What It's Like Living In The Philippines As A Foreigner
Thinking of living in the Philippines? Here’s what to expect. The Philippines is a country of contrasts. You can probably find anything you are looking for, from bustling, crowded cities to the solitude of pristine, deserted beaches. The country is a sprawling group of more than 7,500 islands in the Asia Pacific not far above the equator, sitting between Taiwan, a few hundred miles to the north, and Borneo, a similar distance to the southwest. Unlike the other digital nomad destinations I’ve decided to make my temporary home, I’ve been to the Philippines before, and as soon as I left last year, I began planning a longer stint here.
Philippines Facts and Figures
With a population of 110 million, The Philippines is the 13th most populous country in the world. The population is evenly split among urban dwellers and those living in the country. The capital is Manila, a sprawling metropolis which is home to 13 million people. Manila is the most densely populated city in the world with almost 43,000 people per square mile. Other large Metros are Cebu, population 3 million and Davao with a population 2.5 million.
Regarding the economy, The Philippines has a growing and sophisticated economy based on technology, clothing, and agriculture. Many Filipinos work overseas and remit money home to their families. Interestingly, The Philippines is one of the world’s leading internet users and has a booming smartphone market handling more than a billion local text messages daily.
Cost of Living in the Philippines
Compared to somewhere like Europe, the Philippines is a very affordable place to call home. Prices are fairly similar to the rest of South East Asia, with a small budget gets you considerably more than it would in other parts of the world. The cost of living in the Philippines can pretty much be what you want to make it. There’s no shortage of budget-friendly options, but you can also enjoy a little more luxury for a relatively reasonable amount. Here is what you can expect to spend in Manila:
- Rent for a one bedroom condo in a popular part of the city: £500 per month
- Dinner at a nice restaurant: £5-8
- SIM card: Free, plus around £4 per month for 4GB data
- Transport: Around £2 for a 20-minute Grab ride
Accommodation and WiFi
The accommodation in the Philippines really depends on which island you’ll be staying on. Condo living is common in Manila, but it’ll be hard to find anything similar on the islands. Guest houses and small, independent hotels the normal choice for travellers all over the Philippines. Many of them are more affordable than an apartment in Manila, so you could even live in one long-term if you wished to. If you prefer your own space and a more Western-style apartment, though, you’ll need to stick to the big cities. There are plenty of apartments available to rent long-term, and our Manila apartment was one of our nicest finds yet!
When it comes to the WiFi and work, it is the important one. Brilliant weather, a low cost of living and friendly, English speaking people makes The Philippines a popular destination for British expats. Numbers are not on par with Spain or Australia, but The Philippines still has a significant British contingent.
Culture, Food, and Climate
Filipinos speak nearly 200 different languages. The most popular is Tagalog, spoken by one in four with Cebuano ranking next with one in five speakers. The Philippines allows the worship of many religions, with Catholicism practised by 80% of the population. However, Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists live side-by-side in most communities.
In terms of food, as much as I love the Philippines, the food doesn’t really do it for me. That said, there are a few things that Filipinos do REALLY well – pork, breakfast and coconut water, to name a few. Luckily, it seems Filipinos love international cuisine. Japanese restaurants are all over Manila, Taiwanese bubble tea is never far away and delivery apps can help you with all your other cravings.
The Philippines enjoys a tropical climate with hot, dry weather for most of the year. The average daily temperature hovers around 80 Fahrenheit or 26 Centigrade all year. However, the monsoon season lasts from June to November, and the islands suffer from extreme weather and natural conditions, including cyclones and earthquakes.
Moving to The Philippines
Where British expats live in The Philippines depends on where they are in their lives. Younger expats who moved to the country on assignment for an employer are more likely to live in a city, while retired expats tend to be drawn to the beaches on more remote islands. If you are moving to the Philippines, you should consider the following priority formalities:
- Give your local council your address in The Philippines
- Stop or arrange to have state benefits paid in The Philippines
- Explore visa options such as the Non-Immigrant Visa, Quota Immigrant visas, or the Special Resident Retiree Visa
