Mr Lee Posted August 13, 2011 Posted August 13, 2011 I see some great ideas in this article/advertisement that the Philippine govt might wish to follow to increase retirees living in the Philippines. One thing very important would be good health care and from what I have seen, PhilHealth is better than nothing but far from good coverage, should someone need serious healthcare. It seems many of us have options, so it would seem that the driving force bringing many of us to the Philippines, is in fact the Filipina (and often because they are our wives). The BoomerIf I buy a house or a condo, are there property taxes involved and if so, how much? Howard: In general, property taxes run 0.1% of the declared value of a home or condo. Thus, a home valued at $100,000 would mean paying $100 yearly. What happens with my health care coverage in Costa Rica?There is really no need for U.S. medical coverage because of the affordable options found here. "The Caja" or the socialized system offers 100% coverage for foreign residents and doesn’t exclude them because of pre-existing conditions. The monthly premium is around $50. The second option is the private insurance the National Insurance Institute provides. I use this plan and it runs around $2,000 per year. Some people in the U.S. pay nearly that amount per month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Posted August 13, 2011 Posted August 13, 2011 Costa Rica was a hot spot 7 years ago....and was getting expensive back then. Panama is now where Costa Rica was...also has a better retirement plan for old farts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted August 13, 2011 Posted August 13, 2011 I visited there in 98, very beautiful place and climate. I went to the Caribbean side, the main tourist resorts are on the Pacific side. Lots of drugs and nefarious characters where I went. You would have to learn pretty good Spanish to live there, imo, outside the capital and resorts they don't speak or understand English. Oh yea, exactly like Florida lol. Many beautiful women also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJReyes Posted August 14, 2011 Posted August 14, 2011 Overseas warm climate migration for Americans on the East Coast will favor Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Belize, Panama, etc. Once we re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, it will be a tidal wave. Opposed to this idea are Cuban Americans because of the personal hatred towards Fidel Castro. Yet the group that will benefit economically from the retirement migration to Cuba will be Cuban Americans. Americans on the West Coast and the Southwest who are considering overseas retirement will continue to move to Mexico with the Philippines a poor 2nd choice. I recently read that there are 105,000 Americans living in the Philippines. This does not include U.S. government (military and nonmilitary) personnel and their dependents. I am sure the high number are Fil-Ams returning home in retirement. JJR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Lee Posted August 14, 2011 Author Posted August 14, 2011 So could I then ask those of you who have been to, and have knowledge of Costa Rica and other retirement areas besides the Philippines, Why would the Philippines be your choice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art2ro Posted August 14, 2011 Posted August 14, 2011 (edited) The language barrier, immigration red tape, infrastructure, sanitation, transportation and medical heath care are some of the drawbacks in living in any foreign country! Being a retired Fil/Am couple in the Philippines, we manage just fine, because this foreign land is our roots! We're back home to stay! Fortunately, the Philippines is an English speaking country and I also learned to speak the basic Tagalog language to fit in amongst the locals! It took us 12 long years to establish what we have and where we are today! If we can do it, anyone can, some foreigners have already done so with more flare or fanfare, because they have more money than most of us! So, if anyone wants to go to Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Beliz, Thailand etc, your choice! As for my wife and I, we're finally settled in for the long haul in our humble little home! Life is truly grand when a plan comes together in the end! http://www.philippin...allery&user=682 http://www.google.co...biw=972&bih=551 Edited August 14, 2011 by Art2ro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapotwo Posted August 14, 2011 Posted August 14, 2011 Despite being born and raised in the phipippines, i still feel like a foreigner in my own homeland. ive researched retirement in other countrys, but i keep getting steered back to the pinas.i guess healthcare is the biggest isue that most people have in deciding where to go.in my case its still the philippines that attracts me the most. even with the lack of good healthcare the beautiful pinay could and probably will be the death of me. so im not complaining , like Art says, life is what you make it.My circle of life will be complete soon, and then thats real retirement in the country of my choice.(sorry hawaii you wernt that good.) thats my 2 centavos worth. tanks ej. :o 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Posted August 14, 2011 Posted August 14, 2011 So could I then ask those of you who have been to, and have knowledge of Costa Rica and other retirement areas besides the Philippines, Why would the Philippines be your choice? Military bases...english a bit better? Lee, why did you start doing the pen pal thing with a pinay? ...instead of another area of the world? I've read your story of your first visit after years of snail mails...just never knew why you chose the Philippines for a bride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted August 14, 2011 Posted August 14, 2011 So could I then ask those of you who have been to, and have knowledge of Costa Rica and other retirement areas besides the Philippines, Why would the Philippines be your choice?Best women in the world; bar none. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted August 14, 2011 Posted August 14, 2011 So could I then ask those of you who have been to, and have knowledge of Costa Rica and other retirement areas besides the Philippines, Why would the Philippines be your choice?Best women in the world; bar none. Totally agree with you MikeB! If I was single again, I would seriously considermaking another trip to PI and have the most exciting adventure of my life. Retired but still active -- Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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