Discover the Philippines
Discover the Philippines through real-world insight — whether you're an expat, long-term visitor, retiree, or simply looking for a new way of life. From practical advice on visas, healthcare, and the cost of living to deeper perspectives on Filipino society and how things really work day to day, everything here comes from grounded, firsthand experience. And if you're drawn to the country’s world-famous marine life, there's in-depth coverage of that too. The Philippines isn’t just a destination — it’s a place where life can be simpler, more connected, and genuinely rewarding.
Start Here — Explore Our Hub Pages
These three hubs are the core of the site — guiding you through living in the Philippines, discovering its diving, and understanding the society that ties it all together. Each hub brings together guides and insight designed to give you a clear, grounded view of the Philippines.
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Stay connected with Live Life The Philippines — your direct link to what’s changing and developing across the islands. Get instant access to our Retiree & Expat Budget Planners, plus regional updates, new guides, diving insights, and resources for living long-term in the Philippines.
Get the latest insights from across the Philippines — regional updates, living guides, diving reports, and culture in focus.
Why Living in the Philippines Is a Top Choice for Retirees, Expats, and Long-Term Visitors
Warm weather, affordable living, and a welcoming expat community make the Philippines a standout option for retirees and long-term residents. With stunning beaches, modern comforts, and a deeply rooted culture, many choose to make it their home. The cost of living is low, healthcare is accessible, and visa options are designed with foreign residents in mind.
Ready to explore your options? Visit the Living in the Philippines Hub for a complete overview of what to expect — or dive straight into this month’s featured articles below.
Everything you need to build a life in the Philippines.
Living - Featured Articles, Guides & Toolkits
Read our latest published articles providing practical insight for expats and long-term visitors — with real-world guidance on navigating everyday life in the Philippines.
What does property ownership look like in the Phillipines for a foreigner and how does it work.
When we first come to the Philippines, renting a property is a priority - How to making the right decisions
Getting Connected – SIM Cards, WiFi, Calls, Texts, Mobile Data & Starlink.
How the 13A marriage visa works — eligibility, application, probationary residency, and permanent status for foreign spouses.
Understand the Seasons, the Science and the Impact
Set up and use GCash with ease — a smart solution for daily spending without a local bank account.
Is month $1000 really enough to live in the Philippines? fact or fiction, the step by step budget guide.
Explore the SRRV, a long-term visa designed for retirees seeking permanent residency and flexible entry to the Philippines.
Living - Ready to Know More
Click through to the full set of guides — whether you’re planning your move or already living in the Philippines, there’s something useful waiting for you. Bookmark the site or subscribe to our newsletter — we update and add new pages every month.
Our in-depth articles helping you navigate daily life in the Philippines with clarity and confidence.
Dive the Philippines
The Philippines is home to some of the most rewarding diving in Southeast Asia — warm waters, vibrant coral reefs, and marine life that keeps you coming back.
I’ve made the Central Visayas region my home and dive here regularly. This part of the country is known for its reef diversity — stretching from Malapascua down to Apo Island, across to Panglao, and over to Southern Leyte. Whether you're just starting out or looking for something more advanced, the diving here leaves a lasting impression.
If you're curious to learn more, our Dive the Philippines Hub brings together firsthand guides to the sites, seasons, and conditions across this region — plus tips on underwater videography, local operators, and how to make the most of your diving experience in the Central Philippines. Or go direct to our Highlighted Dive Articles.
Built on personal experience, this hub covers key dive sites, seasonal insights, filming tips, and trusted local knowledge.
Dive - Highlighted Articles
One of the Philippines most iconic dive destinations and home to the Visayan Thresher Shark
From muck diving to pristine reef, find out if Negros Oriental has it all.
We look at real world options and what you need to know.
This peninsula is more the just the sardine run, find out what you need to know.
Ranked among the best dive locations in the Philippines, it offers a rare balance of accessibility, biodiversity, and conservation.
Dive - Central Philippines Live
If you’re planning a dive trip or just curious about what it’s really like underwater here, check out my YouTube channel. I share fresh dive clips from sites across the central Visayas, giving you a real feel for the conditions, the reefs, and the kind of marine life you can expect when you dive here yourself.
Watch real dive footage from sites across the central Visayas on YouTube.
Explore Filipino Society Through Culture and History
To truly understand the Philippines and the Filipino people, you need to look beyond the beaches. Filipino society is built on shared values, close family ties, and a living history that continues to shape everyday life. From faith and festivals to colonial legacies and regional traditions, culture remains central to how Filipinos live, relate, and celebrate.
Filipino Society - Get to Know Culture & History
Start with our hub page for an introduction to how Filipino society, culture, and history all connect. You can also explore the two featured articles below for a closer look at daily life and historical roots.
Or go deeper with our In Focus: Society Series , which examines key themes shaping life in the Philippines today.
Explore what shapes life in the Philippines — from culture and history to family, faith, and the systems that guide daily living.
What culture really means in the Philippines — not just traditions, but how people live, believe, and connect.
From pre-colonial kingdoms to independence, explore the key events that shaped the Philippine nation.
Filipino Society - In Focus
A growing set of articles exploring what shapes Filipinos and daily life in the Philippines — from OFWs and language to food, faith, healthcare, and the systems people live within. A good place to start if you want real cultural context and deeper understanding.
Why it does not exist and how seperations and annulments work for Filipinos.
Overseas Filipino Workers, commonly known as OFWs, became a defining feature of Philippine society.
How language is used in the Philippines — regional speech at home and English in daily life.
Discover how history, economics and culture shape Filipino flavours — plus simple recipes to help you start cooking local dishes at home.
How Filipino faith evolved — from ancient beliefs to Islam and Spanish Catholic influence.
See how Philippine healthcare has evolved — from colonial hospitals to PhilHealth and the challenges people face today.
How power works in the Philippines — from national institutions to barangay halls, and what it means for expats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is ‘Live Life The Philippines’ for and what can I find here?
This site is designed for expats, retirees, and long-stay visitors who are exploring how to live in the Philippines. You’ll find practical guides on visas, healthcare, cost of living, and what daily life is really like — all based on firsthand experience. Whether you’re planning a move or already living here, it’s a trusted starting point for understanding life in the Philippines.
What should I know before moving or retiring in the Philippines?
Living in the Philippines offers expats and retirees low costs, warm weather, and a welcoming community. You’ll need to understand visa options, healthcare choices, and how local systems work. This site offers in-depth, practical advice to help you plan a smooth transition and enjoy day-to-day life in the Philippines with confidence.
Why is scuba diving in the Philippines so popular?
The Philippines is a world-class destination for scuba diving, with warm waters, vibrant coral reefs, and incredible marine biodiversity. The Central Visayas region — including Balicasag, Panglao, Apo Island, and Southern Leyte — offers sites for all experience levels. This site features firsthand dive reports, videos, and travel advice to help you plan the perfect dive trip or long-term diving lifestyle.
How can expats better understand Filipino culture and society?
Filipino society is shaped by deep cultural values, history, and close family ties. To truly understand daily life here, it’s important to learn how systems like healthcare, governance, and religion influence everyday interactions. This site explores Filipino culture not just through traditions, but through the lens of how people live — helping expats connect with the country on a deeper level.
Support Live Life The Philippines
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Instant Access: Retiree & Expat Budget Spreadsheet
Plan your income and expenses for living long-term in the Philippines with this easy-to-use tool — compatible with Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.
Subscribers receive it immediately in the welcome email.
Every month, receive exclusive updates from around the Philippines:
National & Regional Updates – Key developments from across the country — covering travel, infrastructure, weather, and policy changes that shape daily life and long-term living.
Living in the Philippines – New guides, toolkits and real insight into expat life — from visas and cost of living to healthcare, everyday living, and what it’s really like to settle here long-term.
Dive the Philippines – The latest dive articles and firsthand insights from across the Visayas — where I’ve been diving, what I’ve seen, and how the conditions are shaping up.
Filipino Society – Articles exploring culture, values, and community — understanding how the Philippines really works, and what it means to be part of local life.
Get firsthand updates and insights on living long-term in the Philippines — delivered straight to your inbox each month.
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