For those leaving or already moved to the US

[Drlong 1]

Actually I asked my wife (coming in October) to bring all her important papers, pictures, keepsakes and just some basic clothing, she will do her shopping here as soon as she arrives. Living in Alaska most of the clothes she has would not really work out so well here. We are pretty lucky in that the company I work for gives me a travel allowance and I can use that to fly to the Philippines twice a year at a greatly reduced rate so if she needs something from the Philippines she can buy it in April when we go back to our home there.

The quality of the clothing you buy here in the States is much higher than the stuff you buy in the Philippines for the most part, I work with several hundreds of Filipinos and they all buy their clothes here because even though more expensive they last much longer, are more fashionable and have a greater selection here too. Really most things that are cheap in the Philippines are cheap because they are of lesser quality and the things that are of good quality are just as expensive as they are here. I bought a pair of Nike's last time I was back and they cost more there that what I can find online or at the local department store here.

It's really up to the person on what you bring but just remember that in America the selection of goods is endless

[Sergi9 110]

Yeah My shoe size is 5 and I am going to bring at least 30 pairs of shoes! Lol Very pinoy and very Imelda Marcos. But I do worry if I should buy more closed shoes? Because it gets very cold in Illinois and I don't know if my shoes are season appropriate.

By buying the things I get shy with my fiance. I am referring to pads, make ups and other female necessities. Coz I'm gonna be unemployed during the first few months.

Yes it gets crazy cold in Illinois but not likely you will find mukluks in Phillipine's. You should be able to find boots in kids section that will look like adult boots here and more than likely will be able to find your size in a large shoe store. pack lite it will be more expensive to pay for excess luggage than buy the stuff here on clearance.

[griffin 7]

MOST IMMPORTANT THINGS TO BRING:

1. DOCUMENTS FROM THE PHILIPPINES

- BIRTH CERTIFICATE (NSO),HAVE ENOUGH ORIGINALS.

- IF MARRIED, NSO MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE,

- IF YOU HAVE KIDS FROM PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIP, BRING NSOBIRTH CERTIFICATE.

- IF PLANNING TO FURTHER EDUCATION ,BRING HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ORIGINAL AND T.O.R. ,SO IT CAN BE EVALUATED.

NOTE: SHOES AND DRESSES CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE HERE IN THE STATES ,INFACT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SALES BUT SINCE YOU ARE NEW AND DONT HAVE WORK STILL, THEN I WOULD SUGGEST TO BE PREPARED AND ATLEAST BRING ONE FORMAL DRESS WITH SHOES . CASUAL DRESS. CLOTHING FOR JOB INTERVIEW AND SHOES. THE REST CAN BE PURCHASE HERE. BRING YOUR SAVINGS.

Edited July 24, 2011 by griffin

[M_A 0]

if you like cleaning your nails, you should bring cuticle remover (the pink one), Merthiolate, pointed pusher... these are the things that i thought i could have when i went here...

and by the way... if you're using PH CARE or LACTACYD, you should bring at least 3 big bottles... there's no way you could find it here...

yah, they have it online but too expensive...

[Jim N Augie 16]

Forgot one thing, my fiance plans to stock up on Jeans cause those need to be an exact fit lol. Jim.

[Ning 619]

Dont bring over 10thousand $ thats a limit with customs. The US has many different weather conditions and some things like boots and coats should be bought in the US and have your fiance help with that as he will alreday know the temperatures. Definately bring any school transcripts and a few certified copies of any important documents , vaccinations etc. Most larger cities will have an Asian style store for some things. My fiances sister is already in the US and seems to have good luck in the JCPennys in the petite section for clothes. Many people have told me it's better to have any dental or medical checkups or work done before you leave because cheaper, same with birth control pills. Jim.

Any amount of cash can be brought. If its over 10K it must be declared. Its a good idea to be able to show where the cash came from if asked.

My husband brought 55K with no problems & no questions asked because he declared it as required.

[dessndave 3]

Key things to bring

Clothes & shoes

As here in states I am 4'7 77lbs & size 5 shoe in Philippines

But here in states It is very very hard to find clothing & shoes.

it's all in children's section And does not look nice.

Make up is good to buy if you wear it.

pads are hard if your small like me. as I tend to be on small size of everything. & USA tends to concentrate larger sizes only.

tween size for me in pads is fine.

My husband don't mind shopping with me for these things.

we just hate clothing & shoes as they are mostly ugly.

We are thinking of sending money home for ma & ate to take buy camera & clothing to send back to me. (Camera to take photo's of clothes & shoes see if We Like hehe) electronics in usa is cheaper. but cost to much to send home.

Remember it is very expensive to send from usa to philippines.

and all you need is terminal fee & some snack money. i brought 3k just in case & at san francisco they have exchange there to buy back if you want usd.

jeans & blouse and shoes is a must to buy.

sneakers if you can buy in PI is better as here everything very expensive

average for anything seem to be 1k+ for shirt or even pants. sometimes find shirt for 400p maybe 200p.

shoes like sneakers or nice sandals is 500+ mostly 1-2k+ plain sandal as cheap as 100p

It's taking me a long time to get use to money here as I am still scared to buy anything not knowing if its good price.

like 1 can soda is 43p+ 1 small bottle is 86p where we shopped.

Hopes this helps everyone

Dave & Dessa

Edited July 24, 2011 by dessndave

[7teeners 2]

Another thing, I love books & I plan on bringing some of my favorites (like around +/-20). Books are still cheaper in the PI.

[paul_kay 31]

Wow those are nice infos. Thank you all and keep em coming!

[Jim N Augie 16]

Any amount of cash can be brought. If its over 10K it must be declared. Its a good idea to be able to show where the cash came from if asked.

My husband brought 55K with no problems & no questions asked because he declared it as required.

[Jim N Augie 16]

Thats correct you can declare it. I should have explained better, I would not want my fiance inviting the extra scrutiny at POE. But maybe thats just me. Jim.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Not only it gets very cold, but it also snows in Illinois in winter, so you will need some boots, or at least closed shoes. I don't know the prices in the Philippines, but I find clothes and shoes actually pretty cheap here in the US (well compared to Europe at least). So I think it would be cheaper to buy new clothes/shoes here, than paying alot of money for shipping them from the Philippines (unless you can fit everything in the suitcases you are going to bring, of course).

Don't worry about buying female necessities. Buying make up here in the US is very common and nothing to be shy about. As for pads and things like that, your fiance knows that you need because you're a woman, so don't be shy about it. I'm sure he will be totally ok with buying them for you!

I was just wondering the same! How cheaper could shoes and clothes be in the Philippines? I think clothes, shoes are cheaper in the US than in most places. I've paid 3 times as much for shoes or clothes, perfums or make up back in Guatemala than what I pay here now.

And I agree, things that one may consider "very private" or "intimate" while single, don't remain as private after you get married

Paul_kay, have you been in the US before? Or will this be your first time here?

Edited August 12, 2011 by eric_and_teresa

[paul_kay 31]

It's gonna be my first time. I'm done packing already! My flight's gonna be next week! I have two large luggage, one is for clothes and the other for my shoes alone! Lol I will be coming back to the Philippines next year anyways. I will be bringing some of my textbooks too.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

It's gonna be my first time. I'm done packing already! My flight's gonna be next week! I have two large luggage, one is for clothes and the other for my shoes alone! Lol I will be coming back to the Philippines next year anyways. I will be bringing some of my textbooks too.

I missed your reply last week, but you must be in the US now!

[paul_kay 31]

I missed your reply last week, but you must be in the US now!

Lol yeah! Just got here in Illinois last Sunday. Thank you!