Philippines
What do I need to know before moving to Philippines?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Philippines, they said...
"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 another expat in Manila, Philippines.
"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," wrote a member who made the move to Isabel, Philippines.
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William RussellWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Philippines?
- How do I meet people in Philippines?
- What is life like in Philippines?
- Is there a lot of crime in Philippines?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Philippines accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Philippines like?
- Is the cost of living in Philippines high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Philippines?
- What are healthcare services like in Philippines?
- Is the cost of living in Philippines high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Philippines?
- What is the weather like in Philippines?
- Are there good restaurants in Philippines?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Philippines?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Philippines?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Philippines?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Philippines?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Philippines?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What do I need to know before moving to Philippines?
If you live in Philippines, newcomers to Philippines would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
