Pros and Cons of Living in Philippines

"Expats in the Philippines appreciate the local hospitality and friendliness of the Filipino people. They also appreciate the lively festivals and unique cuisine. In addition, they find the natural beauty of the country captivating, with its stunning beaches, lush jungles, vibrant cities and vast mountain ranges. The country boasts a rich and diverse culture of its own, with beautiful art and music and lively traditions. Expats are also drawn by the tropical climate, amazing landscapes and fun outdoor activities," explained one expat.

"One thing that bothers me about sites for expats is that they seem to be a sounding board for frustrations, so I'm so glad that this question is here. By far, the best thing about the Philippines is the people. I have never encountered a more optimistic group in all my life. They help one another when they are in trouble. Families are close. For the most part, the people are not driven by what brands they wear or type of car they drive (though sadly there are signs that this is starting to slowly change in the metro areas). Filipinos will break out into song or dance the newest pop-dance while living in conditions that would have Americans lying on the floor crying. I have had so many strangers try to feed me, just because we were out and about somewhere and happened to pass a birthday party or family gathering. Everyone is welcome at all times," said one person in Alabang.

"Very heavy traffic. There's a lit of poverty, which means run down buildings, bad roads, etc. Some things I want to buy are hard to find. Mostly food items. Like I really had to search to find salsa. Strawberries and blueberries are hard to find and expensive when you can find them. Water service here is unreliable, but everyone in my neighborhood has a big water tank so when the water is on, it fills, and when its off, you use what's in the tank. We've never emptied the tank. Electric often has brief power failures, but its always come back in an hour it's two. Have get to have a power failure that lasted more than two hours. Long lines and slow service at government offices and banks -- but service at most other place s is good. There are lots of beggars. I struggle with whether to give them anything. I prefer to give to established charities who hopefully can tell who is really needy. Some exists complain that they are charged a "skin tax" -- prices at informal markets are higher for foreigners. I figure they're still cheap, so so what? one a cab driver overcharged me by 50 pedos. That's $1. I just gave it to him. If he goes home smugly satisfied that he cheated that gullible foreigner out of $1, let him enjoy his victory," replied an expat in Cebu.

"Communication is somewhat indirect. It's so important to watch body language, in particular changes in body language (rather than overt gestures) that indicate 'something's up'. Corruption, when encountered, is upsetting and frustrating. The inefficiency of anything official from receipt giving to getting the driver's licence (though there are notable exceptions). The plus side is that inefficiency is almost always accompanied by a smile," remarked one in Manila.