Moving to Philippines

"Don't move in now unless you have a good contract stating details about deteriorating security. Move into Alabang since there is a brand new hospital. Prepare to pay for everything while in hospital. American style. No pay, no treatment," said one expat in Manila.

"I was lucky because my wife is from the Philippines so as far as learning the customs and so on that part was easy. Even so I made several trips of three to four weeks each over a three year period before I made the decision to move and retire here. Your US Dollars go very far here. My advice is to do your home work on any place you may want to move. There is much to learn. Visas for long term stay is most important. I am married to a local citizen so I only need to leave the country every 12 months for an overnight stay if I wanted and this visa is free. There permanent visas with a fee. There is top notch health care available here at a fraction on USA cost. As I stated before do your home work and you will have much happier results," said one expat who made the move to Isabel.

"I lived in Cebu, Quoit Pardo for a few years off and on. Great people but just too much traffic, I have moved up north to Danao. Everything you need here, or a cheap air conditioned bus ride to Cebu City if you need any of the Government Departments. A good immigration office and plenty of banking facilities available, if you get a private car. Make sure you have somewhere to park, because that can be a problem. For accommodation DO NOT BUY, just rent. There are plenty of condos, houses or rooms at a good price," explained one expat living in Cebu, Philippines.