Retired Couple Moved From US to Philippines to Construct $140K Dream Home

Greg grew up in a blue-collar household in a typical three-bedroom residence alongside New York’s Hudson Valley.

Wilma, 48, got here to the US when she was 18. She was born and raised in Leyte — an island within the Philippines about 350 miles southeast of Manila — the place she and her household had been squatters who did not have a correct place to stay.

“Wilma at all times stated she needed to construct a dream residence for her dad and mom, which she did after a few years of sacrifice,” Greg stated. “So after we got here again from our fourth journey in 2012, I turned to her and stated, ‘I am constructing you your dream home.'”

Whereas Wilma was initially reluctant to maneuver again to the Philippines, she quickly warmed as much as the thought and commenced to share her husband’s enthusiasm.

To make sure they might obtain their aim, the couple — who had been dwelling about an hour outdoors New York Metropolis on the time — put collectively a 10-year plan to save cash.

“And for the following few years, we sacrificed. Each time we bought a bonus, a elevate, or bought our taxes again on the finish of the yr, we had an account that we known as the ‘Philippine Fund,’ and we simply stored packing cash away,” Greg stated.

On the mountains, dealing with the ocean

The couple managed to retire and transfer to the Philippines in July 2021 — a yr sooner than deliberate.

Since they needed to attend viewings in individual, they waited till they arrived within the nation earlier than trying to find the best place to construct their residence.

Two essential components for the placement had been that it needed to be inside half-hour of an excellent hospital and have an ocean view.

“We appeared very laborious in Leyte, as a result of that is the place Wilma’s household is from. After which we branched out to Cebu, to Bohol, and spent about two or three weeks on these islands,” Greg stated. “We had been dwelling out of a suitcase, going from lodge to lodge, looking for an excellent piece of land.”

Greg estimates that they considered about 150 tons over 11 months earlier than they lastly discovered the best spot in Dauin in Negros Oriental, a province on Negros, the fourth largest island within the Philippines. Negros Oriental is about an hour and thirty minutes by aircraft from Manila.

The plot of land they fell in love with measured about 12,000 sq. toes, and was situated on the slopes of a mountain that missed the ocean.

“Once we got here up right here onto the property with the true property agent, we had been dealing with the mountain, and we each rotated on the identical time to take a look at the ocean,” Greg stated. “Wilma stated, ‘That is it. That is the lot proper right here.'”

The couple paid 1.8 million Philippine pesos, or about $32,000, for the land. Since foreigners cannot personal land within the Philippines, the land title is beneath Wilma’s title.

Challenges had been confronted as a consequence of geographic location

The couple spent seven months constructing a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a automotive porch and a pool on the lot.

They confronted challenges in the course of the building course of as a result of geography of the land. Not solely was the bottom on an incline, but it surely was additionally lined in lots of rocks.

“We’re 640 meters — about 2,100 toes — above sea stage, and we’re solely about seven kilometers to the ocean. That is a steep climb,” Greg stated. “We needed to hire a really massive excavator to maneuver all these rocks so we may place the home and pool appropriately.”

The only-story residence, which measures about 1,808 sq. toes, price 3.3 million pesos, or about $60,000, to construct, he stated. The pool was a separate price of 800,000 pesos, or about $14,500.

The couple designed the home independently however discovered an area architect who may translate their sketches into correct blueprints.

“We sat down with paper and pencil, and we drew out precisely how we needed it,” Greg stated. “Wilma’s an amazing cook dinner, and she or he needed an actual good kitchen. So we did that within the heart of the house after which branched the home out from the kitchen.”

All the venture — land and furnishings included — price 7.8 million pesos, or about $140,000, Greg added.

They’re 40 minutes away from the closest airport, and it takes simply 10 minutes for them to get downtown — the place there are good eating places and in style scuba diving resorts, he stated.

“One of many issues on our bucket checklist was to get open water licensed for scuba diving,” Greg added. “We handed, and so we scuba dive sometimes.”

Being on-site throughout building was essential

One factor they discovered from constructing a home within the Philippines was the significance of being on-site.

“Not all designs are excellent,” Greg stated. “We made modifications to the home mid-build to make it higher.”

As an example, when the contractors had been putting in the home windows for the main bedroom, the couple seen that the openings had been smaller than they’d like, Greg stated.

So that they approached the contractor, who took their suggestions under consideration and created larger window openings, he stated.

“If we weren’t right here, they’d’ve put in that smaller window,” Greg added. “We might’ve been high-quality with it, however we made issues higher by being right here every single day.”

A gradual life like they at all times dreamed

Now that they are retired and dwelling within the Philippines, the couple says that their tempo of life has slowed down dramatically — one thing they at all times needed.

“We had been going after stress-free dwelling. We had been within the rat race,” Greg stated. “New York itself is a fast-paced surroundings, after which we come right here, and it is virtually like we have to discover one thing to do.”

Up to now, their first yr within the Philippines had been spent searching for property, whereas their second yr was spent constructing a house, he stated.

“Now we’re sitting again saying, in our third yr, we have to discover one thing to do — so we now have a canine now,” he added.

Being out of the rat race additionally means having the liberty to do what he needs every time he needs — as a substitute of getting to attend for the weekends, Greg stated.

“If I need to go scuba diving on Tuesday, I can go scuba diving on Tuesday. I haven’t got to be at work on Tuesday and plan it for the weekend,” he added.

It additionally helps that the price of dwelling within the Philippines is far more reasonably priced than within the US.

“Throughout the board, issues are very less expensive. Your retirement {dollars} are stretched right here within the Philippines,” Greg stated.

Making new associates on YouTube

The couple has been documenting their life within the Philippines on their YouTube channel.

And it began as a result of they needed to maintain their family and friends again within the US within the loop in regards to the progress of their residence.

“I used to be doing all these little movies and sending them by e-mail, and WhatsApp, and Fb Messenger,” Greg stated. “There was a degree the place I used to be sending it out to 10, 15 individuals a day.”

On the suggestion of their three sons — two from Greg’s earlier marriage — the couple determined to add every thing to YouTube to make issues simpler for themselves.

“I did not know tips on how to add. We did not know tips on how to edit,” he stated. “We needed to go round and ask individuals for assist.”

That stated, the couple’s channel now boasts virtually 9,000 subscribers. It is a pastime that has given them an opportunity to make new associates whereas reconnecting with previous ones.

They’ve even had three subscribers-turned-friends who at the moment are constructing properties in the identical space, Greg added: “There are lots of people like us that need to do that.”

Take your time to seek out the best spot

The couple has some recommendation for these all for shifting to the Philippines: Take your time.

“Department out and take a look at a number of islands — do not simply give attention to one location,” Greg stated. “And for those who prefer to go to a pleasant restaurant and have an excellent steak infrequently — like we do — you do not need to be 4 hours away from that restaurant.”

Have you ever not too long ago purchased or renovated your private home and need to share the small print and photographs of the method? Electronic mail this reporter, Amanda Goh, at agoh@businessinsider.com.