What Are The Reason For You To Leave The Philippines

[SubicSteve]

Well, I've typed up (then deleted) several responses to the OP question. I don't want to sound negative, but all I can say is somethings that I found amusing when I first got here have becoming annoyances. I will leave it at that. I've been here almost 3 months with my Filipina wife and 15 month old baby girl. This is my first time in the Philippines. I am still trying hard to adjust to life/culture here. I find Red Horse helps sometimes! :)

We have been here for almost 4 months now.  We came here for Michael.  He is 4 months old and we have had him since day 1 and will be adopting him.  My wife spent 20 years here in the PI, then 13 years in NY and now 4 months back here.  When I asked her what her response is to the OP's question she said " It would take less time to list reasons to stay."

 

She is NOT happy here.  Sure it's nice to see family but if she listed her answers here, she would sound like a poreigner and get the "your a guest here if you don't like the way things are then go home" answer.  But she is home and  it's like going back to high school at age 35.  It was fun as a teenager, not so much now.  One thing we both agree on is that Michael is the best thing that ever happened to us and if we have to stay here because of him, well that's fine.

[Elena]

Hi all! Thank you very much for your answers and advice! I am very happy here with friendly people. I know that the people of Russia are often considered severe.

This is due to their own language, in which a lot of open sounds and pronunciation of a second language. There are Russian, who can not behave and I'm embarrassed for them. Unfortunately, they often travel as they have money on them and judge all Russian. It is not.

The problem is with the language but I use the electronic translator now. When we come to the Philippines I say in very simple terms that I could understand and I was able to understand the answer.

[Elena]

We are planning to move to the Philippines, first as a second home to live 4-5 months a year, because it still is not done business in Russia. Plan to complete in 2-3 years and move at all. We do not have a tight budget, we can live anywhere. We traveled a lot and have chosen the Philippines, because the warm climate, fruit, smiling and friendly people, good diving and you travel a lot on the bike. We like that in the Philippines can be inexpensive now have a home help and medical attention in the future.

[Elena]

I understand what you're writing. We have seen that in places where many tourists see them as an ATM machine and call prices are not true. Output I can only see if you know the real value of the goods or services, when you live a long time. This is probably because the filipina people think of to get more money once but did not get a little long. Poverty and lack of education are also important.

But it is their country, and she is what it is and we are just guests. It seems silly to try to change someone else's country. You can only change your attitude to what you do not like. It makes sense to change only what affects your life.

There have been similar problems in Russia so maybe it might not be such an eye opener.  Then there is the danger of becoming a target as a foreigner you stand out in the crowd and can become a target for crime especially if you live in the wrong place or are out spoken and could annoy the wrong person. Also kidnapping is a realty in some areas. You might also find it hard to accept that many locals will just see you as an ATM machine too and even people you think are friends will eventually show their intentions. Unfortunately the foreigners that have gone before you have helped make it this way by throwing money and their weight around and have hurt and upset many locals and given foreigners a bad name to many local people.

[Adventurer]

It seems silly to try to change someone else's country. You can only change your attitude to what you do not like. It makes sense to change only what affects your life.

 

I think you have the right attitude to live there. You have to accept it for what it is and enjoy the good things. But it's also equally important to know the negative things and understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea. Once you get over the annoyance which I think can take a few months to a year then you should be able to handle the place easily. it's the first few months where people go crazy with things like Roosters waking you up or some people even get upset at been called "Joe" or whatever or the checkout girl doesn't say thanks or whatever... :)

Edited March 25, 2013 by Adventurer

[Fred & Mimi]

Buld your own place and your own lifestyle.

 

How does one do this as a foreign couple ie, no local connection?

[brock]

Buld your own place and your own lifestyle.

 

How does one do this as a foreign couple ie, no local connection?

You can lease land for 50 years and build on that

[Bruce]

Yes. I have a 50 yr lease. And as I am over 50, I doubt I will make that! When I die the family here that runs the charity gets the building.

 

What I build and do in Phils benefits me whilst alive... not so much after i am dead. I went into this with that opinion and all the money i may spend on a building will benefit those after I am gone.

 

As for being called Joe..... If I had $1 each time, i could live comfortably here. It is not unusual for me to hear that Hey Joe! 30 times a day when ringing in town and the same when i am riding out of town. A few people do call out my real name and since I have a black hat, I am easy to spot.  

[sjp52]

Some of the things that are frustrating are paying your bills ( some times takes an hour in line ), Not being able to find the foods you like to eat, People always trying to get money from you, Not very good internet. ( I don,t use the internet that much when I,m in the Philippines )

 

I cant complain right now as I,m back in the west trying to sell my place in Florida. Its funny , My mom has been staying at my place in Florida every winter. We agreed that this year I would sell it. Well it was on the market for quite awhile and finally my mom calls me and says some one wants to buy it at the asking price. I say great I will be down there in a couple of days and do the paper work. Then she starts to cry on the phone, She says she is going to miss being there during the winter and has a lot of friends there. My mom is 79 years old so what could I do. I told her that I think I will wait a few years and sell it at a higher price ( ya right like thats going to happen ), Well at least shes happy now.

 

Things just seem to run a lot smoother here in the west than in the Philippines and the quality of every thing is so much better ( except the ladies of course ). If I was married to a western woman, I don,t think I would bring her to the Philippines. I don,t think she would like what she would see Although there are some beautiful areas in the Phils but its mixed in with a lot of yuckyness. I must say that the Filipino people in general are much friendly than any other place I have been ( very happy go lucky ) if you know what I mean

 

My wife is Filipina so I will be spending half the time here and that is alright, Its like having a cabin to spend your summers at and its like your living two separate and different lives. So when you get tired of the fast paced rat race in the west you just head over to the laid back wild wild east.

 

I look forward to coming back to the west and I look forward to coming to the Philippines, So I guess it can,t be all that bad. Some good trade offs from both places.

[Bigdog]

 Much like my plan..winters in the Philippines and summers fishing Alaska :thumbsup: .. I'm like sjp, cant wait to get here and ready to go home after 6 months..