishing club still active? Can’t search them in FB.
  • Eric on Getting Around Like A LocalI am coming to PI with my philipina wife...do I buy a one way ticket to use the balibayan rule...
  • GARY L LAFFERTY on Why I Ultimately Left the PhilippinesYour right I never move Philippines have children or care for a wife least witout 1500$ a month in retirement...
  • Dennis on Philippines Retirement Visai live in Thailand now.....I must pay every year a fee to renew my retirement visa .... is there a...
  • Donna Malec on Philippines 13a Visa Requirements ExplainedHello! I'm a Filipina that is married to an American and we really wanted to apply for 13A visa. However,...
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