Why are many migrating in the Philippines?
- Mahal Vorson
- Apr 13, 2020
- 4 min read
I'm a Filipino and married to American husband. We discussed about retiring in the Philippines soon. I am a living witness of expatriates who are happy and contented retiring and living in the Philippines for the following reasons:
Favorable Climate. Philippines is a tropical country ideal for all ages. It is summer all year round in the Philippines. The air is humid because trees are everywhere. For health reason, it's beneficial to stay in a warm place if you have underlying conditions such as arthritis, heart attack and so on specially if you are a senior citizen.
2. Affordable Cost of Living. The price of prime commodities is way too cheap like you can buy 5 bottles of soda in 1 dollar. If you have a monthly check amounting 1000$ or 50,000 pesos a month, you can live a very comfortable life already with two mouths to feed. Shall we say, 5,000 pesos goes to your rental, 5,000 for water, electricity and internet bills. The rest will go for your food and getaways. And if you have extra you can dine out and travel around the country.
3. Hospitality. Filipinos are happy people and hospitable. You will be treated like a king in most hotels and restaurants. Filipinos have regards to foreigners because of colonial mentality. It has been recorded in Philippine history the great influence of Western Culture aside from its Asian heritage. American Culture has been part of Filipino ways of living. You can tell it by the language people speak in the country. Western ideas are not new to the Filipinos. Besides, the Philippine government has established a good relationships to neighboring countries which means you can have smooth entrance and exit to the country. It's visa-free.
4.Tourist Destination. Philippines has a lot of tourists destinations to visit, beautiful beaches with cheap accommodation. Since, it's an archipelago, it is surrounded by 7,107 islands and more where you can spend excellent getaways at an affordable prices. It has also variety forms of terrains that you haven't been visited ever since in your life such is the Puerto Princessa Underground River. It's a base for boat trips through the massive limestone caves and underground river of the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
5. Universal Language. English is taught in school and is spoken in the country which means most people can understand and speak in English. It is not difficult to roam around the country because most locals can converse with using the Universal Language. You will not get frustrated to express your thoughts because you will be understood specially if you go to places where the center of trades are located namely restaurant, malls, business facilities and government offices.
6. Plethora of food items. Variety of restaurants to choose from serving plethora of eastern and western dishes. One of the challenges moving to another country is the absence of the food that your appetite has been accustomed to. But moving in the Philippines is not actually a big challenge as far as food is concerned because there is a variety of food choices you can choose from in the food pantry at the grocery stores and at the food menus in restaurants. Food chains are ubiquitous. Just hail a taxi or bus if you don't feel driving or riding on a jeepney then you will get to the food resto you wish to dine in.
7. Rich Cultural Heritage. Filipinos have very rich cultural heritage to share within and most foreigners find them very engaging and entertaining. Filipinos take pride on lively and colorful celebration of town festival. Aside from that you will have a unique experience of Asian culture immersion and develop and high level tolerance of cultural diversity.
8. Family-oriented. Circles of expatriates thrive in the country whom you could be a part of. So you will not feel isolated or alienated. If you are married to a Filipina, her extended family will become your instant family in the Philippines. They are family-oriented people so you can see family members gather together on special occasions such as birthday, Christmas, New Year, wedding and fiesta. You always get an invitation plus take-home leftovers. Just don't forget to bring extra tupperware of ziploc.
9. Facilities and Entertainment. It's easy to buy groceries since establishments like malls and supermarkets are all around the town. You can also buy fresh and inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetable at the wet markets. Filipinos are religious individuals so you can enjoy sightseeing highly-embellished bell-towered churches. They values education so much that you can see schools and universities both local and international you can upgrade skills or share your adeptness of a certain field from. In case you have underlying sickness, hospitals are everywhere to meet your demands and needs. You can also cover your international health insurance to cover your unexpected medical bills.
10. Burgeoning number of Expats. The number of expats in the Philippines is burgeoning. There are 177, 000 expats in the Philippines which means countries high number of sustainability. You can easily find family by affinity. Hundreds of expatriates have settled in different parts of the islands. It's a very good opportunity for you to build good rapport and make circle of friends with people coming from the same or different background and culture.
11. It's more fun in the Philippines. It's the famous tagline and impression from foreigners who have traveled and experience the fun of the local color. Nothing is compared like the Philippines. It's beauty. It's people. It's culture. It's a home away from home. Don't miss the fun.
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