What A Expatriate Might Need For The Kitchen

Thousands of expatriates leave the U. S. Every year to relocate to another country. While some will choose to bring all their household goods with them, most will leave the old stuff behind and begin anew. Many foreigners are currently relocating to the Philippine Islands. Here’s the reason.

The cost of living between America and the Philippine Islands is significant. Right now, an American dollar is worth about 45 Philippine pesos. Your disability check that barely covers the house rent in the U. S could rent you a house, buy all your food, utilities and entertainment in the Phils, and you’d still have money left over. You can rent a nice quality, 2 bedroom, 2 bath home in Cebu City for $150 U. S. That house in Sacramento would rent for a thousand.

That same house would sell for the equivalent of about $30,000. That is, if you could buy it. National laws prevent any foreigner from owning real estate (except condos). If you’re married to a Filipina, she can buy the house but you’ll never own it… Not even after she dies. There are few exceptions.

Because of this, renting a house is a good way to go, especially a furnished one. Unfortunately, ‘furnished’ doesn’t mean ‘totally’ and there are always some things lacking that need to be purchased. In the Philippines, where rice is consumed at nearly every meal, a tiger rice cooker is an essential. They make the very best rice and nearly everybody has one.

A countertop microwave is something that, even if you brought one with you, it’s probably 110 and you need one that’s 220. You COULD get a converter, but not a really great idea for a microwave and almost as expensive as buying a new oven.

Tropical fresh fruits and fruit juices are abundant in the islands and a necessity in any well-equipped kitchen is a hand blender for use in whipping up smoothies and other liquid concoctions. They’re handy for lots of mixing jobs besides drinks, too. Available models are simple to use and easy to maintain.

Most appliances bought in the U. S. Won’t work where the voltage is 220 (unless a voltage converter is used). The exception is electronic devices like computers, cell phones and MP3 players. Most of these will either automatically adjust to the voltage or there will be a switch on the unit for toggling between 110 and 220. Consider this when you’re packing your stuff for the big move!