I was wondering what your thoughts are about moving to the Philippines with kids. My main concern is education. Would there be a drawback in education or would they be behind when they move back to the states? My kids are now 4 and 1.
If you are seriously considering that move, you should join the Living in Cebu forums and post that question there. There are many expats there whose kids are in the local school systems, and they will be able to give you a lot more feedback.
Direct deposit. Get a Philippines bank account (dollar). Deposit US bank check to Philippine dollar account. Wait about 4 weeks. Money is there with no fees.
Pension would be paid into your bank account depending on whay Country you are from I suspect US and European Nations are the easiest including Australisa and New Zealand Basically Western Nation will pay into your account and you can draw on that money
Getting money to your Philippines bank account is easy-peasy. I would not want to have a foreign pension directly deposited into a Philippines bank. Thanks, James.
Hey Ned, I know you’ve discussed visa requirements before, but I’m not sure where to find the info on your site … (might consider adding a site search function 🙂 to your site ) … but from what I understand so far, a US citizen can visit for up to 30 days without a visa … would you post the requirements and steps needed to apply to visit without a visa? … and … can one extend this 30 day period as you are doing, or does one have to actually get a tourist visa first before being allowed to regularly extend …. and …. is there any other types of visas one might want to consider other than a tourist visa? Thanks … I’m gonna visit Dumagette sometime around August/September of 2016, and hope to catch up with you two
Hi, Ethan. The visa process here is very simple. All you need to do is show up with a pulse and a passport. Your first 30 days is free. After that, you just meander down to the local BI office and renew for another 30 days. It’s EZ PZ. And yes, I should put something on the site to that effect. Happy New Year!!
I have been watching your youtube posts and blogs. I am 66 now and considering retiring in the Philippines within the next couple of years and will have a budget of around $2000 a month. Two questions. Is that to old to be comfortable there and is the budget sufficient.
Hi Dan and thanks for posting this question. $2,000 a month is more than enough to be very comfortable here. There are many guys that live here that are in their 70’s and 80’s, so I don’t think age is a restriction. The MOST IMPORTANT thing is if you will be happy living here. The Philippines is not a highly developed First World country and there are a number of downsides to living here. I would recommend just taking a trip over here for a couple of months to check our different locations – Davao, Dumaguete, Makati, Tagatay, and the like. Test the waters before diving in, in other words.
Dumaguete a great idea, lots of Westerners retired there. Clean, university town, lots of good restaurants and watering holes, and if you dive, you’ll have a great time. Makati is just an extension of Manila- bad idea! Air pollution, filthy bay loaded with garbage, and 24 hour stop and go traffic.
I would also try the island of Bohol in the Alona Beach area. There is a retirement communtiy nearby with beautiful beaches and very safe.
Hi Ned and Michelle. I’ve used your YouTube videos and Henrys for educational purposes for months and months. I began looking into living here after I met my fiance online over a year ago. I thank you for the tireless effort you put into answering questions and doing the advanced recce for those of us that follow. I’m here now. ..been here for 2 months already (tho at times I cell brand new still). I’m the guy that posted to your house hunt video. ..I’m living in Silay in the 4 bedroom.
I decided to go against your best advice (and Henrys) I left my home in Canada and moved here. ..no advanced visit to see if I could manage or if I’d even like it here. I’m ex army. ..so I’ve got the go big or go home attitude. I gotta tell ya. .I’ve never been happier in my life. My decision to move here straight out of the gate is largely due to the exceptional education I received thru your YouTube efforts. I’d love to get together with you and Michelle and my gal Diana Rose for a dinner sometime … my treat bud.
Hi Guys,
I was wondering what your thoughts are about moving to the Philippines with kids. My main concern is education. Would there be a drawback in education or would they be behind when they move back to the states? My kids are now 4 and 1.
Thanks,
If you are seriously considering that move, you should join the Living in Cebu forums and post that question there. There are many expats there whose kids are in the local school systems, and they will be able to give you a lot more feedback.
I’m retired now How do I take my social security The Philippines How do I get my money every month
Direct deposit. Get a Philippines bank account (dollar). Deposit US bank check to Philippine dollar account. Wait about 4 weeks. Money is there with no fees.
Pension would be paid into your bank account depending on whay Country you are from I suspect US and European Nations are the easiest including Australisa and New Zealand Basically Western Nation will pay into your account and you can draw on that money
Getting money to your Philippines bank account is easy-peasy. I would not want to have a foreign pension directly deposited into a Philippines bank. Thanks, James.
Hey Ned, I know you’ve discussed visa requirements before, but I’m not sure where to find the info on your site … (might consider adding a site search function 🙂 to your site ) … but from what I understand so far, a US citizen can visit for up to 30 days without a visa … would you post the requirements and steps needed to apply to visit without a visa? … and … can one extend this 30 day period as you are doing, or does one have to actually get a tourist visa first before being allowed to regularly extend …. and …. is there any other types of visas one might want to consider other than a tourist visa? Thanks … I’m gonna visit Dumagette sometime around August/September of 2016, and hope to catch up with you two
Hi, Ethan. The visa process here is very simple. All you need to do is show up with a pulse and a passport. Your first 30 days is free. After that, you just meander down to the local BI office and renew for another 30 days. It’s EZ PZ. And yes, I should put something on the site to that effect. Happy New Year!!
I have been watching your youtube posts and blogs. I am 66 now and considering retiring in the Philippines within the next couple of years and will have a budget of around $2000 a month. Two questions. Is that to old to be comfortable there and is the budget sufficient.
Hi Dan and thanks for posting this question. $2,000 a month is more than enough to be very comfortable here. There are many guys that live here that are in their 70’s and 80’s, so I don’t think age is a restriction. The MOST IMPORTANT thing is if you will be happy living here. The Philippines is not a highly developed First World country and there are a number of downsides to living here. I would recommend just taking a trip over here for a couple of months to check our different locations – Davao, Dumaguete, Makati, Tagatay, and the like. Test the waters before diving in, in other words.
Dumaguete a great idea, lots of Westerners retired there. Clean, university town, lots of good restaurants and watering holes, and if you dive, you’ll have a great time. Makati is just an extension of Manila- bad idea! Air pollution, filthy bay loaded with garbage, and 24 hour stop and go traffic.
I would also try the island of Bohol in the Alona Beach area. There is a retirement communtiy nearby with beautiful beaches and very safe.
Michell and I are actually going to Alona beach this weekend. 🙂
Hi Ned and Michelle. I’ve used your YouTube videos and Henrys for educational purposes for months and months. I began looking into living here after I met my fiance online over a year ago. I thank you for the tireless effort you put into answering questions and doing the advanced recce for those of us that follow. I’m here now. ..been here for 2 months already (tho at times I cell brand new still). I’m the guy that posted to your house hunt video. ..I’m living in Silay in the 4 bedroom.
I decided to go against your best advice (and Henrys) I left my home in Canada and moved here. ..no advanced visit to see if I could manage or if I’d even like it here. I’m ex army. ..so I’ve got the go big or go home attitude. I gotta tell ya. .I’ve never been happier in my life. My decision to move here straight out of the gate is largely due to the exceptional education I received thru your YouTube efforts. I’d love to get together with you and Michelle and my gal Diana Rose for a dinner sometime … my treat bud.
Gord Hume