Moving to Philippines

"Don't move in now unless you have a good contract stating details about deteriorating security. Move into Alabang since there is a brand new hospital. Prepare to pay for everything while in hospital. American style. No pay, no treatment," said one expat in Manila.

"Expatriates should be aware that the official language in the Philippines is Filipino, although English is widely spoken in Manila and other cities. Expats should also be aware that the culture of the Philippines is largely influenced by Spanish and American traditions, so expats could benefit from learning more about the culture before their move. Additionally, expats should plan to keep medical documents and any medications with them upon their move, as medical care may be more limited than what is available in their home country. Furthermore, it is important for expats to obtain a valid visa before travelling to the Philippines, especially if they plan to reside and work there. Finally, expats should be aware that the cost of living in the Philippines can be relatively low, depending on the type of accommodation and lifestyle," said one expat who made the move 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," explained one expat living in Isabel, Philippines.

"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 in Isabel, 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 expat in Manila.

"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.

"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 living in Philippines.

"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 in Isabel.

"Lower than Sydney by miles! Condos can be had for 20k/mo and up, all the way to 70k/mo if you are getting a good allowance or feeling rich. Furnished adds far more than the cost of buying stuff, so if you are staying more than a year consider going unfurnished," commented one expat who made the move to Manila.

"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," remarked one expat in Philippines.

"I haven't done a study to find the average. But for anecdotal evidence: My wife and I looked for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment. (3 bedrooms so we'd have one for us, one for the housekeeper, and a guest room. 2 baths so if someone is taking a shower and you have to go, you're not left hopping on one foot until they get out.) Prices we found for such a place were around 20k to 50k pesos per month. Obviously depending on how nice it is, location, etc. We settle on a place for P23k with AC in every room, fully furnished, in a gated community with 24 hour guards. I think that was a good deal, but not a jump up and down and shout great deal. If you're a single person looking for 1 bedroom, or if you'll take a place that isn't furnished, you can pay less. If you want something big and fancy with a pool and a private garden, expect to pay more. Places farther from city center are cheaper -- my wife wanted someplace close to malls etc, so we're in the middle of Mactan. I've heard of expats getting 1 BR apartments for under P10k -- I think that's doable. Housing prices in the Philippines seem to vary widely. Two very similar places could have very different prices. I see much more range in price here than I saw in the US. So it can make a huge difference if you take time to shop around. Two things to consider: 1. Filipino apartments are often very small. If you're looking at on-line listings, pay attention to the size of the apartment. One bedroom apartments are often like 25 sq meters. 100 sq meters is a big place by local standards. 2. Landlords often ask for 2 months rent for a security deposit and 2 months rent in advance. So you have to put down 4 months rent to move in. I come from the US where it's common for apartments to have "move in specials" where the first month is free and there's 1 month security deposit, so this was a real surprise to me. Make sure you have the cash to move in. Also, this is often negotiable. I suspect the high move in cost is more of an initial negotiating position than they really expect to get that, but I don't have enough experience to know. I came here from Michigan, which has a fairly low housing cost. A 2 BR apartment in my area was around $1000 - $1500 per month. If you're coming from New York City or Los Angeles, $3000 a month would probably sound like there must be something wrong with it that they're giving it away so cheap! Rents here are WAY lower than in the US," said one expat in Cebu.

"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," replied a member in Philippines.

"A lot of patience and lowered expectations. The Philippines is after all a developing/3rd world country. It takes a lot of head scratching and acceptance to live here but I still like and enjoy it. Just don't expect efficiency, fairness or sensibility among other things. It takes a while to adjust to the way things are done in the PI," said one expat in Davao.

"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," said 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.

"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," said one expat in Philippines.

"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," commented one expat who moved to Manila.

"The Philippines has become a popular destination for expats due to its tropical climate, friendly people and low cost of living. The country also offers amazing landscapes and tourist attractions, a diverse culture and welcoming environment to foreigners, with many expats choosing to stay long-term. Expats also appreciate the excellent healthcare, great infrastructure, and a high standard of living. The country also provides plenty of business opportunities and job prospects which attract expats interested in making a career move. Expats who move to the Philippines can also enjoy the relaxed and laidback atmosphere, good food, tropical beaches, and the unique mix of activities available for them to experience," said one expat.

"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," said 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," wrote 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.

"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," wrote one expat living in Philippines.