17 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Another example of why defamation laws here need to have some intersection with reality

 

Reality

Logic

........... searching ..........

.......ERROR.... words not found in Thai dictionary nor vocabulary ........... System error.

1 hour ago, cerox said:

Everybody should calm down.

This bickering about the prices of Coke, TVs and prostitution is not helpful.

 

Thank you ExpatPH, you have down a very good job explaining the positives and negatives of the Philippines. Like you said, the two countries cannot be compared - you are right.

But in order to see whether the Philippines are a good alternative, I need to see the cost of living too. If the major expenses like accommodation and transport are so much more expensive than now (and my "now" is Thailand) it makes it less attractive for me. Still the Philippines are an interesting country with many positives.

 

I see the same balance with Thailand. One the one hand I see immigration getting more difficult for me all the time, higher pollution and rising Thai Baht. On the other hand I see that I am complaining on a high level, considering the condo rental rates in Cebu and motorbike rental rates. Thailands strong THB still seems a good deal.

 

From the information I gathered here, the Philippines is definitely a good alternative if Thailand becomes impossible to stay in. But from what I read here an adaption in lifestyle is required (smaller condo, walking or buying a motorbike (not renting) to have the same cost of living. If you do this adaptation, sure you can live there cheaper than in Thailand; I have no doubts about that.

 

Thanks for valuable feedback, cerox.

 

Local forums always debate living on 800$ per month are duable. As a newbie I said impossible, few years later I lived for some time on only 600$ a month, including my imported food on daily basis.

 

My adaption has been a few square meter less condo. My goal has always been to keep rental expences within 25% of set budget, preferably 20%.  A trade off, of a few square meter less living space, doesn't make my life miserable. Still have 40' hd tv, netflix, amazon prime, internet, aircon etc, in buildings less than 5 years old.

 

Other trade-off, hospital, medicine, traffic, pollution, internet reliability, local food.

These trade-off might also be a issue in other countries, just saying.

 

In another country I rented small 125 motorcycle. Here I have adapted to rather buy than rent, and so far I owned 3 brand new 'big" motorcycles. Still I have spent overall less per year, than in 'another' country. Buying new motorcycle is much cheaper here.

 

I buy new mobile phone and tablet usually every 3 year, all duable within my set spending budget 2,000$.

 

Food, alcohol and sigarettes, support to girlfriend, all are BIG savings here compared to 'another' country.

For those who dont drink or smoke or have a girlfriend, savings will be even more.

 

I have expensive medical insurance, with very high limit. Living cost, rental, misc. all within 2000$ per month spending. Beyond that I set aside a good amount each month.

 

At the end of earlier calender years, I spent less, with similar lifestyle - including a few adaptions - than I did in previous host country.

 

As I realize my time is running out very fast,

I spend whatever I want these days. Live today, tomorrow maybe never come.

 

For a successful next destination, adaption is needed. Easier than one would think, with the right mindset:  It will  be  different.

 

Plan B is a trade off, I would not say a good alternative, but rather acceptable alternative.

 

I say it becomes a real alternative if or when Thailand is not a option anymore, as many already experienced.

 

I guess the same can be said also for Cambodia and Vietnam. Both has their different pros and cons.

 

Adapt.   Adjust.   Be happy.

 

 

4 last pages with bickering, trolling, baiting, off topic, insinuations en mass, and throw in a few personal attacks, just for the heck of it.

So mature?

 

Sorry I can't reply them because I ignore those so inclined. Waste of time to inform people who never been in country, but already made up their strong opinion. And those who can't discuss a topic, in a adult way.

 

Selective reading by some, usually because they didn't follow this thread from the beginning.

 

Some member said he had good experience from hospitals here, and I don't have a problem with his opinion. What I said was from my personal experience, on last stage terminal condition, in my honest opinion it isn't good enough. Been admitted a few times, doctors don't come back with update as promised, and lack of pain relief are sadly obvious and well known.

 

I could move to Thailand and get excellent health care. But I would had been alone. Away from a child I care so much for. Away from close friends that I know will be there to the end. After long consideration I decided to spend my remaining time near family and friends I can trust. A personal choice. Same will probably most of you do, when the time come.

 

My personal medical condition or my child, is NOT the topic here.

 

* Philippines is 8% cheaper than Thailand, according to Survey posted earlier.

 

* Philippines is 20% cheaper than Thailand, from my personal experience, with the exact same lifestyle.

 

* Philippines are cheaper also according to other members who have posted in this thread.

 

Cost of living matters for most, easier visa, friendly natives, english widely spoken and understood.

 

* If cost of living doesn't matter for the big majority, why are Thaivisa flooded with threads post about increasing living cost, have to use visa agents so retirement extension for many is no longer 1,900 but rather up to 25,000, less value for money???

 

Who have selective memory?

 

Infrastructure here in Philippines lack a lot, more vehicles than roads, air pollution, overcrowded hospitals that need much improvements, internet speed a hit or miss. I said before I have 3 ways to connect to internet. Fibernet available is most new buildings, and internet speed get better by the month. It's all about survey before renting.

Even mobile internet in the right area can reach 30Mbps+. Majority only need 5Mbps to skype and stream netflix. For those who must have the best, it's available here. Internet connection with 200Mbps are available, just pay. Luxury cars like Bentley, Porche, Lamborghini etc all are available here. Condo buildings with 24 hrs concierge and business center, all available.

 

 

For the mainstream average expat, most don't need this frills.

 

Philippines in 2019 are far from what many think they know, from bar talk, or false old rumors on internet.

 

Some base their opinions from what friends say. Some haven't been to Philippines for a decade, or never been here! 

Still those come with strong opinions, based from no actual personal experience. Some haven't read the whole thread. Some jump in on last 1-2 pages, and start their nonsense.

 

Stalker alert. Even a member who disagree with me in another thread, joined in with his 25 satang. Im confident that ThaiVisa Forum Rules don't allow stalking, so at next attempt, I will report it.

 

About 3 months since I started this thread. Numerous attempt by 8-10 people to disrupt the thread with nonsense and baiting. Moderators have had to intervene a few times. If people behaved same adults, able to discuss topic without trolling, it would be so much better. And informative.

 

Even better if those few who attempt to disrupt this thread had actually spent time in the Philippines, and based their opinions from recent feet on the ground!

 

Still some always compare with Thailand. Impossible comparison. Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, none of these are comparable with Thailand.

 

Thailand still so good?400/800k, tm 30/28, denied at airports, denied extension of stay, must use agent, .... Still the dream?

Some need to get their rose tinted glasses off.

 

My rose tinted glasses has never been on, here in Philippines - something those who followed this thread from the start WOULD KNOW. Not included a few with very selective reading, who just jump in at last pages, and make up their opinion based of 5+- post out of 700+ posts.

 

Some think I was forced to move here. Really? I moved almost 10 years ago, long before visa became a everyday topic, or exchange rate.

 

Didn't have to move her for economical reasons, originally from 1 of the 10 richest countries in the world (fact, not bragging) so that eliminate the insinuation that I was forced to move here. Wrong again, by bashers.

 

I'm not looking for gentlemens heaven on earth, Thailand used to be it, but long time gone. I moved on.

 

Thank you for numerous PM's, from those who appreciate this thread.

 

Back ON TOPIC:

 

Philippines 2019 for new expats

 

Calculate the exchange rate of 2,000 USD.

102,000 Peso vs 61,000 Baht

It is actually cheaper to live here in the Philippines - with exact same lifestyle.

Exact lifestyle.

 

'Some' try to question my credibility, honesty, surveys, facts ..... and also those other members who also earlier and today agreed that money last longer here.

 

Do the math.

 

Then come live here for 1 year.  

And also try to l i s t e n  to those who been here or live here, and concur that money last longer here in the Philippines.

 

I have now explained this thoroughly, and hope further non sense are avoided.

 

ExpatPH

IMO, negatives in many countries in SEA region. Read last weeks Thai news and immigration threads, enough to be seriously depressed, and stressed for upcoming renewal or arrival at airport.

 

I moved to Philippines while I was still healthy.

I choose to live in Philippines, because it was different from los.

For me, the positives outweigh the negatives.

 

I prefer to be called sir rather than farang or kwai farang.

I prefer to go to immigration without stress and fear to get my extension denied.

I prefer the high exchange rate we have here, compared to the baht that only get stronger, and the trend seems to continue in the future.

 

I have no problem to admit that I miss Thailand, but the Thailand I miss, was the Thailand I fell in love with in the 90's.

Phuket and Pattaya was a 'different world' then. Visa was easy in soi 8, not many in queue. Police was friendly, no helmet law, no checkpoint just waiting to catch a farang. Wouldn't call that time lawless, but it sure was easier and stress free. The Thailand I fell in love with, is long time gone.

 

Had many short holidays to Thailand since I moved to PH. The last years 2016-2019 high season get shorter by the year. While TAT proudly come with latest record arrival number, foreigner business owners paint a different picture. When TAT last week for the first time came with decline in arrival numbers, it must be a serious decline, probably more than what we was told to believe.

 

Retirement extension in los was 1,900 baht, before 400/800k was implemented. These days a extension can for many (many, not all) only be had by using agents, (to get around 400/800K).

Agents who want 8000 - 25,000 baht.

Thailand news last week, told us increased living cost in Thailand. With lousy exchange rates on top, value for money is a thing of the past. Forced to deposit 400/800k in a bank, even many can do it, they say enough is enough. 

I would urgently explore other destinations.  Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, are all welcoming to tourists and expats.

 

'My Thailand', the beautiful country with friendly natives, low cost living, and a stress free life ... isn't there anymore.

 

I'm grateful for my many years in Thailand, it was a blast, and the good memories are never forgotten.

 

ExpatPH

41 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

So I , personally, cannot see a mass exodus of expats out, unless it is financially not possible to remain here.

 

Seriously?

Last half year many expats has already left. Already. And continuing. Expats community is getting smaller by the week.

 

So many who don't meet new criteria for extension of stay. Married guys consider leave, those who are too old to get required medical insurance, those who don't want to be forced to deposit 400/800k in a bank, those who had enough of lousy exchange rate ...

 

It's financially possible for many, but many didn't move to los, to be told when to jump, again and again.

 

Get out more, around the country, and you see the reality of 2019.

 

People are moving out to friendlier country.

 

Scandinavian retirees use to have a good pension above average, compared with many other countries. But nordic currencies has also taken a hit last years.

Denmarks currency has been strong for years, compared with their neighbours, so why so many Danes leaving?

 

This article came from a nordic online news site, without comparing to other nationalities, so not much of value to compare with.

 

It's a growing trend of leaving los, due to very poor exchange rate, increased cost of living in Thailand (last weeks news), immigration, denied at airport. Downward trend indeed. 

 

Not the same fun in los, as it used to be, and value for money is only a memory.

 

Photo OP, missed the finger pointing, guess that's 'reserved' for farang.

 

While they waisted time on this, unknown number of crimes happen same time, sale of YaBa openly everywhere,  unknown number of traffic accidents happen because all drivers know the roads are free speed for all, no cops to be seen. And traffic lights huh ...

 

This time it wasn't farang who had to pay, (running out of farang)?

 

Next photo OP, at Nana 2 am ...

 

Next photo OP at nakhon somewhere where 85 year old farang caught, not doing his latest 90 day report.

 

Priorities .....