Tired of the rat-race that America has become? Then try something different, there is a place where things move at a slow pace, where women are feminine and lady-like, and the cost of living is a lot less. The weather is warm year-round, white sandy beaches are everywhere with coconut palms gently swaying in the breeze. Crystal clear waters that you can see 15 feet down through to the ocean floor. The Place? The Philippines! There's nowhere else in the world like it in my opinion. After traveling there for the first time in early 1998, I was expecting to be there for perhaps four weeks or so, but instead I stayed for eight weeks before reluctantly returning to Florida. I didn't stay away though, a few months later I returned and stayed for two years instead of just two months. I was mainly in Cebu Province, mostly in and around Cebu City, nicknamed the "Queen City of the South." But there is plenty to see there besides the Queen City of Cebu. There are 7,109 islands in the Philippines, some quite large, while others are the size of a small Buick. - Living In The Philippines - Two Years In The Philippines

Map Of The Philippines

Real Estate In The Philippines Philippine Real Estate  & Properties plus other nearby Pacific Islands, Resorts and much more The Philippines offers a significantly lower cost of living. The Philippine Peso exchange rate is approximately 48 to $ 1.00 or 70 to 1 Pound [Sterling (GBP)]. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. A One bedroom condominium can be purchased for around $ 100,000 or GBP 55,000 or a Studio for only $ 60,000 or GBP 35,000 and one can dine out on average at a three star restaurant for less than 500 pesos. A private driver’s salary is approximately 15,000/month, while trained housekeepers earn approximately 8,000/month. These salaries are lower if you live in the provinces. - Real Estate In The Philippines - Current Listings, Bargains, Islands, Enclaves, Coast Property, Sale by Owner, Current Listings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. - Ranches - Houses - Islands - Beachfront - Advertise Your Property - Also see Real Estate in the Pacific Islands - Real Estate By Type - Islands, B&B's, Restaurants - Offshore Real Estate Library Archives - Offshore Yacht Broker - Real Estate Index - List Your Property In The Marketplace

Articles on Living & Investing in The Philippines The Quest for an Island Paradise - Living On A Philippine Island - By Tanja Bulatovic - The ultimate goal (albeit vague) was to rent a cheap house on some tropical island, buy the shells and ship the containers back to France.  The whole routine would take up to 3 or 4 months of the year, leaving plenty of time free to contemplate love, life and the universe. Once the shells were sold in France (wholesale), I would receive my commission, which was only a shade above the cost of purchase, but it didn’t matter.  The aim here was lifestyle.  And if I could make enough money to survive in paradise, it was all I needed. Best of all, Fabrice would join me in a few months (cut to 2 people running towards each other in slow motion on an exotic beach.  He lifts her up, whirls her around and they finally embrace after their long and torturous separation). Whatever, you get my drift but you have to admit, the dream seemed viable. And when passion and freedom are your priority, why not dream big? The Quest for an Island Paradise Part Two – Living On A Philippine Island - Bank Robbers and Hunter Girls in Puerto Galera - By Tanja Bulatovic- Like it or not, the country’s sex industry most certainly rivals the one in Thailand and most countries around the world for that matter. Men, (and occasionally women too) congregate from all corners of the globe knowing very well that a girl (or boy) costs no more than $15 per night.  For that price, they can buy pretty much anything they want.  At any age.  And what’s more, contraception is virtually unheard of. It’s a risky business for anyone involved but it doesn’t stop anyone either. The Quest for an Island Paradise Part Three – Living On A Philippine Island - Boracay Unplugged By Tanja Bulatovic - Boracay is one of those places you can’t help but fall in love with. Clear, azure waters, wide stretches of powdery white sand, shady palms, lazy afternoons and sunsets that make everything fall into place. The butterfly-shaped, picture postcard isle, sits at the northern tip of Panay Island in the Philippines and despite the tourist amenities along the beach, the place reads like romantic fiction. Surrounded by tropical flora, fauna, numerous fish species (including a rare French species called Fabrice), large caves and coral reefs, the 7km x 1km Island is ideal if you’re looking for the best of both worlds. Relax and soak up the sun or enjoy more energetic pursuits such as windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, water skiing and jet skiing (if you must). The Quest for an Island Paradise Part 4, Siargao – Paradise Found By Tanja Bulatovic - Imagine a place where you can stroll along deserted beaches. Chase butterflies as big as your hands. Drink rum from coconut shells and encounter rock pools packed with fish, crabs and starfish with dancing legs. Imagine nature on steroids. Fantasia come to life in a kingdom where dreams really do come true. I used to think the perfect island paradise was just an ideal - like a phony postcard or mental mirage. I was wrong. The Philippines, otherwise known as ‘The Pearl of the Orient Seas’, delivers the real thing, outweighing anything you could ever imagine.  With more than 7100 spectacular islands to choose from, the hardest part is deciding where to go, which is why I was surprised that the country has very little international tourism to speak of. The Philippines: Heaven on Earth, and Affordable! - The world is in a slowly recovering recession where living standards have been reduced through little fault of those who are suffering the consequences of the actions, mistakes and greed of a minority of the rest. That is the political situation and truth about the situation from which there is no escape. Luckily for me I have recently retired after completing 44 years of working worldwide, having sampled the conditions and cultures of many of the countries of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas (north and south), the Indian subcontinent and the Far East. My retirement came just after the financial collapse of 2008, which was also a blessing. Affordable Living in the South Seas - About 20 years ago I began my search for an island paradise that would allow me a life style that included safety, stunning natural beauty and a low cost of living. I was living in Hawaii at the time and have to say that the lifestyle there was pretty good – if you had lots of money and did not mind the crowds, and with 7 million visitors a year, I mean crowds.  My search was motivated by many things – global overcrowding, geopolitics, the lack of future resources like fuel, water and food in densely populated places and cities, the declining quality of life and what I felt was an ever-more obtrusive government that simply did not seem to have me or my children’s interest in mind. So I went and looked for the most likely place to suit my need. And I looked for several years. At the end of that journey I arrived in the Fiji Islands, which are now my home of choice. Not only was it easy to obtain residency (an investment in land of $50,000 will get you full time residency), but property prices are still well below other tropical destinations, and the main language is English, which is taught in all the schools. This is a major benefit as language difficulties are a huge issue in many destinations, especially for those looking to settle down, or possibly even start a business. A former British colony, Fiji in many forms retains a British character while being an absolute nature lover’s paradise. Real Estate Good Buys Overseas for Just $50,000 - In previous issues of Escape From America Magazine we detailed some amazing properties you can buy overseas for $150,000 or less . The following week we listed properties available at $100,000 or less and then what you can buy on an even lower budget of $75,000.   This week, part 4 of our 4 part series, we are going to show you what $50,000 will buy.  We looked for homes that were ready to move in to, or needed very little in the way of renovation.   Instead of providing the links to the properties featured in this article we are listing them on a separate newsletter which is free and easy to subscribe to.  This is so that we can keep you up to date with properties in a price bracket that suits your pocket.  Subscription details are given at the end of the article. ---> read more Getting Hitched In The Philippines - G'day! My name is Craig Beasy and if you guessed I am Australian, you guessed right. I am 43 yrs young, very happily married to a beautiful lassie from the ‘Land of Smiles’ and we have two pre-schoolers. My wife’s name is Brenda and she comes from Cebu, an Island only 200 miles long and 40 miles across at its widest point. Cebu-City incidentally is the freight hub for the entire Archipelago. Our gorgeous daughters are Adele Kristina 3 yrs, Isha-Belle 16mths, and yes I am definitely in the minority gender-wise in our household. So why marry a woman of Southeast Asian origin? Is it their quiet deferential innocence, their exotic oriental mystique or their coy shy smiles? Most of the blokes who read this may empathise; you know the drill, broken hearts and all that. ---> read more. Buying Property in the Philippines & Japan - I visited the Philippines for the first time in 1997.  Upon arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I instantly realized that I had come to a country with an ill deserved reputation as over-Americanized and not Asian enough.   The warm weather was a relief after coming out of a New York winter.  There was a band playing Filipino folk music in the airport, wearing straw hats and the traditional barong tagalong shirts.  I was overwhelmed by the sounds and colors that swirled through the streets as I made my way to the domestic airport for a flight to Cebu.  I stayed in Cebu for one month and on my return to the U.S., I knew that I wanted a place of my own there to go back to. In 1998 I made a second visit. This time along with Cebu I took excursions to the islands of Bohol and Palawan, thereby giving myself a look at a few of the over 7,000 islands the Philippines has to offer.  Cebu appealed to me because it is a city but with a relaxed air and without the congestion of Manila.  I also figured that real estate would be somewhat cheaper, so I decided to concentrate on Cebu. ---> read more. Life In A Hammock Living In The East Asian Tropics - The easiest way to buy property in the Philippines is to give it to your Filipina wife. Trust. Loyalty. Commitment. Family. These words still have meaning in the Philippines. They are the part of the Philippines that works. The downside of the Philippines is of course the corruption, graft, and nepotism – all of these things have meaning too. They are what make the country a challenge for an "amerikano" (all white people are " 'kano's") and Filipinos alike. In this respect, living in the Philippines is a learning experience, especially about yourself. The poor people from the villages are generally honest and can be a pleasure to deal with, especially if you learn to speak Binisaya. (the language spoken in the Visaya's ) " ---> read more. Sailing The Philippine Islands The Pearl Of The Orient - In The Pearl Of The Orient - The alluring beauty of the Far East is seen through its contrasts of culture, lifestyle, and climate. Somehow everyone of us has the desire to live and settle into a paradise that would provide ease and quiet enjoyment. To many the East could provide such a place: a place that would satisfy every transient and visitor in their desires for a great deal of pleasure – where life could be more interesting and exceptionally unique. The PHILIPPINES is an archipelago that is known as the "Pearl of Oriental Beauty and Enchantment" because of its rare scenic views and tourist attractions. It consists of more than 7,000 islands and islets; it is located off the southeast coast of the Asian continent. It has three principal Islands: the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippines has a total land area of 116,000 sq. miles; its neighbors are Taiwan to the north, Hong Kong to the northwest, Brunei and Malaysia to the southwest and Vietnam to the west. It lies within the Pacific basin and has a tropical climate. Rainy season normally occurs from June to December. Summer starts in January, but without a doubt the months of March and April are the warmest. ---> read more.  Escape From Winter A Special Place In The Philippines - O.K., let’s face it, there may be no one on the planet as sick and tired of cold wind, and snow as I am, having endured 50 cold winters  (out of my 66 years) due to familial and work obligations.   Having traveled the length and breadth of the U.S. in an “18 wheeler” for 12 of my working years, I am familiar with the fact, that there are damn few places that are really comfortable and affordable within it’s borders. I used to hear people say, “Oh I love the 4 seasons, and all the changes”…etc. etc.  So if you’re in that category, you can skip this, and go on, because I now live in a place that is very affordable, and essentially has one season, Summer, all year long! Yes, they have names for different times of the year, and if you’re talking to an English speaker,  (and there are more here than you’ll find anywhere else in Asia). ---> read more.  Real Estate Investment and Retirement in the Philippines - For many British, Australians and Americans, retirement time is just around the corner. At home, with low interest rates and high cost of living, the prospect of trying to live on a pension, in old age, is a daunting one unless you are prepared to substantially downscale your lifestyle. For some, moving to retire in another country is an option which has been successful in the past with Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Puerto Rico being among some of the more popular destinations. But why not consider retiring in the Philippines. The Philippines offers a significantly lower cost of living. The Philippine Peso exchange rate is approximately 48 to $ 1.00 or 70 to 1 Pound [Sterling (GBP)]. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. A One bedroom condominium can be purchased for around $ 100,000 or GBP 55,000 or a Studio for only $ 60,000 or GBP 35,000 and one can dine out on average at a three star restaurant for less than 500 pesos. ---> read more. A Series Of Articles On The Philippines in the Expat Daily News - Wherever you are in the world you can contribute to the expat daily news. As a correspondent or just as an individual that wants to alert people to upcoming events or opportunities in your part of the world, your input is more than welcome.  Wherever you are and whatever you know that you feel would be of interest to expats and to those who want to be expats will be welcome news. You know what we feature; international relocation, international real estate, international investment opportunities, overseas retirement, expat havens, 2nd passports, residency requirements, great locations, interesting web tools, offshore investments, overseas jobs, living on yachts, unique lifestyles...  and so on. Companies can contribute, groups can contribute, beachcombers living on a ten acre island can contribute — Whatever you know and wherever you're at, we want your input. If you want to become a full time or a part time correspondent there will be opportunities to join our staff; if you want to send in a tip once a month, or once a year; your tip will be welcome. ---> read more. More Articles On Living & Investing In The Philippines - and thousands of articles on living and investing overseas in countries around the world; including numerous articles on international real estate - Most of our articles start in our international relocation magazines; but we keep them in an archive so that visitors can access them - -  access is free, and free is a very good prices - Click here to visit our relocation articles reference library - Now Easier Travel to the Philippines - New airport announced - an increase the investment appeal of property in Philippines... Just a 15-minute boat ride from the island, the airport will be built on Carabao Island, and is expected to be fully operational by 2012. The airport, Carabao International Airport (CIA), will provide a modern international airport that will add to the island's existing neighbouring airports. The new airport will be able to accommodate short haul and medium range Airbuses and similar aircraft, allowing direct international flights from destinations such as Seoul, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Kuala Lumpur. Previously, international Boracay bound tourists had to change at Manila for Philippines domestic flights. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines  - Official Philippine government portal. Includes press releases, publication of legal issuances, historical papers, and archives.  | Edited at the Office of the President of the Philippines Under Commonwealth Act No. 638

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EscapeArtist Expat Taxes Newsletter - Individuals have been leaving their own land to seek opportunities elsewhere since the dawn of mankind  -  But it has only been since the development of the modern nation-state, and its taxation of the worldwide income of its citizen-residents, that expatriation has taken on significant tax consequences. One of the first tax advisors to appreciate the potential tax savings of expatriation was my friend and colleague, Marshall Langer J.D., a valued member of The Sovereign Society Council of Experts. Langer is an international tax attorney and the respected author of several major international tax treatises. He is also the daring creator of a now out-of-print book, The Tax Exile Report. This title gained international notoriety when the late U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), red-faced and angry, waived a copy of the book at a televised Senate hearing, denouncing it as “a legal income tax avoidance plan.” - Escapeartist has hatched a new partnership with Global Wealth Protection that will set the standard for authoritative information on Asset Protection, International Banking and Wealth Management and with a number of accountants, lawyers and bookkeepers that know the laws regarding expat taxes, how to do your income tax, which form to use, and which services understand the complexity of expat concerns. Simply put, the EscapeArtist Expat Taxes Newsletter portal will provide a wealth of information that will show you ways to save on taxes . . .  and then some.