The Philippines Island Paradise or Tropical Hell?
Expectations
Even in these enlightened times, many people still believe that for a few dollars a day, life in the Philippines means enjoying the life of Reilly; lazing in a hammock at the edge of clear azure sea by a palm fronted, pristine tropical white beach. You should forget that type of Hollywood hype – along with any ideas of dusky, south sea island maidens with flowers in their hair and muumuu dresses serving you drinks from a cold coconut with a straw and a little umbrella. Scenes like this only exist in expensive resorts, advertisements and old Hollywood movies. Like many things, in the real world expat life in the Philippines is not quite that pleasant.
The truth is that the PI (Philippine Islands) does have problems, and expat life here is not for everyone. Although Philippine culture, at least on the surface, appears to be much closer to that of Western rather than Oriental nations, there are still large cultural differences. Because of the local’s ability to speak English, and the English billboards and general look of the towns being so western, these cultural differences are not always understood, and this misunderstanding can lead to problems.
Philippine TimeOne major cause of friction occurs because Western nations operate on the premise that 'time is money,' a philosophy little practiced in the Philippines. Life here can be very laid back.
Spend some time living in the Philippines and it doesn't take you long to realize that to a Filipino, words like "yes" and "straight away" stand for something very different from their meaning in the western world. Although timekeeping has improved somewhat, It’s a sad fact that timekeeping and the slow pace at which things happen in the Philippines is a common cause of friction to westerners. In fact, things can get so bad that many expats become so frustrated that they pack up and ship out.
Services and Costs
While the PI does have many modern facilities, the infrastructure and how it is set up and operated differ, sometimes quite considerably, from the west. For example, the ability to obtain some goods and services is sometimes still often a matter of luck. Of course, when it seems to be taking an eon to get some simple job done, what should be remembered is that while the job may be done in ‘Philippine time,’ you are also only paying Filipino wages. As 99.99% of the time Filipino wages are considerably lower than in the west, the costs for services involving manual rather than technical equipment are low - a distinct advantage for expats living in the Philippines on a pension or other such fixed income.
Where to Live
Where you live in the Philippines also affects what lifestyle you can realistically expect (and at what price). For example, if you are one of those people who dream of the aforesaid deserted tropical beach, the truth is that you can find such places in the Philippines, often at very low cost. The problem is that anywhere ‘deserted’ is well off the beaten track. So, while you would get your hammock, solitude and a dream view, and get then very cheaply, what you will probably forgo in such a spot is the usual trappings of modern living. Such things as you probably take for granted, electricity, running water, sewage disposal, local shops, internet services, etc. all of these are in very short supply on deserted tropical beaches miles from a local town.
How to find out if you would like living in the PhilippinesThis may sound like a kindergarten question, but you’d be surprised at how many people don't really try to find the answer before moving here. I know of many people who have been vacationing in the PI year after year without really learning about the realities of local life. They stop in a hotel for two weeks, go from bar to shop to club to swimming pool, and think that because they have been back so many times, they understand how things are – mistake, BIG mistake! Before burning any bridges, first come over for a 3-to-6-month trial period. Don’t stay in a hotel, but actually learn to live in the Philippines within the local community - and learn how things work here - the good and the bad. If after this trial period you are still happy, then you will probably fit in well and enjoy the laid back, free-and-easy lifestyle available to expats living in the Philippines. However, if you are still getting frustrated and tightly wound up by small problems, maybe expat life in the Philippines is not for you and you should reconsider your options. About the Author Tom Henry’s has been a successful expat for more than three decades and lived in the Philippines since the mid 1990’s. He passes on his experience with tips, advice and needful local information in The Philippines Expat Survival Guide.
Related Articles Philippine Property as an Investment What you should know before you buy a business in the Philippines |
Depending on your expectations, likes, dislikes, and temperament, you may find that expat life in the Philippines is either extremely enjoyable, or a living hell. That's why, whether you’re considering emigrating, retiring, or setting up a business here in the Philippines, before you make any decision, ask yourself exactly what you expect from an expat life in the Philippines, and make sure you understand the realities of living in the Philippines.Copyright © 2012. Able Ads Publishing and Media