Think of retirement

[Daniel Osborne]

Hello and thank you for having me on the forum.

My wife is Philippine and has been here in the states for 25 or so years. We've been married for almost 20. We are planning to retire in the next 8 years or so and moving to her homeland. I'm just a bit nervous. How safe is it there? We will most likely be around Cagayan de Oro City but close to the beach. How are property taxes? Is it legal to carry a firearm? Can I own property without being a citizen? Lots of other questions but lets start with those.

[Mike J]

Welcome to the forum Daniel.

Is it safe?  Most areas in the Philippines are quite safe.  The exception being areas in the south with majority Muslim population.

Property taxes?  I can't speak for the CDO are but here in Moalboal property taxes are VERY low compared to the USA.

Is it legal to carry firearms?  Non-Philippine citizens are not allowed to own or carry firearms.

Can I own property with being a citizen?  You can own a condo, you cannot own land.  If you wife is a dual citizen US/Philippine, she is allowed to own land.  The land would be considered to conjugal property under Philippine law.  If she is not a dual citizen (currently US only) she can still buy land but it is limited to 1000 square meters.

 

[graham59]

Definitely try a few extended holidays here before committing to migrating, and rent a property first, until you find your feet.

[hk blues]

5 hours ago, Daniel Osborne said:

Hello and thank you for having me on the forum.

My wife is Philippine and has been here in the states for 25 or so years. We've been married for almost 20. We are planning to retire in the next 8 years or so and moving to her homeland. I'm just a bit nervous. How safe is it there? We will most likely be around Cagayan de Oro City but close to the beach. How are property taxes? Is it legal to carry a firearm? Can I own property without being a citizen? Lots of other questions but lets start with those.

Good luck with your plans!

I will add I'm always amused at how much importance you Americans place on having a gun! 

[graham59]

The Phils is probably a damned sight safer than 'back home', for most of us.

Of course one does have to adjust to the non-confrontational attitudes here, and keep a low profile. 

[craftbeerlover]

9 hours ago, hk blues said:

Good luck with your plans!

I will add I'm always amused at how much importance you Americans place on having a gun! 

Just in case the need arises to join a well regulated militia

[MotorSarge]

13 hours ago, graham59 said:

Definitely try a few extended holidays here before committing to migrating, and rent a property first, until you find your feet.

I echo this highly.

[MotorSarge]

10 hours ago, hk blues said:

I will add I'm always amused at how much importance you Americans place on having a gun! 

No different than a rooster in every backyard....

[Possum]

Let's not let this conversation stray into areas not specific to the Philippines. As a retiree here I don't feel the need to be armed and if I did I'd find a better place to live. I find it is a peaceful place as long as you stay out of politics and financial disagreements. Another plus is I don't recall any school, theater or mall mass shootings here. This is in spite of the fact that dealing with the officialdom and legal system taxes even the most patient Filipino.

 

[Old55]

18 hours ago, hk blues said:

Good luck with your plans!

I will add I'm always amused at how much importance you Americans place on having a gun! 

Agree with others spend time in Philippines first before making any serious plans.

I'm always amused at Europeans who wanna school Americans. 

Edited April 26 by Old55