gregparker6201
American expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
61
Contacts
1
About me
American
Registration: 25 January 2023
Occupation
I am Retired.
My expat journey
Philippines
Williston, North Dakota, USA
Oil
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, USA
Construction
Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, USA
Oil
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Oil
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Oil
Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Oil
Bakersfield, California, USA
Oil
Muḩāfaz̧at al Qāhirah, Egypt
Oil
Absolutely a disgusting place to do business
Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Oil
Município Soyo, Zaire, Angola
Oil exploration
Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Oil exploration
USA
Activity
Should I DIY getting my parent's lost US passport? by seluzmeu
I am a US citizen living here in the US. My parent is 83 yr old also US citizen. Without laying out anything more in this forum, any can recommend an Immigration lawyer in the Philippines that can provide support or advice to help me get my ...
Forms DS-11 and or DS-64do it yourself https://common.usembassy.gov/en/ds-64/ Read More
Mindanao independence resolution to be submitted to UN by PalawOne
Anyone wish to make comment?"“It will need only one UN member country to endorse .. "https://tribune.net.ph/2025/12/31/mindanao-independence-resolution-to-be-submitted-to-unCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A resolution adopted during a ...
I’ve been in and out of Mindanao since 1983. This topic arises every few years, quickly dismissed until next go around.Wife has relatives that are in the Bangsamoro autonomous government. They have no great desire to secede. Read More
US Direct File won't happen in 2026, IRS tells states by PalawOne
Perhaps of interest .."Direct File won’t happen in 2026, IRS tells states"By Natalie Alms November 4, 2025https://www.nextgov.com/digital-government/2025/11/direct-file-wont-happen-2026-irs-tells-states/409309/The free service that allowed ...
This will not affect me as an American Expat I'm not required to file.Can you elaborate on this?I have worked internationally since 1977. Always filed, but occasionally I have not been required to pay anything. Read More
Skytrax 100 2025 by Lotus Eater
The 2025 London based Skytrax 100 airline rankings are now out.No big changes in the top 10. Qatar Airways retains the top spot so be prepared to be pampered Cherryann on your forthcoming flight to Jakarta at least on the 1st leg. Garuda Indonesia ...
We have flown StarLux 3 times to the US. It is my preferred airline, The service is good and I can bypass Manila departing and arriving. Read More
Here we go again: It's the Philippines. by Enzyte Bob
I'm about to switch off my third internet provider (Converge).I've little or no internet for over three weeks now, Download .2 mbs upload 320 mbs. Customer service is non existent, just like so many of the other institutions and businesses. I've ...
Have had less downtime with StarLink on last 2 years than Globe, Sky Fibre, PLDT had in the average month it’s in my wife’s name, We have autopay. I don’t think they asked for TIN # Read More
US SSA Deposits into WISE by danfinn
I am wondering if expats here have experience with this. I am attaching information received from Grok AI about depositing SSA in the US Wise Checking account that allows expats to deposit with the still alive IDD SSA international requirements for ...
i used Wise for probably 2 years transferring funds monthly from Navy Federal CU to local account here in Davao They advised me in March that I could no longer use them as I do not have a US physical address and could not use Traveling Mail Box as ... Read More
Tax penalty for living in phillpines on americans by stevenkirchner2
i saw the following on the internet:Like many countries, the Philippines will tax you based on whether or not you are considered a resident. To be a resident in the Philippines, you will have to stay longer than 180 days in a calendar year.Do US ...
Thanks You will be fine, don’t let this taxation question affect your decision to retire in a more economical and less stressful environment. Read More
Tax penalty for living in phillpines on americans by stevenkirchner2
i saw the following on the internet:Like many countries, the Philippines will tax you based on whether or not you are considered a resident. To be a resident in the Philippines, you will have to stay longer than 180 days in a calendar year.Do US ...
As I understand it, unless your income is generated from a source within the Philippines you are not taxed. I know of no one paying Philippine taxes on SS or other retirement income generated and deposited in the US. income earned from employment or ... Read More
Health Care in The Philippines by Cherryann01
Chad Foster recently put out a video on this subject where he interviewed an American guy with a Health Care background and it is the most comprehensive and detailed video I have ever seen on this subject and is well worth a watch. He goes into ...
I self insure due to the compatibly low cost of healthcare here. Wife is dual citizen so she can avail the free hospital if required. I do get a complete blood screen done every 6 months to make sure nothing is getting out of control. Roughly 2000 ... Read More
20 ft shipping container Los Angeles to Bohol? by Moab762
I need to ship a vehicle and assorted tools, home goods, personal effects etc. From Los Angeles to Bohol. Cursory search with AI gives me 20ft shipping container prices of $1000-$3500. Never done this before. Need to transport items (vehicle I ...
I had 3 bids all were within $750 USD.Two things that probably increased the price was that the shipper was required to have an actual company presence on both ends, didn’t want it to be subcontracted out to the lowest bidder in Manila Packing ... Read More
20 ft shipping container Los Angeles to Bohol? by Moab762
I need to ship a vehicle and assorted tools, home goods, personal effects etc. From Los Angeles to Bohol. Cursory search with AI gives me 20ft shipping container prices of $1000-$3500. Never done this before. Need to transport items (vehicle I ...
@Enzyte Bob 14K. Included packing and unpacking and 3 months storage before shipping Read More
20 ft shipping container Los Angeles to Bohol? by Moab762
I need to ship a vehicle and assorted tools, home goods, personal effects etc. From Los Angeles to Bohol. Cursory search with AI gives me 20ft shipping container prices of $1000-$3500. Never done this before. Need to transport items (vehicle I ...
We shipped a 20 ft container to Davao from Louisville Kentucky in 2022. We used Allied Van Lines as they had agents on each end. Dealing with a single source/person is highly recommended. They will have latest info on vehicle importation and cost.We ... Read More
Amazon Availability in the Philippines? by swt90alum
I saw there are two Amazon warehouses in the Philippines, but as I understand it, Amazon does not "deliver" to the Philippines...is this true? Also, if Amazon does not deliver to the Philippines...are there any on-line delivery services that do ...
If you have an Amazon account, set your delivery address to your Philippine address it will give you ETA and costi have received items from Amazon quicker than Lazada 😳 Read More
Owning rental property to satisfy physical address proof by mati_steve
I am a retired US citizen currently living in Texas, and plan to move to the Philippines in 2026. One of the “gotchas” that I keep hearing about is how to keep a physical address in the US in order to keep the financial institutions ...
Have you asked your financial institutions about this?I do not have a physical US address both my bank and Charles Schwab know I do not live in the US and it causes no issues ask your bank, get a straight answer Read More
Depositing monthly social security payments linto WISE by danfinn
I recall reading WISE advertisements a few years ago suggesting that Americans deposit their SSA payments directly into WISE. But when I checked recently, I can see that WISE has stopped recommending this. Perhaps there wasn't enough response from ...
@danfinn Thanks for the MAYA infoI agree the 2 day wait via SWIFT is not ideal, since wehave a G cash account might try same with $10 or soif it works I might do a weekly transfer Read More