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Living in the PH: hidden knowledge
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What is a hidden secret of life in the Philippines?
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What is a hidden secret of life in the Philippines?
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Above is a picture of our condo in Makati City. It’s the tallest building, center left of the frame. I will answer this question through a retired American expat’s perspective. In order to have a happy and fulfilled life in the Philippines, you need to have enough money saved, have recurring passive income, pensions from work or social security benefits for the rest of your life. Money will not guarantee happiness, but life can be very difficult if you don’t have enough of it. It’s difficult to find good high paying jobs here. I knew a Filipino engineer with 20 years experience making about US$14,000 per year, and a Filipina nurse with 6 years experience making about US$4,000 per year. You don’t want to move here to work, unless you’re working for a foreign company.You should live in Metro Manila or cities which are developed. It’s safer and you won’t be as affected by natural disasters, which are a real concern over here. Flooding, landslides, and even volcanic eruptions are things you should think about when choosing a place to live. You can always drive or take an inexpensive flight to domestic vacation destinations which offer beaches, lakes, mountains and other natural wonders , whenever you want to relax and enjoy a slow paced environment.You should live in condominiums or gated communities with good security. As a retired Police Officer, I’m always concerned about my family’s safety. Your neighbors will have similar income as you, which helps you blend in and will reduce your chances of being a victim of crime.Don’t advertise that you have a lot of money by flashing large stacks of money, driving expensive cars, wearing expensive jewelry etc…Try to blend in as best you can.Don’t hire maids, nannies and drivers, especially if you live in a house, unless you’ve vetted them thoroughly. Being in your house, they can see your financial situation and will know where you keep your valuables. It only takes 2–3 people with guns, in order to incapacitate your family and take whatever they want. It will be difficult to know or prove that your helpers were involved in robbing or stealing from you.This is common sense for any country you’re in. Don’t go out late at night by yourself, always go with a friend or two. If you’re a White person, you already stand out and are assumed to be rich, whether it’s true or not. Don’t make yourself an easy target by being alone and intoxicated, as you try to navigate the streets of Metro Manila late at night.Try to be open to and respectful of Filipino culture, customs and traditions. Don’t expect things to be done the same way here as they are back home in the U.S., U.K., Australia etc… As the saying goes “When in the Philippines, do as the Filipinos do”.This is a hard one to get used to, but expect traffic jams, government bureaucracy, and delays in normal day to day activities. Try to find ways to make the best of a bad situation. I know it’s easier for me, because I’m retired. I try to go to the bank, groceries etc…when they first open. I try to drive between 9–2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. I link my utility bills to my online Filipino bank, so that I can pay my bills in the comforts of my home.Lastly, don’t disrespect or belittle the Filipino people. They may not be happy with their politicians or country, but they are very proud of being Filipinos. Be grateful that you’re able to live and thrive here. Don’t forget that you’re a guest in this country.This not only pertains to the Philippines, but to wherever you are in the world. Try to be Happy. When we're Happy; we're less likely to hate, cheat, lie, steal, envy, be jealous of and harm others. We're more likely to love, laugh, encourage, support, help, be generous and kind to others. Christmas is a good example of this. Look around a few days before Christmas, and you will find a sea of Happy smiling faces everywhere you go. Smiles are very contagious, and can brighten someone's day.
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As a retired Australian enjoying life in Philippines these last 8 years, A Hidden Secret for many Australians is that you can have a far superior life in retirement in Philippines than in Australia if you have a small budget. Rural areas of Philippines are so superior to any city that I have seen in the world. The quality of health and dental care far exceeeds Australia, with minimal cost and waiting times. Enjoy.