Moving from the United States to Davao City in the Philippines, where he now lives with his family, is something that Bob does not regret. There, he has a thriving Internet business, enjoys the low cost of living, and basks in the local scenery and the friendliness of the locals. He found that some things took quite a bit of getting used to, but it has been worth it. Read on for more of his story and some tips on moving to and living in the Philippines.

Bob Martin

December 09 2006 

-Where were you born?
Port Townsend, Washington, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?
I live in Davao City, Philippines. This city is on the island of Mindanao.

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live with my wife and 4 kids. I have three boys and a girl. They range in age from 15 down to 6 years old.

-How long have you been living in the Philippines?
We have been living in the Philippines for almost 7 years now.

-What is your age?
I am 44 years old.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Philippines?
I decided that I wanted to live here in 1997, but didn't make the move until early 2000. A lot went into my decision to move here. I guess a wish for a little adventure in life, change of scenery, etc. Also, my oldest son has some special needs, which could be better addressed here. Also, my wife is originally from this area, which made it attractive to us.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Because of the fact that my wife is a former citizen of the Philippines, getting a permanent visa (which includes a work permit) was very easy to do; it only took a few days.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Medical costs are very low here in the Philippines, thus we are self-insured. There is also a government-sponsored medical insurance that can be gotten by anybody for only around $30 per year, which would cover catastrophic care. Private health insurance is also readily available in the Philippines.

-How do you make your living in the Philippines? Do you have any type of income generated?
I own and operate a number of websites (around 35 different sites). Among my sites, I offer e-commerce (sales of merchandise) and also content-based websites that earn money through advertising. I am able to earn a very comfortable living here, and the cost of living is very low, so living comfortably is not an issue.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I speak a little of the local language. There are around 80 different languages spoken in the Philippines, and it is very regionalized, so learning so many languages would be nearly impossible. I do speak a little of the main language that is spoken in my area, though. English is almost universally spoken among the locals, though, so English is enough to get by. I took some classes at a local university in order to become somewhat proficient in the local language, though, and it was helpful. Being able to speak even just a bit of the local language shows the local people that you have made an effort to speak to them, and is appreciated greatly.

As for local customs, it is very hard to become totally observant of local customs because they are so different. However, if you show that you observe a few such customs, people understand and don't expect you to observe all customs 100%. Also, it is my opinion that in my home, I am American, and I follow American customs. I expect my househelp and other local people who come into my home to understand that. Overall, I don't try to be a local, or act like one, because I am not a Filipino. Most people here understand that and appreciate it.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I rarely feel homesick. In the seven years I have lived here, maybe 3 or 4 times I've felt a little homesick. But, this is my home now, and probably always will be. I love living here.

As far as family goes, I keep in touch by telephone. Also, my family comes to visit us every couple of years, which is nice. One thing I would recommend in order to stay in touch with family is to use a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) service. I use Vonage (www.vonage.com), and with that I have a US phone number. I can talk to family and friends in the states for an unlimited amount of time for just $25 per month. The calls are crystal clear, and it's very reliable. I've been using Vonage for nearly 4 years now, without a glitch!

-Do you have other plans for the future?
I am always working on expanding my web business, so business-wise we are always on the move. We do some travel, both in the Philippines, and to other Southeast Asian countries as well. No real specific plans, though.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We rent. Buying property is not an option here unless you are a citizen, it is illegal. Rent is very inexpensive here. I have a very large house (I also operate my business from my house, with about 6 employees, etc). My house is about 4500 square feet in size. I pay around $600 per month for that. For smaller houses that would be good for one or two people, you can easily rent a nice place for $100 to $200 per month here.

-What is the cost of living in the Philippines?
The cost of living here is very low. A few things are more expensive, though, like electricity, gasoline and such. But overall, things are very inexpensive here. Food, in particular is very cheap. For any expat thinking of moving to the Philippines, budget is not a big concern.

-What do you think about the Filipinos?
For the most part the local people are very kind to foreigners, they accept what they consider our “strange” ways with just a little chuckle. There are a few people here who are militant and anti-US, but when it comes down to a personal one on one basis, even they are friendly and accepting.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Philippines?
Positive Aspects: Low cost of living, great weather, living near the beaches, wide variety of places (different topography – sea, mountains, etc.), friendly people, plenty of other ex-pats around for company and camaraderie.

Negative Aspects: Different culture can be difficult to adjust to (it takes time), some people think it is too hot (but you will adjust to that). Sometimes it can be hard to buy western products that you may miss from your homeland.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Philippines?
When you come here, have an open mind! This is the Third World, and things don't always work smoothly here. Be patient and don't be too critical. It will be better for your own mental health if you just learn to accept the way things are here! Don't make comparisons to where you came from. Remember, it will take time, but you will adjust and learn to live here. Above all, kick back and enjoy!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Philippines?
I would like to recommend a couple of my own websites first:

Live in the Philippines: is a site about moving to and living in the Philippines. I try to offer advice to people who are thinking of moving here so that they can learn a little about the living here before they come! Stop by for a visit!

Mindanao Blog: is a website/blog about the island where I live, Mindanao. It covers news, current events and just any information about Mindanao! It's kind of the ultimate source of news and info about Mindanao!

Best news site for the Philippines is The Philippine Daily Inquirer.