How do you view your Philippine retirement?

[Englishman2010]

Official retirement is still 25 years away for me. Like most people I dream of retiring to the sun, but in reality I wouldn't live permanently in Ph, 3 or 4 months to escape the worst of the winter would be perfect for me. There are many reasons why I could never leave Britain full time, kids (future grandkids?, other family, health service, standard of living..etc).
TBH, i actually enjoy my life right now, 3 or 4 trips a year to Ph suits me fine. As long as I can maintain my current standard of living and plan wisely for old age I intend to do the things most people plan to do when they retire now if I can

[Sim11UK]

Official retirement is still 25 years away for me. Like most people I dream of retiring to the sun, but in reality I wouldn't live permanently in Ph, 3 or 4 months to escape the worst of the winter would be perfect for me. There are many reasons why I could never leave Britain full time, kids (future grandkids?, other family, health service, standard of living..etc).
TBH, i actually enjoy my life right now, 3 or 4 trips a year to Ph suits me fine. As long as I can maintain my current standard of living and plan wisely for old age I intend to do the things most people plan to do when they retire now if I can

What would happen though, if you married your girlfriend, brought her over here & she just couldn't settle? This isn't aimed specifically at you, it's a bit more general. We can't just see things from our own point of view, as our partners miss their homes, family etc....Something that needs to be thought of seriously, if you marry someone from another country & culture?

[Englishman2010]

What would happen though, if you married your girlfriend, brought her over here & she just couldn't settle? This isn't aimed specifically at you, it's a bit more general. We can't just see things from our own point of view, as our partners miss their homes, family etc....Something that needs to be thought of seriously, if you marry someone from another country & culture?

That's a very good question Sim, and I have though about it long and hard. However, my children are my number one priority, they still need me for another 15 - 20 years at least. Therefore, leaving the UK for more than 2 or 3 weeks at a time is not an option for a very long time. I agree we should make sacrifices for love if we have to, and there are things I would sacrifice, but not my children. This may sound harsh, but if I was forced to choose between my g/f and my children, I would choose my children. They didn't ask to be born, and it is my responsibility to be there for them and raise them properly. Whatever I want for my own selfish ends is not important.

When they've grown up and don't need me so much, I do plan to spend some time abroad, but not full time. However much I complain about declining standards in Britain, there are numerous reasons why I think it is better to live here than in the Phil's.

England, with all thy faults. I love thee still - My country (William Cowper - The Task 1785)

[grahamw48]

That's a very good question Sim, and I have though about it long and hard. However, my children are my number one priority, they still need me for another 15 - 20 years at least. Therefore, leaving the UK for more than 2 or 3 weeks at a time is not an option for a very long time. I agree we should make sacrifices for love if we have to, and there are things I would sacrifice, but not my children. This may sound harsh, but if I was forced to choose between my g/f and my children, I would choose my children. They didn't ask to be born, and it is my responsibility to be there for them and raise them properly. Whatever I want for my own selfish ends is not important.

When they've grown up and don't need me so much, I do plan to spend some time abroad, but not full time. However much I complain about declining standards in Britain, there are numerous reasons why I think it is better to live here than in the Phil's.

England, with all thy faults. I love thee still - My country (William Cowper - The Task 1785)

Nice sentiments (mine also).

A pity some of the man-hating women and the Judiciary of this country don't appreciate that there are men who truly care about their children.

[Englishman2010]

Nice sentiments (mine also).

A pity some of the man-hating women and the Judiciary of this country don't appreciate that there are men who truly care about their children.

Well said Graham

[Sim11UK]

That's a very good question Sim, and I have though about it long and hard. However, my children are my number one priority, they still need me for another 15 - 20 years at least. Therefore, leaving the UK for more than 2 or 3 weeks at a time is not an option for a very long time. I agree we should make sacrifices for love if we have to, and there are things I would sacrifice, but not my children. This may sound harsh, but if I was forced to choose between my g/f and my children, I would choose my children. They didn't ask to be born, and it is my responsibility to be there for them and raise them properly. Whatever I want for my own selfish ends is not important.

When they've grown up and don't need me so much, I do plan to spend some time abroad, but not full time. However much I complain about declining standards in Britain, there are numerous reasons why I think it is better to live here than in the Phil's.

England, with all thy faults. I love thee still - My country (William Cowper - The Task 1785)

That's understandable.

[joebloggs]

England, with all thy faults. I love thee still - My country (William Cowper - The Task 1785)

not much has changed then in more than 200yrs, i wonder if they blamed the labour gov then ( i know the first labour gov was in the 1920s before you all )

[aposhark]

That's a very good question Sim, and I have though about it long and hard. However, my children are my number one priority, they still need me for another 15 - 20 years at least. Therefore, leaving the UK for more than 2 or 3 weeks at a time is not an option for a very long time. I agree we should make sacrifices for love if we have to, and there are things I would sacrifice, but not my children. This may sound harsh, but if I was forced to choose between my g/f and my children, I would choose my children. They didn't ask to be born, and it is my responsibility to be there for them and raise them properly. Whatever I want for my own selfish ends is not important.

When they've grown up and don't need me so much, I do plan to spend some time abroad, but not full time. However much I complain about declining standards in Britain, there are numerous reasons why I think it is better to live here than in the Phil's.

England, with all thy faults. I love thee still - My country (William Cowper - The Task 1785)

I am in the same boat as Englishman2010 and I agree with this 100%
My wife, now a mother, can see the benefit of the NHS.
The stress of UK life can be a silent killer though, my wife is not comfortable with the amount of hours at work that I do.
This makes for many conversations about "living in Phils".
John Lennon said "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".