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Topic starter
14/11/2025 12:16 am
Everyone has a reason for moving — love, work, cost of living, or just chasing sunshine. What made you pack your bags and start a new life in the Philippines (or elsewhere in Southeast Asia)? Share your story here.
Topic starter
14/11/2025 12:35 am
I’m a computer hardware guy by trade. I worked for Toshiba Global Commerce, fixing POS (point-of-sale) equipment for major retail stores. It was a great job, but extremely demanding. If a store was open, we had to be available — even in the middle of the night — to repair a server or other critical hardware.
That meant my time was never really my own. I was always on call, always waiting for the next service request.
Eventually, I started looking for a way out — a way to retire early and escape the rat race. My investments were small, and my Social Security wouldn’t be much, so I began researching how to make a new start somewhere affordable. I watched hours of YouTube videos about living in the Philippines, which helped, but I really wished I could’ve found a forum like this one back then — a place with real conversations, not just videos.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I visited the Philippines for six weeks — and that trip changed everything. I loved it here and made my decision to move. When I got home, I sold everything and made the leap.
Back in the States, life had become frustrating. Work, home, wait for the phone to ring, grab a bite, and crash. Then wake up and do it all over again. I wanted something more — a new life with freedom and simplicity.
The Philippines became my answer.
Sure, there were frustrations early on, but once I got settled, life became peaceful. Now I’m retired and can do just about anything I want, whenever I want. Prices here make it all worthwhile.
I remember one trip with my wife when our car’s air conditioner stopped working. We pulled into a small roadside shop, and they told me there was too much heat at the condenser. They installed a fan, got it fixed in an hour, and charged me only $20 USD. You can’t make that up!
My money goes so much further here — and my quality of life is 10 times better.
How about you?
👉 What made you decide to move to Southeast Asia — or what’s making you consider it?
👉 What’s your story?
