Philippines 2019 for new expats

[ExpatPH]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

Great thread, I love the Philippines, big fan of Davao, Tagum, Cebu, Bohol & Coron but not so hot on the likes of Manila / Angeles

 

Thank you mike, highly appreciated.

[ExpatPH]

Talking about hospitals, Thai hospitals also have issues, this time about overcharging.

 

 

 

[Frankri]

Hi Expat,

 

What about the Weather ??

 

Thanks !

[ExpatPH]

6 minutes ago, Frankri said:

Hi Expat,

 

What about the Weather ??

 

Thanks !

 

More spesific question please.

Rain.

Downpour.

Flooding.

Storms.

Hurricanes.

Earthquakes.

Manila same Bangkok.

Cebu minus 3, day 31, night 25

 

[baansgr]

21 hours ago, madmen said:

I know a lot of people and not a single one moved because of being unloved, seriously what sort of idiot would do that? You think they are going to Cambodia for free hugs? Leaving because one is running out of money or health issues makes total sense.

Where did I mention unloved. 

[ExpatPH]

1 minute ago, Benroon said:

Anyone moving there after that post needs a head examination

 

Nah. Only good health.

[Ulic]

On 4/8/2019 at 9:37 PM, balo said:

I think the murder rate is higher in the PH than other countries in Asia. Correct me if I'm wrong. 

 

"In 2014, the Philippines has a murder rate of 9.84 per 100,000 people, with a number of 9,784 recorded cases. The country also has the highest rate of murder cases in Southeast Asia in 2013, with a rate of 8.8, followed by Thailand."

 

Numbers for 2016 : 

 

 

 

 

A red herring as far as I am concerned. Most people whether in Thailand or the Philippines are concerned are killed by someone they know, usually from the same country/ethnicity. If you are trying to compare death rates add in death on the road and I think Thailand would lead by a significant margin. 

[scubascuba3]

 
Really appreciate positive feedback, thank you.
I try be balanced and honest. In addition I mentioned a few times our local forums, so people can get other opinions, different from mine. Balanced all the way.

Great Info Expat, I guess the negative people can be ignored as usual.

What is there to do in Cebu for an expat? hobbies? good cycling? good walks? are most just barflys?

[ExpatPH]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Great Info Expat, I guess the negative people can be ignored as usual.

What is there to do in Cebu for an expat? hobbies? good cycling? good walks? are most just barflys?

Most expats are in longterm relationship / married, many with children. Expats are less of barfly type here than in Thailand. City has 2 sportsbars and a few other bars frequented by expats. We mostly meet in shopping centers, while gf wifes doing their things.

Check out these links.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attractions-g294261-Activities-Cebu_Island_Visayas.html

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g298460-Activities-Cebu_City_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html

 

https://trekeffect.com/travel-blog/50-must-try-things-cebu

 

https://www.travelcebu.ph/blog/things-to-do-in-cebu/

 

https://journalistontherun.com/2017/10/14/things-to-do-in-cebu/

 

https://www.crazysexyfuntraveler.com/20-things-to-do-in-cebu-city-and-surroundings/

 

https://www.journeyera.com/things-to-do-cebu-philippines/

 

[ExpatPH]

Culture chock Thailand vs Philippines.

 

I should highlight that living in Cebu and many other places, is like stepping back in time 100 years, in a Asian country with strong spanish influx.

Slow pace of life, people not in a rush. People sit down and have long conversations. Many very old buildings, less high rise.

Very different from Thailands modern neon city, where people are so busy.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by ExpatPH

[Jingthing]

I'll share a little anecdote from my visit to Cebu. Taking a taxi from Cebu City north to the boat to Bantanyan island (amazing and beautiful) the driver said to me -- you're gonna love it there, the people are very backwards and ignorant, they love ALL white people. He had a point I suppose. Walking around there I was invited inside local village houses to share their incredibly horrible food. Like rice meant for livestock rather than people. 

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by Jingthing

[lopburi3]

18 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Culture chock Thailand vs Philippines.

 

I should highlight that living in Cebu and many other places, is like stepping back in time 100 years, in a Asian country with strong spanish influx.

Slow pace of life, people not in a rush. People sit down and have long conversations. Many very old buildings, less high rise.

Very different from Thailands modern neon city, where people are so busy.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

 

That is a good point and likely the make/break factor for many.  If you can lay back and not go hyper over delays the chance of liking PI greatly increases.  Would rate (fast/medium/slow) as (Singapore/Thailand/Philippines).  

[baansgr]

Forget the healthcare....what about the girls....????????????

 

[ExpatPH]

6 hours ago, Ulic said:

If you are trying to compare death rates add in death on the road and I think Thailand would lead by a significant margin. 

 

A good point.

 

Study: Thailand’s roads 2nd most dangerous in the world.

 

https://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/02/study-thailand-roads-2nd-most-dangerous-in-the-world/

 

 

[ExpatPH]

12 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Forget the healthcare....what about the girls....????????????

 

 

LOL. We all know about the girls. If I go deep into that spesifically, I would not be able to continue posting. But with 1 word: heaven 

I mentioned earlier 1 local forums in ( ) and that forums advanced section, will answer all 'in deep'

(pun intended) lol.

Edited April 10, 2019 by ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

Murder and expats.

 

Most cases I read in the news was mostly due to wealth, adultery, business.

 

Building a big property, luxury car, flaunting money, superior attitude, openly looking down on locals, talking down to locals, many conflicts with other foreigners or local. Many had it coming.

 

Keeping 2 ladies or more, adultery, jealousy, abuse.

 

Own business, joint venture, finance, suppliers, payment, staff, salary, another be aware.

 

I have a positive outlook to people born here, and I am always respectful to them. I don't behave or do same examples above. I am not in the high risk sone.

 

Regards

ExpatPH 

[ExpatPH]

Internet reliability.

 

Was just cut of 1 hour, I have 1 Wi-Fi and 2 mobile internet connections available. All was down for 1 hour. Im located in city center.

In province before, I was happy if I could load youtube. For online banking, I had to go 1 km from my rented house to find fast enough coverage.

Few years ago in Boracay, my internet speedtest reached 20Mbps+.

Manila area had similar, very depending of area.

If you need faster internet 100-200Mbps to conduct business, trading on the international stock market, Manila can offer lighting fast internet if you willing to pay for it. Can find more about this on website yugatech.

[balo]

2 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

ke stepping back in time 100 years, in a Asian country with strong spanish influx.

Slow pace of life, people not in a rush. People sit down and have long conversations.

So are you telling us that the locals are not playing with their smart phones in PH like the rest of the world?

[ExpatPH]

4 minutes ago, balo said:

So are you telling us that the locals are not playing with their smart phones in PH like the rest of the world?

Nonsense. I never wrote such a thing.

 

This is what I said and what part you refer to: 

stepping back in time 100 years, in a Asian country with strong spanish influx.

Slow pace of life, people not in a rush. People sit down and have long conversations.

[baansgr]

50 minutes ago, balo said:

So are you telling us that the locals are not playing with their smart phones in PH like the rest of the world?

Thailand wins that hands down also....come on, check out any supermarket or mall....you dont get that in Tesco or Sainsbury in Devon

[baansgr]

I've just ordered progressive lenses with designer frames in Angeles at a third of the cost in Pattaya, dental work is saving me a fortune and done properly also...A free holiday in fact with pesos to spare. Great food and  beers at half/third price with genuine smiles and service.....

[ExpatPH]

14 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I've just ordered progressive lenses with designer frames in Angeles at a third of the cost in Pattaya, dental work is saving me a fortune and done properly also...A free holiday in fact with pesos to spare. Great food and  beers at half/third price with genuine smiles and service.....

 

Others please take note:

 

Quote: At a third of the price in Pattaya.

 

Quote: dental work is saving me a fortune.

 

Quote: Great food and  beers at half/third price with genuine smiles and service.....

 

Yes, Philippines is overall not that bad.  On the contrary, its better in many comparisons, as baansgr just shared with us.

 

I assume that Angeles are full by now, with thai expats who escape Songkran (that last 3-9 days depending of location).

Enjoy Angeles, guys.

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

If people misread or put more into others words than what was actually written, I can't help.

 

If people add by themself, objects or other issues not mentioned in my text, and thereby alter, add on, change or misinterpreted what I actually said,  I can't help.

I can however chose to ignore, in future.

[balo]

1 hour ago, ExpatPH said:

People sit down and have long conversations.

Yes that was the one. 

[ExpatPH]

Habal habal is equal to motorbike taxi. No fixed rates, but on short trips where taxi meter cost 100 peso, habal habal should be 70 peso.

In province they accept half of city prices, competition are fierce.

They drive in normal speed, no hard acceleration, and they always carry spare helmet for passenger.

[scubascuba3]

 
Keeping 2 ladies or more, adultery, jealousy, abuse.
 

So you can't have 2 or more ladies? might have to cross it off the list

[ExpatPH]

8 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

So you can't have 2 or more ladies? might have to cross it off the list

 

Can. Can have 3 or 4 girlfriends if you like.

Until jealousy gets into the picture.  

Ask the white guy in jail who had a few live-in gf's

Edited April 10, 2019 by ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

Another one got the booth in Thailand.

Doesn't happen here, only if you're a criminal.

 

 

[seasia]

Hi ExpatPH.

 

You have probably created the best Thailand to " other country " comparison I have come across.

Full of detail, well balanced.

 

Yes, I have read your posts carefully, including the comment about how much time you have spent with your postings.

Thanks for taking the time. Interesting thread.

 

I was unaware about the healthcare standards. Somewhat off putting.

10 years of living in TH, with a prior 10 years of tourist visits.

 

Considering elsewhere, fair number of options.

 

In no rush but just doing plenty of research.

 

A lot of my friends have visited both TH & PI, all with well balanced views.

One achieved what I think was his main aim, met a PI lady, fell in love, married then returned to UK.

That about 5 years ago, both seem very happy.

 

I have only visited once and that just to Angeles.

As I do not want to cause problems with your excellent thread I can only give a brief comparison to say Pattaya.

 

Angeles, somewhat better service, helps that most there can speak English.

Less pushy, less greedy.

 

Food, was OK for me on a tourist visit, ate in bars/restaurants and Jolly Bee.

Would not want to live on that but your supermarket photos and prices show you can eat OK long term.

 

I had no issues on my visit, felt safe.

Internet unfortunately was poor.

 

Decent people, good service at hotel.

Spent some time with an expat living there, he was helpful.

 

Pleasant visit.

 

Cheers.

[ExpatPH]

41 minutes ago, seasia said:

Hi ExpatPH.

 

You have probably created the best Thailand to " other country " comparison I have come across.

Full of detail, well balanced.

 

Yes, I have read your posts carefully, including the comment about how much time you have spent with your postings.

Thanks for taking the time. Interesting thread.

 

I was unaware about the healthcare standards. Somewhat off putting.

10 years of living in TH, with a prior 10 years of tourist visits.

 

Considering elsewhere, fair number of options.

 

In no rush but just doing plenty of research.

 

A lot of my friends have visited both TH & PI, all with well balanced views.

One achieved what I think was his main aim, met a PI lady, fell in love, married then returned to UK.

That about 5 years ago, both seem very happy.

 

I have only visited once and that just to Angeles.

As I do not want to cause problems with your excellent thread I can only give a brief comparison to say Pattaya.

 

Angeles, somewhat better service, helps that most there can speak English.

Less pushy, less greedy.

 

Food, was OK for me on a tourist visit, ate in bars/restaurants and Jolly Bee.

Would not want to live on that but your supermarket photos and prices show you can eat OK long term.

 

I had no issues on my visit, felt safe.

Internet unfortunately was poor.

 

Decent people, good service at hotel.

Spent some time with an expat living there, he was helpful.

 

Pleasant visit.

 

Cheers.

 

Thank you so much for your feedback, seasia.

 

If I was in my 40's, I would probably stayed in Subic bay or Angeles, or also Bantayan island or Bohol to get my beachbum fix. Vietnam would also be very high on my list.

 

I think a pinay lady would be the best choice for those who want to get married to a Asian, and bring her to his country. Pinays adapt well and fast, a asian food shop and catholic church would make most of them satisfied. 

Ladies from other asian countries seems to be less happy, and wish to go back to their country.

 

If I was in my 40s and in excellent health, I would not worry too much about healthcare.

But Im older and I had horrible unacceptable experience in hospitals here.

On the other hand, expats with non life threatening condition, and in less pain, was satisfied.

 

Same the survey I posted before, the people, the welcome to the country, the warm r e a l smiles, is what make me happy here every day. Add-on easy visa extensions without constant uncertainty, and the flaws of the country are much easier to accept.