How many times and how long did you visit Davao. I do agree about Manila.

I find in funny or strange that so many Pinays do not like the Idea of retiring in the Philippines. T/G mine is not one of them. In our stiuation , we could remain here in Florida and have a comfortable living or move to Davao and live a life of luxury. To me , this is a no brainer. Were I forced to live in Manila , my opinion would most likely be different.

With you and your husband. You 2 will do what you think is best. I do smile from you wanting to stay there. I have heard about many Filipinas wanting to stay in America where their husbands want to retire here.

He is very firm on his decision to retire in five years time or so. That’s why he emailed you something about house construction or something related to that. We are going to survey 4 properties this September, and hopefully by early next year constructions starts. He said he can afford it according to his calculations and good planning. I just told him to pursue his plans but i won’t be ready when that time comes. I might end up staying here for few more years or if i get a good business running there that keeps me occupied i’ll probably have a change of heart. Who knows, anything can happen five years from now.

It is good Richard learned to drive here and not be intimidated by the craziness. I am also proud you taught him to stand up to the local police. Over the time I have been here, I have heard less and less of Foreigners being singles out for violations. The worst is at lights where they have “Yield on Green” most TMC did not know the meanig and stopped many drivers for making the turn. Well now there is nobody to give tickets.
About retiring here or staying there, I think if he could aford to stay there and live well he would, but with the economics it is getting harder there.

When Richard stayed in Manila for almost 3months(work related), he managed to drive the “pinoy way” of driving which is drive at your own risk. No rules, just trying to pass all vehicles by all means to avoid sitting on traffic. I almost got a heart attack and sworn not to drive ever in Manila area when i came for a visit. I grew up in the province of Davao where traffic is not too bad, it was very overwhelming that the traffic alone is good enough reason not to retire there… Traffic police in Manila are the worst, we got pulled over twice for no valid reason. Everyone is doing the same “violation” per se so what’s the fuzz?? MOney of course. I told him not give any money, they can give us tickets if they want and follow the process. But he didn’t even have any form to give us, he just threatened us that it’s a long process to get your licensed back from the local office, instead he offered to just settle it right there. Which means give him money and he’ll let us go. Furious as i was, hubby end up giving him enough peso to end the confrontation. Second time we got pulled over i protested not to give them money, i told hubby i have all day to go to the local police station and settle the penalties. We got away with it without paying money, neither surrendering a license. No reason to bribe them this time if they can’t even provide a ticket or a violation. No more free money. If i can only convinced hubby not to retire in my own country i would. I just can’t handle the corruption and bad politics. I cannot get things done on time(like paperworks) without bribing someone. It’s a hopeless case. I’m disappointed just thinking about it.