Testimonials
What will you do with your Retirement Years- Why Not consider Retiring in the Philippines!

My name is Stephen H Powell, I came to Asia in 1990 as a Missionary from Birmingham England. Originally I’m from Rotherham, Yorkshire. Having worked with Filipino People in Hong Kong for 2 years I decided it was time for me to visit their homeland, the Philippines. This country had such an impact on me that I stayed here for approximately 3 months per year until 2003. In 2003 my Filipina wife and I moved to the Philippines for good. I will never regret making this move and plan to live the rest of my days here!

For a growing number of Europeans, retirement is just around the corner. Many may be wondering what they are going to do with their retirement years. They also fear that the pension they have worked for, for so many years, will not be enough for them to survive comfortably in their home countries. The rapidly growing cost of living today in virtually every country in Europe is affecting those who are dependant on a pension.

You may fall in this category and are wondering if there are other locations to live that would make your pension income go further. Have you ever considered retiring in the Philippines? That may lead you to ask another question: What real benefits will I gain for leaving my homeland and living my retirement years in the Philippines?

Then continue reading because over the subsequent paragraphs ahead I will hopefully convince you that retiring to the Philippines will be the best move you could ever make.

The country has some of the most beautiful and spectacular places in Asia. In most provinces and cities you will find colorful fiestas, pageants, street festivals, and open public events going on. It is a country with numerous natural resources, a tropical climate and all the modern conveniences of modern life. Here you can enjoy the gorgeous beaches, resorts; golf courses, and play just about any sport you can wish for except skiing.

Over the last 15 years, the Philippines has become the retirement haven for thousands of retirees from the UK and many other European countries. Why is the Philippines becoming such a popular retirement haven? The low cost of living, the access to cheap health services, beautiful beaches and warm climate are all reasons why people are retiring in the Philippines, a nation which has developed modern communications, and medical facilities to service the needs of foreign retirees.

One of the attractions for retirement living in the Philippines is the lower cost of living. At present, the Philippine peso exchange rate is approximately P61 to 1.00 Euro and P70 to 1.00 GBP. This will allow you, as a pensioner, to have a good life and live comfortably in your retirement. This is because your Pound/Euro will go so much further here in the Philippines.

For every Retiree retiring to a foreign country there is an issue that is extremely important. You may ask what? It is communication, for everyone needs to communicate! Well you don’t have to worry! The second language of the Philippines is English! It is also its official business language. What is really comforting is that the majority of the people you will meet, from hotel workers, taxi drivers, sales or service people, government employees, speak English, or at least have a working understanding of it. Which reminds me, many of the radio stations and TV stations broadcast in English too. Most newspapers are also written in English.

The main consideration when one is thinking of relocation to another country for retirement is where you will live. It is definitely a good prospect for you to live in the Philippines as the prices for renting a house are so much cheaper than you would ever get at home. If you are a city dweller and want to stay in Manila, the National Capitol Region; you will be paying the highest rental prices in the country. Don’t get scared at this; remember I said earlier your money from home will go so much further here. Here is an example of what I mean: a two bedroom condominium in one of the posh “villages” in Makati City, Manila will cost you around 311 EUR, 273 GBP, or P19000 per month to rent.

f you are a country dweller then you will want to live in one of the Provinces. For instance, if you rent a three bedroomed house in Bulacan, the first Province going north from Metro Manila, you will pay around 197 EUR, 172 GBP or P12000 per month. This will be a detached house, having three bedrooms, two bathrooms, with a good sized garden and garage.

I am sure that many retirees will choose to purchase their own home; especially if they did so in their own country. If this is the case they can purchase a condominium for only 65000 Euro, 57500 GBP, or P4000000 for a 2 bedroom apartment in a new resort-style complex. Most have swimming pools, gyms, etc. Of course the prices will vary depending on the location of the resort. A retiree can sell their home in Europe and purchase a better new home in the Philippines for only a fraction of the price, giving money to spare for other investments.

Once you have your home you may want house help. A private driver’s salary in Manila is approximately 138 EUR, 128 GBP or P8400 per month, while a trained housekeeper will cost you approximately 69 EUR, 60 GBP or P4200 a month. These salaries are lower if you live in the Provinces.

You may want to bring over your electrical appliances and wonder if they will work in the Philippines. Have no fear, the electrical system here is 220 volts. So appliances from almost every European Country will work here.

Am I beginning to wet your appetite?

So you have your home, therefore the next crucial consideration for you is what you going to eat. The essentials of life such as bread, potatoes, rice and meat are so much cheaper than any part of Europe. For instance: a loaf of bread will cost you around P50, a kilo of potatoes will cost you P50, and a kilo of rice will cost you about P50. The price of meat depends on your preference. Chicken is about P120 per kilo, pork is around P150 per kilo and beef is around P200 per kilo. Fish is also readily available and in most places and it is still live when you buy it! Of course you will not be able to get the varieties you are used to; but there are many equivalents that are just as good!

The above foods are of course what you will cook yourself. You may ask: “What if I want to eat out?” The Philippines is a country that has so many different cuisines available. I would think that every kind of palate can be catered for here.

If you eat in somewhere like the Peninsula Hotel it will cost you around 33 EUR, 29 GBP or P2000 per meal. On the other hand if you eat at say the ‘I’m Angus Steak House’ you will pay about 16.5 EUR, 14.5GBP or P1000 per meal. Although if your budget is somewhat lower than that you can get a substantial meal for between 7 EUR, 6 GBP, P400 and 10 EUR, 9 GBP or P600 and that is still in Manila! You will certainly be able to get a good meal out for much less in the Provinces. But that will depend on where you eat.

The next item a retiree may need, for ease of travel is a car. Japanese cars are probably the best cars to buy in this country, both for durability, servicing and the purchase of spare parts. A brand new Toyota Corolla Altis will cost you approximately 18140 EUR, 16472 GBP or P1150000.

If you don’t want to drive and are happy going on public transport; then the Philippines is still a good prospect. The railway in Manila will only cost you around 30 EUR cents, 29 Pence or P20 from end to end! Could you get it that cheap at home! Of course not! Buses are also fairly cheap, being approximately the same as the railway in Manila. Then we have the ‘Jeepney,’ an 18-20 seater passenger vehicle, where you sit down each side of it. It is an experience not to be missed and the price is very cheap, between P8 to P20, depending on the distance. Of course if you want to travel in comfort you can always hire an air-conditioned taxicab for eight hours for less than 17 EUR, 15 GBP, or P1000.

Entertainment is important for all ages. If you want to watch a film in a first-run movie theater it will only cost about 2.5 EUR, 2 GBP, or P150. After the film you can have a good light meal called “merienda” for about 2 EUR, 1.5 GBP, or P110. Remarkably a pair of locally made blue jeans costs less than 7 EUR, 6 GBP, or P450.

All of the above is found in a country where a Provincial Governor’s salary is around PHP 28,000 per month, and a Presidential Cabinet Undersecretary earns PhP35,000. Therefore your pension can go a long way! So, if you have an individual retirement income of approximately 950 GBP, 1000 EUR, or P67000 per month you can live quite well here. Incidentally a Peso-denominated Time Deposit interest rate now is 3.5% for 60 days.

Next on your requirement list I am sure will be medical care. Even though the Philippines is classed as a ‘third world’ country its medical care can be as high as any ‘first world’ country you may like to mention. In your country you may get your medical care free. Medical professionals are trained to work abroad to the highest international standards. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the Philippines, but normally if you have a healthcare program with an insurance company such as B.U.P.A. I am sure all you medical needs will be more than covered.

Next on your requirement list I am sure will be medical care. Even though the Philippines is classed as a “third world” country its medical care can be as high as any “first world” country you may like to mention. The medical Professionals are trained to work using the highest international standards. In your country you may get you medical care free. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the Philippines, but normally if you have a health care program with an insurance company such as B.U.P.A. I am sure all your medical needs will be more than covered.

Well there you have it, many very good reasons why you should retire in the Philippines. So why not think about right now!

Now you may be well convinced that the Philippines is the best place for you to retire, but the logistics of how you will do it are very daunting. In actuality it is not so daunting for there are two organizations which will make getting here very easy for you: The first is the Philippine Retirement Paradise website, www.prp.asia. and then the Philippine Retirement Authority, www.plra.gov.ph/ main. The PRA offer a special Retirees visa package to make it simpler for your stay in this country.

Well, that just about sums it up. If it is your turn to retire, then retire in the Philippines. You won’t regret it!!!!