r/TruePhilippinesExpats

Found mixed answers on Google so figured I’d ask here. I always rent cars during my annual visits to the Philippines so I figured it might be cost effective long term to just buy a used car since I’m there all the time anyways plus it’s stressful worrying about possible damage on the rental. Lots of good used cars on the market but I’m more concerned about the registration part. I do have a proper parking spot and address that I can register it to as I always stay in that property and it belongs to a family member but the property is not under my name. I’m a Canadian citizen if that helps with the required visa situation. I don’t have a Philippine drivers license as I just use my Canadian license there but I heard I can still apply for one as a non-resident. Just want to know what your experience is.

Is the cost of living in the Philippines really as cheap as people say?
For years I’ve heard that someone making $100,000 a year in the U.S. could live like a king in the Philippines. Is that still true today?
With inflation over the past few years, I have to imagine the cost of living has gone up there as well. For those who live there or have spent a lot of time there recently, what’s the reality?

Thinking about immigrating.. want to know what the mud is like if you know what I mean.

Anyone here live in Iloilo? Looking to relocate but not a fan of the concrete jungles in Metro Manila and Cebu. I know it’s a very walkable and chill city but does anyone here have experience living there long term?

Hey all,

American in the Philippines here, trying to build a location independent career. Not looking for a handout**,** just someone who's already living this life and wouldn't mind being a sounding board.

Quick background so you know I'm real:

• 9 years in IT (cloud, infrastructure, networking)
• AWS Solutions Architect + Cisco CCNA certified
• Currently freelancing and building a small cloud venture with a partner

My problem isn't the tech side, it's landing steady remote income as a non-local. APAC boards mostly want citizens/PR, and the US remote market is rough right now. I know the skills are there. I'm missing the playbook that people who've actually done this already have.

Would love help with:

• How you landed your first stable remote income
• Which platforms/networks actually work
• Practical stuff: visas, banking, getting paid across borders
• Mistakes to avoid

I'm hardworking and coachable, and I'm glad to trade AI/Automation/cloud/technical help in return. If this is you (or someone you know), drop a reply or DM. Thanks for reading.

American Independence Day ("Fourth of July") is this coming Saturday (2026-07-04).

Do you intend to celebrate?  And if so, how?

Thank you.

EDIT +3 HOURS: In the 'States, Independence Day is usually observed with parades, picnics/cookouts, and fireworks in the evening.  I feel curiosity over how other expats might be observing the day, and if they're even observing it at all.

I have a Sylvox here in the states. Out in my 3 seasons room (had outside before the room was built). Weatherproof high nit (to view in bright sunlight).

Im checking with them now to see the shipping cost if I were to buy and have them ship as I really like the encasement.

Does anyone have any expierence with an "outdoor" TV? While the sylvox does have internal fans Im thinking the PH heat may be an issue but again for it to be weather proof it needs to be encased. They rate them to about 120 degrees.... but im thinking this is going to be eclipsed in the PH easy.

Ive seen some of the "plastic" cases you can buy and place a TV in but not too sure about those either....

So anyone out there run a TV outside in the "weather"?

Why are they all living in tents today? Why can’t they be paid enough to afford a place of their own or live in the place of employment during holiday? This is ridiculous!

What are the requirements to get a bank account as a foreigner. I know my only option for a visa is a tourist visa that I'd have to renew every month or every two months. But how do you get the things you need as a foreigner.

Hey guys, just want to rant. Just had a recent break up from a guy i met on reddit and he was from miami, florida.

I'm still in love with him, i really want to move on from him. I want to find someone else but no luck has been found, i guess this is the time to let go and put myself first. I can still remember him from time to time, everything that we've done is still fresh from my heart, mind and my memory. Every seat, every food, every movement, time, and gentle gestures i can still feel like it just happened. It's been six months and i really want to move on, i really loved him even if he didn't loved me at all. He is my first love and i really miss him. I felt abandoned and left behind, i feel that my love is not enough, i am not enough for him. I want to feel better and already erased him from my memories.

I will take any advice on how can i forget him as i'm very desperate about it. It hurts! And also does foreigners really that hard to give love or admit it? Are you guys that easy to forget?

Thank you for hearing my rant guys. :(

The other sub has turned into a police state. Which would be fine if the rules even made sense, and were logically enforceable.

But they're not. Which tells me everything I need to know about who's moderating that sub.

I appreciate everyone who answered my question about alternative subs, over there. Of course that post got deleted by the moderators.

Heading to the Queen of the South later this week and I'm jonesing for a good steak. I know there was a thread going either in this subreddit or the other one but I can't seem to find that anymore and everyone knows how the search function works on Reddit, So I'm here to ask the good people again and this time I'll write it down.

I've done some research but it's really hard for me to trust online reviews.

I'm not a Wolfgang Puck kind of guy, Just want a decent try steak at a decent price.

Thanks in advance.

I've been driving here in Philippines for almost 4 years But honestly started to feel dumb following the traffic rules tho.

You'll see literally every Commuter Vehicles and a
Trucks racing on the streets, Motorcycles Driving recklessly. And when you got into accident with those, All of these people will just say “We are poor so have mercy on me”. Like do they think they can escape by saying that?

And the Locals will just blame because "I wasn't defensive enough" although I was following the traffic rules and they weren’t.

Law Enforcement are only working in certain area, So if you're driving in countryside All you gotta make them to work is Post a Video about it and make them Viral in the Internet or Just wait until real accidents happens.

I’ve driven in several South East Asian Countries but I definitely can say that Philippines are the worst among of them.

So if you miss watching these live on the big screen message me

I have lived in Asia for almost 40 years, three times in the Philippines. I will be publishing a book in the next week comparing the Philippines and Thailand facts flavored by personal experiences and lessons learned the hard way.

Here is the chapter outline I'm working on.

Chapter 1: Why I Wrote This Book

Chapter 2: The Journey

Manila, 2015

Bangkok, 2017

Hua Hin, 2021

Manila and the House Build, 2024–2025

Angeles City

Chapter 3: Deciding Where to Live

Manila / Rockwell

Bangkok

Hua Hin

Angeles City

Other Locations in the Philippines

Iloilo City · Cebu City · Boracay · South of Manila (Tagaytay, Cavite, Laguna)

Other Locations in Thailand

Chiang Mai · Koh Samui · Phuket

Chapter 4: Accommodation

What You Get for Your Money

Universal Truths

Advertising

Agents

Contracts

Furnished vs. Unfurnished

Closing Comparison

Chapter 5: Buying or Building

Foreign Ownership Rules

Property Ownership Through a Spouse

Buying Existing Property

Selection Process — Do’s and Don’ts · Home Inspection Services · Title Verification · Condo Considerations

Considerations When Buying or Building a Home

What Went Wrong: Building · What Went Right and Wrong: Buying Pre-Built

Advance Payments: A Special Caution for the Philippines

Closing Summary

Chapter 6: Renting

Finding a Rental

The Rental Agreement

Moving In

During the Tenancy

Ending the Lease

Chapter 7: Visas

Chapter 8: Infrastructure

Chapter 9: Banking

Chapter 10: Safety & Security

Chapter 11: Cost of Living

Chapter 12: Food & Shopping

Chapter 13: Recreation

Chapter 14: Driving & Transportation

Chapter 15: Healthcare

Chapter 16: Intra-country and International Travel

Chapter 17: Closing — Making Your Decision

Philippine accommodations are fantastically bad. and for the most part with insufficient space.

So given these real estate difficulties, why aren't there capsule hotels in the country?

Seems like it's a solution to expensive hotels and accommodations having bad service.

I’ve met a few people on 47(a)(2), PEZA, etc. and it’s always interesting to hear how they ended up in the Philippines on those visas. What visa are you on and how did you get it?