⌛ Nice to meet u

Hello i just registered on this forum.
I am a single woman living in South Africa - and i am considering retiring in the Philippines.
I would love to meet people - living there - and even if there are any other South Africans living there.
Please tell me how u experience the Philippines and where u would advise me to settle.
I am managing a busy Travel and Hospitality office for an International company at the moment. I am also a quilified National Tourist guide.
Myra

 

Hi Myra, your best bet is to go over to the PHILIPPINES and see for yourself as there are so many beautiful places and people as well. cheers BAZ.

 

Hi Myra ,welcome to the forum.Hope you'll be fond of the Philippines the time you visit.It's nice to know you think of the PI as one prospective place you'll retire.Filipinos in general welcome foreigners ,though like anywhere else in any country it's good to be careful of new people you'll meet,there are bad and good ones. But I knew two people here (uk) thinking of retiring/moving to South Africa,with a lovely country and on the prime list among major retirement destinations ,how come you're thinking of moving out ?

You can ignore my silly question ,but I would say the consideration you have for the Philippines is a nice welcoming gesture .

 

I would recommend that you settle somewhere in Central Visayas.

Luzon is in the typhoon belt. If you do not like having to endure numerous and often deadly severe tropical storms every year, Central Visayas is the better choice.

Mindanao is deeply troubled with Islamic separatists etc. Many areas are simply not safe for foreigners. A Filipina I know who is a native of Mindanao living in the USA, told me she wouldn't let her American husband go with her when she went to visit relatives there last year.

There are three areas in Central Visayas that should be appealing and suitable for foreigners wishing to retire in the Philippines. In no particular order:

1. The Dumaguete City area, to include some of the nearby small towns such as Zamboanguita.

2. The Tagbilaran City area, on the Island of Bohol. To include nearby small towns such as Baclayon.

3. The metro Cebu City area. Living in or near downtown won't be appealing to many foreigners, but there are towns in metro Cebu that are still nice. On the downside, the cost of living is rising faster than most other areas in the Philippines, as well as other problems associated with rapid urban growth.

But don't rule Cebu out until you've been there in person and judged for yourself. A lot of foreigners like it, so you need to decide for yourself whether it's for you.

Wikipedia has a wealth of information on the Philippines. Of course, all three cities have multiple online newspapers in English, which are valuable in making an informed decision.

 

Welcome to the forum, Myra. If you want a place where you can relax and enjoy life, then, Dumaguete is the place to be