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I’m an HGTV fan and have watched every version of House Hunters and House Hunters International. While many buyers search expensive cities like Paris or London, others look at countries with a much lower cost of living. With baby boomers retiring in large numbers, worries about rising costs and limited savings are pushing people to consider more creative retirement options.
Language and cultural differences are often the biggest concerns about moving abroad. The Philippines, however, is quite similar to North America in many ways—English is widely spoken and the culture is familiar. After researching the country, I found myself eager to visit its beautiful islands.
I remember one Saturday when my kids woke me up shouting, “We have a new neighbor!” It turned out to be a Canadian who’d recently moved into our complex. When we talked, he told us he retired from his engineering job in the United States and chose to spend his retirement in the Philippines. Stories like his are becoming more common.
A main reason retirees move to the Philippines is the low cost of living. You can live simply but comfortably for about $1,000 a month. Rent for a three-bedroom house in the suburbs is often $200–$300 a month. Spending around $100 at the wet market or supermarket can cover a week’s supply of fresh meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit. Utilities—electricity, water, and cooking gas—run about $100 a month. If you want full-time help at home, a live-in helper can be hired for roughly $75 a month.
Transportation is inexpensive. A good used car can be bought for about $10,000, but in big cities many people rely on public transport: jeepneys, buses, taxis, and trains. Short rides on jeepneys and tricycles can cost around $0.20 for the first few kilometers; buses and trains are similarly cheap. Taxis are pricier—about $1 for the first 400 meters and small increments thereafter. In smaller towns you’ll also find pedicabs and tricycles for short trips.
The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands, so there are many airports and ports for easy travel between islands. Inter-island flights are often affordable, with local airlines frequently offering promo fares from Manila to popular destinations.
Everyday services are budget-friendly: a haircut may cost $1–$2, manicures and pedicures are similar, and an hour-long massage can be about $5. Major stores and businesses typically accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
If you’re thinking about retiring abroad, the Philippines is worth considering. Along with low living costs, the people are friendly and hospitable, English is widely spoken, and you can find good hospitals, schools, malls, and many eco-tourism spots. Truly, retirement is more fun in the Philippines.
