Retiring in California vs Baguio: A Day in the Life, by Richard Valdez
You.
You’ve closed the spreadsheets, counted the savings, and whispered the “what ifs.” Now you face the question millions of Americans are asking:
Where is the best place to retire—California or somewhere like Baguio, Philippines?
One choice drains your wallet, the other expands your freedom. Here’s a real-life comparison of what retirement feels like in California vs. Baguio, from the perspective of a day in the life.
Morning in California: High Costs, Low Reward
Sunlight sneaks through the blinds of your suburban California home. It’s quiet—but not peaceful. You glance at the $12,000 property tax bill. Home insurance is up to $2,500. The plumber just quoted $15K for repairs.
Even in a million-dollar home, you feel confined.
Retirement Cost Snapshot: California
Property Taxes: $10,000–$15,000/year
Insurance: $2,000–$3,000/year
Home Maintenance: $10,000–$20,000/year
Lifestyle After Housing: Limited cushion
You’re not living—you’re maintaining.
Morning in Baguio: Serenity and Affordability
In Baguio, the air is cool, the mountain view wide open. Your caretaker tends the garden. Property tax? Just $3,000 for the entire year. Utilities and maintenance? A fraction of California’s.
Retirement Cost Snapshot: Baguio
Property Taxes: $2,000–$5,000/year
Utilities: $200–$500/month
Maintenance + Caretakers: $5,000–$10,000/year
Lifestyle Budget: $30K–$50K/year — includes travel, healthcare, indulgences
Here, retirement isn’t survival—it’s expansion.
Afternoon in California: Trapped in the Cycle
You drive through traffic, run errands, and grab overpriced coffee. The heat rises, and so does your anxiety about spending. Every plane ticket feels like another red line on the budget.
Even with decades of saving, your retirement in California is about managing scarcity.
Afternoon in Baguio: Simple Pleasures, Rich Living
A walk to the weekend market. Fresh fruit, friendly faces, artisan coffee at a scenic overlook—for a few dollars. Retiring in Baguio means indulging without guilt. Life feels richer, not because you spend more—but because you need less.
Evening in California: Financial Freedom or Just Another Bill?
City lights don’t soothe you. Another utility notice, a late-night call from the contractor. You feel more like a homeowner than a retiree. “Freedom” here comes with conditions.
Evening in Baguio: Peace, Pine Trees, and Possibility
You cook with ingredients from the morning’s market. The sun sets over pine trees. Wine on the veranda, dogs at your feet. Healthcare? Affordable and nearby. Travel? A short hop to Manila or nearby islands.
In Baguio, you’re not just spending time—you’re living it.
Final Thoughts: Why Retiring in Baguio Feels Like Freedom
The choice isn’t just financial. It’s spiritual. Emotional. Baguio whispers possibility—a lifestyle where money stretches, and life expands.
You think you’re making a neutral decision.
You’re not. You’re choosing constraint or joy. Scarcity or serenity.
And the moment you wake up to mountain air, you’ll know…
You’re home.
