American expat Dave has been living in the Philippines for a year now. Here, he tells us how he came to be living in the Philippine province of Bulacan, some of his thoughts on the local customs, and what he likes and dislikes about living in that country. He also dispenses several tips that might prove helpful to people who are considering moving to the Philippines.	Dave Starr

-Where were you born?
Newark, New Jersey, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?
Philippines, province of Bulacan, city of Marilao

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live here with my lovely wife Mita, a native of the Philippines and a dual (US/Filipino) citizen. I have grown children from a previous marriage living elsewhere.

-How long have you been living in the Philippines?
Since 1 November 2006

-What is your age?
62

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Philippines?
I have wanted to retire in Asia for many years. I've lived overseas a good few years in the past. After I met Mita and her family the decision to make the Philippines 'the place' became almost automatic.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No, it’s quite easy for a US citizen to live here, and if married to a Philippine citizen can get permanent resident status with no problems. This includes the right to work here, should I ever desire to.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Not at all. I am fully covered in retirement by medical insurance I earned through my employer. Government sponsored and commercial insurance plans are readily available and very cheap in US terms. After age 75 or so there may be problems. Most commercial plans become hard to get/pay for (a big issue for Americans … Medicare does not cover anyone permanently living overseas).

-How do you make your living in the Philippines? Do you have any type of income generated?
I have an independent retirement annuity so I don’t need to work. However, I find that opportunities to earn while living here, typically from sources outside the Philippines (Internet-based) have been simply amazing. Traditional “jobs” for foreigners here are difficult; earning income is definitely not difficult.

-Do you speak Tagalog and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I am a native speaker of one of the Philippines official languages, English, so I have very few difficulties. I know a little, but am not fluent in several other languages. It would be smarter to learn more to be more conversant with people I meet locally, but I have frankly been too busy for language study.

Many “local customs” remind me of how life in the US used to be 40 or 50 years ago. There are no particular “no-no's”, be polite, treat people with respect and don’t be an “Ugly American”. The number one problem I see foreigners having here is the tendency to tell all and sundry, “back in my home country we do it this way”. Well, you aren’t there now, so no one really wants to know. Things often work differently here, because it is another country. Accept that and you will do fine.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I do not miss anything in the US except perhaps Interstate highways. In particular I do not miss the rampant ageism and subtle discrimination against older folks … and the resultant strident arguing and complaining from elder advocacy groups. I have almost no family in the US. My family is here, that’s the main reason I do live here.

Chief recreational activites ... family travel, blogging, walking, driving, shopping.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
My wife and I plan to travel extensively throughout Asia and Europe.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Foreigners are prohibited from owning land here. The housing market is substantially different from the US so I have chosen not to delve into it at this point in time. It is much better for me at this point to rent and invest money elsewhere. Rents that would interest a foreigner vary widely. I know other expats paying from as little as $150 USD a month to more than $2,000 USD per month … this is one of the most often asked questions and the most difficult to answer because … it depends.

-What is the cost of living in the Philippines?
On average quite low. Food makes up a larger percentage of the budget here than in the US … I don’t think anyone who hasn’t lived outside the US realizes just how cheap food is in the US. Electricity is very expensive also; figure 2.5 times higher than the US rate. Aside from that, things are cheap. A couple can live very well on under $2,000 USD per month.

-What do you think about the Filipinos?
I like the Filipino people immensely. The only wide-spread fault I would suggest is they slavishly follow too many US trends. US citizens are almost invariably well treated (and everyone who isn’t obviously Asian is assumed to be American … makes a lot of Brits, Kiwis, Germans, etc., angry at times)

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Philippines?
Positives: Friendly, laid back, economical, no snow, easy to live most any way you want. Vibrant, dramatic, artistic people. Always willing to help, easy to find cheap labor, terrific sense of family and religious faith. You won't be sued for mentioning God here. No taxation on income earned outside the country helps a bit also.

Negatives: Unfamiliar politics, horrendous government red tape, high customs fees on imports, over-crowding, traffic, too many poor people whom no one can help, intrusion of church policies into civil affairs and a lack of organization. It is not the place for anyone to live if they worry about other drivers obeying traffic laws, zoning board approvals, anti-smoking crusades, etc.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Philippines?
Yes, read my negatives above and think hard about them. If you come here to "show the Filipinos how to do it” or to “save the poor”, “convert the sinners,” etc. you are going to wind up frustrated and unhappy. If you come here with the idea of blending in and learning new ways you will do great.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Philippines?
www.philfaqs.com This is my blog on which I attempt to convey some useful information about the Philippines.

www.liveinthephilippines.com The online magazine site of an American friend who lives here in the Philippines and passes on a lot of good info

www.livinginthephilippines.com The personal site of an old American friend who has been living in the Philippines for more than 20 years now. Lots of “living here” info.

www.unofficialcook.com The web site of the best cook in the Philippines, bar none, who also offers a lot of advice on living.