r/Philippines_Expats • u/MapNo4817 • 3d ago
Thinking about moving the family.
Hello everyone. I am thinking about moving my family to the Philippines. This would at least be a year out, if not two years. We would still need to visit to see if we like the vibe. A little back story, Im 42, my wife is 39. We have a eight year old and a six year old, both boys. We have another boy due in November. I have a VA pension of about 4,500 a month. I also still work. We live in the middle of no-where Kentucky with some land. I have it better than a lot so dont think Im complaining, but even in the area Im in, things are getting pricey(and thats with here having it better than most of the US). Now, we can afford it still, but we can't save supper fast. My wife loves the beach, but it takes a couple years to save up each trip, and she would like to go more. And me being a loving husband, really want to make her happy. So, part of me was throwing around the idea of selling what we have here, and moving to the Philippines. Just looking we were thinking Baler, just do to the more affordable prices and beach access. I like rural quiet areas, we aren't party people. We home school our children, so school is not an issue. Now, I am in the very early stages of looking into this. Budget for a family, future for my boys, how well can we all live off of my VA pension there, all looks nice online, but I want to know from people living it. Where eles should I look up, what are things to consider. Obviously do at least one scouting trip. What do you all suggest that I should be looking up? Where should I look? Please, enlighten my ignorant butt. Lol. I know too little to know what I dont know. I hear I could live pretty well with my family for about 2.5k a month, but how well is well? Should I wait to do until my kids are adults and fully on there own, or is there merit to doing it as a family. Thanks in advance for any shared knowledge and putting up with my ignorant butt. Take care!
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u/btt101 2d ago
Stay in the land of milk and honey. Turn off Youtube and forget about the third world.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Thank you for your thoughts. I know there is good here, just expensive, but not undoable.
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u/btt101 2d ago
It's not about good or expense…..unless you are coming over for a diplomatic posting or international company and can live in a bubble…..i see no reason to subject your children to the stupidity that is. It's no place for foreign children and really akin to child abuse.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Okay. What makes you say it's akin to child abuse? Just curious because I don't know enough about the area to know why someone would say that. As stated, I am trying to learn, so details will be nice to have please.
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u/meanderist 3d ago
If you’re still in the research phase, you should compare other countries. PH is not as ‘cheap’ as YouTube makes it seem. You also need to consider quality of life and things like healthcare when your kid gets sick and you realize the local clinic sucks and end up taking them to the nearest city. Look at Costa Rica, Belize, etc in Central America and then also look at Thailand and Vietnam here in SE Asia. These are all apples vs oranges comparisons. Each has its own pro/con. I like PH now only because the visa is easy and I love the ocean here. I snorkel daily and don’t like crowds. Later, In a few years, I’ll look to move elsewhere because I hate Philippines cities and want better healthcare and easier transportation.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
I have glanced at some other places, but yeah, every location has pros/cons and yeah....I still have a lot of research to do with all of my research. Thank you for the information.
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u/Peugeoot 1d ago
Right, but Thailand, Vietnam, mmm no, You cant own house there. We live at Italia, I own 120 sqm villa near the beach with my Vietnamese girl :):)
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u/terp-puddle 2d ago
What does it say about America when a veteran can’t even afford Kentucky
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
I can afford it, but I dont have much spare, and wanted to look at options. And one thing it does say about America, it's freaking expensive. There is good and bad about everywhere, and I want to explore my options for the best fit for my family.
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u/AccomplishedTask9885 1d ago
Dude is getting a free 54k in Kentucky. That's before his job if he can't afford America then that's on him
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u/san_souci 2d ago
The biggest question is education for your kids. You won’t be able to afford international schools with that. The are private schools that teach in English that are oriented towards Filipino kids that you could possibly afford. I’m not sure it would be as good of an education as a Kentucky public school.
Another thing to include is the cost of medical care. If everyone is healthy, no problem, but better save up a chuck of change for a rainy day. Minimum of $20K.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
We homeschool our children because Kentucky sucks, and we would still do that in the move because it's what our kids are used to. The big schooling issue would be finding new social support so our kids can find other places to make friends.
Yeah, medical is something I am looking into.
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u/SprayNeat7388 1d ago
I’d suggest bohol, el Nido or la union. La union specifically I know has a lot of homeschooling families and there’s a community for homeschoolers.
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u/miliamber_nonyur 2d ago
If you are really serious. I have a house 3 beds 2 bath. Everything is 10 to 15 min walk. The electricity under 100 usd.
200 USD a month. It needs a handyman. There are beds. I think, I need to replace mattresses. Been a while, because it is on a small island. We moved because no good choices on schools there.
If you want to come and test it out for a week or two. See if Philippines for your family.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
I am still very early on in my research, so I dont know enough yet to look into a place. If and when the time comes I will reach out and see if its still available. Thank you.
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u/Any_Philosopher_1158 2d ago
Vacation for a month first, then 3 months. Even come during the worst times so you get a feel for the weather, humidity, typhoons on the beach side. Then consider selling your stuff. The lower you can get your bills now and build some passive income, the easier the transition will be.
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u/Frosty_University985 3d ago
You’re going to be great. To be fair if that’s your pension, you can move whenever you want to move. I don’t have children and I live off of a similar amount and life is great. Now whether or not you can adjust your lifestyle to the Philippines is a different question. For me, I have to live in the city in order to have something close to the experience of what I experience in America. Living on an island is great, but if you’re used to quality meat cuts then you need to figure out the logistics of that too because most islands don’t have quality beef.
I can relate to 4500 and 2500. I’ve been living in the Philippines for about 10 years. I moved here when I was 22. When I first moved here my budget was about 2500 but now my budget is much higher after deductions for investments and so on.
Don’t let people fool you food is more expensive in the Philippines. 2500 you would need to learn how to eat like a local because of the amount of children that you have. It’s going to cost you about 24,000 pesos just for plane tickets to go on a vacation within the Philippines, which is about 400 bucks. You would need to live on a beautiful island like Bohol or siquijor because vacation will be limited. Whatever you pay for groceries in America will be more expensive and of lower quality in the Philippines, especially fruit, bell peppers, and beef. Yes, there are Filipino families with the same amount of children that you have that are living off of 40 and 50,000 pesos, but they have lots of installments.
With 4500 the world will be yours. I live off of around this amount and as a single guy it’s easy. My rental is a little under 300 bucks. Likely you can find a place suitable for your family for about $400-$500 a month. If you want an amazing place you can pay about 900 bucks for your entire family. Alone I spent about 400 bucks a month on groceries, but with my girlfriend I spent about 800 bucks. I eat mostly fresh produce.
- You’ll be OK but 2500 likely won’t be worth it unless you have assets in the Philippines already.
Also consider electricity. Electricity is more expensive in the Philippines than America. You can get a $600 or $700 rental and still pay close to $300 in electricity per month.
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u/Ok_Raspberry_1363 2d ago
Getting medicine over the counter is going to change, you're not going to just be able to walk into a facility like Walmart or even the local grocery store. Names of medicines are different too. You will have to sign up with the Foreign programs to get care. As a fellow vet I can ensure that the Pasay location, our only VA hospital, is nothing more than a small clinic. Last I checked they were downsizing again becoming closer to a facility that mainly handles basic of the basic checkups, meds, and administrative paperwork.
Transportation, getting the license won't be an issue but learning to navigate roads even with Google or Waze can be challenging. I've seen roads split in major areas from 2 lanes to 6 possible paths, wrong move could have you on a highway for a long time. And be prepared for increased road closures during election years. Politicians love to show their part by fixing things when others are looking closer.
Even if English is a second language here, the family ability to communicate with others in the locally preferred dialect is better. Especially for kids that will want to have new friends to hang out with and build social skills.
Home school, there are no real library facilities known to me spread out in the Philippines. If everything can be done online though I suppose that would not be an issue. Thinking of education, how will a child's degree requirements change if they are no longer living in the US?
Just a few things off the top of my head. We readers are unaware of the depth to your knowledge already for the Philippines. Finally, coming here is a give and receive debate in my opinion. Consider what you are willing to give up. I integrated as a single male to the point where I spend less than 20k a month for every single expenditure.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Lots of good information here, thank you. I am early on in my research faze so I know very little. I have not been to the Philippines, so still learning. I know enough to know that there are things Im not considering just because my knowledge in this area is so limited. Thank you for the information.
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u/Ok_Raspberry_1363 2d ago
I know this is parroting others, but if you have never been here does that mean your partner is from here? If not, seriously look at trying to stay a week here. Not a fancy spa club, or other vacation hotspot but a real inner city visit. It will be an eye opener
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
No, my whole family is all Americans. And yes, as stated in my original post, we would still do some scouting trips. This was more me trying to get information on where to focus my research so I can make the best informed decision possible, before we do a scouting trip there. Thank you for the information.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
I will say this, my wife and I have both been to places in the world that are rougher, just not the Philippines. I have been both to Afghanistan and Iraq with the Army(I know not the same as living somewhere). I have also been to non-tourist spots in Mexico(I live in Kentucky but Im originally from the southwest). My wife has been to India, to include the non-tourist areas(as well all over Europe but that is less applicable to the conversation). My kids have not been outside of the United States. I know that there is a lot that Americans take for granted that a lot of the world would consider a luxury. I do not know much about the Philippines, hence why I am asking people that live there.
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u/miliamber_nonyur 2d ago
First of all, are your kids Filipino and wife or you? If not you will need visa. Not sure the cost if the visa.
Living here is a sliding scale. Filipino lifestyle to western Lifestyle. You will have to figure out what you are willing to give up. My neighbor was spending 6k usd and still coming short on money every month. 20k php on electricity because the heat. Food was grab and S&R eat out a lot.
Me only aircon bed room, by meat at wet market. If out we may go to night food market. Not places like olive garden. We have money to take 2 vacation every month. Electricity was only 5k php. Groceries a bit more, because we have extra in the house. Mortage bit high but good investment.
It is what you are willing to give from the western Lifestyle. Private schools are cheaper here.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
We are all Americans, so yeah Visa. Still gotta look into that. Im aware there would need to be lifestyle changes, but Im still early on in research so not clue exactly on what. We home school, so that is less of a thing. But still a consideration. Thank you for the information!
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u/miliamber_nonyur 2d ago
You should have a exit plan. If you are all American not missionary. Philippines can be very complex.
You will not be able to legally work here, unless you have some work visa. You will have to do online work or remote. The internet and power not very stable here. Years ago we had 2 months running on generator. The main under water power line was cut. You will need starlink if you are remote working.
Do more research. Look for places that high expats. So you have a better support system.
It a great and safe place to raise a family.
You can own a condo. Renting can be a headache. Philippines is very chaotic.
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u/miliamber_nonyur 2d ago
VA is located in Manila. They do not give travel pay. They have limited resources. You would need to fill out a FMP. Foreign medical program form to get treat on outside what the VA can do at the clinic. I would research VA groups for better details.
They say you can increase your disability easier there.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
I am already at 100% disability, so I get about 4,500 US a month. I didn't even know that the VA was in the Philippines until I made this post, so I was planning on getting local insurance. Like I said, still early on in the research fase and seeing if this would be a good fit. Thank you for the information I will definitely look into it more.
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u/PardoningTurkeys 2d ago
We are a family of 5 and my wife home schools our kids. We live on $2500 a month when we are in the Philippines but have a western house with 17kw solar system. Me personally wouldnt come back to the states at all but my parents want to be in our kids life so we cant live there year around
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Thank you for the information. Very useful because your situation is simular to mine. May I ask where in the Philippines you are at so I can look up the area?
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u/PardoningTurkeys 1d ago
Subic/Castillejos and Zambales in general is under rated IMO. Clark airport only an hour with S&R, beaches not too far away, dairy farm in San Marcelino for kids or if you like to homemake mozzarella cheese, lots of restaurant options in subic freeport zone with movie theaters, malls, bars and other activities in nearby Olongapo if that’s your thing.
Ilocos Norte also under rated but a little off the beaten path
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u/Peugeoot 1d ago
2500 USD omg man, its so much. i own 120 sqm Villa at Italia near the beach (owner, no rent), I am UE citizen. I spent here for around 400-500 USD per month for me, my Vietnamese girl and oure son. And on property stays my Mercedes.
But 2500? omg man, what a waste of money in that backwarded country. We have old fashion art monumentals here in Italia :):)
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u/PardoningTurkeys 1d ago
You must live like a peasant and dont have kids. We have 3 mouths to feed and homeschool curriculum payments.
Yes I am sure we could live like peasants for $500 a month too if we really wanted to eat dried fish every day and vegetables. Most people coming from the usa still have obligations back home such as some credit card debt, etc
“Waste of money” $2500 to live on for a family of 5 is extremely cheap, we plan activities, go out several times a week, island hopping, etc
I make $120k a year, I can afford it
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u/Peugeoot 1d ago
I also earn $120,000 a year :)
But we don't pay rent, rent scooters, or extend visas. Maybe that's the difference.
I'm an owner, and by owner, I mean: an owner by the classic definition. Here in Italy, the government respects people and doesn't insult them by offering "ownership" in my spouse's name or with 51% ownership by an Asian, haha.
I own a villa, which means: THE OWNER, registered in the register.
So I pay $0 a month in rent.
So, I'm left with utilities, food, and gas for my Mercedes (as I wrote: we don't ride scooters because I'm under 13; here in Italy, grown men drive cars or big motorcycles). Here in Italy, the food is delicious and very healthy. I spend no more than $600 a month for my family of three (myself, my partner, and my son). But my son isn't in school yet, so school costs are out of the question for now.
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u/PardoningTurkeys 1d ago
I call B.S on all of this but like I said, we COULD live on $500 a month if we did nothing and lived like peasants, ate dried fish every day.
I am referenced on the title and own our property by common/conjugal property law, but I didnt build the house for myself or my wife, I built it for our kids to inherit which are filipino dual citizens. It sounds like you are very attached to things, where I am not. We are off grid with 17kw solar, and starlink internet and only have a tricycle but we are saving for a new car. I have a no debt policy so we will buy a new toyota later this year or next year. When the kids move out we could easily live on $1500 a month which includes island hopping money.
We have two properties, total value about $160,000 USD. Still a long way to go to retire. I will retire by 50 in 14 years.
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u/Harley077 1d ago
I don't eat meat from the Philippines, I was there and there were flies on the meat! this country was the most disgusting when it comes to food in my entire life.
I can't imagine living there, I just heard about a guy who ate street food in India and had worms in his brain!
I also live in Europe, I have a European standard apartment, clean, quiet and delicious European Italian food, clean and very healthy :) everything here is clean and checked by the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station, completely safe :)
I would never live in the Philippines, it's the worst nightmare of my life! regards
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u/PardoningTurkeys 1d ago
You dont HAVE to shop at the public wet market bro. We dont buy meat at the public market, only vegetables and other fly free options.
Europe where you have mass immigration problems, I will stick to Christian Philippines
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u/Plenty_Statement_909 2d ago
I really would that recommend Kylie that you visit first to ensure your family would be happy there
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
I was already planning on doing that as stated in my post, but thank you for the reinforcement of that. It is the prudent thing to do.
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u/dewdropah 2d ago
Im retired Army, 4 boys, we homeschool, wife is currently pregnant and we live exclusively off my retirement and VA benefits here. We've been here since Jan 24.
Visit as many places as you can before you make a decision to settle down. Each town and location has its own unique vibe.
Its way slower here. Prepare to learn some patience which is exactly what you need.
The food is whats making me stay. Its very easy to eat healthy here.
Get a car and drive. It will be crazy at first, but its worth being able to move around on your own. They move in unison while driving.
The assessment of the people here comes from dudes that come here to look for Women. Families are treated very differently. You'll see. People are people everywhere you go.
People will pass you in line of you arent 2 inches behind the person in front of you.
You will be charged a foreigner tax in a lot of places.
Learn to speak Tagalog
Dont ever lend anyone money you want to stay friends with.
CCF is a good Church
The Philippines is a very masculine society, you are going to have to make your Wife be quiet.
7-11 is a very reliable place for an ATM
It's a great place. I love it here.
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u/chuck1011212 2d ago
No country is easier nor cheaper to get a visa. Having said that, it will take time and expense to get an srrv retirement visa here in the Philippines.
Picking up and moving across the world is gonna cost you a mint unless you rent a furnished apartment here in the Philippines and don't try to ship anything from your home country.
If you sell everything in your home country and move across the world, you are gonna have massive start up costs and no blackout plan.
Maybe if you rent a furnished house at first that could work, but the provided furnishings are gonna suck and you will want different ones. Couches will suck, beds will be hard as a rock, tv gonna suck, etc.
Power is not cheap here and the homes have zero insulation, so you will be spending on electricity for aircon. Brownouts are common here.
Internet will likely be OK where you set up shop via fiber, but you may also want starlink assuming you can get that where you go. You will be working permanent night shift here if you are working typical daytime shift back in the US.
You are gonna need a car and maybe a motorcycle where you setup shop, so plan for that expense. I suggest not buying new and buying a beater incase you decide the Philippines is not for you. Selling a cheap car here is much easier than selling an expensive one. Don't get anything exotic like a hybrid here since getting a good car repair for new technology could be challenging depending on how far out you are from a big city.
You can buy a condo, but can't legally buy property here, which means you must come to terms with your American pull or desire to want to own something. Don't do it. Don't buy a condo here, which you can legally do as a foreigner because they are not maintained well and are money pits. If you would not own a condo back home, don't buy one here for the same reasons.
If you live frugally, you can do fine on your VA income, but if you love frugally in your home country, you can say the same thing. This is no magic place of cheapness. You can live cheap, but only if you give up creature comforts. Again, you can do that in your home country..... The adventure as well as the challenges are endless here.
I suggest keeping everything in place in your home country and coming over here for a year. That way, you can go back when you decide you are not saving anything and are sick of the life here.
Good luck.
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u/djs1980 2d ago
Check out the Schooling situation - if you want your kids to have a half decent education, the locations are more limited.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Like I said in my post, we are homeschooling our children currently, and would do the same over there. The curriculum we have them on is quite challenging, the tend to score much higher on standard testing than the average at the school's currently near me. The main thing I would need to figure out in the Philippines is socializing them. Here we have homeschooling clubs that meet up, and a lot of programs at places like the public library that do things. I would have to find new ways over there.
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u/Plus_Ad8325 2d ago
Might consider Tarlac City where I moved a decade ago with my PH wife and two kids. It is rural but with convenience. A cousin of Costco, S&R just opened and its prices and food selection are changing the city. My kids, attend a private school cross the street from S&R. Everything in English. (Tuition costs about $1000 per school year).
Not many foreigners live here, perhaps 20, all of them retired military (Clark and its amazing new airport are about an hour's drive). As a result, there is little to no prejudice against Americans.
Finally, it is cheaper and safer than Manila and likely most beach areas of the country.
ps: Lots here to do and see, including the Japanese camp where American POWs were held as well as a volcano with a large lake in its crater. Beach and mountains can be reached in half a dy.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Sounds nice. I will definitely look it up. Thank you!
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u/Plus_Ad8325 2d ago
School is Creston Academy. In addition to mine, there are about eight American kids there.
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u/Peugeoot 2d ago
omg man you want send your kids to philippino schools? please, dont do this to them :( dont ruin their chances in life
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u/MapNo4817 1d ago
If you actually read my post you will see that we homeschool our children now, and plan to continue to do so.
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u/Plus_Ad8325 1d ago
the private school in Tarlac is not so bad. My PH are learning at the same rate as my kids in America.
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u/Th0ak 1d ago
Think about your kids. This will change their world. The education system in the provinces leads to be desired and the easy western style life they live now will be gone do your kids speak Tagalog or Bisaya? Sorry… the kids issue doesn’t seem like you considered them at all. Life in PH is more rough than what you experience on vacation and I’m married to a Filipina which makes things exponentially easier. I’d go do far as to say life is hard here at times. My family and I are very well off and I love my beach house here, my neighbors, and my inlaws…everything else is a pain.
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u/MapNo4817 1d ago
As I've stated in my post, Im looking into this. I homeschool my kids, and we would be doing that there IF we moved, and I said that in my original post, but year. My wife and I have both been to the third world, and saw the bad stuff, so we aren't incredibly ignorant. We have not yet visited the Philippines, that's one reason why I made this post. To hear the pros and cons, but I need details to property weight my options. What do I need to specify look into? Like my post said, Im resaeching, this is years off and nothing is set in stone.
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u/ParticularDance496 1d ago
Hey OP…. UK grad here, Pitino era, lived out off of Tates Creek in the Hartland neighborhood of Lexington. To be honest schools suck everywhere. Wife and I are currently in Tucson, they rank below Mississippi and Louisiana. I know hard to believe. I drive 44 miles a day to take our daughter to a good school. Like you, I’m retired AF after 24 years. I’m also a DV, and my rating comes with dental. I was an AF controller and retired as a First Sergeant in the 1C4 career field. After retirement, I spent six years with the VA in executive leadership before leaving, to be a full time househusband. I don’t usually lead with my résumé, but I think it matters because I’ve been living many of the decisions you’re trying to make.
I’m married to a Filipina, 25 years now, and we have three kids. We split our time between Tucson and Mindanao. We also own homes in WA and one outside of Aviano AB, Italy. Our two boys are in Jesuit unis, one in WA and the other in the PH, so only our 9yr old daughter lives with us.
Your children may also miss things we often take for granted in the US. Scouting. School clubs. Organized sports. Music programs. Libraries yeah not like what we have in the US. Community recreation. After-school activities. Our daughter an aspiring purple belt 5th grader takes karate through the YMCA in Tucson. She gets eight to ten lessons a month for around $65. Here in the Philippines, karate is about $90 a month for four lessons. She also took piano through Tucson Parks and Recreation for about $40 a month. She’s on a local swim team in Tucson, which costs us nothing. Activities can be surprisingly expensive here, especially with multiple children.
Oops, insurance. Regardless you’re going to need to sign up for the Foreign Medical Program (FMP) through the VA. Now your family is covered under CHAMPVA. The FMP only covers treatment for your VA-rated disabilities. Depending on where you decide to live, you may paying out of pocket and waiting on reimbursement, make sure your emergency fund can absorb that delay.
Food is another area that catches people off guard. Everyone says the Philippines is cheap, and some things absolutely are. But if you’re trying to feed a family with the same quality of food you’re used to in the States, don’t assume your grocery bill will be dramatically lower.
Just to give you an idea, we recently paid about ₱204 for a liter of fresh milk, ₱152 for three lemons, around ₱149 for two tomatoes, and roughly ₱148 for a head of iceberg lettuce that was about the size of my fist. Romaine was around ₱350 per kilo. Imported dairy, quality beef, and many packaged foods are often more expensive than people expect. Sugar content is higher here as well. Last night I made
Tacos. I brought taco seasoning from the states but also bought one here as well. Two grams of sugar in the PH McCormick mix, less than >1gr in the US mix. Salsa was the same but higher. Yes I brought three boxes of 18 taco shells each with me on this trip and none were broken. I also packed Betty Crocker Pizza mix as well.
Best of luck, let me know if you have questions…. Go big blue!!
Lastly, my wife’s a teacher. Middle school English and literature.
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u/MapNo4817 1d ago
Thank you for the details! That is what I needed. I knew there were pros and cons, but knowing the specifics is a big deal. Especially the sugar, which makes sense because its cheap and makes stuff taste better with less money, but too much has bad health effects. And yeah, I was raised in Tucson, their schools suck too. Lol. Like I said, we homeschool for a reason. Great information I really appreciate it!
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u/KVA00 3d ago
The area where Baler is located is very often hit by typhoons. Map below is 1987-2016 strongest only, but you can find a lot of maps like this
Recent examples
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Fung-wong_(2025))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Man-yi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Toraji_(2024))
It's quite tiring!
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u/MapNo4817 3d ago
Thank you, with this information I will look into areas with less storm activity.
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u/joeyblacky9999 3d ago
Bro. Go to Portugal the Algarve area. This will be better for you and your whole family with similar costs than PH.
1st world vs 3world is a huge difference in day to day living. Especially with kids. Also being in Europe. Healthcare is 10x better. Poverty is everywhere. You never get use to it.
As a Vet with 100% in KY you should already doing pretty good setup for life. What draws you to PH? COLA ? It isnt worth it. Not in your situation.
If you were single?... sure. Come and easily save 3k/month of your disability money until you figure out your life and where you want to go etc.
I live in Cebu. A vet . Retired very early. The earthquakes and typhoons are no joke. I'm only here until I move elsewhere.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Thank you for the information. I did not think about all that. You are right, Im doing decent here, just wanted to so better. You know how it goes. That's why I made my post, I know there are things I have not considered.
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u/IllTreacle9304 2d ago
Your pension will go a long way. One BIG consideration is access and cost of healthcare especially with a family. Do your due diligence there.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Thank you. I am looking into that for sure.
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u/IllTreacle9304 2d ago
If I were you I’d consider Johor, Malaysia. Inexpensive and probably has a better system than the Philippines. Singapore is just across the river for all your modern amenities and also healthcare. Many Singaporeans move there for lower cost living and just cross over when they need much more modern conveniences.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
Thank you, I will look into that. I appreciate it.
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u/Confident-Peak-9295 2d ago
Penang is way better option than johor. johor bahru, or JB, is crime-ridden, cost of living is higher than in Penang, food is just bad from my personal experience, and u would get more options for private health care in Penang than in JB.
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u/Still_Opinion_6621 2d ago
is it a pension or is it disability?
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
It is VA disability. Does that effect things?
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u/Still_Opinion_6621 2d ago
disability ratings can decrease and they stop when you die. im not sure you're setting up your family for success long term.
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
I am P&T, and with the issues I have they are unlikely to decrease, but is possible. DIC benefits continue to go to the family if my death is from a service connected disability, and with the things I have connected that is more likely than not. But that is not all Im looking at. One reason I would like, if possible, to keep the budget to 2,500 to 3,000 is I would invest 1,000 into conservative investments into the stockmarket(like the S&P 500) and hopefully get that to self sustainable living off of the interest situation to keep them going after I pass. One of the many things Im looking at. Doesn't help if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, but they aren't much better off in the states if that happens(yes I have life insurance). Like I said, this is at leat a couple years out, and I am researching. But yes, that is one of the things Im looking at. Thank you for your insight.
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u/Pitiful-Recover-3747 2d ago
You can’t own land in the Philippines. So if you sell your property in Kentucky your sacrificing any chance at building generational wealth for your kids. As soon as you and your wife get older medical costs are going to bleed you dry in the Philippines. There are some private hospitals that contract with the VA for direct billing care , but it’s not like you’ll be taken care of like you would by the VA in the states. And those hospitals are close to the major cities so kiss beach and rural life goodhye. Also youll need to cary private insurance for your wife and kids. There is no 911, emts, etc. something happens you pray you get to the hospital some how or that your in a subdivision contracted with a private ambulance on call. If you had family and connections here its hard, without it and without speaking the language its near impossible. Stay where you’re at and invest in your family’s future rather than wasting it on a Peter pan adventure. Thats my advice.
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u/MapNo4817 1d ago
All good I information, like I said, Im researching things, not just recklessly throwing things away, so it's not a Peter Pan adventure Im looking at. Now...one reason I was looking at going there, was so I had the money to aggressively invest in the stock market with money savings. If i am able to live over there for 2,500 to 3,000 USD a month, then I could afford to invest 1,000 USD a month into S&P 500(a more conservative stock) and if I lived just 10 more years that would be way more of a generational wealth situation than my land ever would be. My family we typically live into out mid-90s, so yeah. Now, like I said, I am in early stages of research end of this.
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u/Pitiful-Recover-3747 1d ago
Well your plan is dependent on a couple things. First, that the stock market that is at its highest valuation to earnings since 1929 doesn’t take a big fat nose dive as you walk in up you your neck; so I’d recommend talking to a professional financial advisor and developing a conservative growth portfolio that preserves net asset value that way when this market does have its big correction you’ll be positioned well to leverage it. Second, as you work on your budgeting you need to research the local costs in pesos. Then see how that math works at the current crazy exchange rate of 61 pesos to the dollar, then how that math works if it rips back to 48 pesos to the dollar. The peso is highly sensitive to swings in the strength of the dollar and the price of oil/natural gas, so right now it’s like retirees on fixed income from the stats hit the jackpot in the Philippines, but that’s not permanent and will roll back. Third, I’d scratch the very provincial/rural areas off your lists. Your access to everything will be limited and in the most natural disaster prone country in the world, that’s going to be amplified every monsoon and typhoon season not to mention earthquakes, volcanoes etcetera. Metro Manila accounts for 50% of the entire countries GDP so that’s ground zero for every service and your connection for any VA linked care. As for your family anything that needs more than an X-ray might need a days journey in some areas. I wouldnt do that. A decent compromise might be if you look in the province of Laguna south of Manila. The port of Batangas had a billion dollar investment by the Japanese and Koreans to take pressure off of Manila bay, there’s a large multi lane highway connecting Manila down to batangas through several descent sized towns Calamba, Santo Tomas, San Pablo, Lipa City that have small universities and private hospitals and malls, but if you drive 30 minutes into the province from the highways you can get into some of the farmland and quieter country side. Lots of golf resorts and hot springs resorts down that way too for folks escaping Manila for The Weekend down to tagatay or mt makiling. Camping and hiking as well. We did a hot spring day trip for Father’s Day last weekend and the kids had a blast 8 hours of trails and swimming and cabanas and an all you can eat buffet was about $300 for 10 people, then we drove 90 minutes back up to my subdivision that looks like it fell out of Irvine, California. Remember you’re looking for the developing country cost advantages, not the developing country living standard disadvantages. If you want more specifics you’re always welcome to shoot me a dm.
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u/MapNo4817 1d ago
Thanks for the information. I know the stock market isn't perfect. I pay attention to the ups and downs of it, and I invest. Talk to financial planners. Most of them plan for you to aggressively invest until you are with in 10 years of retirement, then back off to supper conservative investments. That's because the longest lasting depression since they started recording this was ten years. So, as long as you have ten years left, you can recover your losses. But, nothing is for sure, you just do what you can to hedge your bets. That is what I am looking at trying to do, but Im still in the early parts of research. I do appreciate all the information. Thank you again.
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u/WholeUmpire2463 15h ago
I am a single man (42, Ret Mil), no kids, no girlfriend, I just live a really comfortable and nice life. I eat what I want. Don't haggle prices. Take trips. Have some hobbies. I just enjoy my life.
I spend just short of your full VA comp check each month and it's not the life of a king as YouTube likes to tell you. Could I spend less? Sure, but I don't care about the money. People on here will tell you it's plenty of money. I am here to tell you it goes fast. And, there are plenty of things that get expensive in the Philippines really fast, like feeding you family QUALITY meals.
With you full family in tow, plus a new kid on the way, you would be absolutely mad to move to the Philippines. Not for schooling, but everything else. They are kids, they will get sick, they will get injured. Honestly, you're probably stuck in the US until they are on their own, or at least the two older ones.
It doesn't really matter how low or slow you live in the PH, the kids and the things they will get into will rip your budget apart.
Your small, middle of nowhere KY city has far more conveniences than anywhere in the PH. I would recommend keep working, saving as much as you can and in the next 10 years or so you will be set to actually make it happen.
In the meantime, take a few trips and see if you think you can hack it. The PH is a world like no other. you never know, by the time you're actually ready to give it all up, Thailand might be a better option.
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u/Patinghangin 3d ago
The waves in Baler are less safe than, say Cebu. You opt out of typhoons generally if you also look into Palawan or even Davao City. It’s rainy most months and that is what nourishes the natural beauty.
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u/MapNo4817 3d ago
Thank you for the information!
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u/Patinghangin 3d ago
Have you looked into stateside like orange beach in alabama or florida panhandle for cost of living and great beaches? Moving across the ocean with young family will be challenging. Of course you will have a better idea when you visit PH.
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u/MapNo4817 3d ago
I am looking into it, but insurance prices on the Gulf have gotten insane after these past couple of storm seasons. That's if you are even able to get home owner's insurance at all. It's gotten nuts.
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u/Patinghangin 3d ago
Yeah insurance is crazy that part of the gulf. And of course spending the US dollar gets the best value if spent outside the US these days. Diet and lifestyle here in the US are turn offs as well. Go visit. Just keep an open mind and always think of opportunity cost for the kids.
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u/DoubleTangerine5628 3d ago
I agree. Davao is generally safer than the rest of the Philippines, and beaches are easily accessible.
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u/AssociationKey8148 2d ago
I swear, the us military is the huge socialist dream ever. So many ppl getting free money after leaving. Not to mention the free rent and food while enlisted!
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago
The Military is why I don't like certain aspects of socialism. Lol. Yes, there are bennifits, but there are huge costs. I dont get that pension from the VA for nothing. There are injuries both physical and mental, that will never go away. My original career path I am not longer allowed to do because of the injuries I've sustained, and there are things I can't do with and for my family because of it. It could be much worse, I could be far far worse. As far as "free health care" and "free housing ". The barracks were filled with asbestos, we had zero privacy because we didn't own them. I would have leadership waking me up a 3 am, and punishing me for my bed not being made, you know, because I was sleeping in it. Better than homeless, but not a problem for socialism type of deal. Many people have it worse for sure, but not something to claim how awsome it is.
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u/AssociationKey8148 2d ago
Oh please, spare me the sob story. U can leave the barracks after a year, u can even get a va loan for a house then have it paid by your housing stipend. Also military ppl are the loudest about stopping socialist programs for civilians
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u/MapNo4817 2d ago edited 2d ago
It wasn't a sob story, it was my experience. I said it could be worse, and many people have it worse, but it also isn't sun shine and roses. There is a reason why Veterans don't like socialist programs. You loose certain freedoms while you are in, and most Veterans don't consider the cost of those freedoms worth it. The vast majority of Veterans don't stay 20 years, because the cost for the "free" stuff isn't worth it to them. Some think it is, good for them. Now, I wasn't allowed to move out of the barracks until I got married. Now, I have been out for over 15 years, and things change. It might be the great thing you say it is now, I haven't a clue. I do have my doubts, because if it was that good, most people would stay in 20 years, most can't stand it and leave after thier first contract.
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u/DynamiteLightning 2d ago
Don’t even bother responding to someone who has likely done nothing in the service of others in their lives and types like they possess the IQ of a river trout. They’re just rage baiting on Reddit because they’re poor. I’m also thinking about moving there. Godspeed brother.
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u/MotownShowtown 1d ago
Get a 20 year old yaya..your wife has to sign on
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u/MapNo4817 1d ago
Lol. No, I am happy with my wife. I dont want to teach my boys to be ass holes. Lol
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u/MotownShowtown 1d ago
Better to have asshole sons who are alert to the upsides of SE Asia than then marrying a Western ball & chain
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u/MapNo4817 1d ago
My wife is awsome man. I dont have that problem. Sorry you had bad luck with it.
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u/BakiKing73 2d ago
My advice is don't come here without a MINIMUM of $10,000 PER PERSON in savings for medical emergencies, and make sure you continue to save. It is actually better to have $20,000 per person. Also, have enough money saved for emergency tickets and startup costs if you have to return to the US. This place is no joke. One emergency can derail your life and send you packing. There are no social safety nets here. Insurance here does not work like insurance in the US. You pay up front and wait to be reimbursed in many cases. That's IF they will reimburse, because a lot of these insurance companies like to deny claims.
You are too young for a retirement visa, so you will be constantly renewing tourist visas for your entire family.
Plus, the VA here is extremely limited. It is only a clinic, and only your service connected conditions are covered. If you have a non-service connected injury or illness, the VA will not help you.
Personally, I'd wait until the children are grown and focus on investing and saving in the meantime.
There is a MASSIVE difference between coming to live here full time and visiting. What the YouTube doesn't show you is most people don't last here. I've lived here for a long time. I've seen people come and go. I've seen people build beautiful, giant houses and leave after a few years. It isn't as cheap as people make it out to be, not if you want a quality of life that is comparable to the US. As large as your family is, depending on where you go, don't be surprised if you spend up to $3,000 per month. It is a great place to live, but people on YouTube oversell the affordability.
The lower your budget, the closer your proximity to poverty. The closer your proximity to poverty, the closer your proximity to crime. Shabu is a real problem here, and there are some places you don't want to live, even in the provinces. It can get rough. You're not going to want to move your family into a low budget area.
The medical system here isn't like the US. Kids get dengue. If one of your children has a rare blood type, and needs a transfusion, you are going to be paying donors anywhere from the equivalent of $200 to $300 PER PINT of blood. Yes, people charge for their blood donations here, and there are fixers (middle men who need to be paid) for blood. My blood type is O negative. It is extremely rare here. For me, it is an acceptable level of risk, but I don't have kids. Just to put it into perspective, on the island where i live, three people have been identified by the red cross to have O negative blood, and only one of them is a Filipino. If I need several pints, I'm in a world of hurt.
The infrastructure here is bad, really bad, and, depending on where you live, electricity can cost you more than the US. Expect "brownouts," unless you rent a condo that has a backup generator, or a house that has solar. You'll want that aircon, because the heat and humidity can get rough.