Philippines 2019 for new expats

[Mike Teavee]

1 minute ago, Small Joke said:

I'm not going to let this descend to a dick measuring contest.

 

If you want my heartfelt opinion, I really wanted to make the PI work in my favour!

 

I didn't leave here to go on a 'bashing tour' of other expat hangouts.

 

My main reasons for going walkabout was the ridiculous immigration bullshit here, and rising costs.

 

I wanted to be the guy sitting in Colombia or Mexico, or Angeles, or Iloilo (yes I stayed a month there too, Boracay off the northern coast, I remember now) going 'neener neener' to the sad sacks in LOS.

 

The truth is (and places can change often drastically for the worse, very quickly) Thailand lured me back. 

 

Whether it was, insane crime levels (to me) in the Americas, and let's not forget the Philippines is a land of barbed wire, and armed guards BTW!

 

Or the lack of civilised amenities, (I was born in a British slum suburb, done my time) thank you very much!

 

Or the even worse government overreach, Du30 makes Uncle Tu and the gang look like snowflakes.

 

The end result was, Thailand for me at least, could not be bettered. I spent a lot of precious 'rainy day's money trying to prove otherwise.

 

If you have found the goldilocks situation in the PI, then I genuinely wish you a long and happy life there.

 

I could not make it work for me.

 

Those on the bleachers can draw their own conclusions.

 

It's also a bit unfair, even sadistic,  if you happen to be a dollar multi millionaire, plugging a beachside lifestyle many on this forum just cannot aspire to, even in the Philippines, while pretending you're one of the GFC/Brexit financial 'refugees' who, fair play, just want to better their lot, which is more commendable than their hopeless countrymen, who will whine back home, but never budge.

 

I'm somewhere in between the poorest and the richest, but having done the hard yards, I owe nothing to the silver spoon <deleted> who had life handed to them on a plate. 

 

Whatever else your argument. I hope you bootstrapped that island life from a working class kick start.

 

 

 

 

You're from the UK, I'm from Warrington (Orford) Born & Bred so yes, bootstrapped my life from a Working Class Kick Start & though on paper maybe a dollar millionaire, reality is that's pensions & life insurance so certainly don't have that spending to splash about... 

 

I didn't mean to plug a millionaire lifestyle, 10 Pesos on a ferry will get you from Davao City to Samal Island & though I prefer Filippinas I still prefer Thailand as a place to live.

 

Would love to hear more about your time in Colombia, have to say I'm very tempted to spend some time in LATAM before finally setting down somewhere to retire (I'm 53, retired twice already & 3rd time is a charm target is 2 days before my 54th birthday) but at the moment... the place to retire is Thailand for me, I've resigned myself to the less than great beaches ???? 

 

NB I'm very defensive about the Philippines having spent 10 years with my Ex-GF travelling around there & meeting "Real" people, Davao City (Because of DU30) was probably once one of the safest cities in Asia... I've certainly never felt unsafe there (Queue stories about kidnapping in Mindanao, even Pearl Farm on Samal Island) - Spent a lot of time round there & felt safer than I do in Warrington Town Center on a Saturday Night... 

 

 

 

[RuamRudy]

6 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

 

Sure, welcome to join in.

 

Medical has been mentioned early in this thread. Very short version, acceptable for minor things, less than average to horrible for serious medical conditions. 

Expats fly to Singapore or Thailand for serious illness, if even possible, else suffer here.

Even private hospitals are lack of staff, lack of medicine, lack of follow up.  Not comparable at all to Thailand.

 

Anecdotal, of course, but my experience of private medicine in Manila was very good. I had eye surgery at Bangkok Hospital about 10 years ago, and the service I had at St Luke's in Bonifacio Global City for a heart issue a couple of years ago was every bit as professional and the facilities as modern. Although out-patient, I had an extensive battery of tests, saw more than a few specialist, they diagnosed the problem in a matter of days, and the bill came to around $300. 

 

Mall clinics tend to be dispiriting places with long queues, however the treatment I have had in them has always been of a high professional standard. 

 

One area Philippines definitely falls down on, in my opinion, is dental clinics. They are much more expensive than Thai clinics, hence I go to Bangkok for dental work.

[RuamRudy]

So many pages to go through so I am not sure if this has been raised before, but as an oil worker on month and month rotation, one of the factors that convinced me to move to Philippines was that, with a UK passport, I can get a 30 day visa free entry on arrival time and again without the fear of a tap on the shoulder at immigration inquiring as to why I had so many stamps in my passport. 

[balo]

1 hour ago, ExpatPH said:

Back in Cebu less than 2 months, and start a horrible cough. Take medicine for 1 week and ok again, for a few months. This happend every time I return here.

Yes interesting , being surrounded by ocean I was thinking Phils had cleaner air as long as you avoid the heavy traffic, but I guess not. 

Or maybe it's just something in the air. 

[Destiny1990]

1 hour ago, balo said:

Yes interesting , being surrounded by ocean I was thinking Phils had cleaner air as long as you avoid the heavy traffic, but I guess not. 

Or maybe it's just something in the air. 

I still tend to think also that if you’re somewhat away from big traffic areas that the air is indeed very ok and fresh in Phills because indeed it’s always near the sea and Phillipines hasn’t got lots of polluting factories like Thailand and Europe are full with. Cebu is full with Callcenters. I dare to say that the air in Badian or Bantayan is cleaner than in my hometown in Europe. Because my hometown 1000x more industrial than Phills.

 

Edited May 14, 2019 by Destiny1990

[ExpatPH]

7 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

So many pages to go through so I am not sure if this has been raised before, but as an oil worker on month and month rotation, one of the factors that convinced me to move to Philippines was that, with a UK passport, I can get a 30 day visa free entry on arrival time and again without the fear of a tap on the shoulder at immigration inquiring as to why I had so many stamps in my passport. 

 

Immigration in Philippines are a breeze compared to Thailand. Although local forums mentioned some who was questioned why they come to PH so often, if they have business here. Except that, it's a much friendlier immigration here.

 

After first 2 months in country, one can apply for 6 months visa, 2 times, within first 16 months.

Then 1 or 2 months extension up to 36 months.

 

No 800k.

No 90 days report.

No 24 hrs to report new adress.

No one denied at airport, unless one have a criminal record.

Stay up to 3 years.

 

Big advantage in Philippines vs Thailand, where requirements get stricter all the time.

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Immigration in Philippines are a breeze compared to Thailand. Although local forums mentioned some who was questioned why they come to PH so often, if they have business here. Except that, it's a much friendlier immigration here.

Last time I was there immigration lady at entry asked me why I was coming less than 3 months after my previous visit.

I said it was a great place for a holiday, and I liked travelling around Asia all year, she was so friendly I thought her phone number was probably available for a more personal welcome. She was definitely hitting on me.

[lopburi3]

35 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

No 800k.

No 90 days report.

No 24 hrs to report new adress.

No one denied at airport, unless one have a criminal record.

Stay up to 3 years.

 

Big advantage in Philippines vs Thailand, where requirements get stricter all the time.

But in fairness there is a requirement to obtain ID card (which is actually a plus for any long stay but often a long wait as no materials to make) and the need to obtain clearance prior to any departure from PI.  As said immigration is normally a pleasant experience.  

[ExpatPH]

18 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

But in fairness there is a requirement to obtain ID card (which is actually a plus for any long stay but often a long wait as no materials to make) and the need to obtain clearance prior to any departure from PI.  As said immigration is normally a pleasant experience.  

 

Yes, but I see the ACR-I card as advantage (even it takes time to get the actual card) because it serve as our id card out and around. No need to carry passport or photo copy.

 

ECC exit clearance certificate required to leave after more than 6 months stay, are a minor hassle compared to Thailands 90 days reporting, and report change of adress in TH.

 

No lease contract needed.

Freedom to move around the country, without rush to immigration to report new adress.

 

Philippines are just way easier.

[Destiny1990]

From personal experiences i would have to admit that i find Thais slightly more reliable than Phillipinos.

I noticed more lying going on there than here.

[BritManToo]

Just now, Destiny1990 said:

From personal experiences i would have to admit that i find Thais slightly more reliable than Phillipinos.

I noticed more lying going on there than here.

I assume everyone is lying to me, especially the woman in my bed.

It's got to the point where it doesn't matter, as I'm not listening to what they're saying.

 

Is people lying really such a big deal? I've worked out ways to get around it.

When I agree to meet someone, it's only ever in a place where I can have fun on my own, or with people already there.

I only really interact with my former wife, gf and the kids, that limits a lot of the madness as I know everything the gf and wife say are a lie.

[Destiny1990]

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I assume everyone is lying to me, especially the woman in my bed.

It's got to the point where it doesn't matter, as I'm not listening to what they're saying.

 

Is people lying really such a big deal? I've worked out ways to get around it.

When I agree to meet someone, it's only ever in a place where I can have fun on my own, or with people already there.

I only really interact with my former wife, gf and the kids, that limits a lot of the madness as I know everything the gf and wife say are a lie.

Sure girls will lie its more problematic if also real estate agents or lawyers or people in general telling crap.

I did notice more of that going on there then here and also they dont trust their own kind much either.

Some big Big hardware store their  clerks moving from one side of the shop to the other side getting pat down by guards??

[BritManToo]

6 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

its more problematic if also real estate agents or lawyers or people in general telling crap.

I don't interact with such people, so not a problem for me.

I don't even believe my doctor, although I will use his opinions to direct my online research.

If he suggests a drug, I'll lookup the side effects and contraindications myself, a course of treatment, I'll check to see how it worked for others.

Edited May 16, 2019 by BritManToo

[Destiny1990]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I don't interact with such people, so not a problem for me.

I don't even believe my doctor, although I will use his opinions to direct my online research.

If he suggests a drug, I'll lookup the side effects and contraindications myself, a course of treatment, I'll check to see how it worked for others.

Yup I don’t much trust doctors either i prefer self diagnosing on google..

So if a filipina is telling you that you’re great in bed does that means automatically that she is lying?

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

So if a filipina is telling you that you’re great in bed does that means automatically that she is lying?

If she's telling ME, almost certainly as I'm total rubbish in bed.

I know because my former Brit wife (of 30 years) told me.

But I've always been good enough for me, and that's what really counts!

Edited May 16, 2019 by BritManToo

[Destiny1990]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

If she's telling ME, almost certainly as I'm total rubbish in bed.

I know because my former Brit wife (of 30 years) told me.

(But I've always been good enough for me)

I believe you’re finally talking some truth now Hahaja ????.

[cerox]

Let us please keep our mind on Thailand/Philippines positive aspects.

 

Has anyone experience about Bacolod? And Baguio for colder climate?

Bohol could be very nice for me, better air and still close to Cebu if I needed something. Air quality and Internet are the major points for me.

[Destiny1990]

When will the OP gives us his Bohol field trip report?

[ExpatPH]

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

When will the OP gives us his Bohol field trip report?

 

When I arrive there, think I wrote 'end of month'.

 

[ExpatPH]

On 5/20/2019 at 1:10 PM, DonDoRondo said:

Was considering Cebu as an alternative but after reading these posts  there seems to be too many 

negatives so I will continue looking.  Maybe back to the USA for 6 months to regroup.

 

Thanks to the OP and the other contributors for the information.

 

Thank you DonDoRondo. 

Traffic, hospitals, local food are the big negatives. The big advantages are easy tourist visa up to 3 year, english widely spoken, and the girls. Easy for those over 50-60 to find a partner.

 

Philippines isn't for some who need all the frills, comfort, and similarity to Thailand, because that doesn't exist here, unless one pay a high premium for it. It's different, very different, but one get used to it.

 

Being around polite people with genuine smiles, always call you Sir, it's a very nice change to LOS.

 

Good restaurants with international food to be found in major cities here, we don't starve.

 

Less stress here because Immigration here don't come with more restrictions semi yearly, not same in Los.

 

I first came here because other expats told me how nice it was. Well, times has changed. 

Philippines have other Islands that might be a better option.

 

For those who need to be close to good hospitals, I think only St. Luke hospital in Manila will be their best option.

 

Cambodia, Vietnam and other destinations also have their cons.

So I think one must 'reset' before another country become a real Plan B.

 

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

Philippines advantages over Thailand:

 

No 800k.

No tm 30.

No tm 28.

No minimum in bank acc.

No new visa changes semi yearly.

No residence certificate required to buy a vehicle.

No embassy pension letter needed.

No denied at airport.

No dual pricing.

No medical insurance required.

 

 

[ExpatPH]

1 hour ago, DonDoRondo said:

Thank you for following up.......for me what is most important is finding a serviced apartment

with good sized units / housekeeper service and a reception desk.  That's what I'm going to miss

most about Chiang Mai.  I also want to be able to rent a scooter and not have to rely on taxis.

 

Anything like this available in Cebu?  I have looked into a long visa and it seems pretty easy

to obtain.  Really have no interest in returning to the USA.

 

Again, nice posts.

 

First serviced apartment that comes to mind is

Santonis Place Cebu.

Rent starts at 32.000php (620 US$)

Can book direcrly and on AirBnb for shorter stay. Reccommend the later.

 

Scooter rent per month start at 9000php (180US$)

 

Tourist visa up to 3 year are easy, aprox 500 US$ year.

Leave for one day only, return and start another 3 years.

 

[cerox]

Although the Thai Baht is very strong, Thailand in my situation seems still cheap compared to the Philippines. A typical livable condo in Thailand costs me 10k THB monthly, in Cebu it seems to cost twice as much, around 600 USD. From my research most rooms are just unbelievable small otherwise.

 

I am not complaining about PH, on the contrary I find it very interesting. I am just saying that TH, despite the Baht and the expensive ED visa is still better value if we just talk about money and everyday convenience.

 

Immigration however will be the major point for me. Also the pollution in Northern Thailand. Plan B is mandatory like ExpatPH said, I totally agree with that.  Yesterday I read something about changes in the ED visa system here in the forum, which was fortunately not confirmed by the school I asked, but it just showed me again the importance of plan B.

I like the fact that so many guys go to Da Nang now; I went there only once for holiday. It is a little bit like Chiang Mai without burning season and Immigration trouble and a beach for me. Bohol seems beautiful; English and the girls seem to be the major plus points for PH.

[lopburi3]

5 minutes ago, cerox said:

A typical livable condo in Thailand costs me 10k THB monthly, in Cebu it seems to cost twice as much,

That is a valid point - much overbuilding of condos in Thailand for a limited population has kept price very reasonable where in Philippines there is never enough housing/room for rapidly increasing population and condos will normally be city center where as in Thailand they are being built on less expensive land in many places now.  Homes are available at reasonable prices in PI but then you may face security issues if not family home or more expensive gated community.

[ExpatPH]

12 minutes ago, cerox said:

Although the Thai Baht is very strong, Thailand in my situation seems still cheap compared to the Philippines. A typical livable condo in Thailand costs me 10k THB monthly, in Cebu it seems to cost twice as much, around 600 USD. From my research most rooms are just unbelievable small otherwise.

 

I am not complaining about PH, on the contrary I find it very interesting. I am just saying that TH, despite the Baht and the expensive ED visa is still better value if we just talk about money and everyday convenience.

 

Immigration however will be the major point for me. Also the pollution in Northern Thailand. Plan B is mandatory like ExpatPH said, I totally agree with that.  Yesterday I read something about changes in the ED visa system here in the forum, which was fortunately not confirmed by the school I asked, but it just showed me again the importance of plan B.

 

 

Condos here are mostly 22-26sqm, smaller than Thailands average 28-32sqm.

Examples of budget condo:

La Guardia Flats, Cebu, furnished unit 22-29sqm with balcony rents for 15000- 20000php. 

(9100-12000 THB)

(290-388US$)

 

Other building Ramos Tower, same size condo mostly 20000 - 30000php.

 

Equal to 9000 - 12000 baht is possible here, although in limited numbers vs Thailand.

With so limited buildings in the past, rent stays high vs value for money.

 

[Destiny1990]

Rents are similar a poster said he rents condo in Thai for 10,000 bht that means 15,000 Pesos In Phillipines its very well possible to finding such condos both in Cebu and Pattaya but personally i’am always spending more on rents.

Yes they might be few sqm smaller in Phills for a similar price.

Edited May 23, 2019 by Destiny1990

[ExpatPH]

Exchange rates:

 

2000 US$ = 63.000 THB.

 

2000 US$ = 104.000 PHP.

 

 

 

[ExpatPH]

36 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Rents are similar a poster said he rents condo in Thai for 10,000 bht that means 15,000 Pesos In Phillipines its very well possible to finding such condos both in Cebu and Pattaya but personally i’am always spending more on rents.

 

 

If ones monthly budget is for example 2000US$, money still last l o n g e r here in Philippines. Posted earlier stats that said Philippines is 8% cheaper than Thailand. And that is my personal experience as well.

 

2000US$ doesn't last long for many In Thailand, while here in PH, its easy to spend only 1200-1500US$ and live a similar lifestyle, all included.

 

[cerox]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting for those leaving from CM. How much is one year in advance compared to flexible extensions ( 30 days, 59 days, 6 months etc.)?
Cebu rooms I saw are 600 EUR for a nice condo which is half price in CM 10k THB / 300 EUR.
Visa in TH for me yearly around 1600 EUR , still more expensive in PH overall cause of expensive room, electricity and food.

Sent from my SM-M205FN using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[BritManToo]

14 minutes ago, cerox said:

Thanks for sharing. Interesting for those leaving from CM. How much is one year in advance compared to flexible extensions ( 30 days, 59 days, 6 months etc.)?
Cebu rooms I saw are 600 EUR for a nice condo which is half price in CM 10k THB / 300 EUR.
Visa in TH for me yearly around 1600 EUR , still more expensive in PH overall cause of expensive room, electricity and food.
 

Air-con rooms near the beach in the Subic area can be had for 300-400peso/night (4-6kpeso/month).

If you can't find places in PI comparable to prices in Thailand, you've got 'mug' written on yer forehead.

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by BritManToo