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Expat Lifestyle: PH vs Malaysia vs Thailand
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How does the lifestyle of expatriates compare in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines?
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Okay so lived in all three, the capitals, (Manila, Bangkok, KL) how does it compare, well for a start they are all similar in terms of weather. And in the same region and the capitals look like glass tower jungles. Have nice beaches and cheap flights with in the region with all of Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines. For the wages of expats I think they are all pretty similar. Thailand Great place in general, has a blend of modern vs traditional, and can easy live a comfortable lifestyle here western food outlet are every where. Malls at every metro shop the pros are it is an easy place to live. On top of that you have a lot of places to go see with in Bangkok, and in a few hour drive you have nice beaches or national parks to get away for the weekend. The transportation is cheap with tax and great in Bangkok, with the BTS and MRT. Some of the down side is that, it is getting hard (as of 2020) with the immigration, unlike the other two places which are very open. Thailand has really come down on the immigration, and don’t be surprised to be questions on arrive (if you fly out) about your work and why you have left (even if you have a work visa). The cost is the highest in the three over all (I would say Makati and BGC are more expensive but count them as districts) and the Thai baht is getting stronger that is just adding to the higher cost. Western good like all of the place are expensive due to taxes so the cost of living will be factored by your lifestyle (as with all three), the food is good here the people are nice lost of things to and a good expat population it is easy to make friends. I personally based here most of the time now and like you can create what lifestyle you want join expats groups and get away for to the beach on the weekend easily. Malaysia Same as Thailand with the comment mentioned above, I find these two place very similar but so different at the same time. Malaysia, also has a mix of modern and traditional. Malls every where nice people, good transportation, and a good expat population in KL. Personally would be my pick, when you get in to KL people are just shocked at to how developed it is. As its normally of their radar for what ever reason. But it shouldn’t be, the place has great transportation, flights, taxis are cheap (yes the traffic is bad but the best out of the three cites by far) nice beaches, great food with a mixture of cultures. And English is widely spoken. People over look this place for silly reason like having high prices for Alcohol or being a bit dull when compared to its northern counterpart Bangkok or not as developed as Singapore. But you shouldn’t this place is great, I have always said that KL is 2/3 Singapore at 1/3 of the price. Philippines The people are the nicest in the world, I am not saying the other two aren’t they would also be in my top 10. But Filipinos, are great people nice no matter what their background, educational, class. Also, some of the beast beaches. And English is widely spoken. I would argue this as a challenge, bad traffic in Manila (worlds worst by some metrics) transportation lack way behind the other two. Expat groups much bigger in the other two places. Malls they have a lot. And if your in to cheap alcohol its the best option. Personally, not a fan you can live in the mini Singapore of Makati or BGC that are nice clean and modern but when your paying $1500 you might as well just go to Singapore. But you feel cramped as if you go out beggars are every where the cleanses is just horrible with slums every where the transportation sucks, train-lines. Not a big fan at all I found to much (not all of course) of the wrong kind of expats, that were here for the wrong reasons. Combined this is just poverty, transportation system and mess that is Metro Manila it not a good place.
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I've never been to Malaysia but I worked in Bangkok for 6 years and I've now been in Manila, and still am, for four years. I'll therefore compare Bangkok to Manila. QUALITY OF LIFE: I would say that with far more expats than Manila, Bangkok wins hands down. It's still difficult to find bars and pubs that appeal to the tastes of foreigners here in Manila. There are few supermarkets in Manila where you can buy imported goods from the west. It’s much harder to travel around Manila due to a severe lack of infrastructure. COST OF LIVING: Bangkok is more expensive for most things. SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES: This is where Manila wins. I have many wonderful local friends here who are educated, well travelled, fluent in English and financially secure meaning their friendship is genuine. That's not easy to find in Bangkok. Finding expat friends is tougher in Manila as there aren't so many here. I only have two expat friends, but, they were introduced to me by my Filipino friends. JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Far more opportunities in Bangkok. The only foreign owned companies in Manila are call centers which mostly have local staff. Of course there are other companies, but, few and far between. It's also nigh on impossible getting an English teaching job in Manila because English is widely spoken here, the opposite of Bangkok. THINGS TO DO: More to do in Bangkok, especially historical attractions. going outside of Manila I prefer the Philippines to Thailand. There are so many islands to visit with some wonderful beaches and it's great to just take off for the weekend to somewhere new, every time. NIGHTLIFE: Again, Bangkok. There are countless bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs from the cheapest and most basic, to the very best that could compete with anywhere in the world. ROMANTIC OPORTUNITIES: Very simple answer – there are single people out there looking for a relationship, there are those out there looking for a one night arrangement, it depends on you, the same as anywhere in the world. INCONVENIENCES, RISKS AND DANGERS: Bangkok is definitely safer than Manila. I've NEVER been scammed in Bangkok, I have in Manila. I’ve walked the streets of Bangkok in drunken states at 3am, and random strangers have helped me home safely, with my wallet intact.minwould not ever get into that state in Manila because my wallet, watch, phone and everything else would be gone, and that's the good ending. Hope that helps a little.