Retirement - Is Philippines The Answer

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virginprune
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I live in Cebu city now because of various reasons (near malls/retail-shopping, pharmacies, various other services, etc) and I have to comment on what pariahdog stated, and yes, the pickpockets are abundant! But so are the scammers and gold-diggers too! But of course this can be a situation in any country--third world or first-rate.

 

I was surprised one evening though, coming out of Ayala with some bags in both hands waiting on a taxi, a smelly beggar (seriously, she hadn't changed her clothes or bathed for days) was asking for money and I told her that its is illegal in the Philippines to beg and I can be arrested for giving money as well. But she just kept on begging to other Filipinos then she disappeared after she tried to hit me up again. So I turn to this young Pilipina behind me and told her that it really is illegal to beg and to give to the beggars and I'd be in violation of the law. She just replied, "What did the beggar say when you told her that?" I said, she basically didn't register it, asked again and walked off. I also replied that the beggar would most likely go off to buy drugs or booze with the money anyway. Then her 2 friends came in and one of them brushed up against my leg with her carrying-bags/backpack thing--so I thought nothing of it as I stood there with both hands still clutching bags. She then started asking me the, you know, "9 questions routine," ie: "Where you from?" What are you doing here? etc. I told her I'm from the US and she then said that she was going to Pigeon Forge, Pennsylvania soon. I said oh that's a nice place, been there, and conversed about other trivial things about the US as I still waited on my taxi.

 

Well, while she was rattling off on her initial approach, the other guy that I assumed was the young Pilipina's (the girl originally behind me in line before these 2 showed up) boyfriend, had unbuttoned my lower cargo pocket on my right leg - as he was bending down adjusting his bags-- and this happened simultaneously when this same girl (that was rattling off), bumped my other leg with her bags. You know how these people work right? It never dawned on me but luckily, I must have moved before he was able to get my pocket wifi from my cargo-pocket that he had unbuttoned earlier upon his arrival! There are some slippery and slick ones out there that's for sure!

 

So I'm living in Cebu City, at a higher floor level, - to hopefully - stay out of the pollution and that is where I'm at now because it's quiet for the most part and really secure also. However, I am considering a trip to Thailand (due to the relatively same cost of living or slightly higher as according to numbeo, than the Phils) because the Phils is really too much into deep, intense religious/Christianity based routines and lifestyles for one. Seriously, you're in a store and on the intercom, a lame-sounding cymbal (or pie-tin LOL) goes off a number of times, and it's 5 minutes of "Jesus Genre"  <--followed by more corny-sounding cymbals??? And these Filipinos stand there or move to the aisle's-end and remain motionless.

 

It is truly an experience when these "supposedly christian people" (this applies to some but not all now), are all saintly and religious disciples, but as for you the foreigner (and their own people sometimes), they'll lie to you, try to scam you, raise prices, borrow money and of course, never repay it. But I am wise and don't  let anyone borrow money anymore and/or I am very very cautious when they try to lay a story on me - and I analyze it for scamation principles or not. It keeps me so "on-the-guard" though, when it comes to just about everything here! It's like OMG, what next??!!

 

Now again, I'm venting as there are some good people here but, I still want to try Thailand for an extended vacation and see what it's like there. And hopefully, they won't lie and scam me as often as it happens here in the Phils. I had an expat tell me that I would like Thailand a while back and so I say, why not?

Thailand too is a religious country, although it is Buddhist. On the numerous Buddah Days, alcohol is forbidden to be sold in bars, this also happens on the King's birthday and election days. You will be hit on just as much by beggars as here, no laws there regarding this. You will also be hit on just as much, if not more, by monks looking for a donation, harder to refuse them. You will also find that at 8am and 5pm everything stops for the National Anthem, which is also broadcast in the cinema before the show, you will stand up or you will go to jail. Thailand has the strictest lese majeste laws in the world. As for scammers and liars, the Thais are just as adept or even better at it. The grass is not always greener but I'm sure you'll have a good time if you keep an open attitude. Enjoy your trip!

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frosty (chris)
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Now again, I'm venting as there are some good people here but, I still want to try Thailand for an extended vacation and see what it's like there. And hopefully, they won't lie and scam me as often as it happens here in the Phils. I had an expat tell me that I would like Thailand a while back and so I say, why not?

Thailand too is a religious country, although it is Buddhist. On the numerous Buddah Days, alcohol is forbidden to be sold in bars, this also happens on the King's birthday and election days. You will be hit on just as much by beggars as here, no laws there regarding this. You will also be hit on just as much, if not more, by monks looking for a donation, harder to refuse them. You will also find that at 8am and 5pm everything stops for the National Anthem, which is also broadcast in the cinema before the show, you will stand up or you will go to jail. Thailand has the strictest lese majeste laws in the world. As for scammers and liars, the Thais are just as adept or even better at it. The grass is not always greener but I'm sure you'll have a good time if you keep an open attitude. Enjoy your trip!

 

Having been to most South East Asian countries, one thing they all have in common is the ability to con and scam westerners, seems they all have the same ability and the thai's are certainly up there with the best, especially a long nose alone in a tourist area. My brother lived and worked there for 10 odd years, thought he was a pretty smart cookie, the Thai's took him apart, lost everything. There is a saying in Thailand. How do you make a million dollars, start with two million, never a truer word spoken. Good luck to you.

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Thomas
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I'm venting as there are some good people here but, I still want to try Thailand for an extended vacation and see what it's like there.
I have (probably) changed my mind in OPPOSITE direction :lol:     

Phils treat expats some bad too concerning business (and Visa) but Phils laws are much better than Thai laws concerning such.

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Czechman
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Whoa, I appreciate the revelation-awakening regarding the Thai's and Thailand: virginprune, frosty (chris), and Thomas! Since I have never been there, I wouldn't know what to expect. But I remember someone here in these forums mentioning the strict state of affairs in Thailand referring to the Buddhism-affiliated-culture and their other repressive laws or similar references therein. And I completely forgot about the Buddhist monks - which reminds me of the movie "Airplane," - insistently hitting you up for donations (the movie showed more than just monks pleading though, but you know what I mean =-). Although, I doubt if I could get away with tossing them about while walking through (like in the movie) without getting into further problems!! LOL!!

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RBM
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Whoa, I appreciate the revelation-awakening regarding the Thai's and Thailand: virginprune, frosty (chris), and Thomas! Since I have never been there, I wouldn't know what to expect. But I remember someone here in these forums mentioning the strict state of affairs in Thailand referring to the Buddhism-affiliated-culture and their other repressive laws or similar references therein. And I completely forgot about the Buddhist monks - which reminds me of the movie "Airplane," - insistently hitting you up for donations (the movie showed more than just monks pleading though, but you know what I mean =-). Although, I doubt if I could get away with tossing them about while walking through (like in the movie) without getting into further problems!! LOL!!

I am certainly not very well versed in Thailand having just tripped around by motor cycle and visited a few times. But without doubt, the infrastructure beats Philippines hand down as does the food which is reason alone to go there. My opinion is around the same as far as cost of living goes, quality wise Thailand wins by far.

Have several close friends living in Philippines whom previously lived several years in Thailand. Now here is their home. Why.....according to them it's the people. Without going into depth, they say in general Thais are far more mercenary and better at extracting money from the white monkey. One other, be it minor is the language barrier there.

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scott h
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main reasons for retiring in the Philippines:

 

1. Where wives and GF are from

2. English, English, English

3. Cost of living relatively low

 

Oh did I mention the wives and GF's would be happier here amongst their friends and families and food?  

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chris49
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main reasons for retiring in the Philippines:

 

1. Where wives and GF are from

2. English, English, English

3. Cost of living relatively low

 

Oh did I mention the wives and GF's would be happier here amongst their friends and families and food?  

 

There are people living in PI, who I meet from time to time usually in franchises like Mc Donalds, who will swear up and down they made a wrong decision and would rather be in Thailand. And there are ex pats in Thailand, who deal with Thais all the time, who will take vacation time in the Philippines, but prefer to live in Thailand. Even me, I will crave Thai food now and then, but it's enough to know there are a few Thai restaurants around.

 

As I have said, I have never been to Cebu. I have been to Bohol and I would live there in a pinch. It has a small tourist trap element, but I would still live there. As for Cebu, from what I have learned mostly from reading here, I would not set foot in the place. I know the Cebuana are known for their extreme beauty and conservative behavior, but even that wouldn't pull me.

 

I reckon if the OP has failed to do his homework and doesn't like Cebu, why is he still there? And if he doesn't like PI, he's in about a 1% minority, so we here on the forum cannot help him.

 

Now let's say out of the blue I am offered a one month stay in Thailand, free accom, but I pay own flight and food, notwithstanding what Gina might say and the possible filing of a murder case, but for that, I take it. Who wouldn't?

 

But I still prefer to live in Philippines 100% of the time.

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Thomas
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Curruption is everywhere even pensioners who are entitled to 500 pesos a month have to wait 3-4 months before its released to them !!
500??  The president told retired will get 3000 per month (Have started?).  I suppouse so, because a citizen in Metro Cebu complained they got only half of the promised. 
I have been to Bohol and I would live there in a pinch. It has a small tourist trap element, but I would still live there.
Yes, the south side and Chockolate Hills are "tourist region" while the rest isn't.

I like the landscape type in northeast, but need to research more if the criminality is to big problem to settle there.  Some expats say they live there without problem, while others say it's a big problem. Perhaps depending of there are no NPA guerila there stoping the criminals   :)

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chris49
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Curruption is everywhere even pensioners who are entitled to 500 pesos a month have to wait 3-4 months before its released to them !!
500??  The president told retired will get 3000 per month (Have started?).  I suppouse so, because a citizen in Metro Cebu complained they got only half of the promised. 

 

I have been to Bohol and I would live there in a pinch. It has a small tourist trap element, but I would still live there.
Yes, the south side and Chockolate Hills are "tourist region" while the rest isn't.

I like the landscape type in northeast, but need to research more if the criminality is to big problem to settle there.  Some expats say they live there without problem, while others say it's a big problem. Perhaps depending of there are no NPA guerila there stoping the criminals   :)

 

 

I am a bit cynical when it comes to "tourist attractions", first the tiny monkeys and then the Chocolate Hills. I agree that it's a naturally occurring phenomena but so what, a few hundred grassy hills and you are perched on some ledge looking over them. Well I have been to the Sth Dakota Badlands which has to be similar, so I would bluntly say give the whole thing a miss. The explanations as to why the hills were formed is very sketchy to say the least..."underwater" they say.

 

Taglibaran was quite nice and very cheap. But then heading out to the beach it seems the best beaches are already controlled by resorts so pay as you go. The other beaches are rocky, distinctly second class.

 

But then you do have the Boholian's or Boholanian's and for me they are very nice, simplistic, uncorrupted. While I was there I met quite a few who came over from Dumaguete esp for medical care, and they were saying Dumagute is better, quieter.

 

Along the way I got a few recommendations like that, but none for Cebu.

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