Do you really want to be in the Philippines?

[Georgebob]

It's a strange question,but necessary!

I have read countless negative posts on here with mainly healthcare topics etc 

Truthfully,I think some expats live in the Philippines because their partners do and not necessarily because they actually want to.

Would I be correct .

Or do you know any expats who fit into that category?

I did read a comment on here where the poster said if he could take his Filipina partner to live in Thailand it would be a "perfect world"

It's sad in a way to be living somewhere that you don't wish to be all for a sake of keeping a relationship.

And this has made me rethink my relationship,do I want to retire to somewhere I may not like everyday just to be with my partner.

[Freebie]

Dont have a permanent partner , and have properties in other countries if all goes wrong here. I will live here for as long as I enjoy it. But yes, I know some folk who are here solely an because of partners. Life has many choices, everyone makes their own

[Mike J]

Your post has some very valid questions and I am looking forward to reading other member's thoughts.

I have lived here 11 plus years and yes, this where I really want to live.  The Philippines has its share of problems but so do other countries.  It is not uncommon to read here complaints about the USA, UK, Australia, etc.  I don't think there is any country that does not have some type problems.  

The most frequent complaints you seem to hear from expats about the Philippines is lack of infrastructure, corruption, traffic, pollution, poor educations, medical care etc.  The positives include weather, low cost of living, family values, attractive ladies, widely spoken English, etc.  So like many countries there is a mix of both positive and negatives to living here.  For me the positives outweigh the negatives by a substantial margin.  

Would I choose to live here even if my wife was not Filipina or I was single?  For me the answer is yes.  For many others the answer would be resounding no.

[Lee]

7 minutes ago, Mike J said:

The positives include weather, low cost of living, family values, attractive ladies, widely spoken English, etc

IMO, most of what you list simply isn't accurate. Family values being on your list is a head scratcher to me.

I have been married to an attractive Filipina for over 40 years so I certainly don't need another one.

I don't encounter many locals that WILL speak English above even the most rudimentary of levels. Some understand some English but they certainly won't speak it unless absolutely forced to. YMMV

[Georgebob]

I was just watching a Duamagette YouTuber who said 90%, yes that high,  of foreigners who went to Duamagette to check it out with a view of staying , didn't like it .

So those guys staying are in a relationship 

 

[GeoffH]

I prefer the Phillipines to Australia, yes Australia has some advantages (free medical care, better public transport and more reliable electricity and water) but for me that's out weighed by the horrible Melbourne winter weather, higher prices for most things (that I buy regularly) and motorbike unfriendly traffic (and weather).

I love riding motorbikes, always have, but at my age in Australia that's a 6 months a year thing at best... in the Philippines just about any day is a nice day for a ride, and even if it rains the rain isn't freezing cold!

[Dave Hounddriver]

26 minutes ago, Georgebob said:

I was just watching a Duamagette YouTuber who said 90%, yes that high,  of foreigners who went to Duamagette to check it out with a view of staying , didn't like it .

So those guys staying are in a relationship 

 

I enjoyed Dumaguete when I lived there.  I was single there, then in a relationship there, then single there, then in a relationship there, then gone.  I am happy wherever I live.  I heard it said more than once: "Are you happy living where you are now?  No?  Then you won't be happy living in the Philippines".  (And vice versa).

[BrettGC]

2 hours ago, Mike J said:

For me the positives outweigh the negatives by a substantial margin.  

Would I choose to live here even if my wife was not Filipina or I was single?  For me the answer is yes.  For many others the answer would be resounding no.

Same for me. 

1 hour ago, Georgebob said:

I was just watching a Duamagette YouTuber who said 90%, yes that high,  of foreigners who went to Duamagette to check it out with a view of staying , didn't like it .

So those guys staying are in a relationship 

 

I like provincial Philippines, I don't like the cities.  We lived in Dumaguete for about 6 months, not our thing.  Different strokes and all that. Beware the Youtubers (most of them) that pull statistics out of their arse, that speak in absolutes and and believe their way is the only way. The long term expats in PI have many and varied reasons for being here. 

1 hour ago, GeoffH said:

I prefer the Phillipines to Australia, yes Australia has some advantages (free medical care, better public transport and more reliable electricity and water) but for me that's out weighed by the horrible Melbourne winter weather, higher prices for most things (that I buy regularly) and motorbike unfriendly traffic (and weather).

Same.  I'm happy to fly back for medical.  If it's an emergency, it's a roll of the dice I understand and accept that. 

1 hour ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I heard it said more than once: "Are you happy living where you are now?  No?  Then you won't be happy living in the Philippines".  (And vice versa).

I was not happy in Australia, there's too many reasons to list here. I'm happy here.  I removed myself from a very stressful and unhappy life and by doing so it negatively impacted no one, but improved my quality of life - measured by so much more than "things" and convenience by me - more than I can begin to explain.  Again, "different strokes" etc...

Edited May 27 by BrettGC

[hk blues]

I'm like perhaps many here, I'm only here because of my wife.  If she wasn't here I wouldn't be either.

However, my comment shouldn't be interpreted to suggest I'm not happy living here, I am.  But, the determining point is my wife. Why specifically would I choose the Philippines over another place, I can't imagine.  

[Cola Cubes]

No.