October 1, 2025 – The day our new chapter began.
After a long flight, plenty of paperwork, and a touch of nervous excitement, we finally made it: we arrived in the Philippines. We spent our first night at Penky’s sister’s house in Calinan, taking a moment to catch our breath after the long journey. The very next day, we moved into our small pink house in the province. The rental process? Incredibly simple: 20,000 PHP monthly rent plus 20,000 PHP deposit in cash, handed directly to the landlord – and just like that, we had the keys. No credit score checks, no piles of paperwork, no waiting. It almost felt unreal how easy some things can be here.
High-Speed Internet – Same Day Installation
On the morning after we moved in, we ordered a fiber connection – and by the afternoon, the technician was already there. Within an hour, everything was up and running perfectly. In Europe, people often call the Philippines a “developing country” – but when you see how fast and practical things get done here, that phrase suddenly feels very outdated.
A Home with Character
The house came partly furnished, but with all the essentials we needed. We quickly made it feel like home – my home office was the first room I set up. As soon as it was ready, I started applying for freelance projects and managed to secure two clients within the first week. A motivating start to our new life – productive, flexible, and independent.
Welcome to Mindanao – with a Side of Earthquakes
Of course, we also got a “typical Philippine welcome”: several earthquakes during our first few days. While some areas of Mindanao were hit quite hard, our province stayed relatively calm – except for a few cracks in the walls of our pink house. Just a little reminder that life here is close to nature – and nature always has a voice of its own.
Our First Week – In a Nutshell
After just a few days, it already feels like we’ve been here much longer. The warmth of the people, the straightforward way things get done, and the sense of truly arriving – all of it made our start so much easier than we ever expected.
A new home, reliable internet, two freelance jobs, and plenty of sunshine:
Sometimes, a fresh start really can be that simple.
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