Has anyone been in this situation? I love my wife very much, and have for years now. I love life in the Philippines, I had a beautiful home there, and I consider the Philippines my home. My wife got her visa, and we've been living in the US for several years now. We're in the same line of work, the business is doing well, and my wife is very happy. The problem is that I don't want to be in the US. It's not that I dislike America, I just love the Philippines so much. If I lived there, I could retire easily, but if I stay in the US, I have to keep working. I worked with a lot of Filipinos for a long time, and I'm very close with many of them. If I insisted, my wife would move back to the Philippines. But I'd feel guilty, like I was taking away her joy. She was very successful in the Philippines too, and because she's smart and hardworking, she's been very successful here in the US as well. I love scuba diving, cliff diving, and surfing, so I miss the Philippines terribly, especially when a Jimmy Buffett song comes on. I'm torn between being a drunken sailor and being the most selfless husband (bana).
Age is a factor too. I'm very healthy and so are many of my friends, but who knows what God has in store for my health down the road. Has anyone had this experience?
I retired in 2006 and have lived in the Philippines for over 20 years. I can't afford to live in the US because of the cost of living. I definitely miss family and American food, but when I leave to go back to the US, I cry. The Philippines is my home. Thank you to these beautiful people for welcoming me with open arms.. And when God calls my number, I'm ready.. I think 🤔 Thank you to everyone I met along the way, good and bad. It's all life experience lol
If you've already spent over 2 years in the US, how about doing 3 more? Then you'd be the husband (bana) who takes care of his wife! She'd qualify for your Social Security survivor benefits. You need 20 quarters of work, and it's worth considering that you're already about halfway or past it. It's one more way to look after her after you're gone.
I understand what you mean. Unfortunately, I also have to go back to the US after living in the Philippines with my wife for over 10 years. Where I live, the diving is the best, especially if you like night diving and shell collecting. But my daughter is giving birth in mid-December and wants her mom to watch the granddaughter while she and her husband work. I haven't been to the US mainland in about 15 years and honestly don't want to go back. Guam would be fine, but prices there have gone up a lot. I need to be near the ocean, tropical if possible. The 'backyard' here on Samar Island is really great, especially for divers. Just no surfing, though. Now we're headed to Dallas :(
How old are you? If you're 30 the answer is one thing, and if you're 70 it might be another. Still having cliff diving as a passion sounds young. I haven't seen many older people who take risks past a certain age, even among those comfortable in the water.
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