moving to cebu from seattle

[Seattle2Cebu 0]

im working on moving to cebu.. My fiance lives there. We talked about it and Im just going to go live there a year or so and see how it goes. If things go well, we will get married in October. I will just stay there.

Im working on saving my money. Its my understanding that after im married, I would not need a work permit the same as if I were not married.

Im planning on getting a certificate to teach english, but that job doesn't pay so well either. Jobs there dont pay.

I also am researching telecommuting. There are home based customer service reps that work at home in the usa, but

it will be a challenge to see about getting something going in cebu. I have to look into VOIP and see just what

all it would take.

So, we will be poor. I would like to go soon, but I have to wait until I have enough money to go. We will just get

an apt at around 5,000 pesos a month.. pay elect and internet and buy food, and thats about all..

unfortunately I wasted a lot of money last 3 years, wish i had it back, but thats the way it is.. my credit is shot and all that. Im starting to shoot off emails and see what all I can do to get some kind of job.

I have many years call center experience, so maybe I can find something with that or teaching english.

If she stays with me through some not so good times there, I will feel much better about bringing her here in the future.

Im not going to the P.I. and visit and sign somebody up for a fiance visa and then come back here and wait.

Ive been through two rodeos on that one, and Im done. For those that the warning would apply, of course you wont listen, but there is a big difference in living life together in real time and an internet relationship, whether you believe

it or not. Marriage is a big big thing in anyones life. If she means that much to you, I would advise anyone to

go ahead and make the sacrifices and go there for an extended stay if at all possible. The expense and devastation

if things go bad is much worse than a stay in the P.I.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just my 2 cents - if you're still far from retirement age and are not expecting to collect on any pension or social security, trying to make a comfortable living in the PI will be 100 times more difficult than here in the states, especially with your skill set. If you were an engineer or doctor, then you'd have a better chance, but still - it's no secret why there are thousands of Filipinos applying to work abroad or to even immigrate to the US - for better economic opportunities. If you had a steady retirement income or had enough in savings to live on, go for it, but otherwise, you're really going to make life more difficult for yourself, IMO.

Edited January 28, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[tallcoolone 102]

I had a nice 2 bedroom apartelle south of Davao.

Paid 3000 pesos per month, it was pretty nice and had gated entrance.

Electric was 500 peso per month, no air con.

Water was 300 peso per month

There are alot of expats in Cebu, hook up with a few and ask them question.

Forum is called "Living in Cebu"

God Speed.......

[tallcoolone 102]

Forgot to add:

We had DSL (SmartBro) and it was fast.

Price was 999 peso per month

Take a laptop from USA, they are cheaper and better here....

[sunlyk 1]

I don't know I'm not here to judge you or your fiancee but Filipino are not into living together without marriage, I still believe that culture exist up to now. For us woman it's a disgraceful to the reputation of the family and Parent will ussually opposed to that idea to the extend they will disown their daughter. Wish you peace and love.

[Jasman0717 9]

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

[giraffemd 0]

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

Really!!! You mean if we decide to move back to my country, we will be unable to collect social security???? What about if we keep our bank account open here..(This question belongs in another thread I know, but just asking)

[geezer 1]

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

This is incorrect.

A US citizen can collect benefits in the Philippines with no problems. Dependants or surviviors of US Citizen need to have resided in the USA for a minium of 5 years before they can collect benefits in the Philippines. You can check out the SS website at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html#additional

Edited January 28, 2009 by geezer

[Tsup2 0]

If you move to the Philippines and eventually decide to return to the US with your wife how will you meet the minimum income requirement (125% of poverty level) for a visa. Your plan assumes you will be able to find a job once settled in the Philippines. Wages are very low and jobs are hard to obtain for a foreigner. THe majority of expats residing in the Philippines have an income source (pension, social security) etc.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If you move to the Philippines and eventually decide to return to the US with your wife how will you meet the minimum income requirement (125% of poverty level) for a visa. Your plan assumes you will be able to find a job once settled in the Philippines. Wages are very low and jobs are hard to obtain for a foreigner. THe majority of expats residing in the Philippines have an income source (pension, social security) etc.

Good point.

[Jasman0717 9]

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

Really!!! You mean if we decide to move back to my country, we will be unable to collect social security???? What about if we keep our bank account open here..(This question belongs in another thread I know, but just asking)

I have been told by several expats living in the RP that the government will not make social securit payments to citizens living in the Philippines. Just get a US address, have the money deposited in a bank account where you can use the ATM in the RP.

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

This is incorrect.

A US citizen can collect benefits in the Philippines with no problems. Dependants or surviviors of US Citizen need to have resided in the USA for a minium of 5 years before they can collect benefits in the Philippines. You can check out the SS website at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html#additional

I know a whole bunch of expats living there that had to establish a residence in the US to get benefits. I believe the Philippines is on the restricted list

[geezer 1]

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

Really!!! You mean if we decide to move back to my country, we will be unable to collect social security???? What about if we keep our bank account open here..(This question belongs in another thread I know, but just asking)

I have been told by several expats living in the RP that the government will not make social securit payments to citizens living in the Philippines. Just get a US address, have the money deposited in a bank account where you can use the ATM in the RP.

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

This is incorrect.

A US citizen can collect benefits in the Philippines with no problems. Dependants or surviviors of US Citizen need to have resided in the USA for a minium of 5 years before they can collect benefits in the Philippines. You can check out the SS website at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html#additional

I know a whole bunch of expats living there that had to establish a residence in the US to get benefits. I believe the Philippines is on the restricted list

Sorry you are just wrong.

The law is as I stated an american citizen can get SS benefits with no problem, dependants and survivors need to have resided in the USA 5 years before they are eligible.

If you dont believe me read the link I posted. If anyone is contemplating getting SS benefits in the PI, contact your local office here in the USA first don't rely on this post and what somebady says expats say...

BTW You really need to tell your expat friends to contact social security office in the USA,they are eligible for benefits and if they have been under the mistaken belief that they cant get them they will be glad to hear they can.

Edited January 29, 2009 by geezer

[Dakine 26]

You can get SS benefits in RP but not the medicare part!

[geezer 1]

You can get SS benefits in RP but not the medicare part!

Thats correct, depending on your health it may be to your advantage to sign up for medicare when you are eligible at 65 and return to the states for any major health issues. The medicare premiams are cheaper if you sign up then they go up something like 10% a year.

Btw If you are receiving VA benefits and you have a combat service connected disability you can get VA medical benefits in the Philippines, the only or one of the few places outside of the USA you can do so. Also if you are retired military you can get TRICARE in the philippines.

[Dakine 26]

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

This is incorrect.

A US citizen can collect benefits in the Philippines with no problems. Dependants or surviviors of US Citizen need to have resided in the USA for a minium of 5 years before they can collect benefits in the Philippines. You can check out the SS website at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html#additional

If the surviving wife is a US citizen she can collect without the 5 year trip. I believe she gets 1/2 what the hubby got!

Not sure what the kids get.