2007.10.14: October 14, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Older Volunteers: Retirement: Boomers: Seattle Times: RPCV Hans Groot retires to the Philippines
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2007.10.14: October 14, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Older Volunteers: Retirement: Boomers: Seattle Times: RPCV Hans Groot retires to the Philippines
RPCV Hans Groot retires to the Philippines
Hans Groot was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines in the 1960s. After finishing his service Groot, 68, returned to the Southeast Asian nation many times as a "returned Peace Corps volunteer." He was drawn back for winter retreats and work assignments until finally he and his partner, Emmanuel "Noel" Reyes, 61, left behind their life in Lake Hopatcong, N.J., to retire to Manila in June with their dog, Nikko. "It was sort of like a homecoming because we have so many friends all over the country and speak the language pretty well," Groot said. Groot is not only back at the location of his original Peace Corps tour, but he also plans to fill much of his time with volunteer work to avoid becoming a couch potato in a tropical locale. He has been doing organizational work with the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development, a nonprofit group that gives college scholarships to low-income Filipino children. He also has been talking with the chancellor at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos about teaching a seminar or assisting the agricultural-journalism department. During his Peace Corps stint, Groot helped establish the department.
RPCV Hans Groot retires to the Philippines
Retiring outside America: For many, it's a dream come true
By Lisa Bonos
With careful planning and lots of passion, some baby boomers are turning a dream of an overseas retirement into reality.
They're lured to distant climes on the promise of a higher quality of life. Often they discover a lower cost of living, stunning natural beauty and a sense of community.
But relocating overseas isn't all fun in the sun, retirees and experts caution. A weakening dollar, the obstacles of a foreign language and culture, and disconnection from family and friends can intrude on paradise.
[Excerpt]
hilippines
Sometimes retiring in a land far away is like going home again.
Hans Groot was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines in the 1960s. After finishing his service Groot, 68, returned to the Southeast Asian nation many times as a "returned Peace Corps volunteer."
He was drawn back for winter retreats and work assignments until finally he and his partner, Emmanuel "Noel" Reyes, 61, left behind their life in Lake Hopatcong, N.J., to retire to Manila in June with their dog, Nikko.
"It was sort of like a homecoming because we have so many friends all over the country and speak the language pretty well," Groot said.
Groot is not only back at the location of his original Peace Corps tour, but he also plans to fill much of his time with volunteer work to avoid becoming a couch potato in a tropical locale.
He has been doing organizational work with the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development, a nonprofit group that gives college scholarships to low-income Filipino children.
He also has been talking with the chancellor at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos about teaching a seminar or assisting the agricultural-journalism department. During his Peace Corps stint, Groot helped establish the department.
Living for now in a Manila condo, the pair are working to finalize plans for a three-bedroom home with a swimming pool and large tropical garden near the active Taal volcano.
Groot estimates the project, including purchasing the property, will cost about $350,000, a fraction of the expense in the states.
Thanks to the lower cost of living and affordable real estate, the pair plans to buy and keep the condo in Manila.
Lower real-estate costs can also translate into more disposable income for travel. From their perch in the Philippines, Groot and Reyes plan to visit China, Thailand and Burma.
For Reyes, the move is a genuine homecoming. A native of the Philippines, he lived in the United States for about 40 years.
Groot was born in the Netherlands and emigrated to the United States in his teens. But he wouldn't think of retiring to his homeland, which he says has "same problem as New Jersey — the weather is not all that great."
Groot stresses the importance of relocating to a place where he and Reyes had strong ties. Reyes has a brother and extended family in the Philippines.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: October, 2007; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Older Volunteers; Baby Boomers
When this story was posted in October 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: Seattle Times
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Philippines; Older Volunteers; Retirement; Boomers
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