What should I pack when moving to Philippines?
We asked people living in Philippines to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded...
"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," remarked another expat who made the move to Philippines.
"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.
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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 in Philippines?
- 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?
- What are healthcare services like in 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?
What should I pack when moving to Philippines?
If you live in Philippines, newcomers to Philippines would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad 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.