# Looking for advice on moving to the Philippines **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 12, 2024, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168 "2024-09-12T16:27:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/81 "2024-09-17T13:09:11Z")
The rise of low-cost air travel in SEA in general has been spectacular since about 2010. With a big hit for COVID, but recovering nicely now. Depending on when @CairoCarol’s experience was, you could both be right. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/82 "2024-09-17T13:12:35Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > I’d nose around Expedia and a few airline websites before believing that. Living in SE Asia has a great deal to recommend to it, but “and the airfares everywhere are cheap!” wasn’t part of the reason for me. (Indonesia may be a special case though, I don’t know.) When we lived in Aceh, I could take an Air Asia flight to Malaysia Friday afternoon for $45. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/83 "2024-09-17T13:18:57Z")
That’s true, Air Asia was unbelievably cheap. As was Lion Air, aka “Lyin’ Air.” I guess the inconvenience of the budget airlines outweighed the cost savings for me, except when I had to fly back and forth to Singapore on a regular basis for medical appointments. Dammit, I’d forgotten that rather annoying chapter of my life, and here you go making me remember it! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/84 "2024-09-17T13:22:34Z")
Not to be a downer, but have you looked into the options as you get older and may need assisted living or more advanced medical care? I don’t believe Medicare or Medicaid will cover you overseas. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/85 "2024-09-17T13:24:24Z")
I avoided Lion Air, they crashed a lot. Air Asia was solid. We could be in Kuala Lumpur in 45 minutes. My time in the Philippines was all in Cotabato City and the environs. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/86 "2024-09-17T13:26:50Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > It kind of makes me a bit leary to show up at mass by myself when I get there. But not so much that I wouldnt go. Most people need to have some sort of community, or do better in a community, so being Catholic in a Catholic nation is likely to be a good thing. (And I even say that as an atheist.) > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > The major concerns my friend has is present relationship strains with China, government corruption and being targeted as an easy mark by the locals. My WAG is that there isn’t a much of a problem with China for individuals living in PI compared to the risk to people in Taiwan. The other problems would seem to be worse. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/87 "2024-09-17T14:06:02Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Not to be a downer, but have you looked into the options as you get older and may need assisted living or more advanced medical care? I don’t believe Medicare or Medicaid will cover you overseas. Yes, I can get several medical packages that provide excellant coverage within my budget. Some are only good in the Philippines and other can be used worldwide (except for USA). I have budgeted for the mid range of these options. As for end of life care, the cost of nursing homes in the Philippines are way, way lower than in the USA. Basically most types of services are cheaper there becasue the labor rate is so low. And frankly, I don’t see any advanatage in going back to the states to die as I have mentioned before most of my friends and relatives are already gone or spread out all over the country. Better to build up a support family in my new location. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/88 "2024-09-17T14:10:10Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > My WAG is that there isn’t a much of a problem with China for individuals living in PI compared to the risk to people in Taiwan. Yes, my wag is that China is just doing things to test the US response, possibly to cause an election issue. China doesn’t want to push the Philippines into needing the United States military to come back to Subic Bay, which would be a huge loss for China in the strategic chess game they are playing. Their real target is Taiwan, always has been. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/89 "2024-09-17T15:43:29Z")
I just checked and I can get round trip ticket to Tokyo for about $300 and a round trip flight to Melbourne for a little more than $500. I’d say that is cheap. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/90 "2024-09-17T16:33:42Z")
Yeah, that’s not too bad! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/91 "2024-09-18T13:27:23Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Our OP has work experience living in the economically disadvantaged world. That ups _his_ odds on success Don’t plan to have a job in the Philippines. Legal restrictions on foreigners working are quite strict. Anyway there is nothing you can do that a Filipino won’t do for less money. Thinking of starting a business? Think again. Filipinos are masters of imitation. If you have a successful business there will be at least 1 Filipino imitator nearby in short order. Don’t try to beat the locals at their own game. While I’m at it, I will give tips on dealing with heat. Wear a small wet towel around your neck. You can get chamois towels made for that purpose and have a method of fastening around the neck so they won’t come off easily. Also, there are things that look like stereo headphones that you wear around your neck which are actually rechargeable fans. We got some for our upcoming trip but haven’t tried them yet. I am curious about how long a charge lasts. And lastly, umbrellas are not just for rain. They are portable shade. Snowbirding is more economical if you can use your US residence as an AirBnB or some such. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/92 "2024-09-18T13:47:02Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > Don’t plan to have a job in the Philippines. Agree w your whole post. For clarity I wasn’t suggesting he would or could get a job there. My intent was to say that the OP, having lived weeks or months in such countries while not on a vacation would have some advance insight into the realities of daily life there. Heat, traffic, groceries, medical care, etc. Unlike, say, a tourist who has only flown into an all-inclusive for a week during the most tourist-friendly weather season then flies out a few days later, never having left the poolside bar. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/93 "2024-09-18T14:51:11Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > Don’t plan to have a job in the Philippines. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > For clarity I wasn’t suggesting he would or could get a job there. I have no intention of ever working again once I am there. 🙂 As for the heat, I acclimate to hot, humid weather better than your average guy. I grew up poor and we never had AC in our home until I was 18, and then not in my room. Also, my grandparents lived in west Texas with no AC and we visited them almost every summer during the hottest parts of the summer for at least two out of three months (but it was a dry heat). They lived much like poor Filipinos, only Mexican style. Even today my co-workers are amazed that I will take a 4 mile hike at lunchtime no matter how hot and humid it is and just come back in and have a tall glass of water. I like it. And I have spent much time in Mexico, staying with my GF’s family in Monterrey. It gets very hot and humid there, but I’m thinking the Philippines takes it up a couple of notches. My game plan is to not go out in the heat of the day unless necessary, buy lots of purified water (bottles and 5 gallon containers), make my own food so I don’t have to go out in the heat and have my air conditioned zones. One of zones will be a car I can go to if the power goes out and I can’t bear it (or just don’t want to) any longer. I will acclimate. And yes a hat and a wet towel will likely beome part of my routine. Not sure about the umbrella, but I could see it being the thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/94 "2024-09-18T16:03:49Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > As for the heat, I acclimate to hot, humid weather better than your average guy. I grew up poor and we never had AC in our home until I was 18, and then not in my room Heh, it’s not just about growing up with no AC. My mother didn’t believe in AC, and thought that her children would acclimatize better to heat without it. I didn’t. But it’s good that you know that about yourself. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/95 "2024-09-19T15:27:52Z")
This post in a different thread might be of interest. In fact the whole thread might be. If nothing else, you two might usefully compare notes via DM: > [@Help me with a 'plan': it can be conservative, or outrageous, I don't care!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-a-plan-it-can-be-conservative-or-outrageous-i-dont-care/1000998/26): > > I know It’s been a while since this thread last saw the light of day, but I ended up being a bit outrageous in the end. After a month in Bali, I hopped a flight to Bangkok, then a couple of weeks in Krabi (south) and then another couple of weeks in Kanchanaburi. Not really doing much of the touristy stuff as I was trying to be as frugal as possible, but just being somewhere different is exciting in itself. And then I flew back to Australia. It’s a bit complicated to explain, but to remain elig… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/96 "2024-09-19T15:43:03Z")
I don’t have any special knowledge about any of this. But I did want to say that this is one of the more thoughtful discussions I’ve read about this sort of thing online. It is so interesting seeing the considerations that go into this sort of thing from a someone who is really interested and willing to put in the time. I hope you will keep us abreast of everything going on, even if you wind up deciding on going somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/97 "2024-09-20T11:05:12Z")
I can’t believe I actually agree with Big T about something, but this thread is like heroin to me. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/98 "2024-09-20T15:37:38Z")
Agreed - I’ve never looked into becoming an expat, so the questions and thought processes lined out here are fascinating to me. It also certainly explains what happened with the few failed expats I know of. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/99 "2024-09-20T15:56:26Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > I can’t believe I actually agree with Big T about something, but this thread is like heroin to me. ⁢ TBF, we probably agree on more stuff that we disagree on. I just often don’t feel I have anything to add when I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/100 "2024-09-20T16:04:58Z")
I will soon be moving on from the information gathering phase of moving and to the initial boots on the ground phase in my target destination, Davao City. Although I have been to the PH on business and I am familiar with what to expect from various sources, nothing tests a plan like actual presence at the site. For the information gathering I have used YouTube channels, my own observations there, Filipino friends and people here. Also, I have made a penpal in my target area. She is a no nonsense younger single mom that has helped me consider many things, like looking at flood plain sites, criminal activities, food markets and groceries, transportation options and power grid dependability. We don’t discuss sex or make future plans other than meeting each other when I am there. So we will see where it goes, but we do video chat and she is real. I am going for three weeks starting in late November. After that trip I will consider moving there or not., and work thru a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis based upon my personal situation. More to come, and your advice and insights are much appreciated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168.md?page=6)