Category: Uncategorized
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Could Medicare Finally Be Coming to the Philippines? Here’s Where Things Stand
Updated September 2026 For years, one of the biggest healthcare frustrations for Americans retiring in the Philippines has been Medicare. Americans can spend decades paying into the system, enroll when they become eligible, and continue paying Medicare Part B premiums, yet in most circumstances they cannot use those benefits for medical care received while living…
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The Return of Subic Bay: What the Growing U.S.-Philippine Military Presence Could Mean for the Region—and for Expats
For anyone who remembers the Philippines during the Cold War, the name Subic Bay means something very different than it does to younger generations. For decades, U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay was one of America’s most important military installations in the Pacific. American ships filled the harbor, thousands of military personnel passed through the area,…
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What If Retirement in the Philippines Isn’t About Saving Money—but Living Better?
When people talk about retiring in the Philippines, one subject seems to dominate the conversation. Money. How cheaply can you rent an apartment? How much does dinner cost? Can you live on $1,500 a month? How far will your Social Security go? Those are legitimate questions, especially for someone trying to make retirement work on…
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What Happens When You Get Too Old to Live Independently in the Philippines?
Moving to the Philippines for retirement usually begins with a picture of independence. You imagine waking up in a condominium in Cebu, having coffee overlooking the water, meeting friends for lunch, traveling around the islands, and enjoying a comfortable retirement at a fraction of what the same lifestyle might cost back home. But there’s another…
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The Philippines Honeymoon Wears Off: What Nobody Tells You About Adjusting to Life as an Expat
Moving overseas is a major life decision. This article isn’t intended to convince you to move to the Philippines—or convince you not to. The goal is to help you understand something that doesn’t appear on most retirement budgets or moving checklists: adjusting emotionally and culturally to actually living in another country. You’ve done it. You’ve…
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What Happens to Your U.S. Taxes When You Retire in the Philippines?
This article is intended for general educational information and is not individualized tax or legal advice. U.S. and Philippine tax rules can change, and cross-border tax treatment depends on individual circumstances. Before making tax or financial decisions, consider consulting a qualified professional experienced with Americans living abroad. Moving to the Philippines can change your cost…
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What Happens If You Die in the Philippines? An Expat’s Guide to Wills, Money, Property, and Final Wishes
Moving to the Philippines requires a lot of planning. You think about your visa, apartment, healthcare, bank accounts, retirement income, insurance, belongings, and how you will spend your time once you arrive. You may even create an emergency fund so you can fly home if something unexpected happens. There is one subject many retirees never…
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A New Philippine Living Guide: Everything You Need to Plan, Move, Retire, and Live in the Philippines
If you’ve visited Philippine Living Guide before, you may notice things look a little different. Actually, quite a bit different. We’ve redesigned Philippine Living Guide around a simple idea: make it easier to find the information you need when you’re considering visiting, retiring, moving to, or living in the Philippines. Over time, the site has…
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Moving to the Philippines: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your New Life
Looking for a complete checklist? Check out The Ultimate Moving to the Philippines Checklist. Moving to the Philippines can sound simple when you describe it in one sentence: sell some belongings, buy a plane ticket, find an apartment, and start your new life. In reality, an international move involves dozens of decisions that are much…
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What Does $100 Buy You in the Philippines? A Real-Life Spending Guide
One of the biggest attractions of living or retiring in the Philippines is that your money can often go considerably further than it does in the United States, Canada, Australia, or many parts of Europe. But statements like “the Philippines is cheap” do not really tell you much about what everyday life actually costs. A…
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