I Gave the Philippines 90 Days Before Selling My American Home

Would you sell your American home to retire in the Philippines—or try living there first? At 62, Paul gives himself 90 days in Iloilo before making that decision. A month into the trial, he's already looking at flights home. An inconvenient rental, sleepless nights, and evenings alone make the move harder than he expected. A different neighborhood and a few familiar faces give him a better sense of what everyday retirement could look like. Then comes the part no rental listing can prepare him for: going home, talking with his daughter, sorting through almost thirty years of belongings, and deciding whether to sell. This story explores trying life abroad before committing, finding the right neighborhood, missing family, and starting over after 60. Would you keep your house during a trial move, rent it out, or sell before leaving? Share your choice—and what would make the decision difficult for you. Subscribe to Somewhere New Abroad for stories about retirement, life in the Philippines, and finding a new place to call home. About this story: Paul is a fictional character. This dramatized story explores situations people may encounter when moving abroad, using a digitally created presenter and synthetic narration. CHAPTERS 00:00 The house sold—I'm back in the Philippines 01:13 Why retirement at home wasn't enough 03:11 My daughter's concerns and the three-month plan 04:22 Choosing Iloilo and the first rental 05:39 When the first rental stopped working 07:27 The day I looked at flights home 08:36 Trying a different neighborhood 09:40 Building a routine and meeting people 12:08 The call about my American house 13:52 Going home before deciding 15:05 Checking the numbers and choosing to sell 16:38 Clearing out almost thirty years 18:23 The sale becomes real 19:19 Back in the Philippines 20:11 Was the three-month trial worth it? #RetireInThePhilippines #LivingInThePhilippines #RetirementAbroad