One of the biggest fears many Americans have before retiring to the Philippines is wondering what they’ll eat. After living here for years, I can assure you that burgers, pizza, steaks, Mexican food, and imported American groceries are easier to find than you might think.
One of the biggest concerns Americans have before moving overseas is how they’ll receive their money and mail. Here’s the banking, Social Security, GCash, and mail system I personally use after years of living in the Philippines.
Worried about losing touch after moving to the Philippines? Here’s how I stay connected to family and friends in America using Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Talk360, Starlink, and my U.S. phone number.
A sari-sari store is much more than a convenience store. Discover how these tiny family-run businesses provide affordable goods, community connections, and economic lifelines throughout the Philippines.
The SRRV offers permanent residency and convenience, but is it worth the cost? After comparing the numbers, I decided to keep renewing my tourist visa. Here’s the math behind my decision.
One of the best things about living in the Philippines is not just the lower cost of living. It’s the lower hassle. When something goes wrong, somebody usually knows how to fix it, and fast.
Many foreign men wonder whether marrying a Filipina means supporting her whole family. The truth is more complicated: Filipino family culture is real, but so are boundaries, communication, and personal responsibility.
Ever notice how what we expats call flip-flops are pretty much the national footwear of the Philippines? Sandals—tsinelas—are everywhere. Jeepney? Sandals.Market day? Sandals.Mountain trail that would make a goat nervous? Still sandals. Not tennis shoes for traction.Not boots for motorcycle safety.Not galoshes for the mud. Just those trusty rubber sandals, slapping along like it’s the … Read more
Forget the “live like a king in the Philippines for $1,000 a month” hype. This is my actual monthly budget as an American expat—rent, AC, groceries, helper, healthcare, savings and an emergency fund—broken down in pesos and dollars so you can see what it really takes to live comfortably here without relying on a YouTube channel.
In the Philippines, a woman may have been separated from her husband for years yet still be legally married. Here’s what every foreign man should understand about the surprisingly common “Wife In Name Only” phenomenon.