Philippines or Thailand to retire from USA

[popeyesretreat]

I have a few friends that retired to Dumaguete from Vegas USA to The Philippines and are telling me it is better then Thailand as it is cheaper and Visas are easier for retired, you do not have to tie up as much money so I joined a few facebook groups, the people are much different between the two I think. Thailand the people are less judgmental and do not care as much about what you do, if you are religious and in the Philippines they are much more conservative and are very Christian so call believes. The Thai ex-pats do like to get into political debates but not like the Filipino ex-pats, they are like Americans and want to convert you into their way of thinking. I really hate that, most are hypocrites, my friends friend bad mouths ladyboys all the time but gets caught leaving a bar with a ladyboy on his arm hoping no one see them. 

He said the English is much easier in the Philippines as most people speak good English as in Thailand they do not. But I am checking out Jomtien which I had not many English problems, as there are many tourist so the people do speak enough to get by. IMHO I think that the money you save in the Philippines is not worth where you live, he said the Philippines feels nothing like Thailand but more like Mexico, very 3rd world and poor. I like Thai food much better, do not really know what to eat in the Philippines, I found the food very greasy and the love fast food there. The girls are a little soft in the middle I think. 

I do like the Philippines as there are Casinos there, I do like to play low stakes poker, Thailand it is currently against the law but you can just go over the border to Cambodia. it is not a necessity though. Watching youtube there seems to be a lot more Thai bloggers and a few of the Filipino bloggers are jumping out and moving to Vietnam as it is cheap. 

What is your opinion between the two? I was actually looking at Subic Bay.

 

I tried to post this in Pattaya addicts but that forum is mostly about naked girls not for discussions, as it is over moderated and they delete post the mod doesn't like. A other BM ASKED me "Op we need to know more about you, your personality and your requirements to give you a usable answer" and O told him " 

Well I think I am more of a moderate for my political beliefs but I find conservatives if you do not agree with everything they believe in you are a liberal in their eyes. If you believe in the right to own arms you should also be pro-life which I believe it is the females right, I also believe in some social programs but not all. as I do Conservatives like to label me a socialist. 

I can care less about if you are straight or gay, my ass is off limits and I do not care if you like to use yours to take a <deleted>. I am very sarcastic as you can tell and do not take thing personal but neither should you

I did think of staying in Subic bay for a few months, not 6 months but 3 should be enough, you can always go back.

The housing may be cheaper in the Philippines but the condos look much nicer in Jomtien , Rather spend a little more to live in a nicer place. I also hear that Thailand is safer, less crime and less violence less gun problems. Both are very racist, but that doesn't affect me a older fat white guy.  

I also like to travel and think there is more closer to Thailand then the Philippines. 

I can be very opinionated and do let things bother me when someone disagrees and tries to change my view with lies and no real prof. I do change my mind if it is logical and make sense." and some resonon to delete the comment, must have not fit the mods idea of what his/her views are.

[NCC1701A]

3 hours ago, popeyesretreat said:

I tried to post this in Pattaya addicts

yeah.

 

as an American I would say spend three months in the Philippines and then come to Thailand.

then decide for yourself. you will know after about three weeks in Thailand where you want to retire.

also consider spending 50% in each country if you are free and it is your decision when to change countries. 

also look into Vietnam. very big now.

also make sure you have a return to the USA plan because SEA is changing very fast.

if you go to a casino in Cambodia and lose money and can't pay, the Chinese will kill you. 

they have a sign on the wall.

 

sounds like you really should just do all the things in your post and see how it works out for you.

 

Edited September 1, 2019 by NCC1701A

[madmen]

i Second Jomtien. You talk about expenses and what is cheap..well jomtien is great value for condo buy or rent

 

English is spoken in all the tourist areas

[timendres]

This is a very personal decision, and every person here will have a different opinion based on their own circumstances and preferences. @NCC1701A's suggestion to spend time in each country is the best advice I can think of. Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand are all fine places in their own way, and the final decision really depends on the person living there.

[NCC1701A]

4 hours ago, popeyesretreat said:

I tried to post this in Pattaya addicts but that forum is mostly about naked girls

and stay off of there, the owner of that forum is trying to give Pattaya a bad name. It is a world class international family tourist destination and some photos of all my girlfriends is not going to change that.  

[sailorEd]

My personal opinion is stay away from establishing any investment/roots in Thailand.  I am married to a Thai and have brought over 1 million baht a year into the country for over ten years and have left there now given the total disrespect that has been growing over the years with the present junta toward expats.

All the current government and immigration/police is concerned with is staying in power and lining there own pockets.  Even with a USA Green Card my wife has remained with her Thai family and I continue to support them.  I have some comfort in knowing that I am at least minimizing my financial support of the inept government by staying out of the county.  When I return to Asia to visit my wife it will be in a country other than Thailand even though I have purchased and currently own a condo in Hau Hin and a home near Phitsanulok.
Barriers to an enjoyable life in Thailand have grown every year over the last few years; immigration reporting, rules regarding income verification, insurance requirements, banking rules etc.  Nothing has been implemented to support the expat community.
Given I have lived in SriLanka and Hong Kong as well as worked in the Philippines and Vietnam, I have some insight into these countries al biet a few years ago.

A nice place to visit; but not a recommended home base in Asia.

[NokNokJoke]

Dumaguete is kind of pleasant but I kept hearing that western style/level medical care was only available in Cebu City, at the closest.  I only spent three days there.....passing through.

[Carib]

There is an excellent topic about life in the Philippines: 

 

[sunnyboy2018]

6 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

yeah.

 

as an American I would say spend three months in the Philippines and then come to Thailand.

then decide for yourself. you will know after about three weeks in Thailand where you want to retire.

also consider spending 50% in each country if you are free and it is your decision when to change countries. 

also look into Vietnam. very big now.

also make sure you have a return to the USA plan because SEA is changing very fast.

if you go to a casino in Cambodia and lose money and can't pay, the Chinese will kill you. 

they have a sign on the wall.

 

sounds like you really should just do all the things in your post and see how it works out for you.

 

Rubbish about the casino. You buy you're chips in advance. But seasoned gamblers prefer the Philippines. Base yourself in Thailand and visit the Philippines.  I think subic bay has closed. Yes Philippines is really sinister regarding guns and crime..never an issue in thailand. Philippines girls have no personality or eccentricity compared to Thai girls the latter are a 100 times better in bed than flilips...kinda lie back and think of Duerte. They tend not to use condoms unlike the Thai working girks. In Philippines Virgins, cherry girls are cheaper,  now not in Thailand but the girls are excellent at role play and FUN . Phil.. kr@p

poor infrastructure,  roads, atms  banks  armed guards outside 7/11s etc. People better educated than Thais but only at trade level.  Not intuitively smart like Thais. They are primitive with no culture or history they can be proud of. They are victims of American,  Chinese and Spanish occupation. A terrible cultural hand to he dealt. No music, crafts, arts, dance, theatre..nothing nothing musicians just do endless virtuoso repeats of 70s rock hits without the comical humour of Thais. Its all very depressing. Thailand is safer, easier to navigate,  better food,  girls nightlife, gyms, temples festivals, girls, restaurants, drama, wide range of spends from budget to millionaire. Even the expats are better but you wouldnt know it from this forum which is NOT representative of expat life here. PM me if you want. Oh forget Jomtien unless you are gay, Russian or given up on life ...live in the Avenue in Central Pattaya or Pratumnak which is really green and jungly, has beaches, bars, temples G clubs and is near to jomtien and Pattaya.  Oh forget Pattaya Addicts but maybe try Philippines Addicts. More rounded.

Edited September 1, 2019 by sunnyboy2018

[brokenbone]

its convenience vs cost imo,

pattaya got everything within 10 meters if you got the cash,

phils cheaper but has electric outs

[Grumpy John]

I got bored after about the 3rd paragraph and thought I was reading what a 15 year old was imagining...but then I realised there wasn't enough spelling mistakes! ????

[Tagged]

8 hours ago, NokNokJoke said:

Dumaguete is kind of pleasant but I kept hearing that western style/level medical care was only available in Cebu City, at the closest.  I only spent three days there.....passing through.

Same time apart as any Isan village or city to a decent Hospital. 

 

I believe Dumaguete is going to grow, and you soon will find good hospitals there as well. The only drawback I have to Phil, is the food, and now have a Thai girlfriend, who trive best in Thailand. If not a thai girlfriend, I could suddenly find myself over there. 

 

I believe everyone should have a plan b and c if going to settle in Asia these days. It will not remain the same as it have been the last 30 years. 

[3421abc]

With the current hostility towards westerners in Thailand I would not consider it if I was still planning to move here.

In Vietnam Americans can easily get a 1yr visa but lacks some entertainment I think.

I have never been to Philippines but I am currently dating a Phillipina. What I love the most is that there is no language barrier which was always a problem w most thai ladies.

Really depends what is most important to you. 

Right now Thailand might be the best in terms to infrastructure. 

The expat satisfaction w Thailand has been on a down trend for years I think

 

[sunnyboy2018]

On 9/1/2019 at 7:16 PM, NCC1701A said:

and stay off of there, the owner of that forum is trying to give Pattaya a bad name. It is a world class international family tourist destination and some photos of all my girlfriends is not going to change that.  

Nice one!

[Tayaout]

Stay away from tourist and expat area. Thanks me later. 

[olfu]

...where to retire from USA?

answer--Florida and take vacation  in Thailand.

[Tayaout]

21 minutes ago, vinniekintana said:

...and buy a big mirror..you will need it to converse with yourself.

There is plenty of Thai in Thailand to converse with. 

[ChipButty]

As an American why not Costa Rica 

[dotpoom]

On 9/1/2019 at 8:44 PM, popeyesretreat said:

Philippines they are much more conservative and are very Christian so call believers.

Stopped reading when got to here...talk about judgemental...how dare anybody call another person, of any persuasion, a "So call(ed) believer"...specially when you do not even know the person you are talking about.

[Destiny1990]

My advice for you is to figure  it out yourself !

[stephehr]

What a long ass story about nothing

[newnative]

I visited the Philippines once.  Once was enough.

[1FinickyOne]

I live in Thailand, many years now and rarely speak politics with anyone... not for more than a few minutes anyway... but from your continual mention of it, it sounds like you enjoy that type of conversation... same goes for religion.

 

Infrastructure and danger would turn me away from PPI - - armed guards everywhere makes it all seem that life is much easier here and more laid back...

 

Just be aware that there is a fascinating and unique world of "upcountry" Thailand that is beyond the tourist areas... 

 

 

 

 

[1FinickyOne]

On 9/4/2019 at 8:19 AM, ChipButty said:

As an American why not Costa Rica 

somebody already drank all the liquor down in Costa Rica... 

[to be green or not to be]

Yes try one month in each asian countries and choose where you fit..

Most important "decide" to be happy and to help locals be happy respecting their culture.

To keep peace of life, do save half the money you were going to garbage in casino and give it to a charity place that you like where you can spend one week of your life sometimes as a voluntary. A rich experience that you will curiously enjoy as much as a cherry girl finds a new life by loosing her virginity.

[JKfarang]

Op,

 

I've visited both Dumaguete and Subic Bay (2012 & 2013) as a tourist as well as many other areas of PI looking for a place to retire.  I was hopeful about Dumaguete since had read it was below the typhoon belt and had no active volcanoes.  Months before I arrived a major typhoon hit Mindano (island to the south) killing over a 1,000 people if I recall correctly.  The day I left Dumaguete a 6.9 earthquake hit 50 miles from the airport.  I was sitting inside the small airport terminal at the time and thought the ceiling was going to collapse.  Aside from that I found Dumaguete (and Subic Bay for that matter) somewhat boring even for a short stay.

 

Take NC's advice, visit both and maybe also Vietnam.  Months in each country shouldn't be necessary for you to decide.  Myself, I spent 2 weeks in PI then 2 weeks in Thailand immediately after in 2013. Admittedly, I had traveled to Thailand several times, once a year, between 2006 and 2009.  Then PI 2010 thru 2013. Soon after returning to the US after my 2013 side-by-side comparison, I decided Thailand was better for me and have been living here since 2014.

[AAArdvark]

On 9/2/2019 at 10:50 PM, 3421abc said:

I am currently dating a Phillipina

I word to the wise, if you are dating a Filipina, learn how to spell it.

[Guderian]

On 9/2/2019 at 1:06 PM, Grumpy John said:

I got bored after about the 3rd paragraph and thought I was reading what a 15 year old was imagining...but then I realised there wasn't weren't enough spelling mistakes! ????

Fixed it for you!  ????

[DUNROAMIN]

I don't think Thailand has any special to offer these days, if planning to come here make sure you have bucket loads of money and you are prepared to live in big brother atmosphere. 

[DJ54]

Thailand... I’ve not been to PHILIPPINES in 20 years