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Expat Challenges
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What are the main challenges for expats living the in Philippines? I mean, from social relationships to the cost of living?
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Everything you can normally buy here (except mangoes) are of much lower quality compared to what you used TO.This concerns services (Internet included) and labor as well.Anything of a decent quality would come at 2x cost or more. Most likely you will have to order it from abroad and pay ridiculous fees to FedEx/DHL.Same for housing. You can rent/buy a cheap house, but it may collapse or electrify you at any moment. Building a decent house would again cost you double of the US price.It will seem like everyone is lying to you. In reality locals do it unintentionally. “Yes” means “I don't know”. Even certified/licensed professionals will keep doing things that directly contradicts local code. You will have to learn/check everything yourself.Even official Nissan car service will return your car from maintenance with a flat tire. And replying “it's ok, sir” when you ask why it looks wrong.You will have no legal protection. If someone decided to cheat/steal – it's unlikely they will ever be found or prosecuted.You will soon notice that locals don't know much about our world. Where is Hollywood? Who is Hitler? What's the result of WW2? How much is 15% from 100 pesos? Why burning plastic is wrong? Nope…Given all this, I personally think that the Philippines is the best country in the world to live. And here's why: Very friendly. Everyone wants to be your friend and help.Real values. Locals are not spoiled with money yet, they haven't been converted into work-hard-to-buy-the-best type of consumers. Family, children, sea – simple lives…Smiles. It seems to me that an average Filipino is much more happy than an average citizen from a “civilized” world.Free from marketing bullshit. No one cares if you ware 100 peso t-shirt or Prada. Brands value is close to zero here. Things are real.Natural. Sea, beaches, corals, lagoons, mountains, waterfalls… It's unbelievably beautiful.Women. Filipino girls are magnificent. And they do really care about you, it's part of the culture. Love here is a real thing.Developing. The country is changing at a very fast rate. It may seem scary because it may kill all the things I like, but it also creates lots of opportunities. Philippines is great country to do business.Overall it requires a kind of special mindset to live here and be happy. Many people choose to stay in the Philippines.
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Well there are lots of challenges but also many benefits. You shouldn’t have money challenges. If you can’t afford to live here then I don’t know what to tell you. I pay about 70 bucks a month for a decent studio near Manila. The biggest challenge by far for me has been dating. As a gay man while there are a plethora of homosexuals most just want money or sex. It’s very difficult to find someone that wants a serious relationship who doesn’t have a financial interest in doing so. Next we have the fact that as a foreigner you have no rights here basically. You’re at the mercy of your neighbors and/or companions. If someone you trusts decides to cheat you there’s not much you can do about it.