Looking to move to the Philippines.

[crashcrain]

Myself and wife were looking to move to the Philippines next year. This could be a permanent move and wanted to know more about the best areas to live in, expat areas, US Military Installations, schools to teach at, etc. The main goal is to get established in a community quickly and enjoy retirement. Could someone give me some tips, pitfalls to be wary of, and just general information and steps to take? 

[scott h]

Welcome crash.

Well one of your questions is easy to answer. There are no military bases in the Philippines anymore. The nearest is Guam.

However, to give any real answers that will be of help to you we really need some more info. Not being nosy, but the answers will depend greatly depending.

Is your wife Filipina? Most of us live in the area that our wives are from. Also being married to a Filipina will affect the type of visa you are eligible for.

A big question is, have you ever been to the Philippines before? Being a tourist and living here really are two different things. If you have any medical issues, you will probably want to be near one of the Metropolitain areas. Top notch medical services are hit and miss out in the hinterland. Same with daily quality of life. If you want peace, quiet and solitude you can set up in the middle of the jungle, but if you want western amenities, again you will want to be in or near one of the bigger cities. 

But again, probably the most important question, is your wife a Filipina? That really is the Linch pin to how to proceed with a potential move. 

Again, welcome. 

 

[Mike J]

Welcome to the forum.  As @scott h posted we really need to know more about you, your family, your expectations, and plans in order to offer advice on where to live.  You mention 'schools to teach at'.   Are you and/or wife wanting to teach.  You should know that you, as a foreigner, can only work here under certain visas.  The education system and infrastructure here are far different than what you have in the USA.  The pay is also a pittance compared to the USA.  

In addition to Scott' questions - Would you prefer big city, small city, province?  Do you want to be close to the ocean, to the mountains, to both?  What sports and activities do you enjoy?   Would you prefer a house, a condo, or an apartment?   

I have a suggestion that I share with most folks planning on moving here.  Buy and read the book "Culture Shock Philippines" available from Amazon.com.  At least I think it is still available.  While it is dated, it will still give you important insight into the culture and social interactions of the Philippine people.

Again, welcome and feel free to hit with questions.

[JJReyes]

30 minutes ago, scott h said:

Well one of your questions is easy to answer. There are no military bases in the Philippines anymore. The nearest is Guam.

There are several US military installations in the Philippines at the present time.  One of the largest has a US Marines contingency numbering around 5,000.  Two are radar installations.  One is a ship repair facility although the US Navy has permission to use Subic Bay.  Locations are in Northern Luzon as a reminder to China the US is serious about protecting Taiwan.  It is all sub-rosa as not to agitate left-leaning Filipinos who are sensitive about sovereignty issues.  

[JJReyes]

7 hours ago, crashcrain said:

schools to teach at

If you relocate to Baguio City, it might be possible to teach English at one of the Korean schools whose students are in the Philippines to learning English.  Pay is local rate which is a pittance compared as to what you can earn as an English language teacher in Korea.

[scott h]

1 hour ago, JJReyes said:

There are several US military installations

Those are "installations" JJ, temporary in nature. If you read what the OP was asking was about bases. Places with a PX, commissary, health care and most importantly to the OP is a permanent personnel assignment with dependents where most likely he and his wife could work as teachers. 

[JJReyes]

6 minutes ago, scott h said:

Those are "installations" JJ, temporary in nature. If you read what the OP was asking was about bases. Places with a PX, commissary, health care and most importantly to the OP is a permanent personnel assignment with dependents where most likely he and his wife could work as teachers. 

You are right.  They are temporary installations, including the barracks, runways and harbor infrastructures.  I did ask, "How much rent is the US paying and who gets it since these are non-existing military installations?"

Semi-related story.  Singapore requires all-abled males to serve in their military but there are no training grounds available within the state.  They asked the Philippines for use of Camp Mateo Capinpin located near our family farm.  It was originally designed and built as a South-East Asia Treaty Organization training facility, but it never materialized.  The Philippines wanted too much money from Singapore.  Singapore then entered into agreements with Malaysia and Australia.  Camp Capinpin is still there used for jungle warfare training.  

[MotorSarge]

You could look up Tinian just north of Guam as they are rebuilding a massive flightline for AF, SF, etc, but that place will be extremely limited.

[MotorSarge]

35 minutes ago, JJReyes said:

You are right.  They are temporary installations, including the barracks, runways and harbor infrastructures.

This is correct with temporary rotating US Military TDYers as the Cadre to support the rotating forces.

[Tommy T.]

9 hours ago, crashcrain said:

Myself and wife were looking to move to the Philippines next year. This could be a permanent move and wanted to know more about the best areas to live in, expat areas, US Military Installations, schools to teach at, etc. The main goal is to get established in a community quickly and enjoy retirement. Could someone give me some tips, pitfalls to be wary of, and just general information and steps to take? 

I will put in my two pesos' worth of opinion here... As has been posted many many times here before... the best thing to do - at least in mine and some others' opinion - is to come to visit the Philippines and plan to stay a while. Check out various venues that seem attractive to you and your wife. Boots on the ground is priceless information. Be sure to stay or visit places on weekends and at nights to experience either the tranquility of the tropical environment, or face loss of hearing from deafening karaoke music(???) or harassments from possibly local drunks? There are some incredibly beautiful places and also some real dumps - much as you might find anywhere in the world... So come here, cruise around and experience what the Philippines has to offer.... A week or few days won't help - you need months and maybe in several places in order to find your comfort zone(s). Again... in my opinion and limited experience here.