One of the reasons visiting this country besides the relatively low cost, availability of sex, is also the consideration of possibly relocating to this country as a base for retirement.
Would you be able to deal with the climate being hot, humid all year round, a bit cooler November to February, rain with typhoons, or "bagyos" June to October?
As of February 2007, the currency exchange is currently still a very favorable destination with the USD. What if the exchange rate becomes unfavorable sometime in the future? Then the once economically favored currency isn't so inexpensive to live/visit. Consider converting your currency away from the USD to EUR, JPY, or XAU.
After nearly twenty years since our first visit to Manila in 1989, the overall infrastructure is still rather poor. The only real noticeable improvements observed are no more power brown outs, new larger street signs in English, street lights, and the LRT.
Needing to live in gated communities with armed guards, have your own proper water filtration to separate those with money from those without, disparity from the very poor to the wealthy breeds crime/corruption, air very polluted, population keeps increasing, traffic worst than ever has so many jeepneys are clogging its streets, health care here is on your own, pay as you go, considerably much less expensive than in the US. But prescription drugs may cost the same, do your own research for your medications.
They still burn coal for cooking, garbage is burned, failing to grasp the concept to reduce overall pollutants as opposed to the US which knows better but fails to do enough to reduce the "greenhouse effect." No continuous walkable sidewalks, food with the exception of their skewered meat from the street vendors not high quality, visually appealing nor healthy overall for the common person observing some of the foods (everything looked overcooked, didn't see much vegetables or didn't recognized them) offered by the typical vendors unless you spend significantly more at a higher quality restaurant for the finer tasting foods.
On the plus side, English is widely spoken but not a standard language, especially when outside of the urban/tourist areas. Labor is very cheap, hiring a housekeeper and nursing care very affordable.
Unless you're married to a Filipino national, you'd need to leave the country periodically to renew your visa to extend your stay, which isn't hard, just fly to a neighboring country of your choice for a brief time. If you marry a Filipino, you marry into their whole family. Family loyalty, family obligations, family relations. Filipino social skills and relations are very strong. What one doesn't know, they inquire in their social network to find an answer or solution. Family values take priority over the individual.
Better visit here a few times to look this place over for yourself before deciding to see if you would want to move here. If you decide that you do, buy yourself some land to build on sooner rather than later, or condo (I dislike association dues,) as prices only keep going up. Finding someone you can trust to build your home, whose honest, do a quality first rate job and not run away with the money... good luck. You're better off getting an engineering degree and being your own general contractor to oversee this. Or know someone you can trust, relationships that builds trust. It's who you know. In Filipino communities, everyone and everything done is based on relationships.
Consider building a passive solar home design. Better install solar panels on your rooftop or some other alternative energy generation as electricity is quite expensive here. You'll need it for the air-conditioning and Friedrich or Honeywell electronic air cleaner for your home or Friedrich C90B for a room. Use this information only as a guide. Imported products are more expensive than domestic products.
Someone I talked with moved to the Philippines, bought land, paid a contractor to build his home, part way done, the contractor skipped. These are just some of the things you'll be dealing with. Having a large nest egg to deal with such things is just part of life.
International financial banking has branches of Citibank and HSBC in Manila.
Another one tried going into a business with some relatives and the relatives embezzled the money, besides corruption money to run a business. If your nest egg is gone, you're now stuck in one of the poorer countries to live out your "golden years." Better have in place a healthy income stream. If your funds come in regularly in US funds, remember you'll need to wait six weeks for the funds to clear before being able to have access to the funds. Consider relocating away from the congested urban centers.
Which ever city you register as a resident, you'll have to return to the same city to renew. The acquaintance shared with us how he registered first in Manila, but settled in Angeles City where there's also an official government office serving the same function, but because he first signed up in Manila, he must return to Manila annually, instead of doing his paperwork in Angeles City where he now resides.
If you get an automobile, beware that there is a blackout date one day of the week you are not allowed to drive that vehicle, if you're caught, there's a fine.
Be prudent, to sort the wheat from the shaft regarding the hearts, minds and characters, beware especially of those coming in sheep's clothing, appearing as an angel of light. Wisdom, patience, diligence, and perseverance are needed. It would help, knowing someone to be in a social network, whose wisdom, trustworthy, honesty, humor, willing to advise and assist in the transition, having an angel watch over you. Remember to have your great humor, you'll need plenty of that and enjoy life, no matter what the circumstances. Plenty of Filipinos are very poor, yet are some of the happiest in their hearts and shows in their genuine smiles and can do attitude, very resourceful.