coppywriter

Sorry I was talking about Philippines

Not for the extensions after the initial 30 day visa free entry, but for the SRRV you need to be 50+

I'm in the Philippines in Cagayan De Oro on Mindano. I live in the countryside with the locals all of whom are very friendly and many speak English. Nobody has asked for money or help with family stuff, they just go about their daily life. My Filipino partner and I purchased some land and built a house, the relatives visit as and when but are not intrusive. No I don't like the food but that's OK as foreign food is available in the malls or cash and carry and my partner is a good cook. There are also westernised restaurants if you want them. I lived in Thailand over 10 years and yes the infrastructure is better there but once you get used to things here in the Philippines its easy to get used to a different way of living. The real bonus is the visa structure here, you can stay up to 3 years on extensions without leaving or you can apply for an SRRV (retirement visa) and never have to leave at all. English is widely spoken so no problems with communication. All in all it suits me fine, but each to his own