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# Steve Fleming: Expert Expat Guides

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Can You Legally Gamble Online in the Philippines? A Guide for Expats](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/can-you-legally-gamble-online-in-the-philippines-a-guide-for-expats/): If you’re planning to retire in the Philippines, you’ll quickly notice that gambling is part of everyday life. From large casino resorts in Manila to small betting outlets, it’s easy to find ways to play.
- [Bacolod vs. Cebu for Retirees — The Case for Negros](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/bacolod-vs-cebu-retirees/): Cebu gets all the attention, but Bacolod is the smarter choice for retirees who want real Philippines life without the tourist markup. Rent runs ₱10,000-18,000/month in Bacolod versus ₱15,000-25,000 in Cebu.
- [The Truth About Working on an SRRV — And Why Most Expats Get It Wrong](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/truth-about-working-srrv/): The SRRV gives you residency, not work rights. To legally work in the Philippines, you need an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE — unless you qualify for an exemption. New DOLE rules (DO 248, Series of 2025) took effect February 2025.
- [Can Foreigners Own Land in the Philippines? Proceed With Caution If You Want to Stay Safe.](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/can-foreigners-own-land-in-the-philippines/): Can foreigners own land in the Philippines or not? If you're confused, don't worry — you're not alone. The rules are strict, but there have been recent changes that every expat should know about.
- [Why Your Philippine Hospital Might Not Accept Your Insurance](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/philippine-hospital-insurance-cash-deposits/): Private Philippine hospitals almost always require cash deposits upfront, even for insured patients. Your foreign health insurance plan—whether from Cigna, Pacific Cross, or anyone else—will likely require pre-authorization before they guarantee payment.
- [Cost of Living in the Philippines 2026 – Monthly Budget Guide](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/cost-of-living-philippines-2026-monthly-budget-guide/): How much do you actually need to live comfortably in the Philippines? It's the question everyone asks, and the answer depends entirely on the lifestyle you want. Here's a proper breakdown.
- [Best Health Insurance for Expats in the Philippines (2026)](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/best-health-insurance-expats-philippines-2026/): Right, let's talk about health insurance. If you're retiring here or thinking about it, you've probably had someone tell you something different from the next person. PhilHealth, private insurers, HMOs, international plans — everyone's got an opinion and a price tag. Here's what actually works on the ground.
- [SRRV Visa Philippines 2026: Complete Guide to the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/srrv-visa-philippines-2026/): The SRRV visa Philippines program remains one of the most popular pathways for foreigners looking to settle in the Philippines long-term. If you're thinking about retirement in the Philippines, you've probably heard about it — and for good reason. September 2025 brought some decent updates too, lowering the age requirement to 40, which opened the door for a lot of people who were previously shut out.
- [5 Tips for a Healthy Retirement in the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/healthy-retirement-in-the-philippines/): A healthy retirement in the Philippines is something every expat craves and in this article I'll give you 5 simple tips to make it a reality.
- [How to Ship a Car to the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/ship-car-philippines/): So you want to ship a car to the Philippines, do you?
- [Top 5 Financial Tips for Expats in the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/top-5-financial-tips-foreigners-philippines/): As a financial advisor, one of the biggest problems I see with foreigners living abroad is financial planning since you don’t have the NSA, 401(k)’s, or Superannuation’s to help you out – you’re all on your own with little or no help from the Philippines or your motherland. For those retired, semi-retired, or thinking about retiring in paradise, here are some helpful hints to keep your finances healthy.
- [How to Live in the Philippines with No Money](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/live-philippines-no-money/): From time to time, I take a look at the statistics for this site and like to see how people are finding us. Most of the search terms are pretty obvious and are not too surprising, but when I see something as crazy as this one, I have to sit up and take notice.
- [Why I Ultimately Left the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/ultimately-left-philippines/): There aren’t too many articles detailing the cases in which it doesn’t work out. In this article, I’m going to explain why I left the Philippines, and hopefully, by reading it, you will gain a more realistic understanding of what is needed to make your dream life in the Philippines a success.
- [Keep the IRS off Your Back! Advice for Americans Abroad](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/keep-irs-off-back-advice-americans-abroad/): FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) entered into force in 2010, and it has been reinforced during the past several years. Before, the government was relatively lax on tax reporting for Americans abroad. But today, it’s essential to report all your assets and financial activity every year. To ensure overseas Americans are tax compliant, the US has signed deals with thousands of companies and countries (the Philippines included) to ensure they report their transactions with Americans to the IRS.
- [I Never Chose to Live in the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/i-never-chose-to-live-in-the-philippines/): I'm originally from the UK but now live in the Philippines and have done so for the last twelve years.
- [Returning to the UK with a Filipino Spouse](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/returning-uk-filipino-spouse/): This can happen for any number of reasons. The only permanent thing in life is impermanence, circumstances change constantly, and what seemed like a dream yesterday can grow tiring and stale. I decided last year when my son was born to return to the UK after living in Asia for almost a decade. Of course, my Filipina spouse would be coming with me.
- [Is it Still Safe to Retire in the Philippines?](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/still-safe-retire-philippines/): Naturally, this causes many people concern, and some may be wondering if it's still safe to retire in the Philippines.
- [Meet Filipinas Online The Easy Way](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/meet-filipinas-online/): This might be stating the obvious, but you’d be surprised how many men sign up for a dating website to meet Filipinas online, who ticks all their boxes, and dives right in without a thought for the morrow.
- [Philippines 13a Visa Requirements Explained](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/philippine-13a-visa-requirements/): The 13A visa is for foreign spouses of Filipino citizens who want to live permanently in the Philippines. It gives permanent residency (after 1-year probation), allows you to work (with proper permits), and eliminates the need for visa renewals.
- [The Philippines – Retire In A Tropical Paradise](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/philippines-retire-tropical-paradise/): Instead, the Filipino people are easy going and friendly and smile a lot.
- [5 Things You Better Ask Before Entering a Cross-Cultural Marriage in The Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/5-things-better-ask-entering-cross-cultural-marriage-philippines/): I'm from Ireland, and she's from The Philippines. We're both in our early thirties, and we love each other dearly.
- [Mindanao Revisited](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/mindanao-revisited/): Some of you asked for further information, and one of you, Mitchell, wrote in with a longish comment that was converted into an article. Mitchell used a young Canadian, Kyle, as an illustration of the safety of living in and traveling around Mindanao.
- [Nose Bleed! Nose Bleed!](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/nose-bleed/): Many of your Filipino acquaintances will make an effort to speak in English with you, assuming you as the foreigner, are from an English speaking nation. However, don’t be at all surprised after thirty minutes or so if they revert to speaking in their regional or national tongue. Occasionally, the odd Filipino will make zero effort to speak in English in your company.
- [Staying Safe in Mindanao](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/staying-safe-in-mindanao/): This post is actually a response to a comment we had on RTTP asking for an honest and true account of what it's like to live as an expat in two specific areas of Mindanao, Iligan and Cagayan. I thought the response deserved more attention and so have decided to publish it as a post.
- [Christmas in the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/christmas-in-the-philippines/): "Maligayang Pasko Sa Inyong Lahat" or Merry Christmas to Everyone!
- [Banking in the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/banking-in-the-philippines/): All the major banks here all have slightly different rules and processes to open that bank account. There are many types of bank accounts including foreign currency deposit accounts. It falls outside of my expertise to advise you on which type of account you need so I suggest you research that and seek professional advice.
- [Dirty Kitchen? Is That Where You Eat Dirty Ice Cream?](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/dirty-kitchen-is-that-where-you-eat-dirty-ice-cream/): It was during my house hunting that I first heard ‘dirty kitchen.’ I was genuinely puzzled. The words were uttered with pride and an inner satisfaction which added to my puzzlement. How on earth could someone be proud of a ‘dirty kitchen’? It conjured up images of cockroaches and rat infestation in my western head. Thank goodness I could not have been any further wide of the mark.
- [Travel Advisories for the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/travel-advisories-philippines/): No one in their right mind could condone any form of terrorism and in particular this incident of hostage taking. However  it seems strange that foreigners appear to blatantly ignore travel advisories warning against travel in this part of the Philippines. I accept that different foreign governments issue slightly differing advice. For example there is a contrast between the advisories issued by the US and the UK governments. The UK government has a long history of erring on the side of caution when wording its warnings. On this occasion it appears to have been completely justified.
- [Personal Safety Tips in the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/personal-safety-tips-in-the-philippines/): One of the most important issues concerning foreigners wishing to retire to the Philippines is their personal safety. There are no guarantees in life and any of us can be murdered no matter how safe the area. However, we can help prevent being a victim of a violent crime by choosing a safer area to live. Many parts of Manila are not it. The crime rate is high in Manila. Violent crime is on the rise there. More people are murdered in one week in Manila, most weeks, than are murdered in the Bacolod area over a 12 month period. I've seen the official crime statistics of the PNP to back up my statement.
- [How to Supplement Your Retirement in the Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/how-to-supplement-your-retirement-in-the-philippines/): I believe I am fairly typical of many expats. I chose to retire here for a number of reasons. One of them that was paramount is that it is a hell of a lot cheaper to live here than in the UK. And for UK you can substitute any western country whether it is the United States, Canada, Australia or any western European country. I think I am also typical in that my retirement income is modest. It was a struggle to make ends meet in my retirement back in the old country. Britain had a politician who proclaimed many years ago “never get old in Britain” meaning that you will become impoverished and scared of turning on the heating on a cold, damp winter’s day. That forecast has become a fact and one of the reasons I left Blighty for good.
- [Philippine Flu Season Is Here](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/philippine-flu-season-is-here/): Muscle aches, bone aches, backaches,  a dry hacking cough, a low grade fever and loss of appetite are the symptoms that are making the rounds. In schools, in the work place, in malls and in the general public. I had all the symptoms for the past 5 days.
- [Motorcycle Madness in Manila](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/motorcycle-madness-in-manila/): A number of our Filipino friends own a motorcycle. To be honest, most do not obey the local helmet law. Some say the motorcycle helmet is too hot and others say it actually obstructs their field of vision. Who knew?
- [American Pie](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/american-pie/): Dependence upon the foreigner customer base is not the route to go. I personally know many expats living in Bacolod and I've had lunch with them at least once per month over the past 5 years. There is only one guy and his wife who dine out daily and they make the rounds. No matter how much they enjoy a particular restaurant, they also like variety when dining out. With the many choices of good restaurants in Bacolod, my friend and his wife may only make it to their favorite once or twice a month. New restaurants open every week in Bacolod and the owners use the internet to promote their opening. At least the smart owners do.
- [Green Onions](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/green-onions/): The successful expat restaurant owners I know are 100% hands on in the beginning. There is no way around it. If you are not willing be take an active role everyday in your restaurant, stop right there. It's not going to work in the vast majority of situations.
- [Free Bird And All Five Horizons](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/free-bird-and-all-five-horizons/): If you like the feel of a bikers bar without getting your butt kicked and without biker chicks, Crossed Pistons Saloon is the place to visit in Cebu City. It is located on Morales Street, near Harold's Hotel and the Silver Dollar Bar. If you are looking for a girlie bar, skip Crossed Pistons because that is not what they are about.
- [The Bright Future Requires Sunglasses At Night](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/the-bright-future-requires-sunglasses-at-night/): We hear more often from the guys who lost their shirts trying to do business in the Philippines. Most discourage others from even trying because they failed and they don't want to see another foreigner succeed. I'm sorry about their bad luck but it hasn't rubbed off on me. I am successful.
- [Who Let The Dogs Out](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/who-let-the-dogs-out/): Four years ago, when we first moved to the city from the farm, that was the burning question. Who let the dogs out? It was about 10pm one evening when we returned home from Chicken Alley, listening to live bands, when we noticed our front gate was open. Our 2 dogs were missing. One dog was a Doberman and the other was a Gamboa, which is mixed St Bernard.
- [Winds of Change](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/winds-of-change/): On Saturday, June 6th, I woke up and discovered I live in a different Region of the Philippines. Without actually moving, I now live in the NIR. Negros Island Region. I went to sleep Friday night living in the Western Visayas but woke up Saturday morning living in the NIR. Imagine that.
- [Sell It Or Ship It?](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/sell-it-or-ship-it/): It was easy for us to decide what to ship, sell and give away. Winter clothing was given away and that was a no brainer. We don't need long johns, wool sweaters, corduroy pants, heavy jackets, etc, in the Philippines. We began shipping boxes of personal items we wanted to keep about 6 months before our actual move.
- [Fatboys, Fatboys, Whatcha Gonna Do?](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/fatboys-fatboys-whatcha-gonna-do/): If I go to a restaurant and it is not worth a crap, I don't pass that information along. I am not going to affect a person's business in a negative manner. Maybe the chef was sick that day and the owner or manager had to grab a quick fill in. Maybe their normal stock was not delivered on time, resulting in some menu items being unavailable or substitutions of ingredients had to be made. Such is life of a restaurant owner in the Philippines. Even in Manila and Cebu.
- [Murky Waters of Safe Seafood Consumption](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/murky-waters-of-safe-seafood-consumption/): We are certainly in the right location for eating healthy seafood and at an excellent price for Filipinos and foreigners alike. Fresh oysters, mussels, clams, prawns, shrimp, crabs, scallops, squid, hundreds of different fish, canned sardines and canned tuna are readily available. Western health professionals recommend eating no less than 3 servings of seafood every week. It is easy and affordable to add seafood to your regular diet in Negros Occidental. There are also thousands of different recipes around to kick up all your seafood many notches.
- [Love That Chicken From Popeye’s](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/love-that-chicken-from-popeyes/): I love that chicken from Popeye's. That is what I told my brother in Florida earlier this evening and he was amazed. He didn't know there were Popeye's Louisiana Kitchens in the Philippines. There's not. We make Popeye's Chicken in our home kitchen. I got the original recipe from the internet and I can make Popeye's chicken from all locally sourced ingredients... at local prices. Nothing imported.
- [A Miracle At Midnight](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/a-miracle-at-midnight/): The guns were loaded, checked and re-checked by the executioners. The firing squad was ready to execute a group of convicted prisoners known as the Bali 9 on Execution Island, Indonesia. Among the Bali 9 was a 30 year old Filipina, who had captured the world's attention... Mary Jane Veloso.
- [Marvelous Coffee And A Laid-back Lifestyle](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/marvelous-coffee-and-a-laid-back-lifestyle/): Let's face the facts. The vast majority of Filipinos love coffee. It is the number one drink at breakfast for adults and it is also the number one drink at merienda, afternoon snack time. It is basically considered a sin for any household not to have coffee, even if just the instant 3 in 1 sachets, requiring only hot water. Drinking coffee with friends and family is considered a social event and is indeed part of the Filipino culture.
- [Adjustment To Life In The Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/adjustment-to-life-in-the-philippines/): I can honestly say that over the past 29 years, most foreigners made the adjustment, who I have come to know and some, even befriend. The main reason they made the adjustment is because they wanted to. And they realized that the Philippines is not back home. The Philippines as a whole is not trying to be the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or any other location around the world.
- [What I Like About The Philippines](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/what-i-like-about-the-philippines/): An American from Arizona recently asked me why I enjoy the Philippines so much. I had many reasons to share.
- [Oh, Happy Day](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/oh-happy-day/): Holy Week is so important, the actual educational academic year is influenced by the timeline of the Easter celebration. Public and private schools end their academic year before Holy Week kicks off. Our son's school let out on March 24. All the students on every level are on vacation until the 1st or 2nd week of June, when the new term begins.
- [Beat Of My Own Drum](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/beat-of-my-own-drum/): Relatives and friends with good intentions often gave me advice, even when I did not ask. I often cut against the grain and did not allow others to hold me back from my goals and objectives in life. Those were my goals and objectives, not other's. I had no intentions of working until I was age 65 and hopefully living long enough to enjoy at least a good 10-15 years or so of the rest of my life. That did not sound good to me at all. I am going to be happy the last 10-15 years or so of my life. I was not with that program.
- [Email From A Retired Expat](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/email-from-a-retired-expat/): I do not follow all the news events and all the rabbit trails that I used to be so interested in. I am no longer so stuck on political events of the day, and guess what? I can and do live without Fox NEWS. I seldom rush to anything, and haven't in weeks, since I have been here. The only thing I really need to be on time for is Sunday services, and I manage to make that each Sunday morning almost right on time. The clergy is going up the center aisle as I am going up the isle closest to where we parked our van.
- [A Guide to the Philippines for First Timers](https://retiringtothephilippines.com/a-guide-to-the-philippines-for-first-timers/): The Philippines is one of the easiest and most enjoyable places that many people decide to retire to, but making this decision can be challenging. Here is a guide to the Philippines to help get you started on your journey to retirement:

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