When you are living in the Philippines you will found out that you are never alone unless you stay in your apartment with the door and windows closed.
One of hardest things to manage is your extended family in the Philippines. Although not all families are the same, if you are married to a Filipina, your wife’s family will immediately label you as rich; not important if you are or not. You will be often asked to assist with all things that cost money. I’m lucky that my wife’s family is not like that. They never ask anything.
Don’t think that a loan is to be paid back. If you do lend money to a family member be assured from the start that you will not see the money again, it will be gone forever.
The Filipino family unit is very close, much closer than western families and it is reflected in their culture. There is a saying that says: “you do not only get married to your Filipina wife but also to her whole family”.
If you find yourself in this situation, you can try to manage and maybe even control it with a bit of authority. The best advice is (if you can’t manage the problem) never live within three hours or more of your Filipina wife’s family. This is important. You have been warned here! (but there’s still those cell phones !!)
If for some reason you find yourself retired in the Philippines living amongst your extended family who request money from you, I suggest you make the Filipino family members work or earn the money they would like. There are plenty of odd jobs that always pop up and what better way of getting them done by them and pay them for it. I’m sure it will not surprise you, requests for money while you are retiring in the Philippines, will stop, if they know that the only way they are going to get money is to earn it.
The Cost of Living
Your hard earned Dollar, Pound, Euro or whatever, will go a long, long way, further than you could possible believe. Depending on how lavish a life style you wish to enjoy, many foreigners are retired in the Philippines living on $1,000 per month. Some less and some more.
Could you afford to have maids, drivers and a house where you live now? I would think not, whereas if you retire in the Philippines you can and you will be living and feeling on top of the world.
Check this page for actual costs of living in the Philippines.
Tropical Weather
Retirement to me means relaxing and enjoying life and what better way than in a tropical environment. The weather can be exceptionally hot and humid (March and April) but don’t forget that you can now afford to retire in the Philippines, by the beach with the cool sea air blowing into your face or you can afford air conditioner.
Now it is true that not everyone enjoys the hot humid weather, but do not despair there are beautiful places in the Philippines that are cool and Baguio City or Tagaytay are prime examples. They are known as the summer capitals of the Philippines, cool and fresh mountain air. There is a retirement place in the Philippines for everyone; you too can enjoy the warm weather.
Filipinos
The Filipino people are among the friendliest in the world. For a country and people that is so poor, they are rich beyond belief in happiness and joy. Life is what it is and a smile is always given.
Back home you get caught up with existing in the 9 to 5 grind earning just enough to pay the rent and put food on the table and totally ignoring everyone as you go about your day. In the Philippines, the Filipinos also try to grind out an existence with far fewer opportunities than you ever had. But they have one huge advantage, they live their life with a smile for you and anybody else, their friendship is a credit to them and an inspiration to me.
Anyone for English?
If you thought communicating with Filipinos would be difficult, because you cannot speak
Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines, then think again. The Philippines is the largest English speaking country in Asia. Communicating is not difficult.
English is pretty much understood by all however in the rural areas it is not as common as in the cities, either way communication is not as hard as you would have thought. Most taxi drivers and shop assistants speak English.
Learn some Tagalog by checking this page or click on the picture below. If you know a few Tagalog phrases, you will be accepted by the Filipinos so much easier, do not worry about pronunciation, they will love you for just trying. Give it a go; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Most major national daily newspapers are published in English – such as Star, Manila Bulletin and Inquirer.
Check for some newspaper and other media HERE
+++++
Earlier comments:
Robert
amrusab.blogspot.com
observing@writeme.com
Submitted on 2009/03/17 at 8:13pm
Hi Jan,
Your money comments apply to Russia, too. You have to try to convince everyone you have no extra cash.
I wish people here were a little friendly in public, but it’s just the opposite from what you relate of the Philippines.
You and I have something in common, as I moved from New Jersey to St Petersburg in 2000! It’s been a rough transition sometimes, but also I was kept busy with some health problems.
Best of luck!
Robert
Jan’s answer
Robert,
I really don’t have any idea about Russia. I believe what you are telling me.
If you were able to go from the US to Russia, maybe, in the future, you might come to the Philippines and enjoy the friendliness of the people here, the good weather etc.
Take care
++++++++++
Adrie
adriecornelissen@gmail.com
Submitted on 2009/03/22 at 9:13am
Hi Jan,
As you already know I’m planning to retire in the Philippines myself in a few years. I have had the luck to find a sweet Filipina myself and we both want to be together. I like to read your blog and your website as well. You’re doing a great job for people like me, who are at the start of the process you already walked on. I read this article now and I wanted to use the link, so I can try to learn a bit more of Tagalog. It is however a pity that the link doesn’t work. I am already learning Tagalog here in Holland, but it would be nice to have a useful link with day to day communications in this language as the parents from my fiancee don’t speak any English. It’s my wish to talk with them too when I’m in Manila in September.
Take care and God bless you and your wife.
Adrie.
jan’s answer
Adrie, You are right, I’ve been checking it and it’s referring to my own pages.
Thanks for the comment.
I have changed it already and made a new blog about “speaking Tagalog”, check it out.
Filipino time:
Yes, living in the Phils is als mine thing to do in the future. But there is also a lot of nature probs in the Phils. Eartquake, vulcano and the Phils is also know as typhoon ally. Esp. the typhoons it looks that thy go stronger and for a longer period every year. I also was looking for a house in the tagaytay area, the temperature is very nice over there. But its very close by the Taal vulcano and that one is still active and even standing on number 6, on the list of the most dangerous vulcanos in the world, so better not to buy there
Flor and I like to go to Tagaytay from time to time. It is always a little cooler there and no traffic like in the Metro Manila area.
Although Taal is an active volcano, If you live in Tagaytay there is not much danger. But if you live in Talisay or in other tows and villages close to Taal lake, sometimes people are asked to evacuate. At the moment the alert level is 1, which means there is some activity in the Volcano, but not very bad yet.
I am interested in retiring to tagaytay.Can I live on 900usd a month there ok? Jimmy in Shanghai,China…..jlewellen2003@yahoo.com
Hi Jimmy,
Depending on your lifestyle it is possible. The only thing is that renting in Tagaytay might be expensive.
Tagaytay is a place where many people from Manila have their weekend houses, and many tourist visit this place. That’s making Tagaytay a little expensive.