The Philippines – ideal for retirement in SE Asia

Possibly the most welcoming of all the Asian countries both for a holiday and retiree living, is the Philippines. While Malaysia may have better infrastructure and even a special retirement scheme for single foreigners or expat couples, there's little doubt that the Philippines has much more to offer in the way of a holiday lifestyle and entertainment, especially for the single male! However it's quite often that a Filipina (lady from the Philippines) has already captured his heart and he settles there permanently and starts a family. There's something for everyone, and for many Westerners the Philippines is a Dream Come True!

Due to the Philippines' colonial past including 400 years under Spanish control administered from Mexico, when the Catholic religion was introduced and remains prominent to this day. The Americans took over in the early 1900's. It was jokingly summed up as 400 years of living in a Convent, followed by 40 years of Hollywood! Both Western and Latin influences are very noticeable. The people are warm, friendly, very family-oriented and sincerely helpful by nature; most speak some English, as it is a compulsory school subject.

Although the use of the Spanish language was never encouraged, there are many Spanish words in Tagalog which is widely spoken among the locals. The Philippines is basically an English-speaking country, and life in the Philippines has similarities to that of living in the USA, Canada, or Europe, but at a much lower cost of living. The government encourages foreign residency by offering a special visa for those that would like to stay in the Philippines. Visit our Philippines Retirement page.

The first inhabitants of the archipelago that became known as the Philippines were mainly of Malay origin. Over the centuries, Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese traders visited the islands, all leaving the mark of their own Asian cultures as well as those of  Spain and South America, including the Portuguese-speaking countries. So this has influenced music, clothing and fashion, and most of all, the food. Philippines cuisine is a fusion of taste experiences. Apart from Malay and Chinese dishes, paella, apretida, aroscaldo, menudo and calderita are all considered to be Filipino dishes. The Americans brought Coke and fast food, so pizza, fried chicken and burgers are found in all the busy tourist areas.

Visiting the Philippines is easy for most travelers. Tourists and business visitors to the Philippines staying for 21 days or less do not require a visa. See more on our Visa FAQ page. Check out discount holiday accommodation in the Philippines. Your first stop will be Manila, the capital.

Philippines travel and accommodation bookings:

Learning Tagalog, the Philippines local language, helps a lot in understanding the people and will be an asset in many aspects of living, socialising (especially with the ladies!) as well as doing business with the locals. Visit our language and dictionaries pages for more information. 

The Philippines is of course a premier tourist destination, with many different activities and types of entertainment on offer. Apart from the capital Manila, Angeles City is a favourite with tourists, foreign retirees and residents alike. Most people will take a holiday first to find out more about where they might want to retire. Davao City, Boracay Island, Cebu City and Puerto Galera are all popular locations among the Philippines 7,000 islands. Find out all you need to know about getting there, the best hotel deals, car rental and things you can see and do on a Philippines vacation.

To successfully move to the Philippines, it is important to be armed with the right information. While you can see our Before You Move page for general information, we recommend you learn from an author who has put together some indispensable guides for loving (!!) living or working, investing or just retiring in the Philippines.

How to Live Happily and Make a Living in the Philippines

Whichever way you want to achieve your own 'Philippines dream' you need to read this book. It's a new (March 2006), detailed and thoroughly researched 265 page guide that reveals what an entrepreneur needs to know about SMALL BUSINESS, GETTING WORK or INVESTING in the Philippines.

Read our full review of Making a Living in the Philippines here. 

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International real estate classified ads from homeowners or brokers to buy, sell or rent your property, house, apartment, business, land. Worldwide directory of vacation rentals by owner.

Western man, Philippines woman (Filipina)

All the influences mentioned above have made the Filipina a unique 'hybrid' of beauty, caring nature and a traditionally family oriented person – the ideal marriage partner it would seem! And for many, she is just that.

There's no avoiding the topic of relationships between European men and Asian women. Many Western men, especially those with failed marriages and relationships in their own countries, are drawn to making a new life in the tropics, countries like Thailand and the Philippines among their favourite destinations. And with good reason. Apart from the different culture and more exotic lifestyle of tropical Southeast Asia, with warm seas, sandy beaches, island paradise getaways, mountains, lakes, food, traditions and culture, there are THE WOMEN! And that's hardly surprising. The beauty and 'caring friendliness' of Asian women is legendary, which is why the Philippines is deservedly a favourite place for Western men to holiday, work, retire, and of course marry. The local word for a spouse (wife or husband) is Asawa.

Before you even visit the Philippines Filipino FriendFinder is one of the free services you might like try. Another is Amigos. There are Philippines friend and partnership sites for all locations, ages and tastes.

Taking things a step further, it is easy to get yourself into 'hot water' and probably lose a lot of money if you go blindly into a relationship (we're not talking about casual liaisons here) with an Asian (Thai or Filipina) woman. Most choose by default to learn the hard way by making their own mistakes. This is human nature. Smarter guys learn from others' experiences and problems first, then tread carefully. Which are you going to be?

Visit our next page for more information and insight into relationships in the Western male, Philippines female context, including two excellent manuals on how best to handle these important issues. Here is retirement information.

Sending Money to the Philippines

 Western Union is a leader in this field and has more offices in the Philippines than its competitors. You can also visit our Banking page for more choices and information. As well as providing other services, emergency money transfers and remittances can be arranged instantly using a credit card on line. This is useful because sometimes an internet shop is easier to find than an ATM or places that accept credit cards in some towns! You can transfer cash quickly to yourself, or relatives and friends, quickly and easily virtually anywhere in the Philippines. Here are locations all over the world. You can pre-register with Western Union and learn about their many services in advance. We suggest you create a free account now, and be prepared for any eventuality – or just so you can send an unexpected pleasant surprise to a loved one!

• Send money to friends or family in the Philippines and other countries

• Convenience purchases: help loved ones pay for everyday expenses

• Travel emergency needs and for instant cash in local currency

• Other emergencies: help friends, children, and family members in need

• As a cash gift – the one you know is always appreciated!

A Western Union Prepaid MasterCard is incredibly easy to get by applying online. No credit checks, no lengthy application, a one-time $9.95 fee for the card and you don't even need a bank account. Ideal to give to your foreign dependants to use, while you maintain control of their spending.

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Further titles by Perry Gamsby, author of 'Making a Living in the Philippines':

Filipina 101
Finding your 'Philippines Dream Girl'.

Filipina 202
Philippines Marriage, Migration & More.

More information here
or click on a book.

(free to join)

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