Is the gamble of living in the Philippines worth the rewards?

[Queenie O.]

Sadly, we presently live in a world full of turmoil and uncertainty for so many people.

I'm specifically thinking today though, about what uncertainties and often daily question marks and requirements that expats face daily/monthly/yearly/down the line, while living here in the Philippines. Sometimes I find myself angsting over what is required of me from Immigration and other Philippine laws. One might talk about being sometimes complacent about their life and somewhat predictable surroundings at times, but here that is not a luxury that we share. I feel that there are often many rules and requirements, not always making sense to me, that keep me on my toes. Also the sometimes confusion/frustration over politics, corruption, poor local infrastructure, power grid and water issues etc. get to me. (Not all at the same time of course!)  I remember reading once that one should take up doing crossword puzzles, learning a musical instrument, playing cards to keep your mind sharp. I think the many life puzzles that a person deals with here are plenty enough to keep your mind sharp and active! (If you don't kook out or get too discouraged!)

We all have our own good reasons for moving and settling here, but as with things in life, there do seem to be more things to be vigilant over.  Not for the faint of heart living here sometimes I feel.  Anyone not yet living here, might only see the "paradise" that we get to witness here at times, but not always realize that it really is a gamble living here, in spite of the rewards that living a lifestyle outside of the normal western one involves. There are often extra potential pitfalls and frustrations along with the bright and life affirming times that we experience. Yes, sometimes these issues can make life interesting and a puzzle to be solved, but they require your wits to solve more often than not.

For readers here living permanently or not, what causes you the most angst if any, and what issues can you just go with the flow with?  Was it worth the gamble of moving/living here now that you have made that leap? For those considering that leap, do you foresee any of these issues mentioned as bothering you? For the more veteran expats--does it get easier over time? I'm thinking most along with myself will say yes, that gamble was worth it, but not always for the same reasons. In spite of things that I had not expected to contend with before moving here that have surfaced, many  of the rewards that I had hoped for did come true. Please share your thoughts if you agree or disagree with me. Is it worth it all in the end? What makes it easier to take at times?

Queenie

Edited May 29, 2017 by Queenie O.

[robert k]

Downsides of a seemingly ever changing immigration rules, driver license rules and not being able to buy a new vehicle register it and start driving it legally in a month are what would most effect me. Luckily I got a drivers license before the rule changed so hopefully I will remain grandfathered in but there is no warm fuzzy sense of security.

For some the monetary exchange rate would be high on their list, I'm sure. Buying property for me is not a concern because I'm a confirmed renter but some have an obsession with trying to own land in the Philippines, when they never really will.

[Jack Peterson]

11 minutes ago, Queenie O. said:

Is it worth it all in the end?

When you Look at the Alternatives then Yes! it is for me. The WORLD is not safe at this time, here is not Perfect But........

It is what it is and I am Adapting quicker now than I did say 5 years ago. You mention Gambling and Cards well, to me, we were all dealt a hand and we must play that hand as best we can, people will tell us that Depression and Frustration is a state of Mind, only we can deal with this. I am to an extent, a big believer in this. OH! yes, I can Moan but in the main, I am a happy chappy and my life is moving in a way I would want it to. I have a Happy existence and would not Change things just yet if at all, As I said at the Start, What is the Alternative?. For many That are somewhat tied to here through various things, Land, Houses, Kids and Education (Not forgetting the other half ). As Foreigners we do tend to think only of ourselves at times, My Wife and Daughter are quite/more than happy here and I doubt I would want to upset that particular Apple cart

 

 This is me for what it is worth.

[Queenie O.]

1 minute ago, Jack Peterson said:

When you Look at the Alternatives then Yes! it is for me. The WORLD is not safe at this time, here is not Perfect But........

It is what it is and I am Adapting quicker now than I did say 5 years ago. You mention Gambling and Cards well, to me, we were all dealt a hand and we must play that hand as best we can, people will tell us that Depression and Frustration is a state of Mind, only we can deal with this. I am to an extent, a big believer in this. OH! yes, I can Moan but in the main, I am a happy chappy and my life is moving in a way I would want it to. I have a Happy existence and would not Change things just yet if at all, As I said at the Start, What is the Alternative?. For many That are somewhat tied to here through various things, Land, Houses, Kids and Education (Not forgetting the other half ). As Foreigners we do tend to think only of ourselves at times, My Wife and Daughter are quite/more than happy here and I doubt I would want to upset that particular Apple cart

 

 This is me for what it is worth.

I agree about that other aspect too Jack. My husband finds great joy living here Id say on a daily basis, and that in turn makes the move for me happier, and dealing with the many ups and downs easier to take. Thanks for your encouraging insights.

[Queenie O.]

24 minutes ago, robert k said:

Downsides of a seemingly ever changing immigration rules, driver license rules and not being able to buy a new vehicle register it and start driving it legally in a month are what would most effect me. Luckily I got a drivers license before the rule changed so hopefully I will remain grandfathered in but there is no warm fuzzy sense of security.

For some the monetary exchange rate would be high on their list, I'm sure. Buying property for me is not a concern because I'm a confirmed renter but some have an obsession with trying to own land in the Philippines, when they never really will.

Very valid concerns I'd say Robert. 

[Mike J]

1 hour ago, Queenie O. said:

Is it worth it all in the end? What makes it easier to take at times?

Last Sunday when I went to church two little sisters came running up to give me warm hugs.  Fortunately even at my age the knees are sufficiently strong to hold up a couple of sweeties while enjoying Sunday service.  I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed the service.  Sorry for the camera shake as I zoom.  I don't think you will have any trouble picking out which two "love sponges" I am referring to.  It is the Philippine people that keep me here, especially the children (and the parents who let me spoil them). 

 

[Jack Peterson]

3 minutes ago, Queenie O. said:

Very valid concerns I'd say Robert. 

 Yes! as always from Robert (usually) But those are things we CAN'T Change so they have little effect in Reality (and generally are only a concern when it suits us) to our Day to day Living, it is the things we can change that we should put our minds to

 Let's sit and ask Ourselves, What went wrong Today? what could I have done to ease the situation. Although we have no real say in what happens here in the PI does this mean we are lesser people? NO! I say and it all boils down to not Integrating enough with our Fellow Locals,

We hide behind our Walls & gates and do little to help the Filipino Understand us a little better. Kevin (Sonjack) and I + others that come to my Purok have little problem at all ( the Local Sori sori is great to us) and the same goes for Where Kevin lives. We can all have a moan (And we do) but we should site and say HEY! what am I moaning about and the normal answer is them and us differentials these things we can do something about and this in itself will make our lives here a lot better I am sure.

One of my Dogs went missing on may 3rd Thieves got in the main gate but met the Dogs who gave chase ( they [The intruders] left the gate open) Now we all talk about they way some treat the Dogs but in 24 Hours Mine was back Home, all through people locally letting us know where it was seen and when. This is what I mean,  OH! it is the Foreigners Dog, so we went and Got him, But if we were not known in the Area who knows?

 Long winded maybe but all these things come from doing what we can about things we can do things about and stop worrying too much about the Things we can't do anything about cos believe me. Attitudes and bureaucracy will be wherever anyone goes next 

Sermon Over 

 

[bigpearl]

2 hours ago, Queenie O. said:

Sadly, we presently live in a world full of turmoil and uncertainty for so many people.

I'm specifically thinking today though, about what uncertainties and often daily question marks and requirements that expats face daily/monthly/yearly/down the line, while living here in the Philippines. Sometimes I find myself angsting over what is required of me from Immigration and other Philippine laws. One might talk about being sometimes complacent about their life and somewhat predictable surroundings at times, but here that is not a luxury that we share. I feel that there are often many rules and requirements, not always making sense to me, that keep me on my toes. Also the sometimes confusion/frustration over politics, corruption, poor local infrastructure, power grid and water issues etc. get to me. (Not all at the same time of course!)  I remember reading once that one should take up doing crossword puzzles, learning a musical instrument, playing cards to keep your mind sharp. I think the many life puzzles that a person deals with here are plenty enough to keep your mind sharp and active! (If you don't kook out or get too discouraged!)

We all have our own good reasons for moving and settling here, but as with things in life, there do seem to be more things to be vigilant over.  Not for the faint of heart living here sometimes I feel.  Anyone not yet living here, might only see the "paradise" that we get to witness here at times, but not always realize that it really is a gamble living here, in spite of the rewards that living a lifestyle outside of the normal western one involves. There are often extra potential pitfalls and frustrations along with the bright and life affirming times that we experience. Yes, sometimes these issues can make life interesting and a puzzle to be solved, but they require your wits to solve more often than not.

For readers here living permanently or not, what causes you the most angst if any, and what issues can you just go with the flow with?  Was it worth the gamble of moving/living here now that you have made that leap? For those considering that leap, do you foresee any of these issues mentioned as bothering you? For the more veteran expats--does it get easier over time? I'm thinking most along with myself will say yes, that gamble was worth it, but not always for the same reasons. In spite of things that I had not expected to contend with before moving here that have surfaced, many  of the rewards that I had hoped for did come true. Please share your thoughts is you agree or disagree with me. Is it worth it all in the end? What makes it easier to take at times?

Queenie

Wow Queenie, straight from the heart and the realities of living in what we all perceive to be a god given paradise, I was going to post a quick reply and come back later after I digested what you say, live. (but I couldn't help myself) My turn is coming in a couple of years, my experiences over the last 6 plus years echo your concerns and trials, we have all had plenty and we are still here, the readers anyway. For me/us it is the people, giving and taking yes but not pretentious, (we so far appear to be lucky/blessed) our family is straight up and down, lucky maybe but before family and my partner I worked in PH. many times and learnt what the/how the general populous thinks, they are 98% good people, it's their/the system that stinks. Corrupt? Yes, Abused? Yes, Manipulated? Often by all those that see an opportunity. In Oz no different we just play a different tune. 

The system/protocols have to be learnt absolutely no different to any other country and their stupid (conceived by some) laws/culture that is the norm, the rules we must live by in our chosen country a classic, in Australia it is mandatory to have a pool fence around your pool thus eliminating infants/toddlers from drowning/s,,,,,,,,,,,,hello where are the parents? My house here in Oz on 50 acres requires a pool fence,,,,,, I have 3 beautiful swimmable dams on this property that need no fencing by law but our swimming pool has a fence,,,,,,,,,, all my 16 years of living here in S/E Queensland, most drownings occurred in dams on the properties, you tell me, that's the law

While in Rome? Embrace and live with it, as you are doing, me also too. That is the law and system of a/the country and one that I am going to embrace/learn and be a good foreigner and pay/give my retirement to. 

Queen you seem to be all over these things, love to talk down the track.

Cheers, Steve.

Edited May 29, 2017 by bigpearl

[Queenie O.]

1 hour ago, bigpearl said:

Wow Queenie, straight from the heart and the realities of living in what we all perceive to be a god given paradise, I was going to post a quick reply and come back later after I digested what you say, live. (but I couldn't help myself) My turn is coming in a couple of years, my experiences over the last 6 plus years echo your concerns and trials, we have all had plenty and we are still here, the readers anyway. For me/us it is the people, giving and taking yes but not pretentious, (we so far appear to be lucky/blessed) our family is straight up and down, lucky maybe but before family and my partner I worked in PH. many times and learnt what the/how the general populous thinks, they are 98% good people, it's their/the system that stinks. Corrupt? Yes, Abused? Yes, Manipulated? Often by all those that see an opportunity. In Oz no different we just play a different tune. 

The system/protocols have to be learnt absolutely no different to any other country and their stupid (conceived by some) laws/culture that is the norm, the rules we must live by in our chosen country a classic, in Australia it is mandatory to have a pool fence around your pool thus eliminating infants/toddlers from drowning/s,,,,,,,,,,,,hello where are the parents? My house here in Oz on 50 acres requires a pool fence,,,,,, I have 3 beautiful swimmable dams on this property that need no fencing by law but our swimming pool has a fence,,,,,,,,,, all my 16 years of living here in S/E Queensland, most drownings occurred in dams on the properties, you tell me, that's the law

While in Rome? Embrace and live with it, as you are doing, me also too. That is the law and system of a/the country and one that I am going to embrace/learn and be a good foreigner and pay/give my retirement to. 

Queen you seem to be all over these things, love to talk down the track.

Cheers, Steve.

Thanks for the sensible and heartening words Steve.  As Deborah Kerr said in my favorite movie, "Night of the Iguana" about something that might happen to her in the future and how she will feel, she said "I'll know know it feels when I feel it."  I guess it's all in the process of doing that we learn to do it. 

Hope to meet you in the future too Steve.

[virginprune]

For me personally, a resounding yes! Certain rules and regulations concerning foreigners can be frustrating at times but no more than the beaurocracy I have dealt with in any other country, not least the UK even as a citizen.

I tend to keep a more positive attitude and learn, adapt to and enjoy the different cultural nuances that I come across here. I find the people, by and large, very friendly, helpful and accommodating. Their laid back attitude to things I find is a breath of fresh air and something to aspire to be like. 

I have lived in numerous countries during my life and the one thing that I always find distasteful is the whinging expat. Which always begs the question "why are you here?" 

I believe that to have a successful, happy retirement here the person has to be open to the here and now and to really consider why this destination was chosen in the first place. If that has to do with a potential life partner there are a myriad of options for that to succeed if this country is not where you are happy. 

Just my take on it.