1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Planning to migrate in the Philippines

Discussion in 'Migrating to the Philippines' started by jsp1982, Feb 15, 2021.

  1. Druk1
    Offline

    Druk1 Well-Known Member

    Talking of catching covid abroad and the associated medical expenses, Er indoors has told me of a filipino tourist in Edmonton? an elderly gent, sans insurance, currently in ICU his fees per day are 9000 CAD
  2. Druk1
    Offline

    Druk1 Well-Known Member

    Brownies, brown trout, very small in the Highlands, not the size of those in the test or Itchen for example, but tasty :)
  3. Anon220806
    Offline

    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    I not a fisherman. But he loves it. His choice not mine.
  4. Druk1
    Offline

    Druk1 Well-Known Member

    I love fishing :) my sons uncle and cousins have caught some decent fish off Davao, sharks included :)
    Screenshot_20210217_210622.jpg
  5. Anon220806
    Offline

    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    So it’s you that rips the fins off the sharks?
    • Funny Funny x 1
  6. Druk1
    Offline

    Druk1 Well-Known Member

    No, I think you will find that's the Chinese, can't be me as I have never once seen a shark here in Surrey, the shark in the photo was released, the family are not subsistence fishermen but quite well to do :)
  7. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Yeah renting out is not as profitable as it once was, 20% tax only £1000 a year property income allowance, you are not a business, new Insurance to cover it being rented out, 10 to 15 percent management fees, you are responsible for all repairs, property can attract capital gains tax if you ever sell it.

    In general moving to the Philippines needs a comprehensive plan, even if you have rented out a property suppose you to had to return the UK because you were ill, your tenant is not just going to up and get out, your tenant has rights so you are coming back and having to rent yourself.

    Personally if I get 3 or 4 more years full time employment I will be able to keep a home in Scotland and live a decent life in the Phils and be able to afford up to 6 flights UK <> Phils per year if I wanted to spend a lot of time in the UK as well, if I only got 1 more year of work (which is a danger) I might have to abandon my plans and go live in the Phils exclusively, full time, knowing that my expected lifespan would likely then be very curtailed.

    I don't want to break ties with the UK completely and I would not recommend the idea to anyone, there are aspects of the UK and particularly Scotland that I would miss (already miss Scotland badly).

    Trying to live off your capital from a house sale as jsp1982 is thinking of doing will get harder and harder as the years go on, say 1 million peso a year living budget that is going to be about £45,000 gone before the husband gets UK pension.

    Then there is the question of where you keep the capital, it is getting harder to retain a UK bank account if you are non resident and without a UK address, so moving large amounts of capital to the Philippines is potentially a one off expense where you could get a bad deal on the exchange rate.

    Then you have where do you keep that money in the Philippines are you going to have access to a decent bank debit or credit card for booking flights in the future if needed, and how safe is your money going to be in a Philippine bank, they do go bust sometimes, deposit protection over there is not as good as it is here.

    I agree with everyone else who would be reticent about such a move.
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2021
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Informative Informative x 2
  8. Mattecube
    Offline

    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Whilst we have moved away somewhat from the OP to a degree
    I think initial retention of the property would be a sound idea and all financial calculations need to be considered carefully and calculated as this income stream aside from a UK pension in a few years time will be I would of thought be a small tax burden if any.
    The house could after a six month rental period be put on a rolling month agreement so if the landlords had to return then a month is not a barrier of great concern as I think you would be aware of the potential need to return to the UK and plan the return this could well take a month!
    Property repairs yes liable unless it's misuse
    The alternative I guess is have the money in the bank from the house sale and as stated not always easy to manage at home or abroad and use that as a drawdown ensuring you don't live and the family ( yes all of them) like kings for a year and paupers after the money is gone.
    Then there is if the house is sold and it doesn't work out over in the Philippines hubby comes home to a life of rental.
    No right or wrong answer and financial calculations to be made
  9. John Surrey
    Offline

    John Surrey Well-Known Member

    As someone else said your husband may be able to reverse the diabetes with some lifestyle changes... but he may not - in which case your husband, given his age, is going to be far more reliant on the NHS in the future. As you say medication, doctors and especially hospitals are very expensive in the Philippines - even the ones in the Provinces.

    You don't say where you're going back to... are you going to Manila or Cebu where there are decent hospitals or somewhere like I am where it's, to put it mildly, quite basic?

    Why not stay in the UK for a couple of years more and let your hubby try and get his diabetes under control - plenty of time for long walks and cut back on the expensive big meals :)

    Then, after a couple of years, perhaps you can aim to go back to the Phils without the worry of medical expenses or needing to look for a job again.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. Druk1
    Offline

    Druk1 Well-Known Member

    Where are you John?
  11. John Surrey
    Offline

    John Surrey Well-Known Member

    Leyte
    • Informative Informative x 1
  12. jsp1982
    Offline

    jsp1982 New Member

    Hi all, sorry for a delayed response been very busy at work. First & foremost I appreciate all your responses, advices and different views. My husband worked in Manila for 2 yrs around 2014 and yes he is okay with the heat and he is aware of the Filipino lifestyle. I am in the UK for 5 yrs now, had a good life & memories on my 1st yr but due to bad experiences ( from in-laws and colleagues in previous works ) it led me to make the biggest decision to move back in Pinas. I once loved the UK, don't get me wrong as my husband is from here, the reason why I made a biggest decision to leave my work, my family, my friends in the Philippines and learn to embrace and start a married life with my husband. To those people who don't understand, if you're in my shoe you would also think and wanted to live a simple, happy life surrounded with your family. I've done my part and I did tried my best but my life is not here. It's enough that my husband had showed me his world and now it's my turn to show mine. We have a land in Pinas so just a house to be built for 3-4mos and we'll have our home. Anyways, my husband will still need to come back and forth in the UK for his pension later on but thinking to live again here a big NOPE. Home is where the heart is and it's not about being homesick but also making it sure if it's what you really wanted in life. I am no rich but I am praying to live a simple, happy life. I will be happy to be with my family and to looking forward to start a wee business once settled back in Pinas. Happiness cannot be measured by anything nor money but true happiness is where your heart is. I just hope for everybody's safety and I appreciate all your responses. Whatever life could bring us, only one thing I am sure of is that in everything, has a reason and in everything I am praying for it.

    Until then and it's work mode for me soon. God may bless you all xx
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
    • Like Like x 2
    • Winner Winner x 1
  13. jsp1982
    Offline

    jsp1982 New Member


    Thanks John, heading to Bacolod City so not worried about hospitals and have a good friend family doctor who specializes diabetes
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
  14. Jim
    Offline

    Jim Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Just across the Island from me, Dumaguete.
  15. jsp1982
    Offline

    jsp1982 New Member

    Yeah been to Dumaguete, have some friends there too. You're in Negros Oriental and Bacolod City is in Negros Occidental
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Jim
    Offline

    Jim Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Yep, the Island's split in two. Are the border's open yet? Without having to isolate.
  17. jsp1982
    Offline

    jsp1982 New Member

    I don't think so. Still not a good idea to travel yet
    • Agree Agree x 1
  18. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    You've picked up a wee bit of Scots in your time here too ;) are you in or around Glasgow just now?

    Your husband can get his UK State Pension paid in the Philippines including the annual increases when he becomes eligible it is his choice whether to get it paid locally in the Philippines or in the UK, if he has any private pensions that is another matter usually you need to retain a UK bank account and that can be tricky without an address in the UK, he will need to shop around to get an account that will allow him to be non resident, the reason is that private pension companies won't usually pay out to foreign bank accounts and transferring private pensions to overseas schemes is dangerous and complex and potentially expensive, QROPS is the term to search for I would not recommend trying QROPS.

    He might need a trip back for sorting out private pensions when the time comes just to get the final paperwork done.

    You have set your heart on this so you need to follow your heart I think.
  19. jsp1982
    Offline

    jsp1982 New Member

    Haha yes I think I'm learning few Scottish words and not even noticed ( as my family says ) speaking with a bit of Scottish accent too lol. I'm in North Ayrshire and I used to work in Glasgow few yrs ago. I think I lost my American accent now ( usually spoken in the Philippines) lol
    • Funny Funny x 1
  20. oss
    Offline

    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    There was one other accidental bit of Scots in your post but it might have been a typo "I am no rich but I am praying to live a simple, happy life" :D

    A Scot like me would say "Ah'm no rich" :D

    It would be fascinating to hear a Filipino with a Scottish accent :D

Share This Page