Popular Post Hey Steve Posted August 22, 2014 Popular Post Posted August 22, 2014 I am posting this to see if anyone has had a similar experience regarding negative family feedback prior to or after deciding to make the move to the Philippines. As for my wife and I it's full speed ahead (1-2 yrs depending on how I cultivate my nest egg). Basically, I have 4 siblings-all questioning why I am going "there" of all places? The feedback is "whatever floats your boat", "your wife is dragging you to a 3rd world country-what's gotten into you?", and similar comments...not to mention the gossip that I'm sure flows freely behind my back-no worry. Well, I explained my reasons to them and added that their lack of support became just another reason. I'm not coming into this blind, as we have done our research and I have been there on 5 seperate occations. I like the social environment, the weather, and the cost of living-like most. Also, the eye candy is not bad, but my wife reminds me I can read that menu but not order off it. I'm not a pure minimalist but I can do without many creature comforts many others feel they need. Simplistic, yet tolerant. I know it's not all puppy dogs and rainbows, but there's a certain social behavior among many filipinos (I am by nature very sociable) that I really love about the warm friendly people of the Philippines in particular. My family thinks it's hog wash-and I guess at my age I should not care. Maybe 1 or 2 of them will come out one day and see what I mean. As Jake has reminded me-this aint Kansas anymore (where I live). 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jake Posted August 22, 2014 Popular Post Posted August 22, 2014 I am posting this to see if anyone has had a similar experience regarding negative family feedback prior to or after deciding to make the move to the Philippines. As for my wife and I it's full speed ahead (1-2 yrs depending on how I cultivate my nest egg). Basically, I have 4 siblings-all questioning why I am going "there" of all places? The feedback is "whatever floats your boat", "your wife is dragging you to a 3rd world country-what's gotten into you?", and similar comments...not to mention the gossip that I'm sure flows freely behind my back-no worry. Well, I explained my reasons to them and added that their lack of support became just another reason. I'm not coming into this blind, as we have done our research and I have been there on 5 seperate occations. I like the social environment, the weather, and the cost of living-like most. Also, the eye candy is not bad, but my wife reminds me I can read that menu but not order off it. I'm not a pure minimalist but I can do without many creature comforts many others feel they need. Simplistic, yet tolerant. I know it's not all puppy dogs and rainbows, but there's a certain social behavior among many filipinos (I am by nature very sociable) that I really love about the warm friendly people of the Philippines in particular. My family thinks it's hog wash-and I guess at my age I should not care. Maybe 1 or 2 of them will come out one day and see what I mean. As Jake has reminded me-this aint Kansas anymore (where I live). Hey Steve, Obviously, you have done your homework and made a decision based on your simplistic and yet tolerant lifestyle. Apparently you have moved beyond keeping up with the Jones and just live a simple life. You've been there and done that. What else do you need to prove at your age? Puppy dogs and rainbows? Plenty of that in PI, my friend. Respectfully -- Jake 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MacBubba Posted August 22, 2014 Popular Post Posted August 22, 2014 With 24 years of marriage under our belt, and the strong ties I have with my in-laws and Filipino friends that my family and Canadian friends have witnessed, no one has batted an eyelash. When we make the move, they will be coming to visit! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hey Steve Posted August 22, 2014 Author Posted August 22, 2014 With 24 years of marriage under our belt, and the strong ties I have with my in-laws and Filipino friends that my family and Canadian friends have witnessed, no one has batted an eyelash. When we make the move, they will be coming to visit! It seems so simple Mac Bubba... wishing this was simply the case for me too 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacBubba Posted August 22, 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 It seems so simple Mac Bubba... wishing this was simply the case for me too Just give it time. They will probably eventually come around. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hey Steve Posted August 22, 2014 Author Posted August 22, 2014 Yep, I'm about as prepared as I can be (attitude is #1) and to so degree will break off the rear view mirror with respect to the overly opinionated family. My brother had referred to Annie as a mail order bride, which I really took exception to. Anyway, I can shake it off- 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BrettGC Posted August 22, 2014 Popular Post Posted August 22, 2014 My kids have been supportive with my eldest daughter (24yo) saying: "Dad, you've spent your whole life making other people happy, go and be happy yourself." Love that girl. My parents not so much but then again, as much as I love them, they are a little bit of the "Jonses" neighbours but not to an extreme. They just don't understand why anyone would want to live a lifestyle other than the one most are conditioned into believing is the "right" one. My brother and sister are very supportive, we've all always been really close so that's been comforting. My friends are pretty evenly split with some making the assumption I'm going there for all the "wrong" reasons. Funny thing is, the most critical have never traveled outside Australia or even the state in a couple of cases so have no basis for their opinions whatsoever. I live my life with two lists; One has the people that count to me on it, the other has those that don't. I listen to the former but don't necessarily act up on their advice/opinions etc. The later well, lets just say they're generally on the "other" list for a reason. Recently there's been a fair bit of migration between the two lists.... Yeah, it does weigh a little heavy occasionally, but there comes a time when everyone should take my daughter's advice every now and then. :rolleyes: 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hey Steve Posted August 22, 2014 Author Posted August 22, 2014 So true, Brett..."The most critical have never traveled outside Australia or even the state in a couple of cases so have no basis for their opinions whatsoever". This observation seems to be prevalent not only with people we know but also many scattered through the internet as well. :cheersty: 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post frosty (chris) Posted August 23, 2014 Popular Post Posted August 23, 2014 My kids have been supportive with my eldest daughter (24yo) saying: "Dad, you've spent your whole life making other people happy, go and be happy yourself." Love that girl. My younger daughter (22yo) was the same, we went for lunch one day and I told her I was thinking of going to live in another country, she said to me," Dad if it makes you happy just go" , she visited recently for 3 months, met the g/f (26), they are like sisters now and the daughter can't wait to come back again. Most of my friends are dead or almost, same with the family, so it's my time now. I suppose when you get older or old you just say screw it, if you're not happy, you will never make any one else happy. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post robert k Posted August 23, 2014 Popular Post Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Family can be gems. One of my brothers who has never been anywhere excepting Hawaii gave me alot of advice. I kept telling him, you're an idiot and finally that he should at least google something before he decides to warn me about it. The rest of the family has been great. I have a friend who I told about my plans and he jumped in with both feet and barely remembered to hold his nose. Surprises have been hitting him left and right, not all of them good. The last phone conversation I had with him he told me I should never feel bad for putting the notion in his head because he's as happy as he has ever been, even with the surprises. He had been living alone in an apartment for the previous 20 years. Life had been passing him by. His children and others close to him, would have much rather he stay in a retirement apartment vegetating. It was not even a matter of distance, his children would not even drive 50 miles to see him and generally he was not welcome when he drove to visit them. He blew through alot of money when he first arrived in the Philippines and basically he lives off of his social security with a small nest egg. He does not spend like he used to but his fiancee is still standing with him, as others have said she would not. Other people can't live your life for you. All my life I have been the idiot who did not know something could not be done. Either I have constantly done the impossible, or those telling me things are impossible are saying that because THEY can't do it and in their minds, it's the same thing. Don't allow other people to determine what you will do with your life and if you are going to live your life for someone else, make sure it's someone who lives under the same roof with you. Most people who want to run your life can't even keep a plant alive, make sure you like what they have before they can become your life coach. Those are my thoughts on the subject. Edited August 23, 2014 by robert k 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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