# 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:** 9
**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 29, 2024, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/161 "2024-09-29T02:52:56Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Don’t see buying a home until I get a good feel of rhe area. Foreigners cannot own real estate. You can own a condo if 40% (or maybe it’s 60%) of the units are owned by Filipinos. Your wife can buy real estate and your name can be on the title but I’m not sure if will guarantee any rights for you. You can do a long term lease, like 25 years with option for 25 more. ---
**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 29, 2024, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/162 "2024-09-29T03:05:44Z")
A foreigner in the Philippines cannot own a gun legally. Your spouse who is a citizen can. Guns in private hands seem to not be rare but most of them are illegally manufactured and unregistered. Certain towns are widely said to be sources of illegal firearms. According to nationwide law a gun buyer is supposed to provide tax returns and more documentation. BUT I asked the staff about it when I was visiting a local gun store, and they scoffed and said all that is necessary is permission from the local police chief. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/163 "2024-09-29T13:43:16Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > > > And the religious aspect is also a draw. The women their are more traditional, and that is attractive in my retirement years. > > This is what drew me to them. Sveral of my friends have married philopena girls and they are beyond happy. The guys I am talking about might be a 3 or 4 on the scale and the girls are solid 7’s. maybe 8 when they are dolled up a bit. They are also about 20 years younger, and it seems to be working. My girlfriends have mostly been close to my age because that is what I prefer. My current girlfriend is a year older than me. They tend to be a little sensitive when it comes to things they take pride in, like cooking for instance. I love to cook but if I insist on cooking, she thinks I don’t like her food. She is getting better, but it has been a little trying. When it comes to love making, they are always ready as far as my experience goes. My only complaint would be the same with American girls. I am creative and have an active imagination. None of the girls I dated seemed to be able to just let their imaginations go except when it comes to romance. I love how they are like American women in the 1950’s. I don’t think you will be disappointed. And now the thread has again taken a gross and creepy turn. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/164 "2024-09-29T13:53:44Z")
**Moderating:** Your post is pretty misogynistic in the end. I’m sure very offensive to many and all kinds of racist also. None of it quite reaches to a warning. But I am going to instruct you to no longer post to this thread and to please be less gross and creepy going forward. Also hiding your post. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > And now the thread has again taken a gross and creepy turn. It has indeed, but please flag it next time. ---
**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 29, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/165 "2024-09-29T16:41:01Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > Foreigners cannot own real estate. > [@Mr.Duality](#): > > A foreigner in the Philippines cannot own a gun legally. Yes, I am aware of both of these restrictions and when I speak of someday owning either of these I speak with the knowledge that I would need to married and have them in my spouses name. But really, I dont see a need ti own a home, maybe a condo. Not seeing a need for guns either. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/166 "2024-09-29T19:09:26Z")
I know the old saying about how you never hear about the airplanes that don’t crash, and so there surely are plenty of successful relationships just like the OP envisions. But the disaster stories I’ve heard and seen are awfully ugly. Caveat emptor in Cavite City. ---
**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 29, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/167 "2024-09-29T22:39:30Z")
[Tampo](https://asialoving.com/how-to-deal-filipina-tampo/) is always a major hurdle in relationships with Filipinas. The first 20 years of my marriage were the hardest. Since then it has been relatively smooth sailing. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/168 "2024-09-29T23:22:40Z")
Sounds most like your Filipina was seeking a level of respect it took you. A long time to figure out. More and more you guys sound like you’re talking about a commodity. ---
**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 30, 2024, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/169 "2024-09-30T11:14:38Z")
Did you have more than a cursory glance at the link? Tampo is a cultural thing and is universal among Filipinas. It can take a long time to get it sorted out. Respect should be mutual. The silent treatment can’t be mistaken for respect. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2024, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/170 "2024-09-30T11:56:38Z")
Ihave been reading his blog posts, about his advice to western men seeking Asian lovers, it’s eye opening. Yeah he commodifies a population of women because he likes sex with Asian women. Have you read the blogs? ---
**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 30, 2024, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/171 "2024-09-30T12:07:46Z")
I think that you are reading more into this than @Mr.Duality intended. The point was about filipina women displaying what they call Tampo, which isn’t much different from human behavior eleswhere in the world. This is a thread about seeking advice, not about what some blogger in a link is saying about other topics. Do you have any advice to give? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/172 "2024-09-30T12:24:36Z")
**Moderating** : Please drop the blog stuff. Thank you. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/173 "2024-12-19T18:16:10Z")
I am back and the Philippines exceded my expectations. I am meant to live in heat and humidity during the day and air conditioning at night. I will be moving there as soon as I get my home and possions sold. I’ve informed work of my decision to retire, I am signing up for my SS benifits and getting my banking in order. I’ll be posting some of my experiances and findings soon. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/174 "2024-12-19T18:56:25Z")
eager to hear more details … I like those threads that start somewhere and go places (moderately linear) … 🍿 ---
**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:** [December 19, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/175 "2024-12-19T19:53:46Z")
First, my schedule of events at the One Oasis condo that I made my home base. The first night there I acclimated to the change in hours. The second day I met my lady friend at the condo, and she stayed the afternoon, then she said she had to go home and take care of her sick child. That’s OK, I wasn’t expecting things to just take off. Said she would be back in four days if her kid was feeling better. So, for the next four days I explored the city on my own. By exploring I mean I walked everywhere I went from at least 10 miles to as much as 20 miles a day. I walked the main streets to tourist spots and down the newly build costal highway. I stopped at a fishing village there and had coffee with some expats at a small seaside resort and they told me stories, like don’t drink alcohol at the bars because some spike it with methanol. Drink bottled beer open in front of you they advised. I got a lot of sun but didn’t burn. She returned on day 5 and we stayed together for the rest of the time there. We went out to local restaurants and ate local food. I had squid for the time, it was grilled and looked much smaller than it was before cooking, tasted great. I had tuna belly at a local grill and learned that you don’t eat the skin, I didn’t know that tuna skin had little scale like bones in it as I never had truly fresh caught tuna before. Turns out I really love the seafood and chicken adobo and pork. We went to the market and brought food back to prepare in the room. On day eight we went to a resort on Samal Island for 3 days and nights called Pearl Farm Resort. We snorkeled with giant clams and out on a reef where we saw sea snakes. We rented jet skis and kayaks and enjoyed endless buffets where I sampled even more Filipino foods and loved it. Got back to the condo and continued exploring the city by walking, taking trikes and taxies everywhere. Went to a couple of different malls for shopping to see what the prices of things were and to look for uncommon items like fresh milk, good cheese, and pickles. In general, western style foods were expensive compared to local foods, not a big surprise. We got along great, and I was surprised at how much western music she and everyone here was familiar with. I heard people sing Hank Williams Senior Jambalaya at karaoke and was shocked. They love our old songs there and love to sing them! Movies were different, I was surprised that she was not exposed to more of our pop culture movies, so we watched Pulp Fiction, Dances With Wolves and Terminator. She loved them. The city was a bit dirtier than I had expected much trash on the streets and many homes were little more than shacks, but people seemed happy and did not mind their living conditions. I never felt threatened one bit while there, and I walk through many what would be considered questionable neighborhoods just by judging from the housing. People were just so damn friendly there. The infrastructure was more dangerous than the people, unexpected holes in sidewalks, poles in the actual street where cars traveled and having to walk out in to the street because the sidewalk ended was common. Oh, and most intersections did not have stop signs or traffic lights, people just kind of went with the flow or a traffic guard would sometimes come out and direct traffic. No one got angry. Checked out the local banks, was able to take money out of ATM’s and was reimbursed for my ATM fees. Also found that what they call pawn shops are money pick up stations and I was able to send myself cash for pick up there. I had no issues using my credit cards there. Also checked out the Bureau of Immigration and was told that I would have no issues getting an extended visa based upon my age and income. So just an initial information dump. Go ahead, ask me anything! ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/176 "2024-12-19T21:15:00Z")
Thanks for updating **Si\_Amigo**. This thread has been a fascinating one - so many things I never would have even thought about considering before becoming an expat. So following along as you go through this process is super interesting, and I hope you continue to keep giving updates. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/177 "2024-12-19T23:03:19Z")
Glad you had a great time and it is working out! Just remember… > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > and out on a reef where we saw sea snakes …don’t try and pet these 😉. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/178 "2024-12-19T23:15:23Z")
We had a LARGE sea snake on land outside our villa on an island off Fiji last month–I didn’t realize they came on land. Easy meter long. One of the housekeepers grabbed it and flung it away. I hear their mouths are too small to bite humans, but best to confirm that before petting. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/179 "2024-12-20T01:10:06Z")
And here I thought that everyone would be making comments and asking about my lady friend! I’m tired of these MFing snakes in my thread! 😂 Another thing that surprised me was that she could not understand the concept of having a furnace that heated an entire home. She actually thought that maybe I had wood burning stoves or fireplaces in my house. 😀 Its freezing out now, so I can’t wait to unlearn about the need for a furnace. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168/180 "2024-12-20T14:32:59Z")
Am guessing (hoping) this isn’t a concern for the OP, but I just read [an NPR article that says the rate of HIV infections has gone up significantly in the Philippines](https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2024/12/19/g-s1-37829/health-hiv-testing-infection-philippines-africa). Be careful out there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-advice-on-moving-to-the-philippines/1007168.md?page=10)