Expat

🇵🇭 Life in the Philippines, unfiltered
💰 Money • Freedom • Expat Life
🌴 Building a life, not just a vacation

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

@7PETERS Just paying in installments they don't actually borrow any money they just don't take possession of the item until paid for

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

Something I don’t understand about the Philippines 🇵🇭

Why can someone earn ₱15,000 a month…

but somehow have a ₱150,000 motorcycle?

I genuinely need someone to explain the math.

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

Here's why Cebu makes sense to me.

I don't need to choose between having things to do and having somewhere beautiful to escape to.

Both are nearby. 🇵🇭🇺🇸

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

60 minutes in traffic can make you rethink what a “cheap” apartment really costs.

Time matters too.

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

@darylldiwa I have but mostly even my landlord takes care of the house repairs but the guy who repairs sometimes scams the landlord who is a Filipino living in Miami they seem to feel they can get more money out the landlord then what other locals would charge for the same work

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

A lot of people don't need more money.

They need a different cost of living.

Making $80,000 while spending $75,000 isn't necessarily better than making $40,000 and keeping most of it.

The Philippines makes you think about this differently. 🇵🇭

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

@darylldiwa Yeah the long waits are incredible but I get used to it definitely strange coming from United States trying to thrive in Cebu is different nice writing work

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

There are beautiful women everywhere.

But there's something special about a Filipina who smiles like she's genuinely happy to see you. 🇵🇭❤️

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

I came to the Philippines to save money. I stayed because I found a better life. 🇵🇭

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

@7PETERS I can't see how it's not enough money to afford anything 😞

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

4 years of college.

₱15,000/month salary.

At some point we have to ask whether the math makes sense. 🇵🇭

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

Things I never expected to become part of my regular life in the Philippines 🇵🇭

⛽ Gas
🪔 Katol incense
🔥 Butane tanks
🥥 Coconut water
🌿 Moringa leaves
🍗 Mang Inasal

Life here is different 😂

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

Malls aren't culture. They're just air conditioning with a food court.

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

Nobody warns you that the hardest part of expat life in the Philippines isn't the visa. It's the 6 months after the honeymoon phase ends and you're just... lonely, in a nice apartment.

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

Filipinos are dangerously good at making strangers feel welcome.

A 10-minute conversation turns into food, directions, and a family invitation.

How am I supposed to leave? 😂

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

If your income depends on your home country, you never actually left.

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

The Philippines is making it hard to pick where to travel next. Too many islands, not enough time. Which island should I hit next? 😂🇵🇭

[Expat @ExpatBuild]

Yeah I understand now what I need to do to push forward