The world's most affordable places to retire

[indiana_sweetie 120]

What do you think? I'm just curious.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-505145_162-57590476/the-worlds-most-affordable-places-to-retire/

[RGinWA 816]

Cebu is beautiful. I could totally live there.

[Calypso 464]

Cebu is beautiful. I could totally live there.

Which part of Cebu province? Cebu City is a dump. I grew up there. My husband and I returned to the Philippines last year for the first time since I arrived in the US on a K-1 visa. I was greatly appalled. I started asking myself how I survived in Cebu City all those years. It has become so much like Metro Manila.

I took him to Bohol like I've always wanted to. I told him that I like most parts of Bohol province. He has fallen in love with Bohol, too, and intends to retire in one of the beach towns there. Of course diving is one big reason for his decision to pick that island.

[Darnell 8,479]

Detroit !

[Bugs 455]

I plan on retiring and moving to the Philippines. My fiance and I made a compromise, in that she will come here while I am still working, and then we will go there when I'm done. That is 22 years from now though, so things could change. We are not decided on where yet though, either, but do plan on purchasing a condo in the Philippines at some point down the line once we do decide. You can purchase a real nice one at a nice location for only $50,000 U.S. dollars. We loved the condo unit that we stayed at a few months ago, with AC, security, a garage, and walkway connection to a major mall in Quezon City.

[RGinWA 816]

Which part of Cebu province? Cebu City is a dump. I grew up there. My husband and I returned to the Philippines last year for the first time since I arrived in the US on a K-1 visa. I was greatly appalled. I started asking myself how I survived in Cebu City all those years. It has become so much like Metro Manila.

I took him to Bohol like I've always wanted to. I told him that I like most parts of Bohol province. He has fallen in love with Bohol, too, and intends to retire in one of the beach towns there. Of course diving is one big reason for his decision to pick that island.

The area where my fiance lives is Carcar and I enjoyed where she lived. It's not for everyone, I know that. It has a lot of charm where she lives, because the view from her home is a huge rice paddy that is shared by the village.

I would love to live on Camotes. I stayed there about a week and I thought it was beautiful.

Bohol is also great, but I'd need to find an area that's more remote on that island.

I found areas of complete poverty on Cebu and stretches of paradise. It just depends. Cebu City is hit and miss.

I'd need to spend more time there in order to find the perfect spot.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Which part of Cebu province? Cebu City is a dump. I grew up there. My husband and I returned to the Philippines last year for the first time since I arrived in the US on a K-1 visa. I was greatly appalled. I started asking myself how I survived in Cebu City all those years. It has become so much like Metro Manila.

I took him to Bohol like I've always wanted to. I told him that I like most parts of Bohol province. He has fallen in love with Bohol, too, and intends to retire in one of the beach towns there. Of course diving is one big reason for his decision to pick that island.

You are right Cebu City is a trash dump.Talisay, where my wife is from is just as bad or worse. The beach at Dumlog looks like the city sewage and trash dump combined.

However we love our family in the PI and plan to move back, hopefully within a year or so. I am thinking Argao or Moalboal areas. Still close enough to drive to seethe little ones or have them come stay a lot, but not close enough to eat breakfast everyday.

I am going to check out Bohol also. Some good rental prices there

The area where my fiance lives is Carcar and I enjoyed where she lived. It's not for everyone, I know that. It has a lot of charm where she lives, because the view from her home is a huge rice paddy that is shared by the village.

I would love to live on Camotes. I stayed there about a week and I thought it was beautiful.

Bohol is also great, but I'd need to find an area that's more remote on that island.

I found areas of complete poverty on Cebu and stretches of paradise. It just depends. Cebu City is hit and miss.

I'd need to spend more time there in order to find the perfect spot.

My Mother in Law is in CarCar. Did you by any chance visit the cemetery there. Very different from the U.S.

[RGinWA 816]

You are right Cebu City is a trash dump.Talisay, where my wife is from is just as bad or worse. The beach at Dumlog looks like the city sewage and trash dump combined.

However we love our family in the PI and plan to move back, hopefully within a year or so. I am thinking Argao or Moalboal areas. Still close enough to drive to seethe little ones or have them come stay a lot, but not close enough to eat breakfast everyday.

I am going to check out Bohol also. Some good rental prices there

My Mother in Law is in CarCar. Did you by any chance visit the cemetery there. Very different from the U.S.

Yeah, many places in Cebu are pure 3rd world, especially in Cebu City. It kind of bothered me a little to see that level of poverty. Way worse than what I'd seen in Mexico.

Bohol is great but getting to the City is a hike if you want to be out in nature. It's a beautiful island and the roads are being improved in the outlying areas with 2 foot thick cement. Better roads than in the US. Where they got the funding for that is a mystery.

I actually liked Camotes better, but that is a ferry ride to the nearest big grocery store and there's one ATM on the island that works sporadically on dial-up. lol

In Carcar I went to the Church, to the mall and stayed at a hotel there for a week. It was not bad at the hotel. The one I stayed at was new, so it was like a super 8 motel in the states, but privately owned. I didn't go to the cemetery. Although I did watch a youtube on people living in them in Manila...that was a little different to say the least. The people in Carcar were always super friendly.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Yeah, many places in Cebu are pure 3rd world, especially in Cebu City. It kind of bothered me a little to see that level of poverty. Way worse than what I'd seen in Mexico.

Bohol is great but getting to the City is a hike if you want to be out in nature. It's a beautiful island and the roads are being improved in the outlying areas with 2 foot thick cement. Better roads than in the US. Where they got the funding for that is a mystery.

I actually liked Camotes better, but that is a ferry ride to the nearest big grocery store and there's one ATM on the island that works sporadically on dial-up. lol

In Carcar I went to the Church, to the mall and stayed at a hotel there for a week. It was not bad at the hotel. The one I stayed at was new, so it was like a super 8 motel in the states, but privately owned. I didn't go to the cemetery. Although I did watch a youtube on people living in them in Manila...that was a little different to say the least. The people in Carcar were always super friendly.

Pinoy people are some of the best in the world. So much to not smile about but always happy. I love my family there very much. We will probably go back in Sept again. Last time I stayed in a small apt in Dumlog Talisay. This time I think I will stay in one of the locally owned resorts along the coast road. They are very affordable.

We did go stay at Plantation Bay a few days last year when we were there. Really nice but $$$$$.

My wife actually grew up in CarCar. Her dad was some kind of Union guy, that got shot and was paralyzed his last 10 years or so. Still lots of family there. One of my relatives is the Barangy Tonad

[RGinWA 816]

Pinoy people are some of the best in the world. So much to not smile about but always happy. I love my family there very much. We will probably go back in Sept again. Last time I stayed in a small apt in Dumlog Talisay. This time I think I will stay in one of the locally owned resorts along the coast road. They are very affordable.

We did go stay at Plantation Bay a few days last year when we were there. Really nice but $$$$$.

My wife actually grew up in CarCar. Her dad was some kind of Union guy, that got shot and was paralyzed his last 10 years or so. Still lots of family there. One of my relatives is the Barangy Tonad

In all honesty, I've never met people who were so generous, happy and welcoming anywhere. It's what actual made up my mind on getting engaged while I was there. My fiance's family treated me better than my own family. (not that it was that hard to beat) Point being that if you want to know how a person really is meet and stay with the family...I'd urge anyone to do this...well, maybe not in the states. lol

Sure there are problems in the Philippine's, but the government has a lot to do with that. In my opinion its 10 times safer than going to Mexico.

[LSnBigBear 61]

I lived in Cebu City for 5 years. Been going there for business on and off again since 1998. I was there on a fat expat package and then tried to go back to live on my own and start businesses.. Darn near lost everything so retiring there just make sure you have monthly income as earning and living there is difficult. Many-many men try and most fail. One of our jokes while living there was "if you want to be a millionaire and live in Cebu, be a 2 millionaire when you arrive" lol.. No joke though.

As for the changes. I agree Cebu City is not as nice as 15 year ago. It has gotten very expensive and the quality of the services has gone down. Keep in mind in CCity, South Koreans are coming in for English learning. They are building up and investing there which is causing prices to increase. I had a few Korean friends while living there and enjoyed them very much. Korea is expensive similar to Japan so prices in Cebu are going up a lot due to the Foreigners that frequent and live. My wife is from Bohol. If you can take the slow down approach to life then Bohol is the place (for now). I have seen many changes to the RP in my years. Like most not for the better with the exception for the locals finding employment. I love the RP. Just take note that visiting and living there are two different animals. Great post BTW. If I can educate from my losses, then all the better.. BTW the only successful business I made money on was Balamban Liempo. Pork Belly. By best friend (Pinoy) started the franchise. A little money maker So not all bad lol

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I lived in Cebu City for 5 years. Been going there for business on and off again since 1998. I was there on a fat expat package and then tried to go back to live on my own and start businesses.. Darn near lost everything so retiring there just make sure you have monthly income as earning and living there is difficult. Many-many men try and most fail. One of our jokes while living there was "if you want to be a millionaire and live in Cebu, be a 2 millionaire when you arrive" lol.. No joke though.

As for the changes. I agree Cebu City is not as nice as 15 year ago. It has gotten very expensive and the quality of the services has gone down. Keep in mind in CCity, South Koreans are coming in for English learning. They are building up and investing there which is causing prices to increase. I had a few Korean friends while living there and enjoyed them very much. Korea is expensive similar to Japan so prices in Cebu are going up a lot due to the Foreigners that frequent and live. My wife is from Bohol. If you can take the slow down approach to life then Bohol is the place (for now). I have seen many changes to the RP in my years. Like most not for the better with the exception for the locals finding employment. I love the RP. Just take note that visiting and living there are two different animals. Great post BTW. If I can educate from my losses, then all the better.. BTW the only successful business I made money on was Balamban Liempo. Pork Belly. By best friend (Pinoy) started the franchise. A little money maker So not all bad lol

I have heard the same exact advice ten fold over in the Living in Cebu website. I do know for a fact I want to live in the province. I don't plan to work. I think I can budget about 90,000 P per month and never touch savings. I always plan to have bail out money.

We encountered a lot of Koreans last time we were there, I must say I know what it is like to experience arrogant foreigners.We had a couple of Run in's. We would be in line being waited on, and they would just walk to the head of the line and step in front of us. Maybe it's just a cultural thing.

Anyway thinks for the good advice.

[LSnBigBear 61]

You are correct NB they are from a Western standpoint rude. It is cultural though as I have a few friends as mentioned that were polite. I co owned a sports bar and the Koreans would spit in ashtrays. Even the women. It is a cultural thing. If we look at N east USA versus S east USA we see different cultures as to regions. Similar to Korea. As for living outside of Cebu City that is a positive. Someone mentioned Carcar. Nice area and close enough to the city to shop for major items. 90k a month is livable outside of the city.. I/ would hope the exchange rate would increase back to 55-1 like in 2005-06.... Amazing thing about RP. Beer prices stay the same lol. 45p. Much easier on wallet when beer cost less than a buck

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Philippines is so close to a civil war, or a military coup, that would keep me from retiring there, However, they are some nice places that have yet to be ruined by the tourist trade.

[Calypso 464]

The area where my fiance lives is Carcar and I enjoyed where she lived. It's not for everyone, I know that. It has a lot of charm where she lives, because the view from her home is a huge rice paddy that is shared by the village.

I would love to live on Camotes. I stayed there about a week and I thought it was beautiful.

Bohol is also great, but I'd need to find an area that's more remote on that island.

I found areas of complete poverty on Cebu and stretches of paradise. It just depends. Cebu City is hit and miss.

I'd need to spend more time there in order to find the perfect spot.

Carcar is a pretty city with rich Spanish influences, just like most towns in the southern and northern parts of Cebu province. Have you sampled their chicharon and ampao?

You are right Cebu City is a trash dump.Talisay, where my wife is from is just as bad or worse. The beach at Dumlog looks like the city sewage and trash dump combined.

However we love our family in the PI and plan to move back, hopefully within a year or so. I am thinking Argao or Moalboal areas. Still close enough to drive to seethe little ones or have them come stay a lot, but not close enough to eat breakfast everyday.

I am going to check out Bohol also. Some good rental prices there

The neighboring towns of Cebu City are quite like it. My parents only waited for me to finish studying in a state university in the City before they decided to have a house built in Liloan and move there permanently. That's a little farther north from Mandaue.

Have you been to Carbon in Cebu City, Pasil, Junquera, or the area around Metro Gaisano between Colon and Osmena? It could really be dizzying. The worst thing is that organized gangs are now using little kids to rob people. Snatchers and pickpockets are everywhere.

My husband generally likes people in Bohol better than the Cebuanos. I ask him why and he just tells me that he goes by feel, but I agree with you all, Filipinos are well-admired mostly because of our hospitality and friendliness. There are also so many expats in Moalboal. The ones we met four years ago were mostly Germans and Brits who married Pinays in order to run their beach resorts.

I lived in Cebu City for 5 years. Been going there for business on and off again since 1998. I was there on a fat expat package and then tried to go back to live on my own and start businesses.. Darn near lost everything so retiring there just make sure you have monthly income as earning and living there is difficult. Many-many men try and most fail. One of our jokes while living there was "if you want to be a millionaire and live in Cebu, be a 2 millionaire when you arrive" lol.. No joke though.

As for the changes. I agree Cebu City is not as nice as 15 year ago. It has gotten very expensive and the quality of the services has gone down. Keep in mind in CCity, South Koreans are coming in for English learning. They are building up and investing there which is causing prices to increase. I had a few Korean friends while living there and enjoyed them very much. Korea is expensive similar to Japan so prices in Cebu are going up a lot due to the Foreigners that frequent and live. My wife is from Bohol. If you can take the slow down approach to life then Bohol is the place (for now). I have seen many changes to the RP in my years. Like most not for the better with the exception for the locals finding employment. I love the RP. Just take note that visiting and living there are two different animals. Great post BTW. If I can educate from my losses, then all the better.. BTW the only successful business I made money on was Balamban Liempo. Pork Belly. By best friend (Pinoy) started the franchise. A little money maker So not all bad lol

You're right. Just like the BPO industry, South Koreans have changed the economy of Cebu City. I will stop here because I might lose my tact. Thanks to you, now I miss eating liempo, lechon manok, crispy pata, and CnT Lechon baboy even more.