Every retiree’s journey is different. This is why mine led halfway around the world.
This article is part of the My Philippines Retirement Hub, a collection of practical advice, personal experiences, and hard-earned lessons about retiring and living in the Philippines.
People occasionally ask me why I chose to retire in the Philippines.
It’s a fair question.
After all, I left behind the country where I was born, served in the United States Marine Corps, raised a family, built a career, and spent most of my life.
The answer isn’t as simple as saying the weather is warmer or the cost of living is lower.
Retiring overseas isn’t the right choice for everyone.
For me…
Several pieces of the puzzle simply came together at the same time.
Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was that they did.
I Wasn’t Leaving Family Behind
This was probably the biggest factor of all.
By the time I made the decision to retire overseas, I was the last surviving one of six children.
My parents were gone.
My brothers and sisters were gone.
I had no young children depending on me.
No grandchildren living nearby waiting for Grandpa to stop over on weekends.
Many Americans would never consider retiring overseas because their families are close.
I completely understand that.
If my circumstances had been different, my decision might have been different too.
But they weren’t.
That gave me a freedom many retirees simply don’t have.
My Retirement Income Worked Better Here
Like many retirees, I live on a fixed income.
My retirement consists primarily of Social Security and my VA disability compensation from military service.
Back in the United States, that income covered the necessities.
Here in the Philippines, it provides something much more valuable.
Comfort.
The same dollars stretch much farther.
One example is how everyday expenses changed, something I discuss in Cash Is Still King: What Every New Retiree Learns About Philippine Money
Instead of constantly worrying about every unexpected expense, I can actually enjoy retirement.
That doesn’t mean I’m wealthy.
It simply means my retirement income works harder here than it did back home.
I Wanted Less Financial Stress
Retirement changed the way I looked at money.
I wasn’t trying to become rich.
I was trying to become comfortable.
In America, there always seemed to be another bill waiting around the corner.
Mortgage payments.
Insurance.
Car expenses.
Property taxes.
Higher grocery bills.
Rising fuel prices.
The list never seemed to end.
I wasn’t running away from America.
I was running toward a retirement that better matched my income.
There is an important difference.
I Already Had Friends Here
Moving halfway around the world is much easier when you don’t arrive as a complete stranger.
Over the years I had developed friendships with people I trusted.
Those friendships helped me understand the culture, avoid common mistakes, and settle into everyday life much more quickly.
If you’re thinking about retiring overseas, don’t underestimate the value of having trustworthy local friends.
They can save you far more than money.
They can save you from making expensive decisions based on unfamiliar customs or misinformation.
I Found My Little Corner of Paradise
The Philippines isn’t one place.
It’s more than 7,000 islands.
Every province has its own personality.
I eventually found mine.
I live in the mountains above Puerto Galera.
The elevation keeps things a little cooler.
I’m fortunate to rent an American-style house that feels like home while still allowing me to enjoy the beauty of the tropics.
From my veranda I can drink my morning coffee, listen to the sounds of the village waking up, and appreciate a slower pace of life than I ever experienced back home.
Living in the mountains also made me appreciate that tropical retirement isn’t just about heat, as I explain in The Heat Is Only Half the Story.
For me…
That’s wealth.
Healthcare Was Good Enough
Healthcare is one of the first concerns retirees ask about.
No, the Philippines isn’t identical to the American healthcare system.
Some locations have outstanding hospitals.
As a US Marine Corps veteran with 100% disability, my total health care was provided by the VA including: dental, optometry, hearing as well as any emergencies that crop up.
Here in the Philippines that is not the case, while the only VA Clinic located outside the US is in Manila, it is outpatient only, will offer care for only service connected disabilities, regular health care is on a cash and carry basis with any hospital you choose, and there are some good ones here: St. Lukes in Manila and Cebu Doctors Hospital in Cebu City.
Others require travel for specialized treatment.
Like many things here, the answer depends on where you choose to live.
The important lesson is to research healthcare before deciding where to retire.
Location matters.
I Discovered I Needed Less
One of the biggest surprises of retirement had nothing to do with money.
It had to do with priorities.
As we get older, many of us begin wanting less instead of more.
Less traffic.
Less stress.
Less clutter.
Less pressure.
More conversations.
More time.
More peace.
More mornings that don’t begin by looking at a clock.
Somewhere along the way I realized I wasn’t searching for a bigger life.
I was searching for a simpler one.
America Changed…
…and So Did I
People often ask whether I left because America changed.
The honest answer is…
Partly.
America changed.
But so did I.
As I grew older, I realized I valued different things than I had when I was raising a family and building a career.
The fast pace no longer appealed to me.
The constant financial pressure no longer seemed worth it.
The retirement I wanted looked different than the life I had spent decades creating.
The Philippines simply matched that new stage of life better.
Learning to embrace a slower pace of life became one of retirement’s greatest unexpected rewards.
The Philippines Isn’t Perfect
No country is.
There are brownouts.
Traffic.
Bureaucracy.
Heat.
Humidity.
Language differences.
Cultural adjustments.
Learning to be patient is practically a requirement.
But here’s the interesting part.
I don’t mind those problems nearly as much as I minded the problems I left behind.
Retirement isn’t about finding a perfect place.
It’s about finding the place whose imperfections you can happily live with.
Would I Do It Again?
People ask me that all the time.
My answer has never changed.
Absolutely.
Not because the Philippines is perfect.
Not because America is terrible.
But because, for this season of my life…
It was exactly the right decision for me.
Every retiree’s circumstances are different.
Family.
Finances.
Health.
Dreams.
Responsibilities.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
There is only the place that feels like home when you wake up each morning.
For me…
That place turned out to be a small mountain community overlooking one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Philippines.
Sometimes people ask me if I miss America.
Of course I do.
It will always be home.
But home isn’t always where you choose to spend the final chapters of your life.
Sometimes home is where you finally discover how peaceful retirement can be.
💬 Your Turn
If you’re retired—or thinking about retiring overseas—what matters most to you?
Was it a lower cost of living? Better weather? Healthcare? Being closer to family? Or simply finding a slower, less stressful way of life?
I’d enjoy hearing what factors are shaping your own retirement plans.
🌴 Continue Exploring
Every retiree’s journey is different, but the more you understand before making the move, the easier your transition will be. Here are a few more lessons from my own experience living in the Philippines.
- ⚠️ The Five Biggest Mistakes New Foreign Retirees Make
Simple decisions made too quickly can become expensive lessons. - 😌 The Luxury Nobody Talks About: Less Hassle
One of the biggest surprises about retirement wasn’t what I gained—it was what I left behind. - ❤️ Relationships, Age Gaps, and Family Support
Understanding one of the biggest cultural differences many foreigners encounter. - 💆 Massages in the Philippines
How everyday luxuries can become part of everyday retirement. - 🏝️ Return to My Philippines Retirement
Browse more practical advice and personal stories about retiring in the Philippines.
Retirement isn’t about finding a perfect place. It’s about finding the place that’s perfect for you.
Bunker Rule
Every retirement journey is unique. Please share your experiences, opinions, and advice respectfully. What works for one retiree may not work for another, and thoughtful conversations help everyone make better decisions.
Bunker Notice
This article has been archived in the My Philippines Retirement Hub, preserving one retiree’s personal journey and the many practical considerations that led to a life-changing decision. The goal isn’t to convince anyone to move overseas—but to help readers think carefully about whether it’s the right choice for them.