What Would You Do Different?

[RonHenk]

Hey All, things are starting to come together for us here and we're getting close to making the permanent move to the PI (Probably within 6 months). Anyway, for those of you who've been there, done that. What would do different? I'm talking about before you made the move. What would you do that you didn't do? What would you NOT do that you did do? What would you bring that you didn't bring? What would you not bring that you did? And so on and so on. I think you get my meaning. Soooo what would you do different?

[scott h]

For me Ron it was I didn't get my 13 series visa. If you wife is a Philippine citizen and you live close to an embassy in the states it would probably be easier to get it there. 

[jon1]

Only come with what you can bring in 2 suitcases

 

Bring enough meds for 6 months (f you are on any)

 

Maintain a US Residence if at all possible, until you are 100% sure the Philippines is for you (after you have immersed yourself for at least 4-5 months).

 

Buy a changeable round trip ticket  (allows you to return should it not work out for you) as you will need an onward ticket to be allowed to board the plane in the US anyway.

 

The first 6 months will be your most expensive (setting up a household and establishing a lease). Plan on a minimum budget of $2000/mo until you can find a semi-permanent place.

 

Bring at least $4000 with you or wire yourself $ via one of the money wire services. You can pick it up once in country. Set up an account so that you send to yourself from the US to the Phil.

 

Bring Credit Card/ATM, but use sparingly. Notify your financial institutions that you will be using them in the Philippines for at least 6 months. Otherwise you run the risk of the cards being cancelled or at minimum declined. Use these sparingly as the country is rife with Credit Card Credential theft.

 

Bring a checkbook. Get a local bank account for US Dollars in your wife’s name. Write a check for deposit for the next month’s budget. A lot of banks require a $500 maintenance balance (Cash). It can take several months for you to obtain an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) which is a common requirement for opening an account (not needed for your wife).

 

Bring a notarized copy of your Marriage Certificate. Upon arrival in the Philippines have your wife ask the Immigration officer for a “Balikbayan Stamp” for you. This will give you one year free in country and should you want to leave after 6 months, no need to get an Exit Clearance Certificate (ECC) from Immigration prior to leaving. It also saves you about $560 in annual fees.

 

Get a VOIP phone (Magicjack or Skype) prior to leaving the US activated. You will need this to contact your banks when they decline your charges (I know that you told them already but it will still happen on occasion even though you did).

 

Leave all 110V devices behind and buy only universal devices (110V-240V).

 

Get the most pages you can add to your passport before you leave. It is a hell of a lot easier than doing it abroad.

 

Plan on renting and move about frequently until you find a suitable place for both you and your asawa.

 

Most expats fail or have problems when living close to their in-laws and extended family. Choose a suitable place at least 2 days travel by bus away.

 

Maintain your US Driver’s license. You will need it to maintain your state residency and should you return to the US for vacation.

 

Go paperless on all bills and financials.

 

Bring a laptop for your communications (most are universal power) and it has a battery so it will work during the frequent power outages.

 

Load a VPN client on said laptop so that you can access any websites that are US only (Hulu, etc.). It is also an additional layer of protection when accessing your financial web sites.

 

As a minimum, get your Tetanus and Rabies vaccinations current. Both are endemic in this country. Bring your shot record with you.

 

Bring lots of Patience and try to look at things objectively when you are here as most people are in the “honeymoon” stage for 6 months or longer.

 

Always have a backup plan for everything and an emergency plan should you have to relocate back to the US.

 

Once your wife has US Citizenship, get her dual citizenship.

[RBM]

Don't invest all your  assets here.

 

Do bring a bucket full of patience!

[Jack Peterson]

Assume nothing, Question Everything!   :rolleyes: 

 

 

jp

[cebu rocks]

Jon pretty much nailed it .  A sense of adventure and a Mr Bean sense of humor make the days a lot more fun.

[Thomas]

You can PREPARE some BB boxes, which some relative/friend can keep until you know IF you will want it/some/all send to you.

 

(I will prepare 1 - 2. Less important things I will bring step by step, when I will travel to visit my family and friends in my home country. I suppouse I will want to do that once a year at least as long as my parents are alive. Later I suppouse it will be less and less often, I hope I have moved all then   :mocking:    

[OnMyWay]

Yes, everything Jon said with one clarification that Thomas hit on.  Most people will want to bring a lot of things (hopefully only sentimental things)  so you will need to ship some things.  

 

-- Bring your 4 suitcases (1 for you and 3 for your wife) and leave the other things behind until you get settled.

-- Pack everything else into Balikbayan boxes and either leave with a friend or at a storage facility that a friend can get too.

-- Establish a relationship with a Balikbayan box shipper (or two) and send a trial box to relatives / friends.

-- Arrange for a friend to ship all of your BB boxes when the time is right.

-- If possible, arrange for a friend to ship you a BB box anytime in the future, when you might miss some things from home.

 

--  If you plan on visiting your cold former home, like Denver, arrange to leave some cold weather clothing with a friend.  Bring the absolute emergency minimum of cold weather clothing with you, in case you have to rush off to Moscow.

[Mike J]

I think Jon really nailed it.  The only change I would suggest is a 12 month supply of meds instead of 6.  Also bring two credit cards, but  NEVER carry more than one when you get here.

Edited December 8, 2014 by Mike J

[Thomas]

I think Jon really nailed it.  The only change I would suggest is a 12 month supply of meds instead of 6.  Also bring two credit cards, but  NEVER carry more than one when you get here.

There is a maximum rule in the custom concerning need for maximum X* months.  

 

*I don't remember how many months   :)