Experience In Moving Your Family To The Philippines

[breger1]

I am interested in hearing others experience in moving their families permanently to the Philippines. What difficulties did you encounter with children adjusting to the new culture and lifestyle? Changes in schools etc.

 

My situation is my position at work will be going away during this year and to be honest after more than 30 years working for the same company I am not looking forward to the job search and readjustment to a new employer and the long hours to prove myself against younger coworkers. I am confident that I could afford to retire and live in the Philippines. I personally would like the potential for a slower lifestyle. My wife is a Filipina and we have 2 kids (all dual citizens). We have spent many happy weeks in the Philippines starting from when the kids were in strollers. So at least we have had the experience of vacations there (not to say that that is the same as living there).  My wife is quite happy, in fact ecstatic at the prospect of moving back but my kids, ages 12 and 13 are not too keen on a permanent move. Issues with of course moving away from friends and schools etc. I think that 4 years ago this would have been much easier for them....  

 

So as I said I would be very interested in others experience with making this work....

[Dave Hounddriver]

my kids, ages 12 and 13 are not too keen on a permanent move.

 

I don't blame them.  Most of the people on this forum talk about leaving the Philippines for the sake of their kids when the kids are that age.  Not much of a future for them here.  I would have been horrified if my folks had moved here when I was that age and I had to adjust to this culture.  Maybe thats just me.

[intrepid]

but my kids, ages 12 and 13 are not too keen on a permanent move. Issues with of course moving away from friends and schools etc. I think that 4 years ago this would have been much easier for them....

 

I think you may be right about this.  But then again it will depend on how you and your wife handle the talks with them.

We are moving from the US to Sta Rosa Laguna this April 28.  Our daughter turned 10 Dec 29.  I too think for her it would have been easier a year or two ago.  But we have had this plan for more than five years and have been planning and talking about it almost daily all this time.  She has heard us talking about it, and has been part of the talks and asked many questions over the years.  Since she was 10 months old we have visited the Philippines with her at least every other year for six to seven weeks at a time.  My wife has a large family and she is loved very much.  She also makes friends very fast where ever she goes.  Maybe it helps that though she is Phil-Am, she has light colored hair.  And very pretty if I do say so myself.  :tiphat:  She got all my good looks.....because I have none left! :hystery:.  

 

Again I think it all depends on how you approach this with your kids.  JMHO