to live beside the place you live right now, after you are retired?  

Northern Luzon in the Philippines.  Either Pampanga or Baguio.  It's beautiful, the cost of living is incredibly low, and the people are great and value freedom more than the average American.  There is some guerrilla activity, but probably about the same as the neighborhood I lived in in Chicago, with the Puerto Rican separatists.

Besides, the bars in Angeles are great, especially the Mad Dog Motorcycle Club/Thunderstruck, and Margarita Station (Formerly Margaritaville before Jimmy Buffett's lawyers flew half way around the world to give them a rough time).  There's enough Aussies and American vets and oil riggers there to make for a grand old time.

 kpel308, language barrier at all?  I know they do speak English in some regions.
 AR_Rifle, I agree, as long as I understand their language and culture.  If not, I think somewhere in Nevada next to Lake Tahoe.

[b][/b]

 Was this the place you were at when 09/11 happened?  Sure looks beautiful.

1.
Yes, but you have to get a permit from the Philippine National Police firearms and explosives branch.  The good news is, that once you get it, you can carry anywhere in the country.  The bad news is, that you cannot carry during the 6 months before or after a national election.  Remember, it pays to have connections.  The PI is NOT a "shall issue" state.

2.
I didn't have any problems in the areas I mentioned.  Angeles and Olangapo are still American-friendly, IF you watch your back, and it helps to have Filipino friends who can tell you who and where to stay away from.  NPA (New People's Army) is active big time, but won't seek you out if you aren't raising a stink.  Baguio is VERY friendly, and mainly speak English because they don't want to be forced to speak Tagalog.

English and Tagalog are still the languages of business and commerce.  Most forms and government documents are printed in English, or at least have English translations.

3.
I couldn't agree more.  Apparently, once they make up a majority of the local demographic, you are no longer welcome.  I lived in the Logan Square area of Chicago through the changes.  I once had a fellow break my maxillary spine (upper jaw under the nose) because I wouldn't remove my Marine Corps cammie cover.  He came out of a bar with 3 of his friends after I walked by, and said he was offended.  Effing Latin Kings.  I did NOT remove my cover, but bled for a bit.

Oh, and don't try to fly an American flag in that neighborhood on Puerto Rican holidays unless you're willing to defend it.  Which I am.  I lost one flag.  I have great friends who are Puerto Rican, and who love this country as much as I do.  There are those who don't are opportunistic scum, trying to make money, but without giving anything back.  This is in contrast to many Filipinos who have lived without freedom, and know what it means, and have fought and died for THIS country as well as their own.

Let's just say that Chicago is not on my list of places to ever live again.

[b]Quoted:
   ..IF you watch your back, and it helps to have Filipino friends who can tell you who and where to stay away from.."[/b]

 Look like a job for LT. [wink]  

 
[b]"...Oh, and don't try to fly an American flag in that neighborhood on Puerto Rican holidays unless you're willing to defend it.  Which I am.   [/b]

 I agree with shooter69 on this one.

I liked Angeles when I was there 4 years ago.  The economy seemed like it was getting better, with a lot of new construction.  The squatter problem was being dealt with, and I knew which parts of town I should have a Filipino friend with me.  I was there for three weeks, and got to know a lot of the local people, so no one bothered me.  That, and I didn't mess around with the women, as I was married at the time, and her family is well known.  In other words, it would have been "haircut" time.