If you did decide to live in the R.P then it might be best to take your wife over to Hong kong or Thailand even only for a day or two.. When you both reenter the R.P,request a Balikbayan stamp.. This means that you can stay visa free for a year.. After that you can get ordinary tourist visas or simply take the Mrs somewhere else and request the one year visa free stamp again..
If you think you want to stay for a much longer term,then its a good idea to apply for a 13a resident visa..

Edit..
Just seen Steve`s post.. Yes do a site search..Lots more detailed info in other threads.