I was lonely and working 15-hour days in the US. Moving to the Philippines gave me a community.

Business Insider | 01-10-2026 06:39am |

The article tells the story of Britt McAlister, a 56-year-old man who moved from the US to the Philippines after feeling lonely and overworked. After going through a divorce and working long hours as a sales manager, he found it hard to make friends in Alabama, where he lived. He felt disconnected from his family and old friends, which worsened after the pandemic. Britt tried moving to Florida, hoping for a fresh start, but he still struggled to connect with people. He then began researching other countries to live in, considering places like Panama and Costa Rica, but ultimately decided on the Philippines after meeting an American online who lived there. Despite his family's concerns, he sold his condo and moved to Cebu City in January 2024 without having visited before. Once he arrived, he quickly found a sense of community through meetups organized by fellow expats. Britt started making friends, exploring new hobbies, and even began a YouTube channel to share his experiences. He now hosts regular gatherings, ensuring that newcomers can meet others and avoid loneliness. Moving to the Philippines turned out to be a positive change for Britt, helping him find the social connections he had been missing in the US.

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