Pros and Cons of Living in Philippines
Last updated on Jul 10, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in the Philippines include its tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and friendly people. The country is also known for its low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for expats. Additionally, the Philippines is a culturally diverse country with a rich history and vibrant culture. On the other hand, the cons of living in the Philippines include the high levels of poverty, the prevalence of natural disasters, and the lack of infrastructure in some areas. Additionally, the country has a high crime rate, and the healthcare system is not as advanced as in other countries.
What are the pros and cons of living in Philippines?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Philippines responded:
"One hour from Manila airport. Plenty of excellent supermarkets. And a few good restaurants," explained one expat living in Manila.
"Most can understand English, especially the younger than 40. Older than 40 is a problem. The country changed to English about 30 years ago. They had 93 dialects before," said one in Manila.
Answer Question & View More Answers

Interested in expat health insurance? Take a minute to get quotes from our partner, International Citizens Insurance, a trusted expat health insurance broker. They will provide you with comparison quotes from some of the biggest expat health insurers: Cigna, Allianz, IMG and GeoBlue.
GET QUOTES
What do expats in Philippines appreciate most about the local culture?
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Philippines?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Philippines?
- Will I be able to find a job in Philippines?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in Philippines appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Philippines?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Philippines accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Philippines like?
- How are healthcare services Philippines?
- What are medical services in Philippines like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Philippines?
- What are emergency services like in Philippines?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Philippines?
- How are local medical facilities in Philippines?
- As a foreigner living in Philippines, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?