Are You Afraid of Living in the Philippines?
I’ve had several people tell me they are putting off their trips to the Philippines because of the low dollar rate. If that is really the reason, I think that they are falling victim to hype. To be honest, I don’t think the real reason they are putting off living in the Philippines.
Pulling up stakes, leaving your life in the West behind and moving to the other side of the world is a freaking scary thing to do! How it turns out for you really matters more as to what is important to you.
- Do I look Like I’m Suffering?
When I was planning to come to the Philippines, I never had any doubt that I would make the move. I also wondered if I was afraid of the move to the Philippines. Not long after I got here, I realized, I was afraid. A lot of my delay was excuses. Though, I really did need to clear up the matter of a divorce.
Even that though tried to hold me back, I finally told my lawyer, I have a ticket and I’m leaving on February 6th. It is a non-refundable ticket so I’m gone. Divorce was done that month, a process of about 2 years.
I thought I’d be going back to the USA every six months or so but I also thought I’d be filthy rich. I’m not filthy rich. I do hope that I can return to the USA in about a year. I’ll have the cash but if I’m willing to spend, I’m not so certain.
To increase my opportunities even more in the Philippines, I need a Special Resident Retirement Visa and I wasn’t very frugal in my youth, to say the least. For that I need $10,000 in a Philippines bank and a $1500 application fee on top of that.
Once it is approved, I can put the $10,000 in a condo and own a home in the Philippines in my name. You can’t own the land but you can own a condo.
The other benefit is that it will allow me to operate a business in the Philippines. There are restrictions; I can’t sell real estate for example. I sure wish I could. I have a business opportunity staring me in the face right now but I can’t do it.
Being Happy While Living In The Philippines Is About What Is Important to You.
If things and American sports are the most important part of your life, you might be better off staying where you are. If that is true, you may not enjoy living in the Philippines. If you can afford those things there, you’ll find those things easier to come by in the West, not the Philippines.
On the other hand, if your more interested in exploring exotic places, beautiful and loving women, awesome people, island hopping, diving, and going to resorts, then you might find the Philippines is the right place for you.
It is more likely you’ll be able to do those things here because the cost of living is substantially less in the Philippines. Back away from the remote sir, there’s a life out there waiting for you!
Once you are living in the Philippines, you may very well find that what is important to you changes. The influence of Filipinos may very well assist you with that. I think you’ll have to experience that for yourself. On my FaceBook page, I see a lot of people express how happy Filipinos usually are. If they are not happy, they are at least content.
It isn’t my place to tell you what should be important to you, I actually wouldn’t dream of that. Too much of that goes on in the Philippines. I don’t like judgmental people! You might say I’m judgmental about judgmental people. I know that’s a bit hypocritical but I never claimed to be perfect. See, the people that judge you are not perfect either. You’ll find lots of that in the Philippines too. It is probably my least favorite trait among Filipinos and it seems to be a bit more heightened here than in the USA.
Living in the Philippines Because I Like It Here
I’m not living in the Philippines because I think the USA is going to the dogs. What is going on? In the 70′s we use to think people that said that were so “uncool.” So what changed to make it cool now? Every generation says that about the next one, break the mold and stop it. The USA is a wonderful place for many reasons.
I think some people feel guilty about leaving the USA so they need an excuse to leave just as some look for excuses to put it off. You don’t need an excuse to start a fantastic life living in the Philippines. Do it because you want too. It really is okay to indulge yourself.
I really had my eyes opened to things I took for granted before. When I first started living in the Philippines I noticed a lot of little things that I hadn’t noticed before. This helped me to understand that America is not falling apart, it isn’t a horrible place to live, it is an awesome place to live.
Americans have so many luxuries that you may take for granted. For example, you can count on the rule of law. Even though the justice system of the USA is lacking, you can count on basic protections for the most part. I don’t feel I can always count on the rule of law in the Philippines.
Some mayors are engulfed in rumors about having death squads. And the courts really do seem to favor locals over foreigners. Yes, there are problems with corruption though not to the extent you’ll likely hear on the net.
The level of corruption seems to be changing at the top. Will those changes hold, I don’t know. Some of the changes do seem to be laying the ground work for real change in the Philippines. Civil servants are being fired quite often and often followed up with charges.
Yet I still love living in the Philippines. Honestly those things I mentioned above don’t have anything to do with me. They are unlikely to ever affect me personally. And I’m living in the Philippines, not heaven. I don’t expect perfection. The point I’m trying to make is that America just isn’t so bad.
I’m also not blinded into thinking the Philippines is heaven on earth, it is not. Though I do wonder if it isn’t the closest you can get.
I think the root of my happiness about living in the Philippines comes from Filipino culture. That culture includes how most women treat the man they choose to be with.
There is one thing that has eluded me all of my life until I moved to the Philippines. “A good lovin’
woman” is what may be the most important thing in life for me. Heck, Jessie isn’t perfect but she’s closer to it than I am. Wow, does she ever treat me well too. I’m so spoiled now. I resisted that, I really did as I know I can become to dependant on someone else. Just my nature, not something I’m fond of but “I am who I am and that’s all I am.”
Who I am has made living in the Philippines an excellent choice for me. I think living in the Philippines has also changed who I am to a small extent. We are basically who we are and at 50, changing who we are is not something that comes real easy. In fact, I’ve quit trying to change me very much. Better to accept me with all my flaws. If I had an evil heart, that would be different, I don’t. I know what I need to change and I work on it but old habits die hard.
What about you? Is who you are going to make your life in the Philippines a good choice or a poor one? I firmly believe that being content where ever you are is up to you. You decide if you’re content or not. If you are content where you are, you are more likely to be happy living in the Philippines.
Best Selling DSLR Cameras on Amazon
|
||
|
||
|
Tagged with: Filipino Culture • Living In The Philippines • Moving To The Philippines • Philippines
Filed under: Living In The Philippines
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Get
To The Philippines Faster
This article was wwonderful and I agree completely. I came over for business and left almost a year later with a fiancee! This wasn’t the plan but wow!!!!! You are correct, it isn’t heaven but if you can get rid of the “American” attitude- life can be good. You are also right about the women-they are very loving and devoted to their man. I am so very spoiled as well. lol. Even being back in the USA and doing the fiancee visa thing–another story for you—-she still worries how to treat me. She was so worried about me being there and taking the bus and waiting in lines etc. I will be back there soon and living a good simple life—and that’s heaven to me!!!
Yeah, I know, Jessie thinks I’m helpless. After three years of her taking care of everything, I might be.
Your article brings a quote to memory: “to be content, look backwards at those who have less than you do, not forward at those who have more.
If this doesn’t make you content, you don’t deserve to be happy.”
A caring wife, family, love and laughter and good times, that is what’s motivating me to give up life in the US and move to Davao in September.
I’m 61, and it’s not easy to make adjustments. However, I do believe each of us has the ability to adjust to anything life puts in front of us. God made us that way.
Hi John, though many Christian’s probably think I’m hell bound, I get contentment from one place really. Especially when things go bad, and they will always go bad and that is faith. I could go on a speech here but I won’t.
I’ll just say that abundant life doesn’t mean things will go your way, it means “my grace will be sufficient.” At least to me. Took me a long, long time to learn that.
Not that I’m always happy and content because sometimes I forget the above and get wrapped up in myself, just like most everyone else.
I think that is where Filipino also may get a lot of their contentment.
Yeah, change is hard for all of us, humans don’t like change usually. Every time I heard those words, I think about a lot of time spent on that subject in business management classes during my college days. Not that I remember any of the details.
I don’t remember any of the the details. lol
As an expat you can not own land but cant you lease land? I read an expat suggesting buy/build a house and at the same meeting where you close on it, sign a long term lease(20 years?)from your wife for her land (if one is married). That way a person is protected if the wife dumps you. she cant take her land back because you are leasing it and you own the structure. the person suggesting that also said make sure you have a good(legit) lawyer to handle it. It actually sounds like a good deal for both parties to me.
Yes you can lease land. I’m hesitant to do that. There are many title disputes here. Title is often muddled or may be in the name of 20 or more family members. Any one of those member can later dispute the lease with your house sitting on it. It is a common perception and it does appear to be accurate that the courts will favor a Filipino over a foreigner. I’ve seen the term “especially foreigners” used in the legal system a couple of times.
I think I’d buy land and give it to someone that I trusted, wife or otherwise, it is a gift and should be treated that way.
The condo, you can buy in YOUR name and own it. There are some restrictions. The entire condo complex must be owned 60% by Filipino is the main one. Seems like there are so other minor things but that’s the biggest one.
I have often heard that a 50 yr lease is available and done often if you pay for land (buy) and have it in a filipinos name (like a wife). It is essential to get good info on the background ownership of the property as Rusty stated. 50 years is as good as owning it in my book if your a good person and can maintain a good friendship with the filipino that you bought it for that will decrease some of your potentials for problems.
My memory is bad but from memory it is 20 years. I’m probably wrong. 20 years would be life for me.
I’ll research it and see what I can find.
Memory is bad…
I’ve seen too many leases broke, I wouldn’t do it.
http://cebuexperience.com/living-in-the-philippines/expats-in-the-philippines/philippine-resort-occupied-by-armed-thugs/
Be careful on that, though, rhod. Under the Philippine Family Code, you cannot enter into a lease contract with your wife. That is illegal. You can lease from people outside your family, but not from your wife.
Hey Bob, long time. Thanks for that information! I didn’t know that.
One really does need a Filipino lawyer when dealing with anything legal here. Long term experience, like Bob has, also helps. You need a lawyer, and you may need a lawyer to help you with your lawyer. LOL I hope they are not buddies.
That is even more true in the USA.
Hmmm, I must have introduced some broken HTML in here some place, our names have lines through them….. Going to try to fix.
I bought your book Basic Expat Training Manual . It is great . I am 53 single and working in Kuwait as a civilian contractor as a network administrator .A girl from Davao was working here and now she has gone back home . We became very fond of each other while she was here . I am struggling every day on when to make the decision to go to Philippines . I want to take off a year and do self study to complete my self study to get my CCIE and see the girl I met to see if we will be happy together in the Philippines . I make $140,000.00 a year now because of my experience and certs. I have no ties or bills back in the U.S . I have saved a little over $200,000.00 cash in the bank but I am planning to wait until I have over $300,00.00 to make the move . That will take about a year more . I believe the extra money will make a big difference on my stay there . I did not meet her through the internet she was a waitress at a restaurant here . She is 21 . I was not looking for someone that young but it just happened and I told her I am to old for her but she say I am not . I work out and and in good shape .I believe she thinks I am younger than I really am. When she asked my age I laughed and said my age is top secret and she laughed too and did not ask any more .I do not have a pension but do have a 401k when the time comes . I know it is decision I will have to make on how long to wait .
Jimmy, thanks for the kind words! That’s music to my ears! Love to hear things like that.
$200,000 might be more than I’ll make the rest of my life, I hope I live longer than that as that’s not that many years. We are close to the same age.
You should consider the SRRV as an option, it will allow you to work and you can put the money you have to invest here into a condo. You might just wanna get married though and not have to worry with it. The SRRV will allow you to have a business here and it sounds like you have the cash and the smarts enough to be careful Right now, I have an excellent business op staring me in the face and I can’t do it myself. I need that SRV.
Maybe I’ll sell 400 books this month, then I can do it. lol I could sell that many in a year.
My fingers are crossed. 
I’m really glad you liked it.
Filipina don’t care too much about age, sounds like you found a real gem. If things worked out there, I’m find it hard to think they wont work out here. Sounds like she held onto her Filipino culture while she was overseas. In my mind, that is excellent!
Walking away from that kind of money would be hard. Actually though, if not for my health issues, I would have been making a bit more. I’ve got a tiny fraction of that. At my current rate of spending $200,000 would only last 8 to 9 years. It would be easy to spend more if I had it sitting in the bank. I’m sure I’d have that Canon DSLR and video camera that I “need.” LOL
My internet business is doing much better but some of the websites I’m building, I don’t enjoy. I enjoy this one but I need to spend more time on those and less on this one from a business point of view.
Not everyone enjoys the Philippines as much as I, but you’re already living overseas and that will help. I was your typical American without a clue of what to expect when I got here. I was more in the dark than most. Was a shock but a pretty loving Filipina made all the difference in the world for me and my money does go further here. I think you’ll be fine but as I say in the book, it really depends on what is between each person ears.
I think people with means have more trouble. A guy like me on a small pension doesn’t have much of a life to look forward to in the USA. All those nice things are out of my reach. Here, many things that would be out of my reach in the USA are obtainable.
No need to even explain the age of the girl. It is accepted by most here. My girls father remarried after his wife died, she’s about 40 years younger than he is, I think.
The best time to find a girl is when you’re not looking. A guy that is looking is often way to eager. I know I’ve been that way. I wasn’t looking when I met Jessie and she wasn’t either. We were both pretty much sick of the opposite sex. We became friends and now we are very happy together.
Thanks for the thorough response .
P.S Great job on this website
Your very welcome and thanks for your kind words once again.
Don’t be a stranger!
Hey Jimmy, I am cute, adorable and available for adoption !!
Tom
(Well maybe not so cute and only semi-adorable.)
Tom, The real question is, do you look great in a skirt?
Rusty,
I am unable to reply to any emails you send…..eep being rejected as non deliverable. Will you please send me an email address where I can respond ??
Tom
I will Tom, where did you get the email address. A few weeks ago someone told me that I had a typo in my email address but they didn’t say where the typo was.
Since I have it in about 20 places or more, I don’t know where to look.
I just sent you an email. If you don’t get it, I strongly suggest you drop hotmail like its hot. In fact, I suggest you do so even if you do get it.
I was looking through my email subscription last night for those members that are having bounced emails. Everyone one of them out of over 500 people were from hotmail accounts.
You might have just picked up that email with a typo though, I’ll look for it on the contact us page.
I have responded to email you sent and thanks.
Maybe we are good to go now.
Tom
And I found where the email was broken at.
Hi Rusty. I love reading your blog and i feel overwhelmed how you guys (americans) love our country…I’m a pinay working and living in Makati. I’ve been to Cebu and Bohol last May (It was my 1st time to go there) and I can say that it’s such a nice place to stay. I do love this country. I do…
Hello Jocel, Yeah, I have not been to Makati but my impression is that is considerably different than most of the Philippines.
Are the people there are friendly? I know there will be a lot of rich Filipino and they are far more reserved than what I usually encounter. But, I’ve read even from Filipino about rude Filipino in the NCR. I’d love to hear what you have encountered. I just can’t believe that it could be vastly different.
I have been treated so very well by Filipino with the very exception.
Yeah, most of the rich people in PH are in Makati I must say coz maybe because most known condominiums and subdivisions are located here. For more info regarding makati, you can click this site. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makati . When it comes to values and traits I can say its far more different here than in the province. Like in our province (Albay, Bicol), Mano po is still widely used but not here. People are also nice here but most of the people in Makati are very busy coz most of the members of the family are working unlike in the province where most mothers stays at home for their kids.
Thanks Jocel, I’ve probably read that wiki page before but I will check it again.
I call Makati the Beverly Hills of the Philippines. I’ve read much, Jessie (my lady) has told me more but she’s only visited there if that. I know she’s been to Manila and hates but I think she was a child. She hates crowds and of course the pollution.
so it was good to hear from you. Rich Filipina do treat me different than the average Filipina, rarely rude but different. I suspect you know. I don’t get the same eye contact with the rich ladies. Partly though, because as I understand it the upper class Filipina has even more intense pressure and expectations upon her. Of course movie stars and such probably have less of that since many are often in one scandal or another.
Filipino seem to love that scandal word.
No? I see it used a lot by Filipino on youtube, trying to attract attention but the videos are rarely scandalous.