12 Overseas Retirement Spots Ranked

The Philippines is not on the list because of the extreme corruption, crime and filth. I have lived in the Philippines for over 6 years and I would have to say that the only decent Hospital for Medical care is St. Luke's in Manila. Ask any expat and they will agree. If you live outside of Manila you are risking your health. That being said, Manila, or close to Manila, are your only choices.

Manila is a cesspool. It smells like urine and feces everywhere because most folks use the street as their toilet. There is trash and garbage everywhere. Filipinos are too lazy to clean their own city up and seem to be content to wallow in the filth.

Filipinos are taught English in school from K-10 & also in University. Their text books, lectures and exams are all in English yet they speak and understand very little English. Its quiet shameful if you ask me. Just listen to any local TV station, the local news or listen to interviews. The Filipinos will likely always mix Tagalog with English. I again attribute this to the overall non-caring lazy attitude of the Filipinos.

The MRT & LRT stations are disgusting (urine & feces smell) and inefficient (broken elevators & escalators). They have the weakest economy in Asia. They are the most corrupt country in Asia and they have the weakest Military in Asia. All the money for modernizing their country and their Military disappears with no one held accountable.

Manila international airport is so dilapidated it reminds me of 4th world countries in the far reaches of Africa. Even third world shit-holes I have been to greet visitors with a new and modern airport. Wake up Philippines; your airport is the first thing people see and it showcases what you are about.

A few rich Filipinos and mostly Chinese followed closely by Koreans, own and operate the majority of big businesses in the Philippines. Many foreign companies have refused and are refusing to do business in the Philippines because of the corruption and white collar crime. Graft and bribes are the norm everywhere, every day, in everything one does in the Philippines. It's part of their culture and part of their lives. Sad but true. I am not lambasting the Philippines but I am speaking the truth of what the Philippines is about. Although painful to swallow, most all Filipinos will agree with me. That is the honest ones.

The prices in Manila for housing are comparable to the USA anymore because the OFW's and foreigners have driven up the prices. The quality of construction and size of condos in Manila are terrible.The contractors skim money. That and the fact that Filipinos, due to their corrupt nature, gouge all foreigners for everything. They only see foreigners as walking ATM machines. All this makes the Philippines one of the worst places to retire. Stay away - far away.

Thailand & Vietnam are my Asia Picks. Bhudist & not Catholic = less corruption. Spain ruined the Philippines. Now they are ruining themselves. Closing Clark & Subic = 2 Big Mistakes.

J. Schmidt of CA 12:07AM October 22, 2011