Moving to Philippines

"I was lucky because my wife is from the Philippines so as far as learning the customs and so on that part was easy. Even so I made several trips of three to four weeks each over a three year period before I made the decision to move and retire here. Your US Dollars go very far here. My advice is to do your home work on any place you may want to move. There is much to learn. Visas for long term stay is most important. I am married to a local citizen so I only need to leave the country every 12 months for an overnight stay if I wanted and this visa is free. There permanent visas with a fee. There is top notch health care available here at a fraction on USA cost. As I stated before do your home work and you will have much happier results," remarked one expat who made the move to Isabel.

"My wife's father whom has lived all his life in our area helped to find the property as I wanted to overlook the ocean from our new home. I had a new home built to my spec's so when we arrived the house was good to go," remarked one expat who made the move to Isabel.

"Because our area is in the tropics and and typhoons are a possibility along with termites I had the home made with concrete and steel construction. There is very little wood. We were living here when typhoon Yolanda struck in November 2013. It was the highest recorded winds in Philippine history. Our only damage was our rain gutters were damaged and some older trees came down," said one expat in Isabel.

"I don't know any other expand personally so I can't say what's "typical", but I can tell you about my home and others no found whole looking for it. I have a 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse in Mactan (near deny city). It came fully furnished for $460 per month. This was a good deal, better than most, but not incredible. Most homes here have showers rather than bathtubs. They do not have big tank water heaters like in the US. The only hot water is in the shower, and so there's a small water heater in the bathroom. Kitchen and bathroom sinks are cold water only. Homes are typically smaller than in the US. A one bedroom apartment is usually 500 square feet or so. 1000 square feet is considered a big place and you'll pay extra for it. Refrigerator is just like US, though typically smaller. Common to have a microwave. If it doesn't come with the place, you can buy one easily enough. Stove s are usually gas. But they don't pipe gas in like in the US. You have a big tank under the counter and when it runs out you call a gas company to refill it. Oh, you don't drink the tap water. It isn't filtered and processed here like in the US. Tap water is for washing. Drink bottled water. Most middle class and upper homes have a water dispenser with a big jug. Like offices used to have in the US. Ours has a hot water dispenser, it heats a cup or two of water at a time, which is really handy for tea or instant coffee. Internet is readily available. I'm paying $35 per month for 200 mbps. That's roughly typical in the cities," said one expat who made the move to Cebu.

"I have three property experiences in the Philippines. I'll start with the rental townhouse in Cebu City. It was a great size with a large kitchen area and living room and dining area, two 15'x12' bedrooms... but sadly became flooded every time there was heavy rain. We were at a low point of the neighborhood. Next was the townhouse in Naga City. It belongs to my ex-wife's family. I renovated it for my wife and daughter to live in while she attended nursing school. After throwing $12,000 at it, and with the help of my very talented and trustworthy brother in law, it came out beautifully. Third is my current fiancée's family's home in Negros. I retire next year, so I haven't spent any time in the house, but another 12-15,000 US later and wala! Another masterpiece. I transformed what was only a boxed in frame of a house into two bedroom, beautiful bathroom, and added kitchen WITH a dirty kitchen as well," explained one expat living in Philippines.

"Yes, a large condo is typical expat housing if you have no kids. No need to worry about security, just get to know the guards and staff in your building well and they will look out for you," said one in Manila.

"Expat homes and apartments in the Philippines tend to be modern and comfortable. Most commonly, they are single-storey Western-style homes with air-conditioning and a well-equipped kitchen. Most expat apartments are spacious and come with excellent facilities, including swimming pools and gyms. There is typically a range of apartment sizes and styles available, from studio apartments to large, multi-bedroom units. Expat homes and apartments are often comfortable, secure and in premium locations, such as near beaches, parks, or in residential areas," explained one expat who made the move to Philippines.

"I live in Cagayan De Oro City, Gusa. I have a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath house that I can park 4 SUV's in the driveway. It is a gated and armed guarded complex. I pay 300 usd plus electricity and water. I buy cooking gas every 3 months," replied a member in Philippines.

"Housing in the Philippines tends to be relatively affordable. The average cost of housing varies from one city to another, but in most places prices generally range from budget-friendly to moderate. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in a city center can range from about 11,000 to 20,000 PHP per month, while rents in more affordable areas can range from as low as 4,000 to as high as 8,000 PHP. Additionally, outside of cities, costs can be much more affordable, and in some rural areas, rural homestays can be found for as low as 1,500 PHP per month," commented one expat who made the move to Philippines.

"Whether to buy or rent a home in the Philippines is a decision that should be made based on one's individual circumstances. Buying a home allows for more stability, as monthly payments remain the same and may even decrease as a result of amortization. On the other hand, renting a home can be more convenient, as one can switch properties more easily and have less responsibility with maintenance and repair costs. Both options have their merits, and the decision should be based on factors such as lifestyle, budget and expected length of stay in the country," said one expat in Philippines.

"Bought a nice 2 bedroom home, but the title had liens dating back to 1965 so it was not conveyed. We have a lawyer working on that who will petition the court to expunge these encumbrances and issue a new clean title," said one expat who made the move to Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City.

"I wish I had brought: 1) My gun
2) Our Indonesian maid
3) Kidnap insurance I wish I had left home: 1) Writing material. Post-office system is too slow (3 weeks minimum)
2) Computer, ISP is terrible, and the air pollution is eating away the internals
3) My wife. Half joke, but she (Japanese) cannot understand the lack of ethics in this country and is the reason we move out. I like it here very much due to the fun loving people," explained one expat living in Manila, Philippines.

"AN exit plan!!!! 50% end up leaving that country due to the stupidity. I swore when i moved there it was forever.. LOL oh what fool I was," said one expat in Davao.

"I wish I had brought more of my personal, carpenter and automotive type tools — and a second iPad. As far as items that we did not bring, there are really not any. We only brought our personal clothing, important papers and my wife's China sets. We found for us that it would be wiser to get all new household items when we arrived," said one expat who made the move to Isabel.

"You can buy great generators, water heaters, and mattresses here, but surprisingly, they cost as much as in the USA. Leave winter garments, unless you're planning vacations to Europe or such. Transformers? Not where I live, which is basically Laguna. Nor should you need them in the National Capital Region. Your favorite toiletries? They have them where I live. I can even buy Vicks 44 and Robitaussin here. Some construction materials, car repairs, and kitchen equipment are cheaper, but not necessarily furniture. Cars cost the same as in the USA and are the poster child for horribly unfair wages vs prices. Once you hit the provinces on other islands, much of this goes out the window. Want to know why there are so many jeepneys and motorbikes? It's what people can afford. Sorry, getting carried away. In short, there is nothing in the USA you can't get here, whether in-store or online. One warning; traveling anywhere in the PI, bring paper or tissues. Also, even in some of the nice places, there are no toilet seats," explained one expat living in Philippines.

"When moving to the Philippines, it is important to pack light but be prepared for all kinds of weather. Clothes and other items such as beachwear and raincoats should be included, as temperatures can vary widely throughout the year. Additionally, due to the tropical climate of the Philippines, it is important to pack insect repellent and mosquito nets. Be sure to bring basic toiletries, sunscreen, and any medications that may be necessary while living in the Philippines. Electrical adaptors and converters will also be needed to use any electronic items brought with you, such as laptops or phones. Finally, basic kitchen supplies and cooking equipment will help ensure a smooth transition once the move is complete," said one in Philippines.

"One thing never ever mentioned is the Mal de Ojo supersition that YOU, as a stranger or a visitor, unsuspectingly placed a hex or evil eye to mainly a child or even an adult. As having been raised in tbe West, it is so easy to praise or coochie coo a child you meet, but do not automatically touch/pat the head/hug/even pay too much attention, etc unless the accompanying person offers the child or self for you to do so. If not, if that child or adult get sick soon after, it will be attributed to the evil eye placed on the subject, albeit unknowingly. I've had people calling me to stop by and put my saliva on the tummy or forehead of the afflicted person. I don't come across this from Westernized Filipinos but I've heard from others it may even be a superstition that can be heard from affluent people from MetroManila," commented one expat who made the move to Philippines.

"It is important to respect local customs and culture when visiting the Philippines. As such, avoid making any negative comments about the culture, customs, or religious beliefs of the Filipino people. Additionally, be mindful when shaking hands when meeting someone, as the handshake may be accompanied by a light bow, a sign of respect. It is also critical to dress is a respectful manner, particularly when visiting religious sites; cover your shoulders and legs, and refrain from wearing any clothing with offensive slogans or images. Furthermore, use your right hand when giving or receiving items from local people; using your left hand is considered impolite. Finally, avoid discussing sensitive political topics with strangers, as such conversations can lead to misunderstandings," remarked one expat in Philippines.

"1. I had my "what the crap am I doing in this country?!" moment in the middle of a small mall in a rural province, including full-on sobs. That was an interesting moment of my life. *ahem* 2. I have gotten in trouble over food before. I *hate* fish and seafood, and in a country where the people both eat a lot of those foods AND like to feed other people, I know I have caused offense by refusing to try certain dishes. At this point, I claim it's an allergy and people aren't offended when I say no. If you do try something, never, NEVER insult it or insinuate that you don't like it. Even if it is cake with cheese on top. 3. Once, I got so out-of-my-mind frustrated with an employee in a store that I started yelling at him. I very, very rarely ever get to the point of yelling. It's happened maybe twice before this story. But it was a very frustrating situation, and getting that point would have been understood in the US. Here, if you get to that point, you can instantly see that the person you are yelling at has lost all respect for you. You are acting like a child and you've given them permission to completely ignore you at that point. The more frustrated you are, the more polite you need to get if you expect to get anything done. 4. All of that said, the most embarrassing series of events I ever witnessed was when we went away with 3 other American couples for a weekend. Two of the other ladies decided they didn't like the music playing in the seaside restaurant where we were having dinner, so they went over and plugged in an ipod to the sound system and just took it over. The staff didn't know what to do, so they just let them do it, but the quality of the service we received from that moment forth was awful. Later, we went on a boat ride over the ocean and up a river a little ways to see the stars and some fireflies and the whole time, these people were filling the beautiful night with loud insults about the Philippines and jokes about poop like they were 12 year-olds. I don't know what they were thinking. If your behavior would brand you as a self-centered moron in your home country, then the fact that you act that way in a foreign country and think it's ok because you are paying the people around you or you assume they can't understand what you are saying makes you a complete and total ingrate. Don't do those things," said one expat in Alabang.

"I find the same answers interesting for the various areas around the Philippines but would like to differ when in Makati and Cebu: First, Filipinos are younger as a country, they enjoy Korean young vibe as well as the younger vibe in Japan (I understand Japan is a much older population, I'm referring to the younger population there). I say this because when it comes to clothing and dress, showing skin is a given like the belly and short shorts/dresses. in those countries by the young, young being less than 45. The Philippines has beauty contests often and this means small outfits as well. We live in Greenbelt Makati and my wife feels real comfortable wearing smaller outfits and she's a dual citizen (we are from the US) and there is never a negative vibe toward us, in fact the women keep complimenting her. My wife is from Gensan and there as well as Iloilo and much of the Philippines I understand it's more conservative but we also see that this younger population is way more eager rather than hesitant to take on more of a western look and they certainly welcome US citizens. In our condo and around Greenbelt we've noticed that other Asians, from other countries, living here as well as foreigners from Europe really don't engage with the people and we've found that simply smiling and being outwardly friendly toward Filipinos they end up going extra out of their way to be helpful and nice to you because you treat them as friends and equals, which they are. Yes, this is a very religious country and respect for all people is why we are now living here rather than the US where the Liberal ideas have ruined society," remarked one expat who made the move to Philippines.

"There was this mentally ill woman that staked me out as her "territory". She threatened to hurt my wife and I started yelling at her in the street. Told her she was nuts and to stay away. She listened and continues to to stay away," explained one expat living in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines.

"Foreigners mainly DO NOT move to Manila. It's crowded, dirty, crime is high, and more expensive than any other area to live in. Negros, and Cebu is the main areas now. They are building up, more and better services, great hospitals, great doctors, and lower prices on everything. Don't fall for Manila or country thing unless you are from the country," wrote one expat living in Philippines.

"Many expatriates in Angeles City are former military men hailing from the U.S., and most are married to local women. Other expats move there for the low cost of living," commented one expat who moved to Angeles City.

"Personally I moved there because I like the ocean. The water is warm so no wet suit needed. Most people speak English, my native language. Most people there are nice and helpful. Older people are respected. I built 2 dwellings for less than $9.00 per foot," said one expat.

"Foreigners mainly move to Manila because of the low living costs and the fact that many people in the Philippines speak English. Beside that people generally are friendly," said one expat living in Manila, Philippines.

"It's very important to have cash ready, or to be on one of the many local medical insurances available. Without money, you are doomed," offered one expat living in Angeles City.

"If you can afford it, get health insurance, but the rates are higher the older you are, and if your over 60 they go through the roof, that's if they will insure you. Be aware that many doctors here, who will charge you in excess of the regular charge as a "skin tax" as we are perceived to be able to afford it. Also hospitals will add on extra's not necessary, ie, they always insist on a drip, but it only contains saline solution. Extras like artificial limbs are difficult to have maintained here, its only in Manila or Cebu where there are facilities to have these repaired or replaced, but the quality and expertise is poorer, usually using 2nd hand appliances from abroad. In Manila there is a private house where European standards are maintained, but it is the most expensive you will encounter," wrote one expat living in Philippines.

"I just spent 5 days in the Bacolod Riverside Hospital. I woke up in the middle of the night with an excruciating pain in my ankle, it felt like someone hit it with a hammer. The next morning it was double in size swollen up. I had previously seen this doctor in Bacolod an went to him to see what was up. He looked at it and immediately had me go to the ER and had me admitted. I spent days there to find out I had Peripheral Arterial Disease. I saw five specialist during my stay and was very impressed by them. The total cost was approximately $3,400.00 and they got my leg back to normal," commented one expat living in Philippines.

"Healthcare services in the Philippines are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare varies depending on the region, but generally it is considered to be of a lower standard than private healthcare. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay for some services. Expats in the Philippines typically use private healthcare services, as they are more reliable and of a higher quality. However, some expats may choose to use the public healthcare system if they are unable to afford private healthcare," commented one expat who moved to Philippines.

"The healthcare system in the Philippines is largely privatized, with a mix of public and private hospitals and clinics providing medical services. The quality of care varies depending on the facility, but generally, the medical services available in the Philippines are of a high standard. The country has a wide range of specialists and medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, who are able to provide a range of treatments and services. The cost of medical services in the Philippines is generally lower than in other countries, making it an attractive option for those seeking medical care," said one expat living in Philippines.

"Competent doctors. Took an appointment a week in advance for an MRI that was needed immediately," offered one expat living in Cebu.