Bob is also correct on the best way to find a job out here… start in the U.S. there are so many U.S. call centers here in the PI – it is saturated and will continue to grow…

Another “moved” to live off his new boat and he goes sailing while working. Appropriately, he named his boat “The OFFICE.”

Another migrated from the US, bought several acres in Australia to devote her time to nature, writing, NLP and homeopathy. She continues to write technical books on the side because that’s her forte but is levelling off in this area while exploring her new loves. (Cultivating the land, raising animals, expanding her NLP practice, etc.)

Another moved to the boonies somewhere in North Carolina, escaping the SF rat race. It was a geographical move only with a few changes needed to accommodate that move, but her source of income is not much impacted. True, she flies in quarterly for major meetings in the area; otherwise, most folks don’t even know she’s no longer local as her phone number has stayed the same. (Except she has to put up with a few errant odd-hours phone calls because the caller might think she’s still in the same timezone.)

My own circle believes in having fun *now* and not waiting for the classic retirement phase. So exploring how it can be done during one’s prime years has led to new discoveries as I’ve illustrated above.

Thus, I don’t think a Philippine employment has to be a deterrent to living in the Philippines. Setup your house/office there. Source your income elsewhere.

Me, personally, I take many mini-breaks, even though I’m still based here. And like Dave Starr said, I continue to invest in my own development, both for professional & personal growth. I spend thousands of dollars for fun & training but the yield has been rewarding and phenomenal, not only for myself but for many others also. I’ve incorporated a “pay-it-forward” philosophy to my own lifestyle… (within reason, of course).

Hope some of these tips are helpful to my fellow explorers on this blog.

Looking for a “job” in the Philippines is. in my opinion of course, a losing proposition. Jobs, in general are a losing proposition …trading hours for pay … the world is changing and trading hours for pay is less and less attractive every day. Also, if I had to work for wages I’d insist on substantially more than my US salary if the job were in the Philippines … working conditions and especially commuting here in the Philippines are much more difficult to cope with than in the US. I love living in the Philippines as a retieee/entrepreneur but if I had to take a salaried job I would be back in the USA so fast you’d see nothing but my dust … and my dual-citizen wife would be running on ahead od me. Those who question my view might like to read Steve Pavlina’s views on this subject:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/07/10-reasons-you-should-never-get-a-job/
If you don’t agree, hey great, that’s what makes the world go ’round, but you should read his well-reasoned thoughts anyway … there’s no get rich quick scheme or any investment advice involved … except investment in yourself.

There are thousands and thousands of ways to put you knowledge and abilities to work to enrich yourself rather than enriching someone else in return for a doled-out wage. Explore real alternatives before you make up your mind.

Post #8 illustrates that “living in a chosen locale” and “working to support that choice” need not be sourced from the same geographical location.