Our Passion: Sharing Our Experience in the Philippines
Discover the team behind Palms & Horizons. For more than 25 combined years, we have turned lived experience in the Philippines into clear, practical editorial guides for readers preparing a serious plan.
Who are we? Two long-term authors on the ground
We are Alain and Christophe, two French nationals who have lived in the Philippines for years. We structure field experience into guides, practical feedback and editorial resources to help readers prepare realistic plans.
Alain
Author & Content Creator
Based in Cebu, Alain documents procedures, cost of living and practical relocation realities in the Philippines with a field-based and educational approach.
Christophe
Author & Content Creator
After 17 years on site, Christophe tracks daily life, housing, integration and local habits to feed practical, nuanced and useful guides.
Our purpose: publish useful and reliable guides
“Too many readers prepare a move with outdated, partial or vague information. We created Palms & Horizons to publish clear guides anchored in real field experience and updated when needed.”- Alain & Christophe, Palms & Horizons authors
Fighting Disinformation
We verify every piece of information and expose traps to secure your installation project in the Philippines.
Guaranteeing Updated Info
Visa and immigration laws evolve. We follow these changes so that our guides remain relevant.
Publishing Useful Field Experience
We document procedures, local habits and practical trade-offs so the content stays directly useful for readers.
Our Mission and Core Values
Our mission is simple: to give you all the keys to succeed in your life in the Philippines. To achieve this, we rely on three pillars that guide each of our actions and expatriate advice.
Radical Honesty
We share the reality on the ground, with its advantages and challenges. No false promises, just verified information to make the right decisions.
Absolute Clarity
We translate administrative jargon into simple, actionable advice. Each guide is designed to be understood and used immediately for your life project.
Community Support
The success of expatriation relies on sharing. Our community is a pillar where each member contributes and receives benevolent help.
The importance of reliable support for settling in the Philippines
Expatriating is an exciting adventure, but the journey can quickly get complicated in the Philippines. Getting the right visa for the Philippines, estimating the cost of living by city, or choosing where to settle (Cebu, Davao, Manila…) are key steps. Without reliable landmarks, a dream can derail.
What often complicates things
Getting the right visa
Depending on your profile and project
Evaluating cost of living
Depending on the chosen city
Choosing where to settle
Cebu, Davao, Manila…
Successfully navigating local procedures
Without wasting time
To secure your project, we centralize practical and verified information, updated continuously. For example, our SRRV retiree visa guide is regularly updated according to the latest Bureau of Immigration requirements.
Beyond formalities, succeeding in your installation in the Philippines implies understanding local culture and daily life: housing, banking, health, mobility, climate. Cebu, a well-connected and dynamic international hub, offers an excellent entry point to settle and radiate throughout the archipelago. Our community is here to support you — ask your questions, benefit from feedback, and move forward serenely. For official information, always consult the Philippine Bureau of Immigration website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Expatriation to the Philippines
What budget is needed to expatriate to the Philippines?
The budget varies by lifestyle and city. On average, €1200 to €1800 per month allows a single person to live comfortably in Cebu or Davao (Manila is often more expensive). This covers housing, food, transport, leisure, and basic health insurance. Planning a safety savings is essential.
Is it easy to get a visa to live in the Philippines?
Accessible with preparation. The SRRV is common for retirees. Otherwise, start as a tourist then convert on site or apply for a work visa if you have a job offer. Starting early and strictly following official instructions avoids delays.
What are the main challenges for an expat in the Philippines?
Challenges are mostly administrative and cultural: bureaucratic slowness, cultural adjustment ("hiya" concept, relationship with time), and climate (heat, humidity, typhoons). Good preparation and an open mind help overcome them.
Why trust us for your life project?
Our legitimacy relies on 25 years of combined experience on the ground, thousands of expatriates accompanied, and a community that continues to grow every day thanks to the reliability of our advice.
Regular Updates
Visa laws change. We constantly monitor to ensure our information remains accurate.
Responsiveness & Support
Reader feedback and recurring questions help us improve topics that remain unclear or insufficiently documented.
Lived Experience
Our advice doesn't come from a book, but from 25 years of life, mistakes, and successes in the Philippines.
Centralized Resources
Access the right forms, official links, and verified contacts directly without wasting time.
Direct Availability
We publish under real names and explain where our observations come from, what they cover and what still requires verification.
Total Transparency
All our content is free. We share our experience openly, with no hidden agenda or commercial interests.
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Direct Contact
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