The Savvy Expat

Helping expats and retirees navigate the move to the Philippines, covering cost of living, visas, housing, healthcare, and lifestyle tips from someone who's done it.

Featured

Apr 10, 2026

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4 min read

The Retirement Visa Just Got Better (Here's What Changed)

What most expats don't know about the easiest path to long-term residency in the Philippines

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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5 min read

The Real Cost of Living in the Philippines (No Sugarcoating)

What $2,000, $3,000, and $5,000 per month actually gets you in Manila

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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5 min read

Earn in Dollars, Spend in Pesos

The retirement strategy most people in the US never hear about

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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4 min read

Why Expats Keep Overpaying in the Philippines (And How to Stop)

The costly mistakes most foreigners make before they ever land in Manila

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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4 min read

I Just Had a Baby in the Philippines. Here's What It Cost.

A real breakdown of what a premium hospital birth looks like in Manila, from the birthing room to the final bill

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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6 min read

From Cold Wisconsin to a 30th Floor Condo in BGC for $1,000 a Month

How a nurse from small-town America retired early in the Philippines and never looked back

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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4 min read

The Philippines Just Launched a Digital Nomad Visa. Here Is Everything You Need to Know.

Stay up to two years, skip the border runs, and pay zero local income tax on your foreign earnings

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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4 min read

He Came to the Philippines for Peace. He Lost $7,000 Instead

The mistake most expats don't know they're making until it's too late

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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5 min read

How a US Veteran From Philadelphia Found Peace in the Philippines

What happens when you stop waiting and finally make the move

Evan Lorezca

Apr 10, 2026

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4 min read

What $1,000/Month Actually Gets You in BGC

A real on-the-ground look at the rental market in Bonifacio Global City right now

Evan Lorezca