You are exactly right. I’ve been living here for almost seven years now and STILL love it! Sure, I get frustrated with some of the stuff and issues here but what the heck; its still better and far more fun and interesting than back home in the states.
I got “hooked” on the Philippines on my first trip here in 1996. Kept comming back and cried like a baby each time I got on the plane to return to the US. Finally realised I had to do something or go nuts! So finilly move here and got married in 2003. I’m still hooked on the country and it’s people and would never even concider returning to the US of live anywhere else.

I know I mentioned it b4, but don’t you think marketing Zamboanga as a tourist destination for Spanish-speaking countries is a big potential market? I bet many Chilangos from D.F., Mexico and Madrilenos would travel there if they knew how beautiful it is, how safe it is & that there is a very common language that makes it quite easy to communicate with the people. Zamboanga is probably one of the only places in the Philippines that can be promoted this way. My grandparents are from Cavite & I’ve been around that area. There is not a lot of chavacano being spoken like it is in Zamboanga. TV Patrol is even broadcasted in Chavacano there. I am dying to watch an episode of that! When the tourism department calls it “Asian’s Latin City,” however, I think they need to not just hang those signs around town, but try to get them into key markets in the Spanish speaking world. These markets also includes all the Hispanos in the U.S.

It’s nice to know that you are considering Phils. as your retirement haven. I could not share to you an exact estimation of the living cost in the Philippines as I am currently living abroad (but i am basing my ideas in Davao where I just had my vacation (dec 2008 till feb 2009)but I hope to give you at least an idea so you can draw your own conclusions.

renting a condo unit might be more expensive than renting a house, even in an exclusive subdivision, etc. pros of condo unit might be the elevator, etc but inside an exclusive subdivision, there are also swimming pools, security guards, etc. It’s almost always cheaper if you try to look for property to rent by yourselves as real estate agency charges commission to the property owner which the property owner would get from your rent, so that would result to higher rental fee. If you would want airconditiong 24/7 in your room that might also cost you a lot since Phils. has one of the most expensive electricity rate in Asia, if i am not mistaken. DSL internet 24/7 for eg PLDT with telephone calls might cost from 1000 to 1500 pesos a month. Actually with 700 to 900 dollars a month for yourself alone is more than enough, with that budget you can eat out, go out to have some fun, pamper yourself, etc. Everything goes down to right finance mgt which i am sure you are more than capable of handling. If you are going alone and staying alone in the Phils,esp. in the beginning when you are still trying to adapt, it’s better if you have someone you know recommend to you a good person as your house helper who can clean the house for you, go to the market (since if you do it yourself, some people might take advantage jacking up the prices, etc.) and besides, there is nothing wrong with a little help. With your budget, you can still indulge yourself to a weekly or bi-weekly shiatsu massage, etc. In the philippines, the health care is not as good like in Spain(free health care) so it’s better if you consider a private health insurance or always have extra money on hand for emergencies. I think, with the laid-back pace of life in the Philippines, sooner or later you wouldn’t be needing anymore Methadone (I hope).

I hope that this has helped you a little with your dilemma.

Have a good day, Bill. And don’t let your worries and doubts ruin your dream of having a happy, peaceful and full of fun(why not!) retirement!

God bless!