The Philippines is a beautiful country. As an American moving here, you will find many of the same familiar things that you are used to back home. Things that you should bring with you from home: A good laptop, American jeans and other clothing that will last you for several years at least, a cell phone bought in the states, and a camera bought in the states. Anything that is made in America is very expensive here. Think three time the price!! The taxes for importing these good from the state to hear if you were to buy online and have it shipped is anywhere for 50%-100% of a tax rate of the value you purchased the items for. That means you could pay double the price just to get a camera from the states. The package will be held in customs until you pay, so don't think you can get away with it without anyone noticing.
Also, it can be very expensive to bring pets into the country. If you don't want to pay taxes on them you had better find a good way of hiding them. If you get caught you will have to pay someone off (bribe) to get through security into the country. Also Philippines is a bit corrupt, so don't be surprised if you have to pay a police officer off just not to get a ticket, or if you have to pay some money under the table to speed up a work visa.
Things I miss from back home: Affordable clothing, jeans that fit tall thin people, Mexican food! (almost non-existent here), ladies shoes sizes that go above 10. Basically if you are tall skinny model like person you will have problems here.
It's very cheap to live here: $5 US dollars a day for a maid to come once a week.
$5 for a good meal etc.
Also, it can be very expensive to bring pets into the country. If you don't want to pay taxes on them you had better find a good way of hiding them. If you get caught you will have to pay someone off (bribe) to get through security into the country. Also Philippines is a bit corrupt, so don't be surprised if you have to pay a police officer off just not to get a ticket, or if you have to pay some money under the table to speed up a work visa.
Things I miss from back home: Affordable clothing, jeans that fit tall thin people, Mexican food! (almost non-existent here), ladies shoes sizes that go above 10. Basically if you are tall skinny model like person you will have problems here.
It's very cheap to live here: $5 US dollars a day for a maid to come once a week.
$5 for a good meal etc.
