Would you do it all again?

[jimeve]

9 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

These are all good reasons.  Some people have more tolerance to all these problems.  I had more tolerance as a younger man (thinking with the small head and lots of beer in my stomach) but my tolerance decreases as I age and drink less beer 

I thought some of those reasons were a bit petty tbh.

[scott h]

54 minutes ago, Jack D said:

Some (and not all of my) Reasons - in no particular order

 

54 minutes ago, Jack D said:

 

• The air is too polluted.  I Stay inside with the Aircon 
• Dusty roads and streets. Keep the car windows up with aircon on
• Tap water (at least mine) was undrinkable. Send the maid for distilled water
• Unable to use toilet paper in my bathroom since the pipes couldn’t handle it. I never liked using a tabo and I didn’t have a bum gun. Built my house with 4 inch pipes and two showers
• Water pressure in the shower was so weak that it was almost non-existent Installed a water pump
• Three hours at the car wash (only to need another car wash on the following day). I have the maid wash it, but frankly I don't give a poop if the car is dirty lol
• Tired of smelling burning garbage (basura). Never really had that problem
• Long lines everywhere. Use the senior citizen line....works great
• Horrible internet and telephone service – I could not call all phones in the Philippines with my individual telecom company (Globe) without paying extra money (or having multiple SIM cards, including Smart). Frankly,,they can call me,,,,
• Hospital held me as a prisoner until I paid my bill in full. get better insurance
• Too many rats and roaches. cats for the rats,,,,
• Being hit in the arm by every beggar. when they reach out their hand I grab shake it, smile and say Good to meet you
• Inability to have an intelligent conversation in English with most locals, unless they were professionals or other people with college education. You have something here,,,,,,,,,,a person has to be komfortable in his own skin to live here
• No personal space – people crowd right on top of you. Don't bath regularly,,,works for me, they all keep their distance lol

 

Im just having fun with you Jack, the Philippines is not for everyone, Glad you happy back in the land of the big PX

[Mike J]

2 hours ago, jimeve said:

I thought some of those reasons were a bit petty tbh.

But as others have mentioned, your level of tolerance and how you deal with frustration may determine to a large degree if you will be happy here.

Edited August 24, 2019 by Mike J
grammer

[intrepid]

5 hours ago, Mike J said:

I will have been here seven years this coming October.  The only family I have left back in the USA is my brother 71, and a sister 68.  We keep in touch on a regular basis via email.  When I left the USA I told them I would "probably" not be making any trips back to the USA.  Thus far I have not returned and, at present anyway, have no real desire to return.  Perhaps I would feel different if I had children or grandchildren living there.  Am I happy?  Happiness is, at least for me, a more difficult term to define and answer.  I can tell you that I enjoy my life here and am quite content.  My wife and I have a small ministry and I enjoy working with young people.  I have found an interest, and some even a little talent, in painting and sketching that I now enjoy.  We are fortunate to live on the water and I can enjoy the beautiful view each day of the year.  I do miss the convenience and service levels that I was used to in the US.  People in the US for the most part follow the "rules", they obey traffic laws, fall in at the end of lines, wait their turn, etc.  Business and government are FAR more efficient in the USA.

People have asked me "What is like to actually live there?"  I tell them that the Philippines is not for everyone.  You will either enjoy life here, or wonder why anyone in their right mind would want to live here.  The difference will be in how and whether you can adjust to the Philippines culture and a lower standard of service and infrastructure.

Would I do it again.  Absolutely!  The warmth and friendliness of the Philippine people is amazing and I have no desire to leave my Filipino extended family and friends.

I was getting ready to click "Submit Reply" and realized I need to add to my post.

My Filipina wife came to the USA on a finance visa so she spent 8 years there while we were married.  She misses the USA a lot and speaks often about wanting to move back.   I was a little surprised when she first talked about it because she had missed the Philippines quite a bit while living in the US and enjoyed our trips here.  She has discovered, like many expats, that a vacation here is different than a life here.  So it is not just you, but also your wife, who would be making quite an adjustment should you choose to make a permanent move. 

Mike J,  As I read your post it seems you took the words from my mind.  This is my feelings and experiences here with just slight difference I will add.  My wife lived in the US for 10 years before we retired and moved here.  I have many family members back in the states.  Mom, Dad, Brother, sisters, son, daughter, and four grandchildren.  I miss them all and we are all very close.  We talk, video chat, email, whatever, weekly.  We also travel back every other year for a month long visit.  We have a 14 year old daughter whom was 10 when we moved here.  She plans to return to the states after college for her working life but that could always change.  After next year we plan to visit once a year.  After 3+ years I would not change a thing.

[robert k]

1 hour ago, Mike J said:

But as others have mentioned, your level of tolerance and how you deal with frustration may determine to a large degree if you will be happy here.

Some people also have people who insulate them from much of the irritation. Someone mentioned paying someone to stand in line for them. I've done that for bill paying. Makes life more enjoyable for me.

[stevewool]

8 hours ago, Mike J said:

We are fortunate to live on the water and I can enjoy the beautiful view each day of the year.  

Don’t mind me asking Mike, do you live on a boat or is your house over looking some sort of water.

[Mike J]

51 minutes ago, stevewool said:

Don’t mind me asking Mike, do you live on a boat or is your house over looking some sort of water.

The house overlooks the water. The property boundary is basically the high tide line, so we don't have to worry about ever losing the view.   The photo with blue tint is looking South, you can just see Badian Island on right side of picture.  The photo with the lavender tint is looking to the southwest, and the distant land is the island of Negros.  About 50 meters offshore there is a coral wall where you can view colorful fish, coral, and sea turtles.  There is just something about living on the water that calms the soul, relieves stress, and makes a person thankful.   It also provides a great place to host groups of youth for our ministry "Philippine Blessings of Hope".  We have also been privileged to host numerous visiting clergy and also missionaries from all around the globe.

 

[Arizona Kid]

19 hours ago, Tukaram (Tim) said:

6 1/2 years and still loving it. Every day is a holiday, every meal is a feast ha ha (an old Navy saying)  

I remember that saying also. 20 plus years in the USN. 

[Arizona Kid]

28 minutes ago, Mike J said:

The house overlooks the water. The property boundary is basically the high tide line, so we don't have to worry about ever losing the view.   The photo with blue tint is looking South, you can just see Badian Island on right side of picture.  The photo with the lavender tint is looking to the southwest, and the distant land is the island of Negros.  About 50 meters offshore there is a coral wall where you can view colorful fish, coral, and sea turtles.  There is just something about living on the water that calms the soul, relieves stress, and makes a person thankful.   It also provides a great place to host groups of youth for our ministry "Philippine Blessings of Hope".  We have also been privileged to host numerous visiting clergy and also missionaries from all around the globe.

 

Sounds more like a religious retreat. More power to you though if you can get your followers to bankroll your paradise.  

[Jollygoodfellow]

7 hours ago, Jack D said:

Some (and not all of my) Reasons - in no particular order

• The air is too polluted.
• Dusty roads and streets.
• Tap water (at least mine) was undrinkable.
• Unable to use toilet paper in my bathroom since the pipes couldn’t handle it. I never liked using a tabo and I didn’t have a bum gun.
• Water pressure in the shower was so weak that it was almost non-existent
• Three hours at the car wash (only to need another car wash on the following day).
• Tired of smelling burning garbage (basura).
• Long lines everywhere.
• Horrible internet and telephone service – I could not call all phones in the Philippines with my individual telecom company (Globe) without paying extra money (or having multiple SIM cards, including Smart).
• Hospital held me as a prisoner until I paid my bill in full.
• Too many rats and roaches.
• Being hit in the arm by every beggar.
• Inability to have an intelligent conversation in English with most locals, unless they were professionals or other people with college education.
• No personal space – people crowd right on top of you.

 

 

 

Really depends on where you live.

Who cares that tap water cant be drank when bottled water is delivered to your door.

No problem using toilet paper and flushing it in my unit.

Water pressure no problem

Lines? I pay all online so other than the odd line at a supermarket I dont see any lines.

No burning garbage here and only smoke from cooking is from the market.