Retirement in the Philippines

If you need to arrive in the Philippines, a permanent return ticket is where you come from or to another destination, but you do not care if the nearest travel agent will be accompanied by a purchase, as if by chance my friend. Provided that the return journey you have a tourist visa for 21 days will be issued.

This does not mean that is only going to stay 21 days, all you have to do is to apply for a Department of Immigration andExtension to 60 days. If after this time you want to stay longer just go back and ask for another 60 days. Of course, you must pay for these expansions, approximately 3,500 pesos. I do this for the last seven years. The alternative is to obtain a residence permit, but is complicated and expensive, but can be implemented by a local lawyer. Of course one could marry a local girl and automatically obtain a residence permit.

OK, so now I'm here and I wantfind a place to live, no problem, there are many properties available for rent, depending on the size, location, etc. One is suitable for the average overseas visitor require air conditioning, hot water, etc., may Have to about 10,000 pesos per month (see exchange rate)

Thinking of buying, visitors can also purchase strange property without a residence permit, but not land, so you should lease the land. As always, there is a way around them. One is through the formation of a companycomplicated, a department of others in the name of someone who has a residence permit, provided that I know well and trust them, or his local friend, is your confidence!

Now you have your accommodation, it costs you to live. As an example I want in a home with three bedrooms with air conditioning and hot water for showers live TV and telephone faucet with access to broadband Internet. My expenses are as follows; current average of 5,000 pesos per month,Water, 500 per month Tel 3500 per month, satellite TV 1,500 per month. Food for five people, I also have a maid, about 25,000 pesos a month, eat well! I pay the rent, but also allows a generous 5,000 pesos per month to maintain a total of 40,500 about 440 pounds, $ 900 at current exchange rates.
I do not think you can only throughout the world and I traveled a lot.

Climate.

In a word, HOT, do not come here if you do not likeHeat. Temperatures rarely fall below 25C. and during the summer months from April to June can reach 35C. The so-called rainy season, September and December, but it is as if a lot of monsoon rain is not continuous, and much sun. tropical storm hit the Philippines, but sometimes we are fortunate here in the Visayas, as we are surrounded by other islands and the storms usually travel to the eastern islands and the northern end of Luzon island. In seven years Ihere I had nothing worse than living a good old English resistance eighth storm Fortunately, not in an earthquake zone so no worries about it.

Bugs and other nastiness.

Yes, many mosquitoes, but that's it. Never poisonous snakes, spiders, etc. is probably some in remote areas. There are no dangerous sharks in local waters, only the odd jellyfish, which they call the fish itch here. I always wear shoes when walking to avoid immersion in water, is found on every sea urchinhave very sharp tips.

Activities.

This is a paradise for water. Sea temperatures around 27 C and I snorkeled for hours without a wetsuit. Its more important to protect yourself from the sun by wearing a top and trousers. There are vast areas is great for diving on shipwrecks and coral reefs and tropical fish. are friends of mine who was in the water with manta rays and reef sharks, often accompanied byDolphins.

Travel.

There are more than seven thousand islands here so I doubt you would see only a small part of their life. The most memorable place I've been to El Nido (heaven on earth), north of Palawan. Travel is cheap by boat or plane. Cebu Pacific flies to the islands for a few hundred pesos. The boat is much less, but that takes time and not so comfortable.

Security

Forget all waste from reading your newspaper, more than ableThe Philippines is a dangerous place. OK in the southern province of Mindanao has many years of problems with local Muslims, but this is in very remote areas, and are a small minority of the population and including the Philippine army.

In all the years I'm here and I've never less at risk, in fact I was feeling much more sure of myself in every big city in the UK I've never seen bands of drunken louts shouting obscenities, seems to be thewhere the norm in those days.
Providing not deal with political or family disputes and act as a visitor in any country should, be treated as a welcome guest.

Food & Drink

The most popular dishes with local pork on the spit (Lechon Baboy) and spit-roasted chicken (lechon Manok) and believe me, they're both great. Of course there are many other local courts to numerous to be here and, as usual in the big city restaurants from many parts of the lidWorld.
Beer is in the camp of San Miguel and a 320ml bottle can be bought for 22 pesos 25 pesos supermarkets in bars and clubs. The supermarkets also sell a wide selection of wines and a bottle of Shiraz, Hardy, my favorite, it is possible for 295 pesos can be purchased. A bottle of vodka on site, the cost is excellent 50 (yes fifty) Pesos! Rum and about the same price.