Long Term Stay in PH

Hi,

as a tourist you can stay for 30 days without paying any money and then you can extend and extend ...

This you can do for 3 years. When you leave the country it restarts. Plenty of time to get the SRRV. For the SRRV you need to deposit money. If you get married in the Philippines you can stay unlimited with a small amount to pay to get the initial visa (12k) and then after a year you pay the same amount (12k) for the unlimited 13a visa. I am married to a Filipina and I am living in Boracay for 9 years now. I got the 13a visa 4 years ago. Depending on your age and your health status you can consider to buy or rent a condominium unit. New ones are priced for 12M and up. So, if you want to stay here for another 20 years it might make sense to buy one. Otherwise you can rent a condo for 40k/month and up. Please check Newtown on Mactan island (where the airport is). This is more western style. I am living in Boracay where you can get condos for 6M and up. A rent for a condo here is 40k per month and 400k for a year. The reason is that there are more condos than demand for condos. Same as in Manila.

Good luck

Andy

Firstly welcome to the forum Roy, enjoy.

I whole heartedly agree with Andy when it comes to visa choices.

The SRRV makes sense especially if ex military aligned and well worth studying the the whole program in depth to see what suits you and I do recommend to read the fine print on the PRA site, for me I steered away from it but of course it's and individual choice.

There have been plenty of threads on here and other expat sites that give the pros and cons, happy reading, immerse yourself and well know what you are jumping into.

As Andy said a simple visitor visa with extensions gives you up to 3 years and then you need to leave the country for a day or a month for a holiday as we have been doing for the last 7 years living here full time.

Pick wisely where you put boots on the ground for things like immigration satellite offices, quality hospitals, services etc.

Simply stay a year or 2 and see if this is really the country for you before committing to an SRRV.

As for your belongings back in the UK, hang on to them until you have spent more time here before hasty decisions. I spent 8 years back and forward 2 to 3 times a year before I put roots down here, 7 years on and no regrets,,,,,,, yet, lol.

Good luck Roy and ask away your questions.

Cheers, Steve.

An add on as I do Roy.

To apply for an SRRV you will need a full 2 months clear on a tourist visa or they won't process the application and when they do they take your passport and you can't leave the country though internal travel is fine. If you do plan to go the SRRV when you arrive you need to study up on the legal paperwork required from the UK and bring it with you.

Roy you mentioned the warmer weather and humidity in Visayas but? We are from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland so similar climate to up here in La Union on Luzon and was always fine but I found as I got older the heat and humidity got to me and now have a fully A/C home set at 25/26C. and perfect. Just something to think about.

Cheers, Steve.

@RoyHolland

I'm not surprised Roy that you are looking to relocate from the UK to the Philippines. The country, particularly the south west where I live has been drenched with twice the amount of average rainfall in the last few weeks. I'm in Indonesia right now which unlike the Philippines is their rainy season. Less rain here than in the UK.🤔 Timing is everything Lotus as the actress said to the Bishop.

A couple of red flags to my mind have popped up. You say that you are renting in the UK. This suggests that you are on a lower than average income and have minimal assets. If you are on a basic state pension you may be getting extra help from the government. Presumably you will be claming disability as well as housing ( subject to your income) benefit. This of course will disappear when you relocate to Cebu. I hear IT park is not cheap but makes sense given your disability but will the figures add up?

Outside the IT bubble you will notice that the pavements (sidewalks to our American friends) are somewhat, shall we say challenging even if you are a fit person. Health insurance will not be cheap given your age and any other health issues you may have. Most expats self insure. There is no NHS in the Philippines and if you need life saving surgery you will have to pay for it and it will be costly. You need a minimum of £50k in savings before even thinking of getting on that plane at Heathrow.

The climate in the Philippines is debilitating for most expats especially those from a UK mild ( not too hot, not too cold,)  climate. Meteorologists use the term 'heat index' which is a combination of humidity added to the heat. On a sunny day in Cebu your polo shirt will be drenched after a 15 minute walk. Will your health cope with this or will you just stay in your airconditioned condo and use the shopping malls for exercise?  If that is the case then it kind of defeats the object of relocating to a country that has stunning outdoor scenary and beaches.

So many valid points Lotus and I will add don't come here as a poor man as it's not so cheap these days especially compared to other options available. 15 to 20 years ago it was.

While sure at many levels it's far cheaper here than the UK, Australia or the States maybe by half but buying, renting and setting up house costs.

A nest egg for health care is mandatory as well as PhilHealth and a decent private hospital in your area. Living in the cities might be more convenient for many, personally I don't like the noise and pollution that comes with a perceived good place to live and to each to their own at that level.

Provincial living suits us 4 klicks from a small town 50K citizens and 20 klicks to all the major malls, private hospital and industry and the crap there with some 200K souls. Beachfront, flat for miles unless you want to go to Baguio, the downside is a 4 hour trip to Clark or 6 hours to Manila for an international flight, but for us/me on a visitor visa have to travel every 3 years. Always plan a decent holiday in a new country.

Only my advice Roy is to do one hell of a lot of research before you call the Philippines home as it's certainly not for everyone.

Thanks for your 2 bobs worth Lotus, and good wishes for the OP.

Cheers, Steve.

I would like to chip in with some advise that I was given previously by Lotus Eater and it did make a great deal of sense to me and I am in a similar situation to the O/P - renting here in the UK. The advice was that if I could afford to - Spend the winter period in the Philippines and see how it goes before I give up my flat and consider a permanent move to the Philippines. So maybe if you can afford to, why not make your 4 week trip then consider going back there from the end of October for approximately 6 months. That should give you a enough time to know if a move there is affordable, to your liking and if you can manage the temperatures and humidity. You could also maybe check out other places besides Cebu to see if they would be more suitable for you.

One thing I would say about moving there as a single man is that there are many temptations there and many attractive woman and even though you may think and plan to live on your own and not want a relationship now - if that changed and you did meet a nice lady you wanted to have a relationship with in the future, your costs would increase. So if you are planning to make the move with limited resources, please take this into consideration. Many men have made the move before insisting they are happy to be on their own but have met someone after a few months or a couple of years and of course that changes everything.

One big concern I have is that you said you have poor health and although being near good hospitals is a good thing, are you sure you you are fit enough to make this move. It won't be like here in the UK if you need major surgery over there. No NHS and possibly some expensive medical bills depending on what needs doing. Also no free prescriptions.

Agree Cherry and said it many times before, don't come here on a basic pension or being poor thinking you will save money, it won't happen at that level. to the OP we spend AU over 3K per month for our needs, no rent no electricity, own the cars and bikes just our daily needs including a live in caretaker roust about that is a god send @ 300 bucks a month, could never afford him in Australia.

As a single man the last place I would retire would be the Philippines as there are so many opportunities out there and the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

I retired here and left a saner Western country only/primarily for a partner that I love and to keep us both happy. Single? The world is your oyster.

As mentioned earlier to the OP you definitely need to spend plenty of time here before committing to anything.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl said . . .

to the OP we spend AU over 3K per month for our needs, no rent no electricity, own the cars and bikes just our daily needs including a live in caretaker roust about that is a god send @ 300 bucks a month, could never afford him in Australia.

**************************

Living in Metro Manila we get by on $2500 a month, we don't skimp. This could be lower but my wife's adult children live with us. The house is paid for and we don't own a car because of the never ending traffic and my disposition (road rage instigated by me). We use "Grab" similar to Uber, the cost savings is significant for us compared to car ownership. Additionally we have a live in housekeeper at P8,000 per month.

I try to live close to western life styles as much as I can, I eat western foods (S&R and Landers) the rest of the family eats a Philippine diet.

@Enzyte Bob

Is that US 2,500 per month or equivalent to roughly AU 4,000 Plus?  Interesting where your money goes to spend that much. Your live in house keeper, do you feed, toiletries, pay him/hers PhilHealth, 13th month pay?

Running a car here is cheap but buying one can be the same price as in the west, we have 2 cars and 2 bikes and their costs are included in my monthly AU 3K budget and the freedom to jump in/on wheels and not make a phone call, twas bad enough for me and Ben living in Manila dealing with taxi drivers that wouldn't turn on their meter or waiting in a train station waiting for 3 trains before there was room to board. ,,,,, stepped out of many cabs and simply caught another, Uber is better and never a problem but we don't have them in our neck of the woods.

I don't know about your "road rage" but I do well know a little aggression helps in Manila no different to the rest of the drivers.

Agree Bob there seems no point owning a car in Manila, a bike maybe but there is plenty of on hand transport available. We like our freedom to move around without waiting on someone else.

All said and done we eat local and Aussie products we do without for the last 7 years but my trusty Vegemite jar that is in the fridge and nearly gone makes up for pies or cabana, Aussie lamb or beef, kind of a reminder now and then on toast.

Cheers, Steve.

I did the SRRV on my last visit to the Philippines but it expired while I was in the states. I emailed Thelma and was glad to learn there is a process for renewing long distance for a little over P6K. She sent me forms for fingerprinting and I had to photograph myself doing the fingerprinting and after a few trys I got it right and she accepted my application and mailed me my new card. I was dreading entering with an expired card and having to go to Makiti after the long travel. My SRRV stamp is in my expired passport but that wasn't an issue. The girl wrote SRRV on the entry stamp in my new passport. I think it's a good deal if you're staying long term. I'll be here a year or two with no worries about visa renewal. I'm a US Army vet so  I only had to deposit $1,500. Sounds like you need to figure out how long you intend to stay and go from there. I was away for 2 years, 2 months and 2 days and I don't know what has changed. One thing that has been added was some kind of QR code that one of the NAIA airport security guards helped me with.

Welcome back Moon Dog.

Yep as an ex aligned military vet is the way to go for an SRRV. Thanks for your service mate. Me and my age fell through the cracks and wars as well as no conscription in Australia.

Yeah the QR code that is part of the E travel to acquire. Used to be fill the entry card in on the plane.

We arrived back to Clark midnight last night and were rejected by immi and had to use their computers to set it up for both of us, another 20 minutes and then all good aside from the 3 hour drive home.

Interestingly I purchased the 14 buck throw away ticket for me to come back into the Philippines and neither the airlines nor immigration asked for the booking, only my exit date on the E travel doc's, interesting how things change with the wind here.

Good to be back home.

Cheers, Steve.

@RoyHolland

Hi, re pharmacy bills re any ongong medical needs, I am asthmatic and it was costing me 1,500 pesos for symbicort , and free in N Z,  the symbicort was same but half , 60 inhalations, so 120 the one in NZ, so something to consider re staying in the Philippnes, maybe check out that cost re any medicines you need over the year.  Dumaguete possibly you have been too, has good health care as I understand, Bohol would be a choice for me , or Moal Boal, but possibly they lack appropriate medical care you may need, hope it goes well for you Roy, at least you have dipped your toes in the water, but I did find the humidity was not an easy one, C/D s are needed allright ! I liked CDO too, whch you mentioned, all the best Roy.

@Enzyte Bob…Just my opinion but why in Gods name are you living in Manila? There are so many nicer locations to live. Unless you like the worst traffic in the world (fact) or you like to breathe dust 24/7. There are so many nice and more peaceful islands to explore in the Philippines. Just my observation.

PEACE

Choices arty5987. While I agree with your sentiments we all decide where we live and many times it comes back to the better half, family and choices.

We lived in Manila for a year in a nice condo but the noise, black frigging soot on all the furniture , waiting for 3 or 4 trains before one could squeeze in, Guards with shot guns on every corner etc. etc.

The provincial life on the beach is our choice but many like the city life and enjoy.

OMO.

Cheers, Steve.

arty5987 asked . . . . Enzyte Bob…Just my opinion but why in Gods name are you living in Manila? There are so many nicer locations to live. Unless you like the worst traffic in the world (fact) or you like to breathe dust 24/7. There are so many nice and more peaceful islands to explore in the Philippines. Just my observation.PEACE.

***************************

Well Arty,

I was living in Las Vegas and I met and married a Filipina who was working in Las Vegas. My wife owned a house clear and free, actually as a child she was raised in this house.

Over the years we made improvements in the house. At one time we had the house demolished and had it rebuilt as a two story house. My wife and I were getting up in age so we decided to add a third floor for us and move to the Philippines  (2018). The house has four bedrooms, three baths and two kitchens with about 60 meters on each floor.

My wife and I had the whole third floor, large bedroom, kitchen & bathroom. Her adult children live on the second floor, which has four bedrooms & a bathroom.

The first floor has a large living room/kitchen and bathroom. The second & third floor also has balconies. Below the second floor balcony is a laundry room also large enough for my stepsons motor bike.

The original plan was to sell the house, but family members had jobs and we decided not to uproot them. My wife & I were dependent on her children.

Since my wife's passing I've been considering on moving out and have checked out renting a condo: Jazz Residence Makati, Uptown BGC Condo, Shore Residences & Light Residences. They have retail businesses on the first & second floors.

This would give allow me to be independent. The three flights of stairs is too much for me, limiting me to leave the house for shopping at S&R once a month. These condo's have  supermarkets, fast foods, ATM & pharmacies on site.

Since the passing of my wife, she was like the rudder of the ship. I'm now so isolated, my adult stepchildren work and converse in Tagalog and the housekeeper does not speak English.

So that is why I live in Manila, circumstances

Makes sense Bob and if my better half owned a home in Manila that's probably where we would be.

Yeah the stair drama and too many flights gets me too. When we did our extensions and renovations were all on the same level except the double garage that is connected to the house but 5 steps down, easy but we also put a concrete wheel chair ramp in for my ailing years on the outside of the garage but all under roof and connected. Great for the kids when they come with their skate boards or bikes.

Bob, why can't you take over the bottom floor and give over the 2 upper floors to the younger family members? Just a thought.

Good luck mate.

Cheers, Steve.

bigpearl asked . . .Bob, why can't you take over the bottom floor and give over the 2 upper floors to the younger family members? Just a thought.

*************************

I have three stepsons, two residing with us, plus one's girl friend and a grandson. The third is now living in the states as a nurse in Virginia. He just moved there from the UK. Prior to the UK he was a nurse at St. Lukes in Manila.

Before my wife passed away he wanted to remodel the house moving my wife & I to the first floor. Just weeks before my wife's hospitalization he hired an architect who evaluated & suggested plans. The hospitalization and funeral was very expensive for both of us.

Even if I as to move to the first floor only the stairs would be solved. Still my day would be watching Youtube till I fell a sleep in my "recliner". A rocking recliner so I can get up unassisted. The living conditions have changed with the passing of my wife, she and my stepson in the US were/are fluent English, not so with everyone else. Also she did a very good job of preparing my American meals.

I don't have the mobility & mental acumen I had seven years ago. Seven years ago I was still working full time. I do have the wherewithal to notice the difference and it is alarming. With a little more time I probably won't know the difference.

Sorry to hear what you say Bob and as mentioned in a previous post the sad loss of your wife, my heart goes out to you and family.

Age does come swiftly and is on us before we realise, I see my time approaching, the slow down for me has been quick especially the las 2/3 years at the physical level and stamina the mental faculties are still acute but long walks are a PITA. Maybe I'm lucky to have a partner 30 years younger and  he spent 5/6 years as an aged care worker in Oz as cert 4 and slaps me about when required, English fluency is easy with Ben but our live in worker who only speaks Ilocanos, and doesn't know what Tagalog is can be painful but 2 years on he is learning and sign language has been a winner. Finger, elbows and facial expressions gets the brush cutter on the move. Nice young guy that simply does stuff and makes our life easy.

Not sure where to point/suggest your next move Bob but some times better the old dog you know.

I wish you/us well as we age.

Cheers, Steve.

@Enzyte Bob

Even if I as to move to the first floor only the stairs would be solved.

But that would entail a trade off Bob. If I recall only the top floor has a working hot shower? 

Lotus Eater said . . . .But that would entail a trade off Bob. If I recall only the top floor has a working hot shower?

***********************

Yes that is correct, the shower heater is broken, since nobody takes a shower on the first floor, I haven't replace it. If I was to move to the first floor, I would replace it and also replace the toilet with one of those high rise (whatever you call them) for handicap people. I have one on the third floor, I had it installed during the construction of the third floor.

@Enzyte

I've been considering on moving out and have checked out renting a condo: Jazz Residence Makati, Uptown BGC Condo, Shore Residences & Light Residences. They have retail businesses on the first & second floors.

If you decided to go down this route you could also avail of the ‘rent a hottie maid service ‘ to do the cleaning etc etc

@Enzyte
I've been considering on moving out and have checked out renting a condo: Jazz Residence Makati, Uptown BGC Condo, Shore Residences & Light Residences. They have retail businesses on the first & second floors.

If you decided to go down this route you could also avail of the ‘rent a hottie maid service ‘ to do the cleaning etc etc - @Lotus Eater

And maybe if you were on the first floor you could get a stairlift installed. My Dad has one in his house and at the age of 91 and using a walking stick, he could not really do without it.

Bob, updating the bathroom is far cheaper than relocating, especially as you do have a known home and family around you. Moving is costly and wherever you land is the language or US style cooking going to follow you to a new destination? Personally while we lived in a very nice condo in Manila the neighbours if spoken to in the hallway, elevator or lobby wouldn't even grunt if spoken to and I as a foreigner was totally ignored by those that lived in the same complex. Never quite worked out why.

Think long and hard about moving from what you know and the support you have there.

Cheers, Steve.

Bob, updating the bathroom is far cheaper than relocating, especially as you do have a known home and family around you. Moving is costly and wherever you land is the language or US style cooking going to follow you to a new destination? Personally while we lived in a very nice condo in Manila the neighbours if spoken to in the hallway, elevator or lobby wouldn't even grunt if spoken to and I as a foreigner was totally ignored by those that lived in the same complex. Never quite worked out why.

Think long and hard about moving from what you know and the support you have there.

Cheers, Steve.

Bob, updating the bathroom is far cheaper than relocating, especially as you do have a known home and family around you. Moving is costly and wherever you land is the language or US style cooking going to follow you to a new destination? Personally while we lived in a very nice condo in Manila the neighbours if spoken to in the hallway, elevator or lobby wouldn't even grunt if spoken to and I as a foreigner was totally ignored by those that lived in the same complex. Never quite worked out why.Think long and hard about moving from what you know and the support you have there.Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

It all depends Steve. I hear what you say about condo living. It’s certainly not for me. I like my garden and being ‘grounded’

That said I think Bob is based in Pasay which has few expats relative to BGC . Now that sadly Bobs partner has passed away he may miss companionship which other expats in the condos can provide. BGC lends itself to an older age group with attendant disabilities. Lift access direct from his apartment with a selection of international and local cuisine plus coffee shops on his doorstep or even in the condo itself.

Hear you Lotus and don't we love choices.

Cheers, Steve.

Rather to address various suggestions and ideas individually:

Living on the third floor alone the only human contact is when the housekeeper makes me breakfast & dinner. Otherwise I spend the whole day alone. If I had an elevator it could not get pass the second floor (no unused floor space).

If I moved to the first floor the only window I would have is looking into the laundry room. On the third floor I have two windows and a sliding glass door to the balcony.

The two stepsons living with me, one is out of town several weeks because of his job, he is also my Go To person, handling going to the ATM for me, fulfilling my scripts at the pharmacy, accompanying me to S&R, taking care of my annual report and lately renewing my 13A without me.

Unfortunately he was out of town when my wife got sick, my wife ended up in palliative care similar to hospice, it still haunts me watching her life fade away over ten days.

Now the other stepson does not work and we don't get along, we had a skirmish two weeks ago I fell down and hurt my shoulder and he has also stolen money from me.

After my wife's passing much of her jewelry, her designer handbags & sun glasses (bought in the USA, not the clone counterfeit stuff here in the Philippines) a 10 gram gold bar & my wedding ring are all missing.

I want my independence back, I don't want to be isolated, I want to be able to get out and the condo's I mention earlier have all the things I need, including a safe outdoors with green grass.

The moving will be difficult in just visiting the condo's and selection. Also moving my personal stuff and purchasing items I will need to start all over again. I could have done this not many years ago, but my age has caught up with me.

A rock and a hard place Bob, sorry to hear your situation. Well they do say a change is as good as a holiday especially if it makes life easier for you.

Wish you well with choices.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Thanks for the welcome back. Been busy fixing everything that broke during my absense so I haven't had much computer time.

I was gone for 26 months so I knew the multicab would need a new batery which I ordered but still wouldn't start. Fuel pump wasn't making noise so had to drop and clean the fuel tank and install a new pump and it fired right up, but the aircon wasn't doing its thing. I checked the pressure and it had a charge, the compressor was turning, but suction and discharge was both 115 psi so I figured stuck valve in the compressor. I thunked (term I learned in my job) the compressor with a heavy brass drift a couple times and felt the air turn cold. That was good news, dumped a can or R134a in it and now it's frosty ball cold. I even registered it for the first time so I'm driving legal.

Pool is a mess, the cheap Davies pool paint available in the Philippines is garbage. My favorite mason is taking it down to bare concrete in his spare time and I'm going to try some epoxy paint when the repairs are finished.

The ground floor aircon took a crap so I picked a new one. Great deal at RL Appliance, P17,000 for a 1.5 hp. Good thing the weather is cool.

The concrete needs pressure washing and the wife took care of that regurally until the pull rope on the pressure washer broke so I brought pull ropes and that's fixed.

A sari sari store was installed at what used to be the car port so that is keeping the nephew busy running it. I put him through college so he's paying us back.

Besides all that the wife did a great job keeping things in order. Here's a video I put on youtube taken soon after my return.

https://youtu.be/CdE_J6TfUIU

`

Bob, sounds to me that you need to get-up off yr arse

and get moving, while you can. What you need is a big

man friend. Hire big bi-lingual security guards for a day

or so to pretend to be your long-lost mate, and, also to

put wind up your young pesky-kid relative. Not a threat,

just a strongly worded reminder to respect and obey

his elders. Once or twice yearly reminders by various

'mates' should persuade any teenager to watch his

step, return your ring and treat you right in future!

Many social problems solved .. easy, cheap and effective

happy trails Bob

`Bob, sounds to me that you need to get-up off yr arseand get moving, while you can. What you need is a bigman friend. Hire big bi-lingual security guards for a dayor so to pretend to be your long-lost mate, and, also toput wind up your young pesky-kid relative. Not a threat,just a strongly worded reminder to respect and obeyhis elders. Once or twice yearly reminders by various'mates' should persuade any teenager to watch hisstep, return your ring and treat you right in future!Many social problems solved .. easy, cheap and effective happy trails Bob - @PalawOne

Good idea and that will take care of the humping and dumping but he will still need a driver to get him around to view various condo's and probably a maid/housekeeper when he is safely installed in his new place. I would normally suggest offering your existing housekeeper the role but since you stated that she does not speak English above, probably better to get another one.

@Enzyte Bob

All the best with it, mate

PalawOne said . . . . Bob, sounds to me that you need to get-up off yr arseand get moving, while you can. What you need is a bigman friend. Hire big bi-lingual security guards for a dayor so to pretend to be your long-lost mate, and, also toput wind up your young pesky-kid relative. Not a threat,just a strongly worded reminder to respect and obeyhis elders. Once or twice yearly reminders by various'mates' should persuade any teenager to watch hisstep, return your ring and treat you right in future!Many social problems solved .. easy, cheap and effective

*********************************

Well to address your comments . . . .

Getting off my arse is one of my problems, if it wasn't for my rocking recliner I would be on my arse 24/7, mobility has caught up to my age. To put my age into prospect I have a 61 year old son in the states, I've been estranged from him for 30 years.

Yes it would be helpful to have a big man friend, I only have one and he is in bad as shape as me.

That pesky kid you refer to is 33 years old and about 6 feet tall.

I have an older stepson who just moved to the states and is a nurse in a hospital in Fairfax Virginia. He was a nurse in the UK and prior to that St. Lukes in Manila.

Over the past 7 years he has vacationed here for one month, whenever he comes back to the Philippines I will ask him for help in moving.

Mobility is my problem, one trip up and down the stairs in a month is my limit. It would take many trips to check out all the condo rentals and moving my stuff would be a big deal.

Bob, a bottle of JD and a nursing home?

On a serious note and said before it seems you are caught between a rock and a hard place.

I only surmise that your house is now in the hands of the siblings since the passing of your wife? If as you say the stepson that lives one floor down doesn't work then who pays all the bills? Can he kick you out?

Perhaps I'm lucky as my better half worked in aged care or 6 years in Oz and tells me I have a few miles left in me yet but I do hear what you say and if I can make it to your age with all the smoking and drinking I do then I'm enjoying my life.

On a serious note, here our home is all on the same level except the double garage that is 1 metre lower and through our extensions and renovations we installed a wheel chair ramp under roof, to date I have no problems with the 5 or 6 steps to gain the house but throw 2 or 3 flights at me and I'm knackered so I do hear your plight.

Have you considered a live in carer for your needs?  Medical and aged care experience, retired nurse maybe.

Ah decisions decisions Bob. Good luck mate.

Cheers, Steve.

@Enzyte Bob

Bob, I've read everything you have to say and my heart goes out to you. How unlucky are we when our partner dies first? So much that would be done for us we now must plan for ourselves. And that's the only advice I can give you. You are isolated and vulnerable and this will only get worse unless you take action now. This "family" you're with are not your family. You need to be somewhere else, where your physical and mental needs are met, for the long-term. (If you haven't done it, you need a will, a power of attorney and an advanced care directive for your healthcare). Have you considered returning to the US? Perhaps the Philippines is no longer the best place for you. All the best brother

bigpearl said . . . Have you considered a live in carer for your needs? Medical and aged care experience, retired nurse maybe.

*****************************

With a better environment I could take care of myself. For example if I would move to Jazz Residence in Makati.  Jazz has four towers above the SMDC Mall, with all the amenities I need, 24 hour security and outdoor spaces.

Of course medical is a problem for all seniors, back in the states my medical & prescriptions were covered. At my age here today and gone tomorrow. I believe in the quality of life, including my circumstances now, so I would like to extend the quality now.

There is no rational reason my health is good for my age, especially hereditary wise. I surpassed my parents, siblings, cousins & friends in age. My diet before moving to the Philippines was the same for cavemen, beef, beef and more beef, no fruits or vegetables. I don't drink water except in my coffee and pill taking. All my liquids are vegetable juice V8 and fruit juices: apple & grape.  I survived Covid.

The only doctor visits when I arrives were for cataract surgery and prescriptions continuation. I worked till I was 76 and then moved to the Philippines.

I had bypass surgery in 2005 and six weeks later I moved to the Las Vegas following my dreams. Everyone should before it's too late. Prior to bypass surgery I was not taking medications, afterwards I felt so good I did not take any medications, I should have.

Around 2014 angina pain returned again and I ended up having three stents. The cardiologists explained to me if I would have taken the medications prescribed to me, I would have never needed stents. So now I take my meds.

For future expats moving here, be in good health or prepare going broke if you need hospitalization. No money? no medical treatment.

My wife was in good health before moving here. Her subsequence downhill health included four hospitalizations about 40K USD. That's not counting all the monthly doctor visits, lab tests, medications, dialysis and finally 10 days of Palliative Care, I difficult decision to make.

In 1978 just before my father passed away my sister called and said I better fly home. I told my sister that I did not want to witness this, call me when it's over. I've carried this guilt of not being there for 47 years.

Now having to make this Palliative care decision about my wife and watching her life fade away, I no longer carry this guilt about not being with my father. It is an awful thing to witness.

Brojeslov said . . . . If you haven't done it, you need a will, a power of attorney and an advanced care directive for your healthcare. Have you considered returning to the US? Perhaps the Philippines is no longer the best place for you. All the best brother

**************************

Yes my wife and I had living wills, giving power of attorney for making medical decisions if one of us is incapacitated and no extraordinary procedures to extend life.

My nurse stepson recently to the states concurred on the Palliative care. The other two step sons were against it. Our decision was based on all she went through, now she had a heart infection and needed surgery, the infection had spread to her brain with other complications.  If she would have survived the heart surgery, she still had to combat the infection over months of hospitalization, not knowing if any of this would be successful.

Somethings I failed to mention on my previous post, a suggestion on returning to the states. I have two adult children in the states 59 &61. My son 61 and I have been estranged for years and my daughter 59 we have such a difference of opinion, war would breakout within 24 hours.

I have a good friend about my age in the states who offered to welcome me to share his house with him. He has  major medical problems, so I declined.

I had put aside some exit money, several thousand, not enough to start a new life in the states. Also I could not make the journey unassisted. I don't want to land at LAX with no destination.

At one time when my nurse stepson was considering on moving to the states, I was hoping he would and then he, my wife and I could all live together.

He is now working at a hospital in Fairfax Virginia and has a partner. So just another possible dream faded away.

Understand Bob. What time remains you are entitled to enjoy.

Perhaps sell the house, divy up the funds between yourself and the step children and move on.

Good luck with your choices.

Cheers, Steve.