I was thinking about the future of the Philippines in regard to Expat retirees and the consequences are turning frightening and it is only the beginning.
When I moved here in 2005, the Philippines was a relatively quiet place relative to the number of foreigners that were here or let’s say “I perceived to be here” On any given day in any city (Manila to an extent, Davao, Cebu, Dumaguete) I could literally count on one hand if that, the number of foreigners I would see in that day.
Seven years later that is a distant memory and now takes multiples of hands and feet and then some to do the counting. Frankly, what is evolving is fast becoming a nightmare that could spell disaster for the CULTURE of this Country. The expression “Be Careful What You Wish For” could soon become a reality (within three to five years) and many will probably regret it happening!!!
Now a lot of what I am about to write is conjecture on my part based on my good common sense, some logic and statistics that cannot be argued with!!!
Most of the guys I have been meeting over the past 7 years are retirees of the “Baby Boomer” generation. I too am a Baby Boomer but at the tail end of the time frame. For those of you not familiar with this, let me clear it up for you
From 1946 to 1964, more than 76 million babies were born in the U.S.A., part of the generation known as the “Baby Boomers.” On January 1st, 2011 the very first Baby Boomers turned 65 and beginning on that day and every single day since, more than 10,000/day of these Baby Boomers will reach the age of 65. This is going to keep happening every single day for the next 19 years until ……are you ready mathematicians2030!!! And this does not include “Baby Boomers” fromEurope ( ? ) Australia(5 million), Canada(8 million),Japan(7.7 million) and other Asian countries. HELLO!!!
Now as I alluded to earlier, only seven years ago the Philippines was a relatively quiet place expat population wise. That is now changing on such a drastic level that in my opinion, the Country can and in fact Will Be totally overwhelmed and overrun by foreigners within the next three to five years. But it’s such a large country many would argue. True but not true. There are many rural areas of the country that are technically habitable by westerners but in reality most foreigners will end up as they are now, settling within comfortable driving distance of the more popular towns and cities. I could name many of these places out of my head as they don’t really amount to as many as you might think. Therein lays a problem. Overcrowding
Right now in Dumaguete I am starting to feel like the Filipino are the visitors and the expats are the permanent residents. I see so many here and on recent trips to Cebu and have no doubt the same condition exists in Davao and other cities as well.
Let’s look at some of the logical reasoning behind this;
1. 10,000/day turning 65 (just from U.S.A. alone);
2. Too expensive to live in the States for many on fixed income(Philipines is very affordable offering a nice life for the typical SS income); In fact 40% of retirees are dependent on fixed income and to live and countries like the Philippines are attractive living options;
3. Beautiful young and attractive women (or not – all types available) here for the taking even if you have leprosy and weigh 500 lbs. you can still pick and choose;
4. Nice Weather (very attractive for all those guys from Michigan lol);
5. English widely spoken;
6. Friendliness of the people;
7. Did I mention about the very hot women and cheap living costs;
8. Great medical facilities;
9. Affordable housing;
10. Malls
You get the picture!!!
I mean where are these retirees going to go? Yes there is Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and parts of Central and South America and they too are starting to experience an expat population explosion but the Philippines is the only one of the bunch that has a fairly good English speaking population.
So what exactly will be the Negative and Positive consequences of all this.
Negatives
1. Inflation from increased demand for goods and services from a growing middle class much of it occurring from increased foreign investment in local call centers and other domestic opportunities for the Filipinos here and OFW incomes being sent home. Also from increased demand from foreigners for housing, food, etc…;
2. Overcrowding from both Filipinos and Retirees;
3. More road traffic (from more affluent Filipinos and Foreigners alike)
4. Lack of infrastructure to keep up with this;
5. Lack of resources to keep up with this;
6. Loss of identity for the Country;
7. More crime and scams of foreigners by foreigners to each other and from Filipinos;
8. More violence against foreigners from locals much of it nationalistic from our taking too many of their women in such a short time frame
9. A less than desirable demographic of expat retirees coming here many representing the lower levels of American Society: The uncultured, uneducated, mentally challenged (from Vietnam and other PTSD causing events), with addictions such as alcoholism and drugs, some with tendencies toward violence against women, pedophilia and many other less than desirable factors.
Yes I realize I am making some broad (wide stroke) insinuations but, I believe them to be credible!!! Remember I have lived here for seven year and run into people like this all the time. I didn’t invent them.
Positives
1. Better availability of various westernized and other foreign products;
1. Better availability of various westernized and other foreign products;
2. More private housing for rent and sale;
3. More restaurant options.
The writing is on the wall. 10,000 Americans a dayRETIRING!!! And many of them looking to Countries like this to live
About the only thing that can change this trend is a stronger peso as this will force many fixed income expats to move to other countries like perhaps Cambodia and Vietnam to name just two right now. I would be lying if I said I didn’t wish “just a little bit” for this to happen. I actually like and would prefer the tranquility of things now and really dread the idea of it continuing on its current expat growth path despite my writing a blog aimed toward that growing market.
Regards: Corey - http://mylifeinthephilippines.com
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