바기오 은퇴생활에 왜 최고좋은 도시인가? 10가지 이유, 필리핀 바기오가 동남아시아 다른 나라들에 비해 한국사람들이 장기간 은퇴생활 하기에 좋은 장점. 제2의 인생 DS SONG

After researching and living in several cities in Southeast Asia, including Chiang Mai, which are considered ideal for retirement, I ultimately chose Baguio, Philippines as my retirement destination. This is "Second Life DS SONG," a guide to retirement living in Baguio. When Koreans think of the Philippines, the first thing that comes to mind is a country with poor public safety and a hot climate. For those familiar with Baguio, it's probably the educational capital of the Philippines, a popular destination for language study abroad programs. However, for Filipinos, Baguio is a sacred place, a must-visit destination. While Baguio is a sacred place for Filipinos, a place they can't live without, surprisingly many Koreans are unfamiliar with it. Therefore, I'll begin with a brief overview. Baguio, Philippines, is a mountaintop city 150km north of Clark International Airport, rising 1,470 meters above sea level. Located in a mountainous region, Baguio has an average temperature of only 19 degrees Celsius, about 8 degrees lower than other Philippine cities. Due to the year-round cool climate, the city lacks the palm trees typical of hot climates, instead boasting lush pine trees. This unique climate is a testament to Baguio's consistently cool climate. During the early 20th century, Baguio was developed as a resort town for American military families during the American colonial period. After liberation, Baguio became the summer capital of the Philippines, housing numerous government offices and police stations. It also served as a resort for the upper class. With this climate and socio-political background, Baguio is known as a tourist resort, the summer capital of the Philippines, the city of pine trees, and the city of education. It promotes itself as a cultural and ecological city. The lake park at the top of the mountain is surrounded by numerous recreational facilities, convenience facilities, and universities. Residential developments extend along the ridges, forming a metropolitan area. There are numerous tourist attractions nearby, and three golf courses are within 3 kilometers of the city center. Baguio, a city with a population of 30,000 in 1950, has rapidly grown to 370,000 by 2022, and its population continues to grow. Now, let me explain what advantages Baguio, Philippines, has that make it the best city for Koreans to retire abroad. First and foremost, Baguio's greatest advantage is its year-round cool climate. The highest temperature never exceeds 29 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature never falls below 6 degrees Celsius, and the average annual temperature is 19 degrees Celsius, making it the most comfortable temperature for human life. This has shaped Baguio's history and origins. The second advantage is that it is safer from harmful insects and diseases than other cities. High temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius can often be uncomfortable and even dangerous to human life. High temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and the scorching midday sun make people lethargic and lazy. Flies, mosquitoes, and bugs thrive, causing inconveniences in daily life. Furthermore, various harmful diseases, including food poisoning, malaria, and dengue fever, threaten human health. Baguio's cool, pleasant climate suppresses the growth of harmful insects and bacteria, making it relatively safer than other cities in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. Third, labor costs are significantly lower, allowing for affordable and cost-effective service options. The Philippines is a country where the majority of its population is Catholic, abortion is illegal, and many people marry young, around 20 years old. This leads to a very high population growth rate. Conversely, the Philippines' poor manufacturing sector and limited job opportunities mean wages are barely one-tenth those in Korea. This low wage is passed on to other products, resulting in lower prices not only for service providers but also for all non-imported goods. Fourth, it's a country where English is the national language. While the Philippines has Tagalog as its native language, it has adopted English as its official language, so all official documents are written in English, and anyone with elementary education can converse in English. Koreans, who have been exposed to English culture for a long time, have the advantage of being able to easily communicate with locals, even if they don't speak English fluently, thanks to AI translators, provided they have a higher education or higher. Finally, compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Korea is close to Korea, with only a one-hour time difference, making it advantageous for maintaining social networks with Korea. We were born in Korea and have lived our entire lives as Koreans, forming a bond with Korea. Therefore, we cannot sever ties with Korea until we die. Furthermore, the quality of healthcare in most Southeast Asian countries is poor and medical costs are prohibitively high, so if we b...