My wife had knee surgery in Chung Hua (Sp?) hospital in Cebu a few years ago. She was very satisfied with the treatment she received and the results of the operation. Actually she said the knee done in the RP seems to feel a little better than the one she had done in the US before we left. As I recall someone came in the room every hour to check here for one thing or another. The follow up care was excellent. We had a suite so I stayed with her for the 4 days we were there. The food was okay. Overall I thought the hospital was just okay. Really not up to US standards as far a cleanliness and overall appearances, but much better than is available in Tacloban where we live. The total cost was about US$2000. I believe this is about 1/7 of what the procedure cost here in the US. Overall I think the Doctors and Nurses were very professional and caring.

dear world gun runner, I am going through all the same stuff right now as we get our bar and restaurant on an undisclosed island to the north of Cebu ready to open. My advice to you is do what we did. We hired a terrific and very professional Filipina, Yolanda Perez. I worked with her back in Australia 12 years ago when she managed a five star restaurant, then a top class private hospital. She returned to Manila and ran Mario's, one of the top joints. So far she has cost us about US$1,000 a month in airfares, accomodation, meals and salary but she saved us more than that Day 1. Plus she was able to use her local contacts to get things we could never even think we needed, plus train staff and so on. In fact, we will run the HRM practicum placements on our island for San Carlos University through her efforts. This gives us the top potential staff, plus they get great experience, a win-win situation. As well, she got us into the top levels of San Miguel for beer and coke, bypassing the rep we had been struggling with for months and nw we are getting free coolers, a freezer etc! You often have to do things the Filipino way, believe me. If you can find someone like Yolanda she will make your life so much simpler. We have her for another month and already she is looking at other contracts. If you want specific answers, send me an email off list and I will answer whatever I can. I recieved mixed responses on my buffet/restaurant idea. I have people saying they'd eat there, while others say I'd have a tough time with all the competition. I guess I agree $8 american is a lot for a meal in the Philippines. I'm in Chicago, so $25 bucks a meal seems good to me. I personally eat out 4 or 5 times a week. However, you are all right in the fact that people who move to the Philippines are doing so because they want to pay less. Everyone seems to agree that the restaurant sounds good, but the price is high. What I'm going to do over the next couple of months is research the price of beef, chicken, and pork, in Cebu. I figure in any restaurant, the main expenses are meat, cheese, and employees. With labor so inexpensive in the Phillipines, labor won't be my biggest concern. I will have to train my employees to cook western style. Although there are some who already know how, I understand they may be in greater demand. I would rather buy my meats already processed. If anyone shops frequently in Cebu, I'd like to know the going average rate of beef, poultry, and pork. As far as fish goes, I understand it is relatively cheap. If anyone has contacts in the seafood business there, or within 70 miles of Cebu, I'd be interested. I'd like to invest in a walk in freezer. Or 4 large floor/deep freezers. That way I might be able to get better deals on meat if I buy in bulk. If anyone has an opinion on any of this, I'd like to hear. If I can cut the cost of the buffet down to php 200 to 250, and still make a profit, I'll do it. My main two concerns are the cost of meat in Cebu, and if anyone rents, or leases business space in Cebu, I'd be interested in the going rate. I'd like to lease something in a high traffic area. If you know someone, or if you have space to lease coming up in a few months, please contact me. Thanks everyone, for all your opinions. Also thank you Don. You are always a wealth of knowledge.

May I recommend to you that before you go opening any business in the PI, or planning to do so, that you take the time to get to know the culture and habits of its inhabitants better first. Things are much different in the PI. What may seem to you to be a simple task like teaching a filipino to cook 'american style' may not turn out to be nearly as simple as it seems it should be. Doing business in the PI runs by a whole different set of rules than what you are probably used to. If you think a certain project should be done in two days, better count on 5 days. If someone makes an appointment with you for 9 a.m., don't be surpised if they show up at 11:30, or the next day, or even not at all. If you are talking with a contractor about doing something a certain way and he says 'yes', this may not mean yes at all. You may never see him again. Worse yet is when he is done and you inspect it, it is nothing like what you wanted. Simple things like getting a phone hooked up, electricity, or licensing a vehicle may turn into a months long battle. Filipinos have their own way of doing things. Often you can show them over and over what you want, then as soon as you turn your back, they will go right back to doing it 'their way'. This post is not meant as a slam to the PI or filipinos, I love the place, but bear in mind you will not be in Kansas anymore. It would be well worth your time and effort to spend a few months or even years there before investing a wad of capital. Only then could you have an understanding of what I am talking about. Doing business there takes a whole lot larger load of patience than it does in the states.

I'd like to briefly piggy-back on Larry's excellent suggestions. Businesses started from scratch here in the US have a better than 80% failure rate. Restraunts have even a higher rate, I believe. If you have started and are operating a business successfully in the US, you would certainly have a fighting chance in the RP, but if you can't/havene't made a success of a business here in the US (where there are thousands of government help programs, university sponsored 'business incubators', franchise programs, etc.) then your chances of just waltzing into a Philippine city and building up something from nothing are small. If that 'something from nothing' attempts to cater mainly to Americans, then those chances become perishingly small. The non-Asian 'western' ex-pat community in the Philippines is small, scattered across the country in many cities and towns, and perhaps only half American percentage-wise, maybe even less. To cater to ex-pats you'd have to offer an ""Australian, Canadian, English, Dutch, Finish, German, Norwegian, Spanish, South African, Swedish, Swiss"" style-restraunt. These are just the nationalites I have corressponded wiht or know personally to have a non-trival presence in the Philippines, there are assurredly many more. Al these apparently negative opinions said, I don't at all want to discourage you. Take a look through the archives here ... I think it was Perry Gamsby who posted an excellent message on establishing/operating food pushcarts. You could build a business one puschcart at a time, learn who has to be dealt with in your particular city, find the best suppliers, and capitalize on the Filipino penchant for street food. I could envision someone who's heart was in the food industry making a business strictly in this fashion, or building up a fleet, and then selling it off to use the profits for a big 'real' food establishment.

Typically you can find black and red powder additives here in the Philippines to mix with the cement to get the color different from the standard gray. You can of course vary the amounts of those additives to get the degree of black or red that you desire. I have used those colors before and I think those are the only colors available at an ordinary hardware store, but it is possible there are more. (just have not seen them) And there is also ""White Portland Cement"" which can be used for grouting tiles and various other uses. It is not as strong as regular portland cement but it is still fairly strong and I use it quite a bit for patching holes in interior walls, etc. I like it as it does not shrink and it works off of a blade nicely.

After living in the Philippines for around eleven years, I often think about the dramatic changes I made in my life by moving here on a permanent basis. I often think about whether I am, in general, happier since making the move. My life in Texas was good in many ways; I had a beautiful, kind, faithful American wife, I had a good job, owned my own home, had a top end car and motorcycle, and even owned my own small airplane for many years. But something was missing. I have often felt that the thing that was missing was ""challenge""! For me, life was too easy in the United States and this led to boredom and it created a lack of motivation. It was just too easy to do well in the USA, in terms of success in career and monetary and material needs and wants. There was no longer any challenge for me it seemed. And so when people asked me why I moved to the Philippines I often told them that I had a lack of challenge in the USA and that living in the Philippines was more challenging for many reasons. But I think it goes beyond that now. I think I have begun to prefer the culture here in the Philippines in many ways. It seems there is not such an emphasis on material wealth and career success in this country, and indeed I have become less materialistic, possibly as a result of being ""associated with/absorbed into"" the culture here. And I really like the greater emphasis and devotion to family and extended family. I think the family structure here is better, stronger and healthier than the USA and I feel this is really very important. Or it is at least very important to me. So I would like to ask all of you who are living here in the Philippines if indeed you feel happier, in general, than when you lived in your native country. And why? Would you consider moving back to your native country? What things do you like here and what things do you dislike?

What a fascinating thread this will be. I can't wait to read the responses to the question. As one who intends to move to Cebu in a few months, I am both excited by the prospect, and I have some trepidations, as well. I want to fit in and be happy, but I also want to contribute to the society in some way. I often wonder if I am sensitive enough to avoid insulting people by my ignorance, etc. My thinking has been along very practical lines, i.e. the weather is better, the people are so nice, the cost of living is so low, etc. But will I be happier than I am now? Only time will tell, but those who contribute to this thread will certainly go a long way toward helping me to understand what lies ahead.

I've had several emails asking or commenting on my nick/username. So I decided to give a brief history of myself, and let everyone know why I want to live in the Philippines, and open a business there. First to the moderators: If this post is not the type you want on the board, I understand. No hard feelings. Now about me. Some of you already know I own a weapons import/export business in the U.S. I have traveled the world over several times, and I'm only 27. By far my greatest passions in life are travel, weapons, God, and family. I did visit the Philippines briefly 2 years ago. It was for 3 days only, and I was amazed at the beauty of the islands. As we flew over in a private airplane, it took my breath away. Now I will say that once on the ground I did see some things that broke my heart, but I've actually seen worse elsewhere in the world. In my business travels I've seen things I don't wish any other human being to ever see. I've been to the mountains of Afghanastan, the deserts of the east, and the worst jungles in the world. In addition to my business, I write articles for Soldier of Fortune magazine. I've been a consultant for various military projects. Including the U.S. military's small arms project. I've worked with the U.S. and Mexico border guards, to make sure they were properly equipped for their specific jobs. I regularly test weapons and write articles for company's such as Glock, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, etc. So after traveling all over the world, why would I choose to live in the Philippines, instead of the U.S.? Because I too am bored with life here. I don't believe there is any challenge left for me in the U.S. Now don't get me wrong, I love the U.S., but allow me to give you my true and honest thoughts. It's too easy to make a living here. There are so many government projects, grants, and programs, that no one in the U.S. has any excuse not to be succesful. Some may not agree with that, but let me explain. If you are dirt poor in the U.S., and you want to go to school to further your education, you can get a G.E.D. for free at most high schools in the country. There is public aid that will give you food stamps, welfare money, pay for childcare if your going to school, give medical care, etc. In almost every major city in America there are shelters where you can stay so you can go to school. There is also a vast network of public transportation. If you want to go to college and you are poor, there are thousands of programs and grants available. The most recognized of these is the Pel Grant, which almost anyone who makes less than $20,000 a year can get. People in this country complain that they can't better their lives, because they are 30 or 40 years old, have a fulltime job, and cant afford to stop everything and go to college. I tell them, my father had two kids, worked 50 hours a week, and took night classes at a community college for 7 years to get his degree. Then went on to get a higher paying job, and eventually opened his own business. It is my personal opinion that after all my travels, I find Americans lazy.(sad but true) So, for me personally, I have been succesful, because I took advantage of every oppurtunity available to me. I'm in the process of selling my business and hope to have everything completed by February. I then want to move to Cebu. I want to take life easy, but I'm not sure I'm ready to retire completely. I plan on opening a business in Cebu, not to try and become rich, but merely for the challenge, and yes, the extra income. I also want to contribute to the economy in the Philippines. I feel it could be so much more than what it is now. My family doesn't understand my yearning to live in the Philippines. It's the beauty, the people, the culture, the smiles, and the desire to escape the U.S. Many people here in the states are ignorant to other parts of the world. They only see what is piped in via cable T.V. I must admit I've chosen the Philippines for other selfish reasons too. I love to fish, and people tell me the fishing there is good. I enjoy exploring, and boating. With all those islands, I'll be in heaven. I also chose the Philippines, because the english language is strong there. Will I be happier there? Truly I don't know? Only time will tell. I'll always remember one thing, if I get there and I'm not happy, my brother has an extra bedroom in the United States, and I'm only a plane ticket away.

Dear World Gun Runner, you speak of needing a challenge as it is too easy to make a living (no way was I going to say ""killing"") in the USA? Well, coming here with a large wad of green is hardly a challenge. Making a small fortune is easy here providing you bring a large one to kick start your efforts. Having sold the odd firearm myself, as well as humped the things around some smelly places; I came here six months ago with the equivalent of US$20,000, with the same in reserve. So far I have spent a big chunk of that and have made, wait for it.......US$150. Oh happy days! You want a challenge? I will give you one that might whet your appetite for a little excitement. Come to Cebu and bring just US$20,000 with you and see how long you can go. So far I have a rented house full of furniture and stuff bought here, a car, a motorcycle, a boat, a block of land 2000sqm, a piggery, a share in a bar (you are invited to invest!:-) ) and several prospects that will soon develop into income. I hope. It can be done, but why do it without sleepless nights, he he! If you wish I will be happy to introduce you to some others in your trade in Danao, perhaps it would be prudent to stick to what you know? There is quite a market for bang sticks in this country. I look forward to seeing you at one of our LinP get togethers,

In my experience, asking a foreigner member of the extended family to subsidize monthly car payments is the height of exploitation of a family relationship. Interest rates are high over there and loans are short-term. If he cannot afford the car anyway but with high-interest monthly payments, he shouldn't be buying the car (IMHO). Why is it that brothers-in-law always seem to be the ones whose requests are most outlandish? I had the same experience with my first wife's (the Mexican one) 6 brothers. Two of them showed up at our house after a third brother was killed in a bar fire. They came to mourn the death (for a couple of weeks) and I made the mistake of buying the first six-pack. Well in the week and a half they were there, I got to know my brothers-in-law. They wore my clothes, pulled my telephone out of the wall, wanted to fight me on the front lawn, one had to be removed by the Sheriff deputies after my wife crawled over the back fence to call the police from a neighbor phone (our phone had been torn off the wall). The height of the unrealistic expectations was reached on two occasions during this visit: While we were claiming the personal possessions of the deceased brother from the Coroner, my wife told the coroner to send the $80 he had in his wallet (when he died) to his wife in Mexico. The other two brothers were expecting to get that $80 and I thought they were going to start fighting with us in front of the Coroner office. The other high moment was when one of the brothers asked me to stake him to a large cocaine purchase when he got back to Los Angeles with the promise of a 100% return on my investment. Just mention brothers-in-law and I get pressure on my brain... My current brother-in-law, however, is worth more money than me and is more likely to be receiving my requests than the other way around (if I happen to end up in his neck of the woods, Pangasinan).

Shucks Perry I'm out about 60 grand and haven't even moved there yet, so far I have started an internet cafe, bought 2 apartments, about 6 hectares of land in bohol 3 hecs which are landlocked the other 3 are actually a great investment. Wifey wants to grow mangos, I want a caribao for bragging rights in forestville NY,USA. Also supporting an extended family, but ya know what ...ain't life grand... I've been taken to he cleaners tenfold by american blondes in the past and don't regret any money I've spent in the phils at all . I'm outta here jan 28th, Ive sold my business and plan on being in the phils for at least 4-5 months a year . I do plan on spending some time in Cebu and will look you guys up. Actually a family friend has separated husband that has a dive resort in malapasqua near you guys . Hang in there you will do all right even if ya don't make a nickel

One thing that my wife, who is from India, likes about where we are in the U.S. is the relative lack of ""critters"" crawling around everywhere. Even a harmless lizard crawling on the wall gives her the creeps (and that was virtually all the time in India), though scorpions, venomous snakes, and such understandably cause more concern, esp. in regard to our small children. If I may digress with an anecdote or two.... What was really cool about a trip we took to Mexico, apart from all the little scorpions that were in the house, was the ""vinegar bug""--it looks just like a scorpion, but bigger and plumper, and when you squash it, it emits this horrendous vinegar odor. Another treat was the ""jumiles""--these little bugs that they say are nutricious to eat because they have iodine. Often they're eaten alive--if they escape while you're trying to put them in your mouth and they make a run for it on your cheeks, no problem, just reach out your hand and scoop em back in. Now I mention this by way of illustration of my wife's and my respective mentalities--needless to say, my wife did NOT try the jumiles. I did, however, and found the little critters quite tasty. Very distinctive flavor. What chills and thrills along these lines does the Philippines have to offer? Do you have to keep any antidote handy for dangerous bites? Also, is there much malaria, dengue, or other stuff to be concerned about, and is there any way to prepare or prevent such?

Like doctors, you can find the best architects in the world in the Philippines. Just be very, very, very careful. My architect told me that the standard width of a spiral staircase was 6 feet and stupid me believed him! You should have seen the commotion after all the beams and columns were poured for the surrounding area of the spiral staircase! This was one of the main focal points of my house! It worked but not because of my architect. Be very skeptical of your architect and try to research as many home design books and western standards books you can find. Many people use the architect JUST to take care of the building permits

I just read the posts on buying a car in the Philippines. It got me to wondering about how they handle credit there. If you buy a car there how do they determine credit ratings, or is there such a thing as credit for an American living there? I'm very familiar with how credit works in the U.S. but I'm ignorant about it in the Philippines. Do most expat's just go through American banks there, or are there other lines of credit available from Phillipine agency's?

There are lots of loan options, but the terms are generally much tougher and with shorter timeframes than you are accustomed to n the US. The gauntlet runs from Indian nationals walking around Manila with bodyguards and picking up daily interest for small loans to larger companies, very much like our mortgage or savings and loan outfits, which use similar standards as lenders in the US. My wife's family have been involved in lending, both in pawn shop and private basis. There is regulation of business practices and auditing of books, but there are also lots of private arrangements which may involve attorneys drawing up the papers and professional appraisers evaluating worth of property.

You most definitely need to learn the word ""NO"" . Apparently all of the Filipinas really think that if you are from another country,especially America then you are a millionaire. They have no idea how hard we work for our money and the stress factor here. And not to mention the taxes that we pay . When Rosita and I visited this past June to the PR we were asked to lend 2,000 USD. I quite pluntly said NO . I don't think they will ask again. If so the answer will still be NO ! I don't know about you, but I've worked too hard in my life to be giving people money knowing that I won't see it again. It's not as tho they are crippled in bed or without food to eat. One of Rosita's sisters kept asking her for her camera ! I've had some long talks with Rosita in this regard and she finally understands the word NO . Her family had been cheating her out of her hard earned money for years. Sorry this has gone on so long. It's a soar subject with me. I don't like to see people take advantage of others. This seems to be the rule in the PR . I think there is a certain type of people who are the same everywhere . . . the more you give them the more they expect . And that's the truth ! You have to make your own decision of course. I think that once you begin to send money you will always be expected to do so. And after you start if you stop for some reason quess what ? You will become the bad guy. I rather be the bad guy right up front and put an end to it. They will find another way or do without like we have at times. I don't know about you but no one has given me anything in my life. I've earned it the old fashion way . . . work .

I am an American male, I am retiring the last of Jan and moving to Cebu City the end of Feb. I would like to hear from other retirees or expaits in Cebu. Any suggestions or helpful hints on do's and don'ts would be appreciated.

In the Filipino way you could say that perhaps you might lend the money if you could afford to do so, but that right now you do not have the money. And that would be NO in the Philippines would expressed in such a way that nobody's feelings are hurt in the process. The rule here in the RP is that people actually help each other out whenever possible and not all of them are asking for money. If you are not able or willing to help then a more gentle approach would avoid hurting other people's feelings. Anyways I just felt I had to say something in defense of all the millions of other Filipinos.

It is NOT a custom to wrangle money from a ""rich"" in law. We cannot even do that to our rich blood relatives because it's, for lack of a better word, improper."" I have to say you are right to the point and I would not know a better word as well except maybe a total lack of shame. All in all it depends on the family but I fell it would be correct to say that the majority of the people would not wrangle money from there direct family or in-laws. My brother in-laws would never ask money for a car because that's not the way they are brought up. So to once again underline your response to Jim; No it is not normal if your in-laws and family is asking for a car.

There is no specific requirement for inspection of checked baggage.. except the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) requirement to x-ray same (presently not being done at maany airports). In my work we've shipped tousands of boxes of excess over the years.. expensive, but when you're sending an engineer to install 'something', s/he had better have that 'something' available upon arrival. Marke the boxes legibly with a 'from' and 'to' address, check them in and pay the fee. As with _every_ piece of baggage, checked, carried, or excess, Customs at the Philippine end may ask you to open them, but that of course is not a worry before you get there.

After I pass through all inspections at the departing airport I seal my boxes with tape. I then carry tape in my carry on and use my keys to cut the tape if I need to seal it again if customs opens it.

I've spent about half my time the past two years in the Phils. I visited many, many different places and met scads of people. I was married to a Filipina from Quezon City for 22 years and had visited the Phils several times during that marriage. So.......that all being said, I do have some familiarity with the country and its culture. There were times I was convinced that I really wanted to live in Cebu full time (not necessarily the city of Cebu, but the greater island of Cebu). I almost bought property a couple of times, with a Filipina partner. I chickened out because of the unrelenting corruption by bureaucrats at all levels, because of the activities of the NPA, because of the erosion of the Peso, because of my lack of faith in the land title process in the Philippines, and so on. I tried running a little business in Cagayan de Oro with a wonderful Filipino partner. It failed. (I was successful running my own businesses in the States for years, but the Philippines truly is ""different."") Where I live (Port Townsend, Washington) is cold, wet, windy and generally miserable six months of the year. Yet, I concluded it was more bearable than 85 degree, humid heat, day after unrelenting day. I do love the Filipino people and admire there ability to get out of bed each day and face so much adversity. But after a while, watching them struggle so hard, with so little to show for it, became a real emotional drag for me. So, to make this long story at least a little shorter, I have concluded that I would not be happier living in the Philippines full time. But then, that is only MY opinion...........

Although I don't have any direct experience with raising food fish I do live in an area well-known for such activities (near Dagupan, Pangasinan). Many of my wife's relatives are involved in fish-farming (as workers) and I'm sure we could answer your questions if you have something specific. Here it's mainly Bangus and Tilapia. I did a little research on this when I was thinking of starting some kind of business. Only laziness prevented my proceeding. Normally it's very profitable (I calculated a 40% ROI) but occasionally there will be floods permitting much of the stock to escape and then the price drops to give-away levels (if any stock remains). There's quite a bit of work involved in digging the ponds, maintaining the dykes, releasing water in a controlled manner in the rainy season, guarding the stocks from thieves. Some owners arm their ""watchers"" since it's not unknown for thieves to be armed too. If you don't own a pond you can lease one, normally for a 5 or 6 year term. Many owners/lessees hand the work and responsibility for organizing labour etc over to a number two with whom he will often share the profits 50:50 in lieu of salary. The owner/lessee just sits back and takes the profits. It is also an accepted practice to permit casual fishermen using rod and line to fish from your pond. However, some owners do raise objections. Nets would definitely be frowned upon!

Bangus is a salt water fish I think and I've only seen them raised in fish pens. I visited a fishpond once where the tilapia are raised in between ricefields which are empty after the last harvest. My uncle bought tilapia fingerlings from the Fisheries Bureau in QC and raised them in hard plastic stapled to wooden poles. They look like hanging aquariums. He harvests them regularly. Theyre big and plump. He recently bought, ""pla-pla"" fingerlings too so he can try it out.

My wife and I are considering retirement in the Philippines. We have some time to get ready as we will not be doing this for approximately 20-22 yrs from now due to the time needed for our retirement age to kick in. My major concerns really revolve around cost of living and type of investments that I should consider presently to be ready for the big move. I would like to get some advice from anyone as to what would be the best plan to use to prepare for moving /retiring. The only steps that we have taken so far, is that we have begun to purchase land to build a home a few hours outside of Manila. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

How can you possibly plan for investments and cost of living in another country 22 years from now? You can't even realistically do that in the US for other regions in the same country. It may not be a bad idea to purchase land for an eventual retirement home, but only to save yourself the added cost of disproportionately higher prices many years in the future. But I would recommend not going whole hog beyond what you would need to construct a house with a reasonable space around the house, as the risk of your changing your mind or losing the property (for a variety of reasons) in your remaining 22-year wait is very high. You can't plan on retiring and building a home in a given area, with any chance of success, unless you have physically scouted and researching the area within a year or so of your intended move there.

There are instances where expensive medications are needed. A friend made a balikbayan trip to Manila four years ago where he suffered a heart attack in the middle of the night. His wife and brother in law rushed him to a hospital and immediately doctors ordered a dose of TPA. But the hospital pharmacist adamantly refused to release a vial until his wife could cough up P5,000 up front. Luckily, there was a 24/7 ATM at a nearby bank and he did not suffer any permanent damage to his heart muscle (myocardial infarction). BTW, TPA is the acronym for Tissue Plasminogen Activator, a kind of Drano for the human plumbing.

Opening checked baggage must not happen very often when leaving the states. I've never ben personally put upon, nor have I seen anyone asked to do so. About the seventy pounds, though. Earlier this month, Northwest Airlines passed a noticed that their weight limits were to soon be 50lbs per bag. You may want to make sure 70lbs is the current figure for the airlines you plan to use? Regards and Happiness in Cebu.

You came to the right place. Don and the others would love to give you insights. I must say you are one of the youngest visionary in this forum. I congratulate you! Mainly, because I thought exactly like you at your age - of retiring here 23 years ago...and am living your dream. As an ex-USAF service man, twenty five years ago, I planned my retirement and now am living my plan as most of the retirees here. No one can really answer your question about cost of living because no one here can predict what the COA will be 22 years from now. But, as to your query on how to prepare, type DRIP in your search engine. DRIP is an acronym for Dividend Re-Investment Plan. Am living proof that investing in DRIPs 23 years ago in the states is one way to fuel your dream of retiring here. My monthly dividends help support a frugal lifestyle without the monthly SS check which will start 5 years from now. You have gone one step ahead of me if you have already invested in real estate here in Pinas.

Since you are only hoping to retire 20-22 years from now I would rather suggest you keep control of your own assets, and have them work for you, probably in the United States or through other investment vehicles which you can have better control and flexibility with. IMO - Buying Land to Build a Home ties you down to that area, and the future is just too uncertain. Too many things could change your plans. Plus you have the significant opportunity cost of having your money tied up in land in the Philippines. If you can - I suggest you start pouring as much money as you can into various Tax Free or deferred investments. Roth IRA's and such do come to mind. Don't let the USA government take more of your earnings than is necessary. Good planning can help. You may wish to seek the financial advice of your friends and family. Diversification seems prudent. Don't put too much in interest bearing accounts and bonds, and don't put everything into the stock market or real estate. Watch your expenses. Avoid buying too many luxury, status items (such as New cars), or eating out too often. Save money and invest. IMO you should be careful of investments advisors and such, rather it is preferable to keep control of your own assets - but *do* make investments for growth and income. IMO do not pour assets into the Philippines this far out before you retire - you are losing control, and probably not going to really do better than if you had invested those funds elsewhere. Periodically really think about your Finances, plans and goals, and do what you believe is best. NYYankey - I applaud you for thinking about this early enough to really make a difference.

My wife and I are considering retirement in the Philippines. We have some time to get ready as we will not be doing this for approximately 20-22 yrs from now due to the time needed for our retirement age to kick in. My major concerns really revolve around cost of living and type of investments that I should consider presently to be ready for the big move. I would like to get some advice from anyone as to what would be the best plan to use to prepare for moving /retiring. The only steps that we have taken so far, is that we have begun to purchase land to build a home a few hours outside of Manila. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bangus is a salt water fish I think and I've only seen them raised in fish pens. originally yes, but can also live in fresh water. I grew up in Paete (a small town in Laguna) and loved the lake as well as see and catch tilapia and bangus in fish pens/cages. Sure miss those times...i''m excited as i'm heading home tomorrow to also visit my father's small fish pond with tilapia.

MANILA -(Dow Jones)- Members of the rank-and-file union of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. are to meet with management Monday to resolve a labor dispute involving the dismissal of some 500 workers in line with the company's streamlining efforts. Union head Pete Pinlac told DZMM radio Monday that the meeting will be held at the government's National Conciliation and Mediation Board office in Manila. The National Conciliation Board is a unit under the Department of Labor and Employment. ""We are requesting a delay in the implementation (of the layoffs) until after the government decides whether or not the PLDT management's decision to dismiss the 500 workers is right or wrong,"" said Pinlac. ""We are counting on the government to help resolve the matter since PLDT's management is firm on pushing through with the layoffs."" Pinlac said the affected workers received their notice of dismissal earlier this month. PLDT's union earlier this month informed the government that the majority of its members voted to strike to protest the company's layoffs. In a separate interview, Labor Secretary Patricia Santo Tomas told DZMM radio Monday that the government remains hopeful that the labor dispute at PLDT will be settled amicably. ""We have had experiences in the past wherein a planned labor strike doesn't push through because the matter has been settled peacefully,"" said Santo Tomas. In November, the company announced its plan to lay off some of its phone operators in its regional offices in order to rationalize its operations. Over the last five years, PLDT's volume of operator-assisted calls had dropped by as much as 75%, due to the popularity of local and international direct distance dialing, text messaging, electronic mail and cellular phones. Union members, however, said the layoffs violate a provision of PLDT's agreement with its workers, which states that if modernization efforts lead to potential job losses, the company should undertake measures such as reassigning the workers to other divisions. In response, PLDT said in a statement it has prepared ""an enhanced package for affected employees with substantial premiums over and above what they would normally receive."" The company further said it has made provision for some of the separated employees to be considered for positions in the company's directory assistance service.

What chills and thrills along these lines does the Philippines have to offer? Do you have to keep any antidote handy for dangerous bites? Also, is there much malaria, dengue, or other stuff to be concerned about, and is there any way to prepare or prevent such? not much chills like this in RP, AFAIK as i'm from town with the usual ricefields, nestled between a mountain (the Sierra Madre) and a lake (Laguna)... In my childhood even had the thrill of seeing snakes in the open fields but dangers from them little (non-poisonous). Large pythons also saw I many times...but those were the days! In the city, undesirable men I'm more afraid of, not those critters... Only mosquitoes in some areas but there are occasional fumigations particularly on dengue and roaches which can easily be eliminated. there are also various vaccines and shots given to people for free (at least an improvement) and the country declared polio-free.

It seems everyone keeps calling me rich. I chuckled the first time I read this, but after repeatedly seeing it posted, I must set the record straight. I'm NOT rich. I do above average, but by no means rich. I guess in the Philippines I would be considered a wealthy foreigner, but they probably think that about most white Americans. Besides with today's economy, if I'm not careful, I could go broke easily. I plan on keeping a low profile when I get there. It doesn't pay to be flashy with money anywhere in this world. (Well maybe Beverly Hills, but I'm not that rich)