The Real Situation in Retiring in the Philippines

By Jose Marc Castro

The Philippines is an archipelago which comprises of over seven thousand islands and change with the real count depends on the tide. The country's landscape is diverse, with storm tossed islands to towering peaks to pristine beaches and forest covered vistas. The country is wide scattering of over a hundred ethnic groups that have experienced a long colonial history. The experience of retiring in the Philippines has become one of the hottest topics online for expats seeking a future of rest and recreation.

In deciding on retiring in the Philippines, medical care is one of the matters that need to be taken seriously. The quality of care depends on where you are situated in the country and the best hospitals can be found in the country's capital Manila. So in choosing a residence when retiring in the Philippines, you need to be fully apprised of the health care options available to you in the vicinity.

As for property ownership in the country, there are certain limitations that apply to foreign nationals especially those retiring in the Philippines. Foreign nationals cannot own property except through inheritance. Foreigners though can own property through investments in corporations duly registered with the government. Foreigners can also invest in condominium properties that are sold in the property market.

Another aspect that has made retiring in the Philippines such an attractive option is the shopping opportunities in the country. There are choices from old world established markets where haggling is the norm for bargains or high end shopping in the premiere malls of the country's premiere business district where couture brands can be bought.

The cost of living also affects the overall standard of living of those retiring in the Philippines. For a couple living in one of the urban centers of the country, having a budget of $2,000 can allow for a comfortable residence and a standard of living well above the country's norm. As advised in the Expat Forum,"the cost of living does change and is dependent on your location."

Another reason for tourists flocking to the country is the weather, which is a world apart from the cold and clammy confines of North America and many European countries. The weather in the country is hot, humid and wet with mean temperatures of about 26 degrees Celsius. When summer comes around, many locals and tourists flock to the highlands of Baguio and Tagaytay for cool mountain air. What one needs to avoid though are the many beaches of the country when the typhoon season rolls around as these tropical storms have been able to uproot houses in their wake.

These four aspects of life in the Philippines, namely weather, healthcare, property and cost of living are important to one choosing to retire in the country. As all three prove to be well within the reach of many retirees, these have become major reasons for expats and tourists setting up roots in the country. And for those who have set up their homes in the country, they have never regretted their decision in retiring in the Philippines.

About the author

This article has been provided by Jose Marc Castro, the online editor at the Expat Forum.com - the primary online community for expats. The site also provides information and advice on matters such as Retiring in the Philippines.

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