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.
How patience can save you thousands of dollarsāand years of regret. 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. Slow Down If I could give every American considering retirement in the Philippines one piece of advice, … Read more
What should retirees know about the climate in the Philippines? Learn about heat, humidity, typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, brownouts, and how expats prepare for life in the tropics.
If you want to understand the Philippines, don’t start with politics or economics. Start with food. What Filipinos eat, where they shop, and how they share meals reveals a lot about life and culture in the Philippines.
One of the first things foreigners notice in the Philippines is how cheerful people seem despite economic hardship. After years of living here, I’ve come to believe Filipino happiness is less about wealth and more about family, faith, community, and resilience.
After surviving four years of driving in Cebu City, I learned that traffic in the Philippines isn’t brokenāit’s just operating under a completely different set of rules than Americans expect.
The SRRV offers permanent residency and convenience, but is it worth the cost? After comparing the numbers, I decided to keep renewing my tourist visa. Here’s the math behind my decision.
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.
Palm trees and beaches don’t automatically create happiness. Many retirees discover that loneliness abroad isn’t about locationāit’s about losing structure, routine, and connection.