Retiring to the Philippines isn’t the right decision for everyoneābut it turned out to be the right decision for me. From family circumstances and a fixed retirement income to lower living costs, trusted Filipino friends, and a simpler way of life, here’s the personal story behind why I chose to spend my retirement in the Philippines and what prospective retirees should consider before making the same journey.
European advice about tipping does not travel cleanly to the Philippines. Here, tips are usually not demanded ā but they are appreciated, useful, and often a meaningful gesture of respect. I read a travel piece about tipping in, primarily in restaurants, in Europe that basically said this: Donāt tip American-style.Donāt scatter coins on the table.Donāt … Read more
Filipinos know global problems affect prices. What they do not trust is how quickly every problem becomes someoneās excuse to charge more. The truth is not all economics and not all greed ā it is a mix of both, and ordinary people pay the difference.
America may have oil, but that does not make gasoline, diesel, or LPG cheap in the Philippines. This country buys into a global energy market, and when fear drives prices up, ordinary Filipinos feel it everywhere.
The pesoādollar rate isnāt random. It moves with U.S. rates, oil prices, and how many dollars flow into the Philippines. Hereās the expat-friendly explanationāand how to budget for it.
Can you really retire in the Philippines on $1,000 a month? After more than a decade living here, one American retiree explains the difference between fantasy budgets and real life.