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California Expat

Your guide to expat life in the Philippines. Videos, courses, tools, and community — by John Smulo.

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Live Better in the Philippines

Clear, honest guidance for expats exploring, planning, or building a life in the Philippines

Most people make decisions about the Philippines with incomplete information. California Expat exists to help you think clearly, avoid expensive mistakes, and understand what life here is really like.

Choose your path

Free Guide
20 pages on the things that matter most
The Letter
Weekly updates and practical insights
Insider
Insider videos, tools, and ongoing guidance
The Course
Intentional Relocation: Move Wisely

Real World Insights On

The topics that actually matter

Cost of living
Dating and relationships
Culture and daily life
Where to live
Business and income
Community and belonging

Start Here

The California Expat Guide

20 pages on the six things that matter most in your first year — where to live, what it costs, how relationships work, visa options, healthcare, and what daily life feels like after the honeymoon phase. Written from real experience. Not a vacation recap. Not a YouTube research binge.

Inside the guide

  • Where to live — BGC, Makati, Cebu, Dumaguete, Davao, Bohol, and more
  • Real cost-of-living breakdowns at four budget tiers
  • Relationship and family dynamics most foreigners misread
  • Visa options mapped to your situation
  • Healthcare realities and the insurance path that actually works
  • What daily life feels like after the honeymoon phase

California Expat Insider

Go Deeper With Insider

Ongoing, practical guidance for making better decisions about life in the Philippines.

$39/month or $390/year. Cancel anytime. Course participants automatically get $50 off.

What's inside

  • Insider updates with deeper analysis and real context
  • Insider-only video library covering topics that don’t belong on YouTube
  • Monthly live sessions and Q&A
  • Practical tools, checklists, and resources
  • Discounted pricing on courses, cohorts, and events
  • Early access to new programs and opportunities

Featured course

Intentional Relocation: Move to the Philippines Wisely

The structured planning system for turning "I'm thinking about moving" into "I know exactly what I'm doing and why." 14 lessons. Lifetime access.

Financial models, visa strategy, location frameworks, the first 90 days, and building a life that actually works long term.

From the Community

What People Are Saying

“This is probably the most insightful and important video you made. You lay out the universal needs of humans and then map individual behavior in a relation to their own needs. A real and powerful video which will help expats AND Filipinos to understand each other's behaviors.”

@MrJoe1199

YouTube

“Your last few videos have been absolute bangers! A lot of food for thought man thank you so much.”

@futurecobrah

YouTube

“John, another fantastic video. I appreciate your honesty and the time you have taken to learn the culture. I've learned a lot from you!”

@ChrisTorres78

YouTube

The California Expat Letter

Stay Connected

Practical updates on life in the Philippines — visa news, cost of living, what's changing, and what actually matters. Sent when there's something worth saying.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.