Retirement preparation

Hi all. I am retiring in 3 years and planning to move to Dumaguete. I know it sems like a long time away, but I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before moving. I am currently loving in Long Beach, Ca., US. I am a Navy vet, did 12 years from 1980 - 1992. Thanks for having me! Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Well, it has been a while but I have spent some time there. (Several months at a time in the Navy back when Subic was open). I have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Thing is, here I do not own a home, have no real family, and no attatchments. I am a lover of hot weather, a lober of Filipino food and the culture in general, and I am very adaptable otherwise. I will, of course, have the means to return if I cannot handle it, but will give at least a full year before deciding. Again, I have 3 years to plan, and will be going to Dumaguete hopefully to talk to some expats and get a feel of where they are at and what they did. Plan is to go in 2022, as all this pandemic stuff should be mellowed and I should be vaccinated by then. Thanks for the reply!

 

Im possibly about 2 years ahead of you, dam Covid. Subject to travel I think I'm 6 - 9 months away.

What I can say is when it gets closer you have a fair bit to do and consider. So 3 years out is a good start.

I been selling off stuff and the house went on the market last week.
Meetings with accountant looking at tax obligations.
Meeting with financial advisors, how will I support my family.
Discussions with others on how much money will be needed per month. I have estimated 130 - 160k
Emails with schools
Wifes citizenship and Passport.
Having a back up plan if Duma or even Philippines isnt the right place.
Getting the Vax done in your home country.
Health Insurance.

Good luck, will be following.

 

I am 59, going to retire at 62. Good health so far. Single with no family, so that is not an issue, and yes, I am going to get vaccinated as soon as I can!

 

Partner and I retired here 5 yrs ago. Came here a year early and spent a month exploring in 2015. I have SRRV (deposit required cut by 85% with a DD214), over 50, which you probably are if you joined navy in '80. Got rid of 90% of our crap back there, don't miss any of it. KEEP the kitchen utensils. Don't store nuttin, donate, sell, garage sale, even if you don't stay, no point in hauling around, suits, sport coats, ties, unnecessary, get a polo barong... Kept our financial program back there, move money here to dollar account by wire, many different ways (we do USAA). Shift to peso account when needed or when good exchange... Easier that way, more liquidity back there, funds direct deposit there. DO estimate expenses, probably 1/2 to 1/3 of Long Beach, certainly better than bay area, which we fled. You can estimate during ur exploratory month (do not skip this, essential).

Health Insurance important, i was government, so have Fed program, like gold. Only for big emergencies, doctor appointments are $10 USD. Ended up buying cheap lot up the mountain, building small house. You could lease land and own a house, WAIT a few years, we've been renting for 5.. Make sure you have good lawyers here, we have two, one is a bull dog to scare anybody that wants to scam you. Local folks are wonderful people and friends. And, about Dumaguete, never criticize, cuz EVERYONE you meet is either a cousin of, related somehow, does business with, or went to school with, everyone else. Constantly blowing our minds, never lived in this small a town..

If any of the following drive you nuts, the place will make you cranky, just smile and deal with it or go elsewhere <grin>.
"sorry sir, out of stock." They will never say, "we don't carry it."
slightly nutty and slow drivers, traffic's a b*tch and not getting better. No such thing as "driver's ed."
somewhat lack of attention to detail by workers.
If they doesn't know the answer to your question, they might make something up.
People do NOT like to confront an uncomfortable situation, will ignore the problem until it goes away or blows up.
Cursing actually makes people uncomfortable. Great respect for elders, no such thing as "retirement home," have seen many 20 and 30 yr olds give grandma "mano." "Lola and Lolo" are very important.

I'm not concerned with vaccination, even at 77, although i wish we had it. 95% people wear masks, active cases less than 200 in a one million population, if you believe the government. We'll get the shot eventually. I'd rather be here without a vaccine than in looney land back there trying to get an appointment. Those people are crazy.....

 

Thanks! I am hoping the SRRV is available again soon (heard they will be reinstating it). Lol, it is good to know the people really haven't changed since the 90s when I was last there. I can deal with the mellow and inefficient better than I can deal with the LA "I want it and I want it now!" childish attitude. I may retire a year early, as I will have much more than enough 401k money to live on for a year and still have signifigant savings once the pensions and railroad retirement kick in. We shall see. Can't wait to leave this materialistic and frantic country for sure.

 

Hello, Hippiebrian. Becoming retired is a good decision, I respect it.

 

Welcome to the forums, HippieBrian. Ah yes, being a retired person is the best.