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Here is some general advice that I offer those who contact me and are interested in coming to the Philippines to live:

1. Initial Planning: Deciding to move

Before liquidating everything in your life and moving to the Philippines live, come here for a visit and see if living in the Philippines "agrees" with you. Do not liquidate your entire life in your home country, leaving yourself nothing to return to in case things do not work out for you here.

You see, while the Philippines may seem like the "Utopia" many seek in this world, it is not for others. But, some foreigners who live here tend to make the Philippines out to be something that it isn't, a perfect place. Unfortunately, there are those who are naive, and tend to buy into what these foreigners are selling, without taking time to do more advance research. So, my very important advice for you is, make it a point to do as much research as possible prior to making the decision to move to the Philippines.

I enjoy living in Cebu and feel it is the best place in this world - for me. But, not everyone who arrives can adapt and adjust to the Filipino culture. This is why it is very important for retirees to come and visit first, spending as much time as is reasonably possible here. Generally, I suggest for guys to spend six months to one year on the ground here, before making a final decision to stay in the Philippines long term.

Here is a first step for you to take in deciding to move to the Philippines. View, and join our Living In Cebu Forums, where you may ask questions and read advice offered by those who live here. The members of the Living In Cebu Forums, both Filipinos and foreigners, will give you straight, uncensored information, allowing you to make your mind up, as to whether this would be right for you. After joining the forums, take a look at the links system of the forums for more places on the internet where you may learn more and find even more views of living here.

2. Financial Planning: Banking and Investing in the Philippines

I never suggest for anyone to bring 100% of their liquid cash to the Philippines. Keep the majority of your funds in banks in your home country. If you desire, you can open a peso account here, keeping on deposit three to four months of your operating budget, as a backup in case of urgency or in case you are unable to secure funds from an ATM for any length of time. It is always good to have some available cash in country, as you never know when, or for how long, you may lose communications with your home bank.

Open a USD account locally, which will allow you to withdraw USD bills directly, then changing them at your leisure when the peso to dollar rate is at its best for you. Of course, with the rate dropping as it has over the past year, there are other options you may wish to consider instead (buying other currencies, for example).

And, you may want to look into investing in rural bank investments or in other markets, which have proven to be worthwhile ventures for a number of people I know here. Some are turning some serious cash over the course of three and six year investments. This isn't a bad idea, because your income (which will be in pesos) would not be affected by the changing global currency market.

3. Romance and Love: Falling for a Filipina

Come to the Philippines and meet a Filipina here. Do not meet them online, because the vast majority of those you will meet through the internet are no good. Typically, guys, especially first timers, feel as though they must meet a girl prior to coming to the Philippines, so they will have someone who can greet them upon arrival. This is western thinking at its best, pure ignorance. They couldn't be farther from the truth.

There are, quite literally, millions of Filipinas in this country, many who are very interested in meeting foreigners. So, do not for a minute think that you can't come here and meet a wonderful Filipina, because you can. These same girls will make wonderful wives and mothers.

Personally, I prefer provincial (country) girls over city girls. But, either one would be head and shoulders above any modern western woman. They have values that western women have lost over the past couple of generations.

Filipinas are very devoted and loyal to their husbands, taking care of the man like a baby. A Filipina will wash you in the shower, make sure you are fed a good Filipino meal (or any western meal you teach her to cook for you), will wash your clothes by hand, and will keep your home cleaner than it has ever been kept before.

While some will say, even I have made this statement, "Filipinos aren't the best at budgeting money," you will find some who if given the chance, will squeeze a peso until it screams, for the budget concerning your home.

4. Relations: You and your Filipina's family

Questions regarding what to do about a Filipina's family comes up quite frequently, especially regarding financial or other support. Others on the ground here may have differing opinions, but here is mine. I feel there are two types of Filipino families, just as there are in most cultures around the globe. One family is going to be full of takers, while the other is going to be full of givers, usually anyway.

The first type of family, I have seen fairly often here, although I feel as though they are still the minority. (I believe most Filipino families are good people.) I have seen a number of families here

only take and take, never caring if they give in return. Your Filipina is the primary person who should regulate this, concerning what you do for her family, rather than you. She should be able to handle

her family and tell them no, if need be. If she cannot, you really have no business with her. If she cannot tell them no, she will ultimately cost you tons more money than should cost you to live here.

I'm very fortunate in that Vivian's family loves me very much. They are the giving sort of people. What I mean is, they have done as much, if not more for me than I have ever done for them. Every time I go there for a visit, they are always making me feel at home, as many Filipino families will do. They have bought me beer to drink on many occasions, never asking for anything in return. In fact, I am moving there soon, doing something that I typically advice against doing. I figure I will "test" the waters. If all goes well, I will stay there long term. If it doesn't, it won't be too difficult for me to move elsewhere. However, I have been in country long enough now, where I feel as though I can judge a given situation pretty well. It won't take too many months to see how accurate Paul is, concerning this topic! Oh, are there wedding bells in Paul's future, once again? Well, you will just have to hang around to see.

In closing, make it a point to watch how your Filipina handles her family when asking for money comes up. It won't take long to determine if you are son-in-law material to them, or a milking cow. If you start to feel as though you are producing milk by the gallon, cut ties with the family and with your Filipina, if you can't move her some distance away from her family, anyway.