7 Things to Know About the Philippines Before Moving There
Are you thinking about moving to the Philippines?
Many expats who have the option to move to the Philippines don't usually have enough, or the right information about the country before deciding to move. Here are some tips about the Philippines to help you make up your mind about relocating there.
1. The Heat Can Get to You
The Philippines is a tropical country, with only two seasons - wet and dry. Beginning usually in late August, the wet or rainy season ends at the onset of the dry season or summer in late February or early March.
Temperatures in the big cities can reach as high as 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees F), and it did so in Manila just last April. Note that temperatures like these can cause heat cramps and heat stroke, so be mindful of this and re-hydrate often if you're in the Philippines during the dry season.
2. Cities Get Flooded
It's likely that as an expat, you'll start by living in Manila. Relief from the heat does come with the rainy season, but the rains can sometimes bring another problem-- floods.
Due to Climate Change, Manila has seen some serious downpours and floods during the rainy season, so you can expect many roads to become impassable. Be sure to rent or have your company rent accommodation for your stay that's not in a flood-prone area, and you're in a two-story apartment or high-rise condo unit.
3. The Cost of Living
In the Philippines, the cost of living can vary considerably. There can be huge differences between living in a big city like Manila, and in any of the outlying provinces. What gets you a modest studio unit in a condo in the city can get you a two-story home in the provinces.
Food can be expensive or cheap, depending on your tastes and how concerned you are for your health. A Big Mac in New York is $9, while at a McDonald's in the Philippines, it's about PHP181 (Philippine Pesos), roughly $3.48 and that already comes with a small drink and fries.
You can actually live on less than $4 per meal in the Philippines, provided you can eat the local food.If you're hankering for expensive menu items like steak, you can spend upwards of $50 per meal.
4. Commuting
It helps to live in a condo or apartment that's close to your job or place of business because you'll be stuck in traffic. According to a 2017 report conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, Manila has the 3rd worst traffic in all of Southeast Asia. And that's if you have a car. You can forget about using public transportation in the city, as the commute for the average Filipino office workeris a daily nightmare.
5. Learning the Local Language
There are actually hundreds of different regional and provincial dialects in the Philippines, but English remains the language of commerce. One of the most widely-spoken languages is Tagalog and is sometimes also referred to as Filipino, the same noun denoting the local people. Don't be surprised when you're greeted with a ma'am-sir when you enter a McDonald's here. Most Filipinos know and understand American English, owing to the colonization of the Philippines by America way back in the pre-WW2 era. You may find it tough to learn Tagalog, since many Filipinos will simply switch to English when speaking to you. It would help to know a few key words and phrases, and you need only ask your Filipino colleagues. If you're serious about learning Tagalog, take a language class.
6. School for the Kids
The public school system isn't the best in the Philippines, and its curriculum will likely be very different from schools in your home country. To ensure your kids keep up with the standards and curriculum back home, you should put them in one of the internationally-accredited private schools in Manila.
7. Recreational Choices
There's a ton of fun stuff to do in Manila. There are thriving areas for bars and clubs in different parts of the city, some of which are a fair distance from your residence but you can always take a Grab, the local version of Uber (Uber lost out to Grab sometime last year and had to close shop).
State-of-the-art cinemas showing mostly Hollywood films abound in Manila's huge malls. Speaking of malls, these shopping meccas offer most of the popular western brands, whether it's clothes, accessories, food, beverages, and gadgets, so it's unlikely you'll have any unmet cravings. And if you tire of the city, you can always go for a road trip and head for the nearest beach.
If you're thinking of moving to the Philippines, remember that you can only scratch the surface of what it's like to live there from articles like this. You can watch as many YouTube videos or read as many blogs as there are about living in that or any other country, but it will never truly capture or convey the real experience of living there - whether it's the good, the bad or the ugly parts.
To really know about what it'll be like living in the Philippines as an expat, take the plunge and try it out for at least a year or two. By then you might have enough experience and info to use as a guide in making your choice.