xpatinphils
American expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
53
Contacts
8
About me
American
Lives in Quezon City
Registration: 14 October 2008
We are glad to live here now by rocchidavide
Hi , we are an Italian family. At the end of 2012 we decided to move to a Philippine island . My name is Davide, my wife's name is Simona and our 22 year old son Andrea. I was a manager in a private company , my wife worked in the public ...
Davide, You're very gutsy to move here without having a prior connection. Yet, I know a few others who have done this and have made it. Best of luck. Read More
hello guys pls lend me some of your time by krishtomas
Hi.. im krish tomas from tarlac city, philippines. i am an architecture student, currently i am doing my thesis proposal research . I am planning to propose a community village especially for those who are here to study English. . I need to make ...
Krish, Will your interview by via email? If so, you can reach me at hatchpln@yahoo.com. Rick Levy Read More
Medical Insurance by smiley5
I will soon be moving to the Philippines and would like to hear from someone with experience in dealing with doctors and hospitals there. I will be 65 in a couple month, so that means I will be forced into Medicare. I have blue cross/blue shield ...
You're most welcome. BTW are you an Israeli? Lots of Israelis living here. Read More
Medical Insurance by smiley5
I will soon be moving to the Philippines and would like to hear from someone with experience in dealing with doctors and hospitals there. I will be 65 in a couple month, so that means I will be forced into Medicare. I have blue cross/blue shield ...
Based on what my wife are paying now in annual premiums for the two of us, at your age for one person I would guess about PHP20,000 per year. But better than my guessing and possibly giving you a wildly inaccurate number, suggest that you contact ... Read More
Medical Insurance by smiley5
I will soon be moving to the Philippines and would like to hear from someone with experience in dealing with doctors and hospitals there. I will be 65 in a couple month, so that means I will be forced into Medicare. I have blue cross/blue shield ...
I've lived in the Philippines (Metro Manila) for 8 years. I'm 68 and my wife is 72. During this time we've experienced varying quality in health care. On the whole, it's just about as good at what we had in California. Our present health insurance ... Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
LBC is a shipper like United Parcel, but it focuses mainly on deliveries to and from the Philippines and is cheaper than UPS, DHl, etc. They also offer remittance services to the Phils. When my wife and I were relocating to the Philippines, we ... Read More
metered taxis! by ri3panda
anybody know where i can find metered taxis around alabang? taxis here do contract and such rip offs :( charging so much and they reject passengers if you dont agree to their price
Good tip, letslearn2geder0612. Before I enter the taxi I open the door and tell the driver where I'm going. If he refuses, then I won't have wasted my time by getting in the vehicle only to have to get out again. Also if the driver doesn't refuse ... Read More
metered taxis! by ri3panda
anybody know where i can find metered taxis around alabang? taxis here do contract and such rip offs :( charging so much and they reject passengers if you dont agree to their price
I suggest you take MGE and EMP taxis, they never do contracts and stuffs and they are very strict in their policies so the drivers are disciplined enough. most of them also present a receipt along with the total amount so its gonna be up to you if ... Read More
Hello Every body. by Panth
Hi Every one,I am a 64 year old male married to a wonderful 51 year old Filipina.I am from Oxford,England.I am planning to go to phili later this year when I reach retirement age,Sweet 65 ohhh yeah hehehe.Hopefully permanent resident,I have been ...
Welcome, Panth. I've been here six years thanks to my wife's prodding for us to retire in the Phils. I haven't looked back. Read More
new expat in Manila by redwine2
hi all i am very new here in Manila, working in Ortigas and currently living here as well but looking for a permanent place soon either here or Makati area would like to meet other expats since i am new here and do not have much friends so far ...
For foreigners here who want to meet up with people from their homelands, I suggest you contact your respective embassies. Maybe they can direct you to activities or organizations that involve your compatriots. Read More
Dried chili
Bulb garlic (aka garlic buds?) are available in supermarkets here. I think that I've also seen dried chili there too, definitely chili (aka "tsili") leaves in bunches. Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Especially if you want to live to tell the tale (lol). Read More
Married To An Angel by Married Kano
[b][color=#0B0BF3]In the news and on television shows, I have heard many times that 聯children learn what they live.聰 It never had much meaning to me until lately; when I started thinking about my youth and growing up in Southern California. My mom ...
Stories like this do my old hear good. BTW Lydia and I just celebrated our 41st anniversary this week. Read More
Married To An Angel by Married Kano
[b][color=#0B0BF3]In the news and on television shows, I have heard many times that 聯children learn what they live.聰 It never had much meaning to me until lately; when I started thinking about my youth and growing up in Southern California. My mom ...
My wife Lydia, a Filipina whom I met in the States, and I have been married for over 40 years. When she decided that she would like for us to retire in the Philippines, I went along even though I had serious doubts about the idea. It turned out to ... Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Filipinos, especially women, sometimes point with their lips, instead of their hand or finger. They might point with their lips to bring to your attention something that fell on the floor, to show you which direction to go, etc. So if someone ... Read More
Best ranked universities in the Philippines ? by gabprag
Does anyone know which universities are best ranked in the Philippines, in computer science /software architecture fields ? Thanh you in advance for your replies !
Based on what I googled, the the University of the Philippines Los Banos has a good IT program (http://www.ics.uplb.edu.ph/). For Architecture, it was also UP plus the University of Santo Tomas (UST.) Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Good to hear. I just hope that clean bills of health as you've described are not for sale in NYC as they are in the Philippines. Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Don't buy perishable food from a street vendor. That goes for both the Philippines and the U.S. and probably many if not most places throughout the world. I just saw a photo of President Aquino at a hot dog cart in New York. I appreciate his ... Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
My suggestion is blend in with the locals, keep a low profile, stay cool, don't engaged in conversation/debate/arguement about the politics specially local politics. leemI couldn't have said it better. Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Refrain from boasting. If you have something to be proud about, keep it to yourself. Sooner or later it will likely manifest itself for the world to see anyway. Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Great advice, Sarrah. I would also add be alert when when taking a taxi. Tell the driver where you're going before boarding. Many drivers will refuse to take you if they think the destination is too far. As soon as you're in the taxi, make sure ... Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Thanks for post. I've responded to the article as well. Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Don't try to board the the Line 3 MRT and Line 1 LRT at rush hour unless it's absolutely necessary. The crush of people is unbelievable. Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
Thanks, watever. I've been here 4 years, and it's worked so far. Read More
How to make friends in the Philippines by expat.com
We have been talking about [url=/forum/viewtopic.php?id=891]loneliness when you are abroad[/url], let's now talk about how to make friends (locals and other expats) when you're living in the Philippines :top: [b]Which are your ...
Friendships start out as acquaintances and can't be forced, no matter what culture you're living in. They have to develop develop naturally on their own. So maybe the question should be rephrased as to where you can make acquaintances that might ... Read More
How to make friends in the Philippines by expat.com
We have been talking about [url=/forum/viewtopic.php?id=891]loneliness when you are abroad[/url], let's now talk about how to make friends (locals and other expats) when you're living in the Philippines :top: [b]Which are your ...
Be as hospitable and friendly as the people in the host culture. Read More
Living in the Philippines by expat.com
You are living in the Philippines, or you used to live in the Philippines. [b]Share your experience![/b] How would you describe life in the Philippines? Has it been complicated to settle down, to find an accommodation and a job? Is it ...
My wife (a native Filipina) and I retired to Metro-Manila almost 4 years ago. We enjoy our life here and are glad that we made the decision to relocate from the U.S.to the Philippines when we did. I knew that the real estate bubble there would ... Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
When I shipped my goods to the Philippines from the U.S.in 2005, there was a $75.00 (USD)surcharge/customs duty for electronics items. This amount may have changed since then. As per my previous post, I suggest that you check with LBC. Your handle ... Read More
Do and don't in the Philippines by expat.com
Are you living in the Philippines? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Philippines? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in the ...
As an expatriate living in the Philippines, I avoid political discussions and debates with strangers regarding Philippine politics. Maybe it's just me, but even though I'm a permanent resident here, I consider myself a "guest", and it just seems ... Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
A good reliable shipper for sending goods from the U.S.is LBC, which is based here in the Philippines. Their rates are cheaper than Fed-EX or United Parcel. I used them when DW and I moved to the Phils. We sent over 50 boxes and not one was lost or ... Read More