From the last 3 years ive gained a lot of experience and knowledge about not only what I do but what other people are doing here in Cebu. For example the community in CDO is a lot more social than in Cebu city with their own events etc. There have been multiple suicides as well as murders and marriage breakups and generally I think a lot of it is down to many of the Expats who come here. The reality is a lot more severe than many imagine when they setup their dream retirement or move to the Philippines the biggest one being getting bored.. Many people will want to setup businesses to support or fund early retirement or the move but its got to have around a 90% fail rate due to the protective government issues aswell as corruption.
Is it all bleak? answer is no.. you have the sun, you can have the life you want but you have to be prepared for things people don't normally take into account such as inflation and currency devaluation. Business wise setup it up there! best business are done offshore anyway as the people I know making a fortune here have been here over a decade but I have met a lot more who went broke within months. Key is to work out what you really want in life if you just want to sit out life in a sub division and watch the sunrise thats fine but many others get socially disconnected due to location of choice. So would strongly advise getting some hobbies and some of them may even assist the retirement such as gardening which will also allow food to grow. Permaculture and aquaponics are a hobby of mine I am trying to get started properly here to assist food not only for ourselves but to introduce into poor areas.
Anyway enough of a rant..lol But would say expect the unexpected as it often rears its head.
