Do you know what a “snowbird” is? It is an American term, which I don’t think is that widely used in other countries. Probably it is also used in Canada, but maybe nowhere else, although I am uncertain of that. A snowbird is what we Americans call a person who lives in two different places. For example, they might be from New York or Ohio, or someplace up North where the winter weather is cold and rainy or snowy (mostly from snowy areas). Snowbirds generally are retired people. During the winter months they generally fly south to their second home in a place like Florida or Arizona, where the weather is warm and sunny through the winter months. So, by doing this, they live summer months up north, where the weather is nice during the summer, and they flee the cold weather by heading south.
This is quite a nice way for a retiree to spend time in two different places, enjoy nice weather, and generally have a comfortable lifestyle. I often hear from people asking me what I think about living 6 months of the year in the Philippines and six months in the USA. I don’t really know why for certain, but in recent weeks I have been asked about this much more frequently.
So, what do I think about snowbirding with the Philippines as your winter home?
Well, personally, in many instances, I feel that this is not necessarily a good idea. Why? Well, there are several reasons for that, but one very important reason.
The main, very important reason why I think this is not such a good idea is adjustment or acculturation. You see, no matter what you may think, adjusting to life in the Philippines is not an easy or quick task. Once you make the adjustment, life here is great, but it takes time to make that happen.
You see, I do not believe that most people can become adjusted to Philippine life in just 6 months. It took me several years to do so. Some people don’t take as long, but I think it will take more than 6 months to make the adjustment for anybody who tries it.
So, what happens. You come here for your 6 month “snowbird” stay. You never quite feel that you fit in, and you are somewhat unhappy here. You then go back home for the summer months, or the warmer weather months. After 6 months there, you come back to the Philippines again. You have to start over from the starting line in terms of making adjustments. Another six months, you still won’t make the adjustment. Every time you make the trip, you have to start trying to adjust all over again. If you come here and live for a few years, make yourself understand what it means to live in the Philippines, and how to do it, then you can make some trips home, and return with full understanding of what kind of life to expect.
Living the snowbird life is a great way to live as a retiree, I am sure of that. But, going for a few months in Arizona or Florida is much different than coming to spend a few months in the Philippines. Largely, Arizona or Florida are still the same, or a very similar culture to what you are living “up north” and making the adjustment is very easy to do. Coming to live in the Philippines, though, is a totally different experience than you’ve ever had before, if this is your first time to come and live here. You need more than 6 months to make the adjustment. If you don’t give yourself enough time, you won’t be happy with your life here.
I know, I know… some of you are saying, “but I’ve come there for 3 weeks vacation, and I loved it, I adjusted fine.” My friend, a 3 week vacation is not the same as living here. As a vacationer, you don’t have to face some of the life choices that you will face as a resident. It is simply not something that even is comparable. It is apples vs. oranges, so don’t fall into the trap of considering it the same.
You can indeed build a happy life for yourself in the Philippines. I know that, because I made the adjustment myself, and I know that you can do it too. Don’t make it harder on yourself by spending only limited time here before going back home. Make this your home instead.
I quite like the idea of being a snowbird 🙂 I have lived in the Phils for 7 months previously and no I hadn't fully adjusted… mainly coming to terms with Manila taxi drivers and some attitudes (filipino time, long nose tax, etc).
I do feel that I could cope with it though, there is much about the UK that I don't like… but I do like our summers (although they are very brief)..cricket, Wimbledon tennis, beautiful countryside when the sun is shining, long evenings outside.
So 9 months in the Phils and 3 months in the UK sounds ideal to me. 🙂
I would like to hear John Miele's comments on this. I live in
Florida and am well associated with the snowbirds. I see John
as an "non-retired" snowbird and am curious on his view as he comes and goes so often.
Hello Steve A.
I am sure John M.will reply to this, but I wouldn't consider John M. a snowbird of any type. His work keeps him on the "road" many days out of the year, and in many different countries. Aside from that, it sounds to me John is very use to living in the Philippines, and loves it. Plus, all that traveling, especially now, John can't wait to get back to his home in the Philippines and to his wife and son. Maybe there is an LiP reader out there that is actually a "snowbird", and does just live there part time in the PI and part time in some other country, would love to hear from them.
Salamat,
Danny 🙂
Maayong Buntag Bob
Mmmmmm! You bring up some interesting points since the snow bird option was one of the things I was looking at. Mind if I ask you what some of the main hurtles were to becoming acclimated to the Philippines?
Hi Bob,
I think that snowbirding in the Phil is very doable. For the acculturation part -there are a lot of properties (subdivisions and villages) that are exclusive and gated (with the assumption that your better half is a Phil citizen and can acquire property). I know a retired US expat who is from Wisconsin and lives in Baguio for half of the year since the 1980's. He rents a house (duplex) and flies back to Milwaukee during summer months in the US. The one major question here is finances – yearly airfare, how much property you acquire, rent and daily cost of living in the Phil.
The best months to be there in the Phil is from November to March.
My two centavos worth of opinion…
Do these people want to adjust? Many expats I know just hang out with other expats, play golf and drink beer, they only come here for the cheaper lifestyle and aren,t that interested in "going native" If they have a large network of expat friends then they don,t see the necessity to really understand the culture. For them it,s no problem staying for a short time, as long as they have a good time.
Bob
Label me a very happy snowbird from Minnesota (a true snowbird)that has been traveling to the Philippines for the past 8 years. We have very little adjusting to do as we have made a home in both Minnesota and the Philippines. We love both places, and I couldn't imagine living full time in either place.
Maybe being retired military, I am very familiar with frequent moves.
I think it is an individual thing. Just as you prefer to live full-time in the Philippines, there are others that prefer dividing their time between 2 countries.
After 8 years, I feel fully integrated into my Philippine life. In our town, many people remember me and always look forward to my return. I do admit it was a bit hard at first, but after a few years it becomes easier to make each move between the USA and the Philippines.
The 2 main reasons to travel between the USA and the Philippines is the weather and relatives. Minnesota is COLD in the winter, and the Philippines is HOT in the summer. We have our grown children in the USA which we are close to, plus my parents and siblings all live close by while we are in Minnesota. While in the Philippines, the relatives there are a delight to be around.
It is just me, but I don't think I could ever live full time in the Philippines, I have my roots in Minnesota and need to re-connect each year.
Daryl, I agree. There are a number of expats who just wants to golf, scuba and do some 'tourist' activities while in the Phil. New subdivisions built around golf courses are being developed in Tagaytay, Antipolo and Baguio. I am sure there are some in Cebu and Davao.
Hi Bob, think nothing wrong with this lifestyle. As you said Snowbirds are retirees – i.e. children all grown up, no responsibilities to others but themselves, just spending the retired lives as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We've been doing this now, except our second home was our boat whereever she might end up. We leave it behind to fly back. Lots of cruisers do this.
Except this time, hubby flies back to Norway in the winter where days are very very short and miserably cold. Go figure ..:)
Hi gerry – Of course, whatever works out for each person is what is great for them. I'm glad that the snowbird lifestyle works well for you!
Hi Steve A – Personally, I would not consider John a snowbird at all, and I don't think he would think of himself that way either. He only travels out on business, and is basically constantly on the road. I will also be looking forward to hearing what he has to say, though.
Hi Danny – I agree with you about John Miele. Looks like a few real snowbirds are starting to chime in already!
Hi Larry – Well, the hurdles are things I write about nearly every day here. Language. Filipino time. Traffic. Pollution. Basically everything in life.
Hi Gerry – I have lived in a gated community, and I didn't care for it. That, IMHO, is not the real Philippines. But, certainly that lifestyle may work well for some.
Hi Daryl – I fully agree, a lot of expats have their own little world, and they don't care how they fit into the society in which they reside (I purposely didn't say "live"). Now, me… I would not say I have "gone native" but I try to be part of the society in which I live, while still holding on to my personal identity.
Hi Gerry – Yeah, there are subdivisions like that in Davao too.
Hi Lloyd – I am very happy that this type of lifestyle has worked well for you. It wouldn't be for me, but that's the beauty of life, we are all different.
Hi Ellen – Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with the lifestyle, I just feel in many ways that living in one place is the best way to at least get started, giving yourself enough time to adjust to life there. But, as I said in previous comments, we are all different, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.
Maybe these things would bother me more after a while but the fresh mangos make up for a lot of the problems 😉
I move to nominate Bob for the LiP party for the May 2010 elections! He will be better than least half of those mentioned by John Miele. :)just kidding Bob.
OK… I'll stop my Phil political comment or I'll starting puking!
😯
Agree with you on that Bob. If I am living somewhere I believe I should be there as much as I can rather than living some fake approximation of home.
Hi Daryl – You know, recently I went to a sort of expat gathering. I don't normally go to these things, but a friend got married, and I wanted to attend his party to support him. It was basically all expats with their Filipina wives. In many ways, I felt very out of place there. That's just not my lifestyle.
Hi Bob,
I think the attraction for a lot of people is just going somewhere "different". Once you have acclimated to the lifestyle then it is no longer "different" and you need to move on; and the cycle continues.
While there are economic advantages of staying in one place, I like to travel for a change of pace and scenery. I have been living in the same place for 12 years and I'm ready for an extended vacation, but probably not a total committment to emigration.
Mark C.
Kamusta ka Bob,
Living in Florida I definitely know what a snow bird is, and most of them have already gone north for the summer. I couldn't see living there just for 6 months out of the year, and agree, there is no way to get accustomed to living there in such a short time. Plus, financially it wouldn't be possible. If I were a wealthy person, it sounds nice to be able to live in different parts of the world, and be able to travel like that.
( FYI )..I have notice in the past few years, a lot of the snow birds,especially those that are not wealthy, have sold there condo's or houses, and decided to stay up north because of finances and health reason's too.
Ingat, salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Hi Mark – I can certainly understand that. I don't choose to stay here for the economic advantages, but rather the lifestyle, which I enjoy greatly. As a child, my father's job required that we move around a lot. Most places we only lived for 2 years before moving across the country somewhere. Having such a mobile childhood, as an Adult I prefer to stay in (or close to) a single location, put down some roots and enjoy life here a bit.
Hi Bob! I agree that wintering in Philippines would be alot different than arizona but i am one of those who have no choice because of all the family here, so I will have to split time also. I fantasize about living there but I am along ways from retirement and I am no business man. How big a rice farm do you need to have to make a living that would allow a guy to go back and visit the usa. regularly anyway? Thanks Bob!!
Hi John – Sorry, I can't answer your question, as I don't know anything about farming. Maybe somebody else will speak up with more information.
Hey Bob,
Yes, the older they get, and the less they can take care of themselves independently they seem likely to move back near family up north. I didn't mean for like respiratory problems, which the warmer weather would help them with. Also most of these retirees are widows or widowers as well, and besides having friends here, they are by themselves, and no family here.
Salamat,
Danny
Hi Danny – Interesting. I can understand their desire to be near family, though.
Thats ok Bob I was just fantasizing anyway. It's just so beautiful there in Samar. alot different then wyoming.
Hi Bob – It looks like the first bit of retired life I'll have in the Phils will be sort of a "forced snowbird" year. There are some commitments which will drag us back to the States after about eight months. After about four months of "taking care of business," we'll return for, hopefully, much, much longer.
Perhaps we'll end up as "rain birds" – we'll head for the summertime of the States while it's rainy season back home. Then, when things have dried out a little, we'll fly back.
(Personally, I never wanted more than a one-way trip, but as a family man, . . . you understand! 😉
Hi John – Wyoming is also a beautiful place! I didn't realize you lived there. You know, Feyma and I went to Jackson Hole once, and loved the place. I have spent a lot of time in Montana because I have family there, but I like Wyoming too! Hmm.. snowbird? Maybe… 😆 Problem is that in Wyoming you get what… a few days of summer? 😯
Hi Bob,
My wife and I, when we do finally get to live permantly in the Philippines we don't have plan to return to the US. We have no desire to even visit the US. The US that I grew up in doesn't exist anymore. My family is scattered in different places. I have only one sister I keep in contact with and she is supportive of our desire to go to the Philippines. Unlike my brother who thinks it is not a good Idea. He and I don't talk right now. My wife and I have more family in the Philippines than here so we don't intend to go back and forth. I feel in time I will adjust to the culture. At least I am going there with knowledge reading this website and my wife telling me of the culture there. Right now it is a dream but we hope in a year we can make the move.
Danny,
That's why I called John a "non-retired" snowbird. As far as I know John hasn't lived longterm in the Philippines as Bob speaks about, but as you point out he can't wait to get back. It appears it didn't take a long term stay for him to adjust.
i have a different take on this, bob.
to use my little mexican town as an example – it has a large snowbird population that's been here since right after WW2. they own homes, set up now very established charities & have assimilated very well to the culture & language. they are a very outgoing group.
the culture divide can be telling in this small town too. because english is not widely spoken (media & signs as well) & shopping for necessities are done the same way locals do. no fancy malls here.
but the expats have created a comfortable community for themselves. setting up their own restaurants & events. things i wish could be done in the philippines if only the foreign ownership rule is reversed.
Traveling over the pacific is, of course, different. But most of these norte americanos drive down from canada & the US, which equals the travel time on a flight to manila. just an hour ago, i was spoke to texan neighbor who minutes before drove 13 hrs from san antonio, texas. another classmate of my wife drove their RV down from B.C.
i think if you have a type of people who have enough curiosity & willingness to dive into a new culture, then wanting to spend part of the year in their hometown is no big deal. it sounds comfortable & broadens your mind at the same time.
but if it's just a "stay at home, play golf & be pampered" retirement type, then yes, you have a point. not immersing yourself in any culture will breed a certain stereotype in a person's mind. a fence in his davao house may just as well be the pacific ocean.
Bob (and everyone else): I don't really consider myself a snowbird, because I travel purely for business. Indeed, when I have holidays, about the last thing I want to do is get on another airplane. This trip started in LA last week (2 days), DC (1 day), Peru (now…5 days), Brazil (2 days), Germany (1 day), Poland (1 day), Norway (2 days), Germany again (3 days), France (2 days), Bahrain and Saudi (1 day each), Dubai (1 day), and finally Korea (3 days) before I go home. I then go to the province for 2 days, and the following week I have Japan, Brunei, and Bangladesh. That is all through the 1st week of July.
This sort of travel used to be fun and exciting… Now… and I truly mean this… I want to be nowhere but with my wife and my son, wherever in the world they are. I really, truly, miss them with all of my heart, and I worry about them constantly while I'm away. Believe me, it is stressful on a marriage, and I am truly lucky that Rebecca puts up with this… I think being an OFW so long helps a lot in this regard. Still, the pressure of being alone gets to her sometimes… There have been many nights I have gotten a call from her in tears because she became afraid of my safety or health. This job cost me one marriage in the States… I refuse to let it cost me another.
I have no regrets, and I've had marvelous experiences that I would have never otherwise had, but in all these places, I normally nowadays see a shipyard and an office to a hotel and an airport. It really gets bad when the Cathay Pacific and American Airlines flight attendants remember me by name. On the flip side, I've eaten dinner in Royal Palaces, met Kings and Presidents, and seen many things and places and cultures most people will never see.
Last week I had meetings with my boss charting my future with the company. I'm really getting exhausted, and not wanting to be away from home as much. I still am not 100% after I became ill in China. Right now, I'm looking at 2 more years of this kind of travel. I've sold several large projects in Japan that will force me to open an office there with around 50 staff by early '10. I also have to open an office of 10 in Karachi, Singapore, and Brazil (possibly) through the rest of next year. Right now, we are planning on my holding a sort of dual residency, Philippines and Japan (It can be done, and I hold 2 US passports (legally), but this will require some top-level contacts and a hell of a lot of attorney's fees). The main reason for this is so Becky and Juanito can easily travel with me to Japan while the office is being set up. We are buying a company flat there for myself and our engineers' use, and I'll begin looking for Japanese and American Managers and engineers to run the show end of this year. Ultimately, I want to travel no more than one week per month… That's my goal. I'm slated to visit one office per month on a rotating basis. Becky and i are looking at a house in Laoag or Tuguegarao for the time I'm here in the Philippines (much quieter lifestyle).
As to adjusting to the Philippines, I've come a long way, but I still have my moments. What Bob said about culture is true… Flying in and out makes it far more difficult to adjust. An example is language: Most of my meetings are with an international crowd. There may be 5 or 6 different languages being spoken in one meeting, depending on where I am, and being in the country only a week or so per month means learning Tagalog or Ybanag is even more difficult, if not impossible. For instance, in China last month, I was in Shi Dao, Chinese company, Russian and Dutch engineers, German colleague, and 3 or 4 Chinese dialects in one meeting, with everyone humoring the lone American by speaking English (I only know a little Spanish and French). Constantly moving between developed world and developing world has drawbacks and benefits, too. Adjusting becomes more difficult, because my expectations constantly change. For example, shopping in Singapore is a pleasure, and a shock when I return home to "Out of stock, Sir". On the other hand, for instance, Rebecca and I love Indian food. I can easily pick up cardamon pods and other spices in Singapore or HKG or London and we don't have to do without.
So, long explanation, but Bob's guess is essentially correct. I hope I wasn't too long winded. I'm really missing my wife tonight.
I honestly don't think Jeff is wiling to give up his properties here either. In fact he wants more real state and they always need maintenance.
Even when I have obviously relocated, I too don't see myself growing *too* old here in the US.
But, when the kids are old enough to manage what's been passed onto them and when Jeff gets way too old to decide for himself, he will definitely have no choice but settle in the Philippines with me. Hehe. 😉
Bob,
I see you and the commentors covered most of my thoughts so I thought to add a little humor.
In Florida a "snowbird" is someone who owns 2 homes. Someone who comes and rents for the season is a "SnowFlake" 🙂
Hi Michelle – Interesting. I wonder… does Jeff know about your plans for him? 😯
Hi Bruce – Looking at what happened to house prices, that Snowflake is the smartest of all of us! 😆
oh no, exclusive expat groups wasn't my point (need to work on my writing). i too avoid the all-expat restaurants. like you, i hate that sort of thing.
but what i meant was these retirees (a lot of them anyway), welcome learning the language & know the customs. you always see them in fiestas, mercados & hanging around the plaza (town square) speaking spanish. a few of them minus the accent. much better than secluding oneself in an airconditioned house all the time. there is interaction.
the restaurants & charities are products of decades of being active in the community. now, there are italian, argentinian, jazz & texas steak restaurants that cater to both locals & expats.
their being proactive & curiosity even in their retirement years benefitted the community even if they live there part-time.
no gringo/mexican tensions here, unlike what i saw in the border cities or even in california & ny. no one bats an eyelash when a foreigner walks by — though many are still confused at my wife & i. no filipinos here 😉
on the flip side, i know filipinos who do the reverse. living part time in canada & US. one woman is a professor in a b.c. university while another is retired & lives in downtown sf. they seem to cope well too with splitting time between 2 cultures.
i guess my point is that it can be done.
Hi Michelle – 😉
Hi macky – OK, I misunderstood you. But, you know, it is so different here in the Philippines. You don't see expats going to places like the merkado and such. I know only a few who do such things. Learning the language? Very rare. Most expats who learn the language are Missionaries.
I agree, it can certainly be done.
yes, it's difficult to explain in brief. i've actually thought of this a lot since the move.
i've even spoken to a few expats about it. in jest, i told them it's like i'm a national geographic narrator discovering 2 tribes of the same wildebeest. exactly the same yet different habits. no offense meant to anyone, i thought that analogy was funny (now to get john british accent to narrate).
i guess it needed to be said that what i wrote was from my personal perspective. a pinoy who has lived & seen how it is in davao, then 12 years outside, then here in san miguel, another expat enclave.
they're musings of the possibilities in davao (and the rest of RP), which would greatly help the culture divide (i'm thinking of the misinformed attitudes of some locals towards the koreans, "kanos", chinese and then vice versa).
Hi Macky, cruised through Mexico, from the Baja all the way to Zihuatanejo. You are right, lots of American and Canadian snowbirds there. What I have seen are they don't just stay there and do nothing, they actually do a lot for the locals – open businesses, hire locals, going around doing charity work, travel inland, eat in streetside cafes with the locals, and a lot of them take the time to learn and speak Spanish. When we were there, we were very welcomed by both locals and expats. For some reason, I don't feel the same way here. We see expats around, but very few come and talk to us. Some even turn and walk away, or go to the other side of the street away from us. Clearly not the same atmosphere as in Mexico.
Hi Bryan – Your life sounds complicated, my friend! Ha ha… seriously, though, it sounds like you are dealing with things nicely.
Hi Bob. I see your point, but unless I "snowbird" it to the Philippines, (6 months in Canada & 6 months in the Philippines) I can't really live in the Philippines. I will lose too much pension money at 65 if I do not come back to Canada within 6 months. I think the biggest thing you can do to live happily in the Philippines is to try and fit in. No compound and expat community for me. Get yourself on filipino time and don't expect the Philippines to change for you. Enjoy the culture! That's why you are there. If you can't do that, stay home and shovel snow.
7 years, 10 months and counting!
well its the reverse thing here in the usa when i go to the filipina get togethers ,my wife feels out of place with her expats from the philippines she much rather be around americans then filipinos. she doesnt like much of what the filipinos talk about i guess there like the american ex pats in P.I
Hi mike – that is quite interesting about your wife's feelings toward the other Philippine expats!
Hi Bob,
In reference to Macky and Ellens comparison with Mexico.
In my opinion one of the things that ruined Spain is 1000's of expat ghetto's.Most never learn the language and have little contact with locals.
regards Chas.
Hi Bruce – No doubt about it. During times like this, there is huge money to be made by those in a position to do so, and the confidence to take risk. Same thing happened during the Great Depression.
Hi Bob,
Snowbird, I like that saying… We belong to this category. This is really our plan in 10-15 yrs (I know it’s a long time from now, and I can’t wait) hopefully; our house is paid by then, since we are paying extra towards the principal, and our kids can manage on their own. I love the U.S. but, I can’t really picture myself growing old here.
Hi Ann – Nice to hear from you, it's been a while! Sounds like you have a nice plan there! Good luck with it.
Hi Bob !, Ya I remember you saying you liked wyoming before after traveling here from oregon. Yes wyoming is pretty but I'm from the south eastern part and I think oregon is as close as we are to Jackson he he he! The wind blows like crazy in the winter here in my area. Take care Bob!
Hi John – You are nearly 100% correct… except that I came from Washington, not Oregon! 😆 Sounds like you are pretty far from Jackson!
If a person will come to the Philippines with an open mind and tolerance and this is not only in the Philippines but all through out the World. You will be OK. Travelling to a different place and away from home will entail new experiences, new truths, new cultures etc., but if you have an opened mind and try to understand and tolerate the new place, it will be easy for the person to accept and be assimilated. If a traveller/snowbird will research the place, things will be easier. Persons that are picky with food tend to limit the experience. Food is one of the ways to enjoy a culture.
In conclusion. See the Philippines with open eyes and treat each surprises as part of understanding a new knowledge.
I encourage snowbirding in the Philippines!! Bob you can actually start a business catering to snowbirds!! Other expats can do the same in their respective adaptive Philippine Island.
MABUHAY!!
Hi Toting – Certainly, traveling with an open mind, and leaning toward acceptance is very important for any traveler! 🙂
Hi Macky, Zihuat is very nice – liked the architecture of the houses there too. BUT do not swim in the water – the water is so warm and rich with tiny living creatures!! At least that was so when we were there – there were lots of little krill-like creatures stuck to the dive suit, hair, ears — yuk. Not harmful but not fun having them inside your ears.