Where to go

gettingout

Usual story, lost my job due to the economy.
I want to emigrate and have some money. Australia, Canada, New Zealand are not an option for anyone over 35. An early retirement visa there requires a deposit of 500,000.

I have narrowed choice down to Thailand or the Phillipines as being affordable options with fairly easy visa requirements.

Has anyone been to both countries? Any advise welcome.

Syllabus

Scandinavia?

gettingout

Syllabus wrote: »

Scandinavia?

I want somewhere warm out of the Eurozone

chris85

gettingout wrote: »

I want somewhere warm out of the Eurozone

Do you want a job or a holiday? I would reassess your opinion if you are primarily after a job.

sky2424

gettingout wrote: »

Usual story, lost my job due to the economy.
I want to emigrate and have some money. Australia, Canada, New Zealand are not an option for anyone over 35. An early retirement visa there requires a deposit of 500,000.

I have narrowed choice down to Thailand or the Phillipines as being affordable options with fairly easy visa requirements.

Has anyone been to both countries? Any advise welcome.

Philippines is beautiful but also has safety issues depending what part you go to. Found that the people are lovely and its very cheap there. Depending which part you in, it can involve multiple flights/ ferries from Ireland.

Thailand is alot more westernised and overdone. But easier to get to/ get around.

Tbh it depends how long your going for. Personally I prefer Philippines but ive only holidayed there.

sky2424

sky2424 wrote: »

Philippines is beautiful but also has safety issues depending what part you go to. Found that the people are lovely and its very cheap there. Depending which part you in, it can involve multiple flights/ ferries from Ireland.

Thailand is alot more westernised and overdone. But easier to get to/ get around.

Tbh it depends how long your going for. Personally I prefer Philippines but ive only holidayed there.

Actually on this would you not just go to some small town in Spain? If you in receipt of social welfare, pending meeting certain criteria, you can get it transferred to an EU country for a certain length of time. TBH moving to Thailand/Philippines sounds very romantic but it would take a serious adjustment

gettingout

Serious adjustment is not a problem, Have tried Spain, and I want out of the eurozone.

Looks like northern part of the Phillipines for safety.

what happened in Cyprus could happen very easily in Spain, Italy or Portugal

Gav104

I have lived in the Philippines for the past 3 years and the whole security thing is exaggerated.When you are here a while and you see the local news and what is actually happening and have a better understanding of where exactly its all going on ,you realize its much ado about nothing.

Yes there is trouble in the south of the country but it is very avoidable,just like there is trouble in the south of Thailand and just like there was trouble in Ireland for a long time.

For me I compare it to someone saying not to visit the giants causeway because the area is full of terrorists.

I know of a few western guys operating businesses in Davao City in Mindanao and they don't feel in danger.Some of the best value can be had in Davao city as far as real estate and food prices go.However in general Thailand will work out cheaper.

I like the very relaxed tourist visa here in the Philippines.You're able to stay here for 18 months without leaving.No visa runs needed until that 18th month..... but this does come at a price.Its abit like the hotel California.... its free to enter but you have to pay to leave.

If you have any other questions fire away.Also this site has info for what your asking about philfaqs/

Norwesterner

gettingout wrote: »

Serious adjustment is not a problem, Have tried Spain, and I want out of the eurozone.

Looks like northern part of the Phillipines for safety.

what happened in Cyprus could happen very easily in Spain, Italy or Portugal

What happened in cyprus could happen anywhere.
Even outside the EU.
See Argentina, etc.
Do you have any language skills? You mentioned you were in Spain.
Do you speak Spanish?
I'm in Ecuadoran Andes, where the climate is idyllic (think a good Irish summer for 12 months), people are incredibly friendly, 2 course meal costs 1.50 eur., economy is growing , plenty of demand for native English speakers in work, beautiful landscapes.

makeorbrake

Norwesterner wrote: »

economy is growing , plenty of demand for native English speakers in work, beautiful landscapes.

What type of work exactly? What sort of pay can one expect?


As regards the phils, I have to echo other sentiment expressed.