Presently living in South Florida, moving as soon as I am able

The internet is full of good info, but try a month on holiday over there if you really want to know what you're getting into.

Choose areas that interest you, buy a backpack,  and try them out.

@marcfladell

HI, my name is Andy and I am living in a condo in Boracay for 9 years now. Before I moved to the Philippines I considered to buy a condo in Miami Beach, however, Trump 1 was elected and so I dropped this plan. The price in the US was 4 times more than in the Philippines at this time. And here I have a condo with view over the ocean and the golf course. The condo is in an US - style estate. However, to live here you need to know a few things:

As a foreigner you are not allowed to buy any land here. So the dream to build your house on the beach is not impossible but hard. You can buy a condo unit but no land. If there is a girl involved you must make sure she is the right one. Philippina girls do not chat with just one foreigner. The have many "boyfriends" abroad to support their life and the life of her parents and possible the life of her kids. If you are going to get married here you might need to support her family. With a foreigner in the family they see her and you as main source of income. Not all girls are like that but if there is a huge gap between your age and her age and your look compared with her look there is chance that you are seen as an ATM. I was lucky with my Filipina wife but there are lots of "gold diggers". I talked with lots of people renting condos here. The men are old the girls are young. And the girls want money for their family, money for clothes, food for the grandparents and suddenly they are pregnant.....

Another thing here is the pollution, traffic and infrastructure. When you land in Manila and you want to go to the booked hotel you will remember my words.

Before you move here, you might want to discover the country first. Start in Manila, fly to Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, .... and make sure this is the country where you want to live.

All the best

Andy from Boracay   

Like Fred wrote do some research.  Locate some targets based on your desired lifestyle and budget restrictions.   I ve been married to a Filipina for 35 years.  We chose a place 40 km north of manila where she has family.  We snowbird here and go back to Ohio for spring summer some fall(have to get my football fix).  I volunteer with local government, she cooks food she wants.   We travel to see her high school friends and my friend in Davao.  We live simple so expenses are low(house is paid for so basics food electric is less than 1000/month).  Renting around me is basic 50/month to really nice for 400. 

@Andy_1963

Your right.  Make sure you only spend a small portion of your assets in a relationship.   There are a lot of widows in their 50/60s.  My wife has quite a few friends from high school in olongapo who have good jobs and are single and self sufficient. 

This is the first time I've tried researching the Philippines through an expat chat room. I don't know what I don't know but I want to learn. I would like to strike up a conversation with those similarly situated. - @marcfladell

Welcome to the forum and enjoy, plenty of info on this site if you care to search.

If this will be your first visit I would suggest like others to do many visits and explore, taste the flavours and culture before finalising any plans. I visited here 2/3 times a year for 8 years before we finally called this home. Same partner for 15 years same partner and not looked back. As others will say never show your wealth but don't be afraid to be generous at times. Learn to say "NO" as required.

I wish you luck and can only say no need to rush. The Philippines is definitely an acquired taste, some love while some hate.

Cheers, Steve.

Moved to the Philippines from Palm Beach County about 4 years ago. You can follow my story on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/@Kanointhejungle

Sold my house, my car, my wife, and my dog.

...Sold my house, my car, my wife, and my dog. - @Wingfat

Similar to my exit from Canada, 2017.

I really missed my dog.

Selling chattels, even a wife is easy but the dog? Our case 2 Labrador's and had since 9/10 weeks old and if ever I/we moved internally or internationally the kids come also. The beauty of our K9 friend is they don't demand, loyal and loving and will lay with you when you die,

Just my thoughts.

Cheers, Steve.