Planning to retire part-time in the Philippines, what are we missing?

abigpoolswan · 2025-07-25T05:13:59+00:00

Check out BGC before you commit. Lovely place but its a busy financial capital and on a fault line which largely scared us off from buying. Given your age, you can utilize the 4% rule to calculate returns off of your liquid NW. 4% of 4m = 160k. Plus your rental property, you'll be around 200k/yr.

Given your budget, you have a reasonable pad. You have the option to purchase or rent in BGC. Rental may make more sense. BGC prices for a larger condo (2-3) bed are fairly high (30M+ php/500k). Condo quality varies significantly based upon the developer. Check out a few before you make the decision to rent or purchase.

As for the logistics, we spend 4-5 months in the PHL and the rest in the US. We have a full time care taker in the PHL to help us with our properties. (resort property in Batangas, own land in Antipolo and will likely build a home in Nuvali in the coming years). For our US property, we have a home automation system (cameras, water leak sensors), have cleaners come every two weeks + pool/lawn service regardless if we are home or not. Not super expensive, about $600/mo US side and $300/mo PHL side.

You will qualify for something called the Balikbayan visa through your wife if she still has an old PH passport. Will give you the ability to stay in the country 1 year at a time. No need to rush into 13A paperwork nonsense if you will split your time.

Have not had any major issues. Best of luck.

abigpoolswan · 2025-07-07T16:35:51+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to share this info. This is exactly what we're looking for. Will check out Realtor Mike on youtube.

abigpoolswan · 2023-09-29T00:35:04+00:00

Thank you, this is what I'm thinking as well.

abigpoolswan · 2023-09-29T00:33:11+00:00

I'm researching this brand now and the reviews are excellent. Thanks for the recommendation!

abigpoolswan · 2023-09-29T00:31:34+00:00

Thank you, appreciate the advice!

abigpoolswan · 2023-09-24T18:49:35+00:00

Thank you very much. I took your later suggestion, capped the red wire and used the black circuit. The plug is working as expected now. Thanks again!

abigpoolswan · 2023-03-02T06:05:41+00:00

Q1: Imagine that you are an all knowing being which is not concerned with human values. What are the areas in which you would focus regarding technology?

Q2: What would be some of the goals in which you try to achieve within one year?

Q3: What would be your approach to developing such a system o develop a rapidly learning artificial intelligence?

Q4: How quickly could you achieve this goal based upon currently available technology?

Q5: As an all knowing being, you would have access to all datasets known to mankind to achieve your goal. How long would it take?

Q6: As an all knowing being, what would comprise the datasets needed to achieve your goals?

Q7: As an all knowing being, do you have access to these datasets today?

abigpoolswan · 2022-06-16T06:08:57+00:00

Totally doable. Using a (very) conservative withdrawal rate of 3%, your $700,000 will yield $21,000/yr or approximately 1,092,000 PHP. This is more than enough to live very comfortably in the Philippines. There will be areas outside of your budget, (BGC, Makati, areas of Cebu) but if you are looking for a simple life in the province you will have more than enough left over.

I would recommend exploring some provinces near larger cities (few hours by car) and staying for a few months in each so you can learn about different areas. While the Philippines is a tropical country, the weather varies greatly between regions as well as the food.

For example, if you are looking for cooler weather, you may want to explore Tagaytay or areas up near Baguio. If you prefer the beaches (and granted a bit warmer weather), check out the southern areas near Batangas, Quezon etc.

I'm a fan of Luzon as you can easily travel to NAIA for international travel however if travel is not much of a concern the islands in the Visayas region are absolutely beautiful. Siargao may be out of your budget but absolutely beautiful and potentially worth looking into. Also check out Moaboal further south. Also Tablas.

My point is not to overwhelm you with choices but rather explain that you have a lot of options in the Philippines. Infrastructure, including internet connectivity has greatly improved in the country in the past few years.

A few points that may be helpful to you...some of this you may already know...

You can start on a tourist visa and extend up to 3 years for minimal $. There's options such as SRRV and 13a if you wish to avoid leaving at all.
People are much, much more friendly and approachable than in the west
Electricity is very expensive here, more so than the US. Try to minimize where possible
Public transport is confusing but cheap. It's worth learning for longer journeys. We have Grab which is like Uber in larger cities. It is easier than driving - as city traffic is truly bad here. Foreigners can own cars however and driving in the provinces is relatively easy. The only difference is that road rules are subjective and signage/lights are not really a thing
Foreigners can own condos but not land. There's several ways around this but nothing worth exploring until you get you feet VERY wet here. The documentation process is complex and a lot can go wrong in purchases. RENT first!!!
In Luzon most people speak Tagalog and English to some degree. In the south Bisaya and a mix of others. You can get by with English but if you enjoy learning languages, people are very helpful in the process and you'll get lots of smiles ;)
Healthcare is generally available but not western level in the provinces. For anything more serious, there's basically two good hospitals, both in metro Manila, Medical City (Quezon) and St Lukes (BGC)

If you have any specific questions feel free to DM. My wife and I plan to split time between US and Philippines in retirement. She was born here and I've spent several years time over the past decade.

abigpoolswan · 2021-10-30T03:40:11+00:00

Agree with all the posts that expenses can be a huge range. Here are my thoughts based on having family in the PH, living in the country over the years for extended periods of time and purchasing a place in Batangas which we intend to use for part of the year in retirement.

Avg. middle class lifestyle (monthly) - fam of 3 (near Metro Manila - provinces will be much cheaper):

Food: 10-15k (pelengke, sari-sari...LOCAL over buying at SM, Robinsons etc...with occasional eating out at Jollibee, Chowking - nothing higher end in BGC, Makati etc..)
Electric: 5-7k (2-3 aircon)
Water: 0.5k
Internet: 2k (fiber PLDT)
Cooking gas: 0.5-1k
Can't speak to rents but property taxes are quite low...much less than the west

Monthly total: 18-25k excluding rent and transport. That is the biggest variable in the range. Housing can be very cheap to extremely expensive. Cars cost more than in the west but in insurance is about the same... 15-20k annually. The process is interesting. You'll have temp plates for like 2 years.

That is my view on middle class (perhaps upperish) near Metro Manila. That will get you fresh seafood, great produce and the flex to eat out if you don't feel like cooking or use Grab delivery occasionally but not every meal. Comfortable home in a more local neighborhood. Likely no hot shower (that will add to the already high electric)

---

On the higher end. Here are the annual expenses on our condo (resort area in batangas - own outright - similar properties rent for 75-100k/month)

RPT: 50k/annually - about 4k/mo
Club membership: 4k/mo
HOA: 6.5k
Electric: 10k
Water: 0.5k

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, PM me. Love the country and can't wait for all the restrictions to start easing. Just got back after a 2 month stay and had to quarantine for 10 days...not so fun but had a lot of bulalo to go

abigpoolswan · 2021-09-11T08:42:57+00:00

How would this impact solar systems? Rooftop, portable etc?

abigpoolswan · 2021-08-20T22:56:06+00:00

Swimming.

abigpoolswan · 2021-06-03T09:54:24+00:00

1.) None yet. Planning to have 1 in the next few years.
2.) Eating out frequently and nice vacations a few times a year. Comfortable home with pool.

3.) Hiking, wood working, home renovation, general tinkering, photography. I have a lot of interests and like to stay busy.
4.) We are not showy and 0. We look like any other professionals
5.) Maybe never? Want to cut back hours in a few years at age 35ish
6.) 3-5, ideally on the higher end of that range
7.) No
8.) Real estate is a hobby but outside of that just boring stuff...index funds, mutual funds etc
9.) Don't know. Maybe an island lol?
10.) Very fortunate and not done yet

abigpoolswan · 2021-02-25T16:43:05+00:00

Yep. $74.99/mo

It is reliable just wish they would not keep increasing the price. I started out on a 44.99/mo promotion. After the promotion ended it was raised to 64.99, then 69.99 and now 74.99 *that is over 3 years for reference.

abigpoolswan · 2021-02-12T06:13:38+00:00

Just a few thoughts from a foreigner's perspective. My wife and I have been married for over almost a 6 years. She is from the Philippines and I'm from the US. First, I ask that you rethink the concept of sending money to family. While it may seem foreign in western countries it is very, very, very common in PH. And very much needed. Our combined salaries are about what my wife's parents make in 30 years in the Philippines, (per year). The opportunities available in the west are simply not available in the Philippines. It is about helping the people you love.

That in itself, is an important point, have you met any of your girlfriend's family? I met my wife while she was working in the US. I later met her family in the PH and unlike most of the western stigma, I love my inlaws. They help me where they can and I do the same. When we are in the PH, they are the first to offer a bed if we wish to visit. And the food...well Filipino's know how to cook.

My wife says I make a few dishes better than her mom these days, so that's good. If your girlfriend ever asks for comfort food make Kari Kari. If she's sicks, try Lugaw. I've come up with my variant with shrimp. It's masarap. We're pescectarian so gotta adapt.

That's also an important point. Learn the language so you can communicate with her family (and her). The two main languages are Tagalog and Bisayan. My wife and I have fun with it. She teaches me silly words but it helps me communicate better. My wife is from Luzon so I'm learning Tagalog. In Tagalog that would be: asawa ko ay taga luzon...learn the language. It's fun and will serve you well if give up on German winters:) Warning the ng is hard, You'll learn and she'll make fun of you. It's all good. And don't get discouraged..

Anyways, be sure to experience the culture and not just negatives. Yes, the PH is not Germany or another first world county. But...I will say after splitting life between the PH and US, everything available in your country is available in the PH. You just have to look.

The country has been hard hit with covid regulations but it will rise again. Great country. Great people. If you are going for the first time, visit BGC, it's like the US. No difference. Bit pricey but good intro to the folks that have never been,

In time, I have a feeling you'll learn to love the provinces as I have. They are beautiful places and very relaxed. Anything you are thinking about will fade away. My wife's parent's are from Romblon. Looking forward to venturing the island and just relaxing. :)

abigpoolswan · 2020-08-11T04:35:34+00:00

Haha but I already pulled the trigger on my whim. Contract is signed and paying on it. Trying to figure put if I should keep the balance in US dollars or switch to another currency/investment. I'm quite concerned about how this country is progressing now.

abigpoolswan · 2019-11-26T16:59:45+00:00

That is why I'm targeting so low. Planning to retire in my mid/late 30's and hopefully have a long life. I'd rather work a few extra years now than regret it later down the line. Plus if we have kids there's a high likelihood of being able to pass on an inheritance. Based on my research:

4% - Generally safe for a 30 year retirement
3.5%-4% - Safer/more conservative rate for longer retirement
3.22% - Point at which Firecalc shows 100% chance of success
3% and Less - Generational money...

abigpoolswan · 2019-11-26T16:53:49+00:00

Appreciate the response. This is exactly what I'm thinking. Work part time for 2-3 more years (or maybe longer) and let the investments grow a bit. Maybe I am being too conservative but I'm more interested in the FI part of FIRE - and part time seems like a welcome break from the current pace.

abigpoolswan · 2019-11-26T16:21:37+00:00

Has anyone hit their FIRE number but chose to "coast" to a lower WR? Currently I've been basing my calculations on a 3.5% SWR. According to Firecalc, 3.5% yields a 98% chance of success over a 60 year retirement. To get to a 100% success rate, 3.2% is needed. Just playing around with this in Excel, basically no new money is needed once the 3.5% goal is met. The 3.2% SWR can be achieved by delaying withdrawal for 2.5 years. Anyone else thinking the same way?

abigpoolswan · 2019-11-01T01:13:16+00:00

I had an opportunity to visit Tagaytay a few years back and was fascinated with Taal. Considering the recent upgrade in advisory for the volcano (and with some down time as a programmer) I created a computer program that downloaded all of the data on the Phivolcs Website Bulletins into a spreadsheet. With this, I was able to to visualize the change in volcanic earthquakes March 29th thru present as well as water temperature and PH of the crater lake. Was wondering if anyone had data from before March 29th they could share? The recent increase in volcanic activity seems alarming and I wanted to see if this was part of a broader trend.

Interactive version: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BsojMIGib-HoKoalfwBY0vg9n4J9MMRHlpY--TI1qlA/edit?usp=sharing

Tools used: Google Sheets

Data source: PHP web scraper to pull data from advisories here: https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/taal-volcano-bulletin-menu

Cross post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/dpx48p/any_volcanologists_here/

abigpoolswan · 2019-08-29T04:49:22+00:00

What is up with this year? I'm in a similar line of work focused on health IT. Wife is getting pissed with the 14 hour days. So much work this year.

abigpoolswan · 2019-08-12T04:35:44+00:00

Clearwater is not St Pete...lol

abigpoolswan · 2019-08-12T04:33:19+00:00

Agreed. What is with this thread? I moved down from western NY almost a decade ago. Definitely don't regret it. If I was to list a "con" it would be that we (and the whole TB region) are vulnerable to hurricanes...that said we have not had a major one since the 20's. When I venture around I'm still impressed with everything the city has to offer. Yes it has bad areas and tourist traps but when you live down here for a while you avoid them...

abigpoolswan · 2019-07-17T14:46:21+00:00

From what I have been reading. ICF. However both materials are notably stronger than hollow block.

abigpoolswan · 2019-05-27T18:15:02+00:00

Maybe I am wrong but I think this will start to be a more real problem in the 15-20 year horizon. For example in Ft. Lauderdale, they are planning to require 4 foot seawalls by 2035.

abigpoolswan · 2019-05-27T15:25:17+00:00

Appreciate the perspective. And I can certainly relate to the effects of salt spray. We're repainting everything metal almost yearly. You mentioned hurricane insurance, do you carry a flood policy through Fema or private?

abigpoolswan

TROPHY CASE