°µÍø½ûÇø

@swt90alum

Have you ever been to the Philippines before? I am also from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but spend most of my time now In Cebu.  Enjoy your transition!

@swt90alum

Hi Dave,  welcome to paradise/ purgatory/ Hell. Phillipines can truly be what you make it.  I have 4 acres in a mountaines areas.  Stays cooler than sea level. We grow many different fruits for personal consumption, (careful not to offset the fragile economy.) Paradise comes with a price, street vendors with unlimited loud speakers, roosters, dogs, cats,  etc.

  When packing,  put a lot of thought of where or how you plan to retire.  Condo, country or other.  I don't recommend packing any electronics. Tv, toaster, vacuum,  etc. 220 vs 110. Additionally,  there is a VAT, (value added tax) used or not.  Example. Shipping a vehicle can be taxed at, near the cost of the vehicle itself.  A little research goes a long way.  SRRV is very easy and cheap. Thank you for your service.

Keith

USAF 75-79

Hello Everyone,
My name is Dave, I'm 58, originally from Texas, but I currently live in Fort Myers, Florida. I am retired from The U.S. Air force. My career field was Space Operations (satellites). I am engaged to a Filipina (Juvy) but she has been living in Canada for over a decade. We both hate living so far away from each other so we have decided to both "transplant" to the Philippines as our retirement. Juvy has to sell her house, and once it sells, things will start moving fast. Juvy is currently selling all her furnishings and donating what remains. I plan on packing my furniture and belongings into a cargo container, and ship it to the Philippines and have started that process. I will pursue dual U.S./Philippine citizenship by way of an SRRV retirement. - @swt90alum

Hi Dave.  Welcome to the forum.  I'm guessing by your username that you graduated from SWT in '90.  I did as well, although, it was a few years after you ('98).  I was also in the USAF, but just did 6 yrs (1986-92)  and got out.  Any idea yet where you and Juvy will relocate to in the Philippines?

Regards,

Steve

@StratSyris

@StratSyris

No, I have never been to the Philippines before, but my fiance (Juvy) is a Filipina and lived there for half of her life (the other half as a resident of Canada).   Juvy's family still lives there so she stays current on "current affairs" and she has shown me all the places she wants to show me as we prepare to journey half way around the world to retire in the Philippines (where she has always wanted to retire).  We are looking forward to the low cost of living, the beauty of all the islands, and, of course, the warmth and friendliness of the people.  Thank you for the welcome.

Dave

@Kampkos104

Hi Keith,

I'm trusting my soon-to-be wife (Juvy) to keep me out of trouble and help me navigate the differences of life in the states compared to the Philippines.  Juvy grew up there for half her life and still has family there.  She hasn't lived there in a while, but she's excited to retire there with me.  I'm not planning to ship my car (or her car), only my household goods via cargo container -- working the details now (she's selling her home/furnishings as best she can  and giving the rest away to her adult children still remaining in Canada.   The shipping container is pricey, but I don't want to part with everything I own and Juvy wants me to keep my furnishings as well.

Good tip on the 220 vs 110 issue...do conversion plugs work as are used in places in Europe?

We plan to buy a home near the coast in Cebu (or at very least a view of the water).  However, we aren't opposed to some seclusion in a remote villa type place.  Our only "real" hard requirement is living relatively close to the international school to accommodate our 14-yr-old.  Yes, we plan on having fruit trees for personal consumption as well - I can't wait.

Have you met many °µÍø½ûÇøs from the states and are there many?  Good times?

Thank you for your service as well.

Dave

USAF 1990-2010

@mati_steve

Hi Steve,

Always nice to hear from a fellow Bobcat!

Yes, Juvy and I would like to live somewhere on the outskirts of Cebu or Bohol.  A home on the coast (or nearby) would be nice (I love saltwater fishing), but I'm not opposed to a place in the hills where it'd be cooler.

It'd be nice to stay and touch and maybe grab a beer with you once we arrive.  Have you met many °µÍø½ûÇøs?

BTW - thank you for your service.

Dave

USAF 1990-2010

Hi Dave.  Welcome to the forum.  I'm guessing by your username that you graduated from SWT in '90.  I did as well, although, it was a few years after you ('98).  I was also in the USAF, but just did 6 yrs (1986-92)  and got out.  Any idea yet where you and Juvy will relocate to in the Philippines?

Regards,

Steve

@swt90alum

Hi Dave and welcome to the forum, plenty of info here so enjoy. Yes difficult for you and your lady living so far apart.

Not my business but have you and Juvy considered holidaying here for a month or two before taking such a deep plunge site unseen so to speak? While the Philippines is a beautiful and the people and cultures fantastic it can be an acquired taste with many foibles and not like Kansas. Try before you buy.

I have a Filipino partner for 14 years, 1 year living together in Manila (learning) 7 years in Australia (more learning) and now 6 years here in La Union retired and loving it but knew the place well before our decision. (the learning never stops) Both happy campers at the end of the day.

Cost of living here has certainly risen as it has world wide over the years and our basic living budget is over AU 3K per month/P 110-120K. We own the home, cars, bikes etc. Honestly it's still half the cost of what we were spending in Oz.

Dave I'm sure you will love PH. and I learnt early to be patient, tolerant and smile a lot.

Good luck, enjoy.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Hi Steve,

Thank you for the welcome.  Yes, it isn't fun living apart from Juvy at present, but we visit often.  She also plans to stay with me in Florida for 4-6 weeks after her house sells just prior to our "trek" to the Philippines.

I'm not worried about the Philippines or whether I'd like it -- I've seen countless YouTube videos on the "good" and the "not so good" and it doesn't bother me.  Additionally, Juvy lived in the Philippines half of her life (and she knows me pretty well), we've had long discussions, and she's confident I will enjoy living there.  We plan to settle in Cebu or Bohol.

Yes, I have heard that the "pace" in the Philippines is slower than the states, but that suits me just fine.  Laying in my backyard, in a hammock, under the shade of a tiki, drinking a beer, and perhaps watching some American baseball on TV will suit me just fine.  😀

Thanks for the insight/thoughts.

Dave

Sweet Dave, sounds like you are all over it and I'm sure you will have a great life with Juvy in the Philippines with so much to see and do as well as kicking back as I do these days.

There is also a lot of info on this site and others with regards to shipping containers with all the ups and downs like taxes and duties. Having an SRRV allows you to ship a whole US 7K (big deal) but I believe you need the SRRV first.

For us we went this path. As the better half was a permanent resident of Australia, lived and worked there for near 7 years was allowed about US 5K in a container as a returning Filipino not an OFW. and no taxes or duties nor brown paper bags were paid, the container seal was never touched. Worked for us. Hope your method works for you both.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Thanks Steve,

Yes, I've noticed there is a lot of information on this site and wish I had found it sooner.  I don't need my SRRV to be complete when I "begin" my shipping container of household goods, but the SRRV needs to be finalized when my container arrives in the Philippines in order to accept delivery.  The company I'm working for will allow me a month of free storage in Florida after I fly to the Philippines and begin my SRRV paperwork finalization.  Im told I have to physically be "in" the Philippines before all the paperwork can be finalized and completed.  I guess the shipping containers take about 6-10 weeks (plus the extra 4 weeks of storage) gives me between 10-14 weeks to get my SRRV finalized once I'm in the Philippines and a bank account established.  I'm also working getting my proof of my retirement pension letter, DD-214, and my police clearance certificate all apostilled before arrival.  It's a lot to get done and a lot of money going out to make it happen, but we believe it will all be worth it once we get our place and can take a huge sigh of relief!

Best,

Dave

@swt90alum

Great to hear.  Thank you for your extended service as well.  I might take you up on the offer after we are both settled in the PH.  I've been there several times already in the last year to visit my Filipina GF, and plan to go again later this fall.  If everything goes right I'll move there early next year.  I need to wait until December to sell my house first (and take advantage of the IRS two year ownership rule), but I've been using the time to prepare in other ways (eg, selling stuff, moving assets to financial institutions that are bit more °µÍø½ûÇø friendly, closing other accounts, etc - the usual stuff).

You can probably tell from my username that I'll be staying in Mati City.  I know there are a couple of folks on here that live in Davao City, but I haven't run into anyone from Mati yet (although, I've seen some foreigners walking around Mati proper when I've visited).

and perhaps watching some American baseball on TV will suit me just fine. 😀

Thanks for the insight/thoughts.
Dave - @swt90alum

           Not sure how easy it is to get tv baseball in the Philippines, but it is easy to get NBA basketball on the Philippines NBA channel.  I use PLDT at 1399 pesos/month for cable tv and the internet. (About $25/month).  I enjoy watching live games at 7AM and 10 AM every day.

@mugtech

Yeah, I'm not a fan of basketball, but I just finished texting someone who watches all MLB games in the Philippines with a MLB international subscription.  Thanks for the heads-up though...

@swt90alum

Hi Dave,

I'm living in Mindanao,  close to Cayagayan de Oro. I'm the only "foriegner" in the village,  but I heard there are a couple more within a 10 mile radius.  She has no family here, except her only son, who's attending USTP. Any electronics (110v) will need a converter.  The (220V) here is not 2 legs of 110 each,  rather 1 leg of 220, at least here. 

The example of shipping a car was to inform you, they tax all goods.  I believe, with the SRRV you get an $8,000. waiver, after that, it's considered taxable.  Please don't quote me, there are many topics on this subject. I use Atlas shippers,  pack what ever you can, weight is not a factor,  $100. Per box for 2'X2'.

Takes around 2 months to ship.  Hope this helps.

¸é±ð²µ²¹°ù»å²õ.Ìý

Keith

Keith said . . . . Any electronics (110v) will need a converter. The (220V) here is not 2 legs of 110 each, rather 1 leg of 220, at least here.

I live in Metro Manila, Pasig City. My electric (Meralco) does have legs of 110. I brought over 110 Kitchen Appliance's and Lap Top + HP Printer.

I had a neighborhood handyman electrician (P500) make my dual kitchen outlets 110 on one side & 220 on the other side, plainly marked so no accidents happen.

Most electronics will work on 110 & 220. I've plug in my TV bought in the Philippines & it works on both voltages.

YMMV

@Kampkos104

I'm living in Mindanao,  close to Cayagayan de Oro. I'm the only "foriegner" in the village,  but I heard there are a couple more within a 10 mile radius

I was in CDO (as in Frisco lol) a couple of years back. Stayed at the Seda adjoined to the shopping mall. Frankly I thought I was the only foreigner there in the city let alone a village.

The redeeming grace was the shaded hotel swimming pool which was quiet and peaceful enabling me to read my book.

Great little airport though out on the headland with some stunning views over the Bohol sea.

@Kampkos104

Hi Keith,

Yes, I know, I'm going to dork some stuff up moving to the Philippines, it can't be helped...I get it, I know me, and yes, I will make a few mistakes...but that is what will make this journey worthwhile and I'll laugh about it next year!

I'm thankful for Juvy (probably the most thoughtful and considerate person I've ever met) and she'll be looking out for me and steering me in the right direction with her knowledge of her country.  I'm not sure I'd have the courage to move to the Philippines without Juvy by my side...she takes away all my worries.

The electronic 110/220 conversion doesn't worry me...I'll figure it out and make it work.

I'm sorry, I'm not as familiar with all the areas yet...I'm sure Mindanao and Cayagayan de Oro are gorgeous (and from what I hear about the Philippino people, you may be the only foreigner, but you have probably been welcomed with open arms).  Who could ask for more?

We are focusing on living in Cebu due to the international English school (for our 13-yr-old) ...if there is another international English speaking school in another part of the Philippines - I'm sure we'd be open to living there as well.

This is our new adventure, a little scary 😬, but we are embracing it as a new thread to our lives.

All the best,

Dave and Juvy

Yes Dave, been there with packing stuff we have never needed and still a dozen boxes in the garage unopened, things we thought we would need but haven't even after knocking around here for 8 years before we moved.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

@Enzyte Bob

Yup, I suspected as much...where there is a will there is a way!

If something doesn't work because that is the way it has always been done...uhh...duh...do it different...change the rules.

Bravo Bob.

Dave

@swt90alum

Welcome to the forum, Dave.

We lived in Cebu City for several years (fighting the traffic and congestion) mainly for our two boy's education, but finally packed it in during the pandemic and settled in Dumaguete shortly after. Much better quality of life and the only other place besides Cebu that I've found with good schools in the Visayas region. Bohol has nothing that I know of, although it's been several years since I last looked.

Currently one boy is in Silliman University for Senior High. The other is in a private catholic school. Silliman is excellent, as is Don Bosco. The international schools are overrated and very expensive.

PS - The only thing we needed to use a power converter for was the Kitchen Aid mixer I brought over - because it is 110V and has a motor in it. Got a good one at the Ace Hardware in Duma and it works fine. Most electronics work fine, except watch out for electric toothbrush.

Thanks for the reply...good information to pass onto my wife before our decision on where to live for the "near-term" needs of her daughter for school until the college years.

Dave