Looking for advice

[SenorJorge]

Hi,

I recently left Thailand after staying there for several years and I have no intention of ever going back.

I would like to switch locations to the Philippines.  Where should I go?  Here's some information on me:

I'm a US retiree.  I have no plans on getting the retirement visa for the Phils.  I would like to come in on separate tourist visas and extend them out to long stay when necessary.  I go back home to the USA 1-2 times per year, so this is no problem.  My pension is around $2000 US per month.

What I like?  Well, I don't drink.  I had to stop due to health concerns.  I like the beach.  I like girls.  I am okay with living in a not-so-great beach area and taking small trips or day trips to the beach.

I'll never get married again.  Twice divorced.  I am over it.

I can't think of anything else to add to this right now.  Sorry if this is the archetypal newbiepost.  I am totally sincere in every detail.

 

Thanks.

SJ

 

[Old55]

Welcome to the forum SJ. You should have little difficulty transitioning from Thailand to Philippines. 

Only you know best what location suites your needs. Make the move travel around and you'll be sure to find someplace that feels comfortable. Rural areas are call "Da Providence"  you may find modestly priced lodgings and be on or close to a beach. Lot's of lovely ladies many who will want to become married so that maybe an issue.

[Jack Peterson]

3 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

I recently left Thailand after staying there for several years and I have no intention of ever going back.

      

[Hobbit112]

3 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

I'm a US retiree.  I have no plans on getting the retirement visa for the Phils.  I would like to come in on separate tourist visas and extend them out to long stay when necessary.  I go back home to the USA 1-2 times per year, so this is no problem.  My pension is around $2000 US per month.

What I like?  Well, I don't drink.  I had to stop due to health concerns.  I like the beach.  I like girls.  I am okay with living in a not-so-great beach area and taking small trips or day trips to the beach.

I'll never get married again.  Twice divorced.  I am over it.

I can't think of anything else to add to this right now.  Sorry if this is the archetypal newbiepost.  I am totally sincere in every detail.

 

Thanks.

SJ

 

Welcome SJ!

Tourist visa is not a problem, come in on a 30 day free visa, extend for 29 days the first time then get 2 month visa extensions afterward.  You will end up needed to get an ACR-I card but that is good for a year and renewable, just renew it before it expires.

$2000 US a month you should easily be able to live well on outside of the major metros(read NCR).  Do you want to be around other expats?  

Lapu-Lapu on Mactan Island across from Cebu City comes to mind along with Panglao Island.  Both have easy access to some great beaches and good eats as they are touristy.  Boracay off Northwest Panay is also a possibility but might put a bit of strain on your budget.  Dumaguete on Negros also comes to mind.

With the exception of Dumaguete these are quite touristy and have a fair amount of expat tourists.  Dumaguete is more laid back and more of an expat community.  Some good beaches to the south, Valencia in the mountains and Apo Island nearby for snorkeling and diving.

 

 

[Mike J]

Welcome.  If I were you I would spend a few months circumventing Negros and/or Cebu as a starting point.  Spends a few days at the smaller cities/towns near the coast.  Most of the towns have some sort of pension houses where the fees are quite reasonable.  This would give you the opportunity to see multiple areas and determine what they have to offer.  Of particular concern in the smaller towns would be the availability of medical care in case of injury or serious illness.

[scott h]

Welcome to the forum as you can see lots of folks here to answer questions, don't hesitated to seek clarification.

Speaking of clarification. 

5 hours ago, SenorJorge said:

I like girls.

Coming from Thailand, which has a bit of a reputation, like the Philippines use to. If you want to meet ladies, there is no shortage here, but as was mentioned above, most will be looking for a long term relationship.

If your looking for the bar scene like Thailand or Saigon are known for, there are still a few areas like that but I would stay out of the provinces and smaller towns, might lead to misunderstandings and trouble.

[SenorJorge]

11 hours ago, scott h said:

Welcome to the forum as you can see lots of folks here to answer questions, don't hesitated to seek clarification.

Speaking of clarification. 

Coming from Thailand, which has a bit of a reputation, like the Philippines use to. If you want to meet ladies, there is no shortage here, but as was mentioned above, most will be looking for a long term relationship.

If your looking for the bar scene like Thailand or Saigon are known for, there are still a few areas like that but I would stay out of the provinces and smaller towns, might lead to misunderstandings and trouble.

Thank you.  I didn't choose my lifestyle.  I married two very bad bar-type women who robbed me of every penny I owned and cheated on me.  Both southeast Asians.  One in hk and on in Thailand.  I have no kids with anyone but women have really damaged my life.  I have severe trust issues now because of this and I really think my family would completely blow a gasket if I told them I was marrying someone else again, especially a se Asian.  I'm pretty sure it would give my old mother a heart attack.  I really am lonely and I wish I could find a real "romantic partner" but every woman seems to just want to leach onto that 2k a month and cheat on me so no.  It's just not a good idea for me in my present stage in life.  I temporarily alleviate my loneliness by having a woman for the day, week, sometimes even month.  It's not because I like to have a lot of women it's because I just dont trust anyone after all I've been through.  Not a single woman in the west will even date me and here they throw themselves at me like I'm Tom Cruise or someone for years?  Golddigging and other tomfoolery.  Does the phils have village weddings where the marriage isn't actually registered like they have in Thailand?  That's the only thing I'd ever consider maybe after a few years.  MAYBE.  Thank you.

[SenorJorge]

13 hours ago, Hobbit112 said:

Welcome SJ!

Tourist visa is not a problem, come in on a 30 day free visa, extend for 29 days the first time then get 2 month visa extensions afterward.  You will end up needed to get an ACR-I card but that is good for a year and renewable, just renew it before it expires.

$2000 US a month you should easily be able to live well on outside of the major metros(read NCR).  Do you want to be around other expats?  

Lapu-Lapu on Mactan Island across from Cebu City comes to mind along with Panglao Island.  Both have easy access to some great beaches and good eats as they are touristy.  Boracay off Northwest Panay is also a possibility but might put a bit of strain on your budget.  Dumaguete on Negros also comes to mind.

With the exception of Dumaguete these are quite touristy and have a fair amount of expat tourists.  Dumaguete is more laid back and more of an expat community.  Some good beaches to the south, Valencia in the mountains and Apo Island nearby for snorkeling and diving.

 

 

Thank you for all of the kind replies everyone.  I will look into all of these areas as you suggested.  When I am comfortable I'll just stay put for awhile in one.  I won't be set to go anywhere for at least a few months to a year because I need to have three surgeries while I'm home.  So I have lots of time to do research.

[Jollygoodfellow]

2 minutes ago, SenorJorge said:

I married two very bad bar-type women who robbed me of every penny I owned and cheated on me.

Looks like you found the reason in the first few words.

 

3 minutes ago, SenorJorge said:

I temporarily alleviate my loneliness by having a woman for the day, week, sometimes even month.

Then you are still hanging around with the wrong type by the sound of it.

[SenorJorge]

1 minute ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Looks like you found the reason in the first few words.

 

Then you are still hanging around with the wrong type by the sound of it.

Well the second one concealed her identity as a freelancer and I had no way of knowing until it was too late.

I just always knew something wasn't right but I couldn't put my finger on what exactly.

I still hang out with bar girls because theyre my friends.  They're the only ones who will hang out with some twice divorced cripple who can't afford to live in his own country.  I give them a little money and they're happy.  Everybody else puts me in the "undesirable farang" bin, which is maybe where I belong.  I made some really terrible choices throughout my life.  Not a criminal but I just mucked up my whole existence, there's no reason to sugarcoat it.