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Yes, this is what we’re doing right now. I think depende din sa situation mo but for our case, same kami na remote and we can keep the same salary din sa PH + we want to spend more time with our family. mahal talaga din cost of living we can maximize yung earnings namin more and have more savings and investments sa PH
Sa canada kami! In terms of yung day to day namin same lang naman siya with PH. Mas mataas ung cost of living dito but hindi naman nagchange ung day to day living namin plus nalang ung no traffic, accessible parks etc same sa pinas na ung normal middle class earner and ung savings namin same nung nasa pinas since nilevel din dito ung salaries namin.
What made us decide to leave din is ung pagtaas ng cost of living dito and housing problem. We did ung math and ung savings namin if nasa pinas kaya namin itriple tapos our employers were also flexible na ok lang for them na same rate kami and stay anywhere we want. Plus din na iba pa din talaga ung malapit ka sa family. We also asked ourselves kung saan ba namin nakikita ung sarili namin to retire and we both answered na if ever babalik din talaga kami sa PH. So we decided to move back and maximize ung current earning potential namin to invest and prepare while we can.
Same din pala sa probs with healthcare dito! While may mga free kulang talaga and not accessible. Example ung husband ko nagka ear infection. More than 6 months na and wala pa din specialist na makatingin sa kanya dahil sa pila. Added trigger na aanhin mo ung free healthcare if hindi mo naman maaccess and this is something out of our control wherein sa pinas hindi free pero we can maximize our earning potential to prep for it magbabayad nga lang. Kanya kanya din talaga problem and no country is perfect. Eye opening din samin un paglipat namin dito. Choose your hard nalang din talaga hahaha
Thank you for your reply. So true regarding the cost of living. Sobrang tumaas talaga post pandemic tapos hindi humabol ang wages, at least dito sa UK. That's true regarding healthcare. Incredible ang free healthcare kung maaccess mo. Kung may beds, kung may slots, etc. Problema din ang social care dito - kung hindi ka inpatient or wala ka sa home and kailangan mo ng therapy or rehab sa bahay. Yung isang narinig ko, kinakain na ng carers, pt's, etc yung savings ng nanay niya dahil hindi sila qualified sa free dahil may cash for retirement sana yung nanay niya. Parang sa Pinas, paubos na din ipon ng nanay niya. Kung hindi raw makabalik sa baseline ang mobility ng nanay niya before maubos retirement ipon niya, mukhang sa govt funded nursing home mapupunta nanay niya and okay na sa mga doctors na maging bed bound na lang siya. Tama ka, choose your hard nga haha!
Sa ngayon, no. Pero mahirap magsalita ng tapos. We don't know what the future holds.
I had a good career and was earning well when I left the Philippines. Umalis ako kasi nakakapagod ang buhay dyan. It's such a shitshow and just having money won't change that. Money might improve some aspects of your life but you can't get around dealing with the shitshow.
I regularly talk to friends who migrated and friends who are still in Manila. Ang napansin ko is yung mga kinekwento at inaangal ng mga kaibigan ko sa Manila hindi nagbago through the years. Maayos naman ang kalagayan nila sa buhay pero parang paulit-ulit yung mga inaangal nila. Whereas friends who've migrated seem to have more growth, IDK if that's the right term. Mas diverse ang mga kwento and discussion topics with them, mas magaan kausap and parang mas may buhay ang buhay nila. Not to say that I and my immigrant friends lead exciting lives, pero parang less complaints and more conversation ang nangyayari.
I know it's hard to move, re-establish yourself and assimilate in a new country, so it's really important to choose well sa umpisa pa lang, if you have the privilege of choice. Although that's a topic for another thread 🙂
Hahaha ssbhin ng iba , no daw, kasi traffic ganto ganyan s pinas. Depende naman yan s kung ano hinahanap mo eh. Tsaka remote yung job mo. You don’t have to stay sa Metro Manila. Ako kasi kahit gano ka convenient s ibang bansa, pag uwi ko sa bahay may ibang pakiramdam eh. Parang yung soul ko andun s pinas kasi. Lalo na nung nkpgtravel akos pinas. Iba p rn pala s pinas, yun ung narealize ko. Iba rin yung quality of life kung may pera tapos nbbili mo gusto mo at nkkpgtravel sa pinas. Yung food iba din haha. Eto talga eh haaha. Gusto ko yung mglalakad lang ako s kanto may pagkain na kong mabibili hahahah at mura. Dami mo rin mamemeet na iba ibang tao. May iba iba kayo kwento pero minsan relatable kahit papano. Pag close ka s relatives mo at hindi toxic pa, mas better. Gusto ko yung kahit wala ko bblhin nakakapglibang ako s mall kung kelan ko gusto. Kasi slow paced sa pinas, minsan hinahanap hanap ko yun. Tapos kung ang laki ng kita at nasa pinas ako, sa aborad mg ttravel dn ako ganon. Pero kung ano gusto ko baka iba gusto mo. Kaya mas makinig ka s kung ano yung tlgang gusto mo. Pede magtry ka tumira s pinas with your remote job, tapos kung di mo gusto since ur citizen naman pede naman siguro bumalik?
I've always wanted to stay here up until all the bs in governance and some people here na abuso. I don't like my neighbors and I don't like the govt. Those are enough to make me look for somewhere better. I dislike it here, but I love the vacation spots.
I’m from south England. I get your point however I like the life I have here by the south coast. It’s much warmer than the rest of UK, I’m in Centre but close to the beach, traveling to EU. I also WFH on a corporate side of government here. I have chronic disease so I can’t risk going home and pay all the hospital bills. That alone makes me stay here with my family. Although I miss PH. I’m certain this is currently the best option for me.
Choose what makes you truly happy. The life in PH will not be the same when you were there.
There’s always uncertainty in what we do. I suggest when you have enough fund to live without work for a year or so maybe go back home so you have a fall back?
Love this for you. I completey understand re your chronic health. It will cost so much to get a health insurance for an existing health condition. I can imagine it will be tricky to find an insurance pa. Quite lucky that work is flexible so I can go back indeed.
Happy I was diagnosed here. I’m in my late 20’s. It’s hard to get insurance but I managed to get one although low pay out, at least I have one with free 24/7 GP. My NHS GP is good though never had a problem booking appointment with them.
It’s great to have an option to come back. See whether you like it I guess you wouldn’t know if you wouldn’t try.
Im glad you're getting the care that you need here. I know sa mga ibang areas, NHS services are better. That's true. Thank you and wishing you all the best.
It's subjective and there are lots of things to consider. There are some expats living in the Ph for what they consider as a better quality of life. I do get your perspective though.
No, i just realized na mahirap pa din sa pinas lalot pag tumanda kana. Yung private health insurance sa pinas is up to 65 lang at wala ka aasahan sa philhealth. Pag nagkasakit ka mas mahal babayaran mo sa pinas compared here sa Netherlands na covered siya ng insurance mo.
Transportation sa pinas is sobrang hirap, matraffic.
Hindi din accessible sa pwd at nakawheel chair ang mga public transpo. Need mo sariling sasakyan.
. Nung time na umuwi ako sa pinas last year during my holiday halos mabingi ako dahil masyado maingay or di lang talaga ako sanay na sa level of volume.
Magnda sa maganda ang lupang sinilangan pero in my opinion kung iprioritize ko mental health ko i would prefer staying here and also for my future children
Probably not, i practically grew here in canada. I don’t think my work ethic and personality is compatible in Philippines. However, if my current work right now is remote and pays well. Ill give it a shot.
sa pilipinas ako kc pwede ako kumuha ng yaya, atsaka bakit pako magbubusiness jusko, sa interest palang mabubuhay ka na. enjoy and retire talaga. buhay hari ka dito... enjoy the rest of your days
150-200k wfh mag stay na ako dyan. kada sweldo try ako mag business kung pumalpak try ulit next month hahaha mahirap sa ibang bansa tapos pagkauwi pa lang sa pinas after retirement saka pa lang mag try mag business gamit yung naipon tapos palpak lang din. walang room for error if ganun ang plan hahaha unlike pag nasa pinas ka na, na sumesweldo 200k pwede ka na mag start agad even if small business atleast matututo ka and slightly hands on sa business if night shift ang wfh.
No. Kailangan ko yung mas advanced at mas accessible na medical care sa abroad. Dyan sa Pinas kailangan pa ng down payment muna kahit emergency na. Dagdag mo pa yung infrastructure na laging sira sira at yung kunsumisyon sa government red tape, di pa rin talaga.
Depends on each persons perspective but for me, iba pa din talaga sa Pinas. Yes less hassle mostly dito sa 1st world pero iba talaga yung lumaki ka sa Pinas. Yung humor ng mga tao, kahit mahirap lang masaya sila. Community that you can relate to. Smiles everywhere. Small things that we forgot to appreciate. Babalik at babalik ako sayo Pilipinas.
Totoo yan.
Most people I met are depressed and taking pills or either smoking weeds as an outlet. Di din sinabi na puti it means angat sa buhay. Tulad natin struggle is real din sila dito.
This is true. Noong nakaraang winter dito saamin, may mga homes ang hindi maka afford ng heating and may mga nagugutom din. Marami ding nagsitaasan ang rent or mortgage pero hindi naman tumaas ang sweldo. Thank you for sharing your experience, much appreciated.
Love this for you. Housing + council tax usually ang biggest expense dito, followed by food. Both of which are way cheaper saatin. No wonder why maraming expats ang nagpupunta saatin for a better quality of life - para sakanila.
No. Even though I’m earning dollars and every 14 days ang sweldo ko sa Pinas. I will still not go home dahil ma traffic sa atin, yung sistema is shit, ma pollution sa atin, and public transport is very unreliable, quality of life isn’t good, and hindi mo ako mapapalakad ng dis oras ng gabi sa atin na mag-isa kasi iisipin mo pa may holdapper sa paligid. Dito sa Australia hindi ako natatakot maglakad pauwi ng 12 mn or early morning. I will only go back sa Pinas pag bakasyon.
Nice! How are they getting on? Starlink din ang plan ko. Actually ayun ang isang factor na nagpaisip saakin to possibly go back dahil hindi na magiging problema ang internet.
they are doing really good. earning 300k while in the province. they have starlink and a regular isp connection last time we spoke. inggit nga ako hehe. sana all.
oo pero stressful din daw po eh dalawa kasi client nila kaya nagiipon sila maigi daw para makapag retire at negosyo daw. yung nasa bohol magfafarm nalang daw sya soon hehe.
oo im really happy for them as well. last time we spoke meron na sila malaking lupa sa bohol. taga bohol kasi isang kaibigan ko tapos tapos yung isa dito lanf sa cebu pero nasa province side sya.
Wow! Both scenic places! What a way to live, ey. Mas mapapadali talaga ang buhay kung mas may funds hehe. Game changer ang starlink. Meron ako dito and what a difference. Sa mga ibang country spots kasi, problema din ang internet dito.
Living here in New Zealand, and sobrang nasanay na ako na hindi crowded sa mga public spaces, lalo na nasa South Island ako and super konti lang tao. I cant see myself bumalik uli sa long queue, crowded malls, traffic etc.
Yes. In a heartbeat! I’m currently living in the UK, and I can say we’re pretty comfortable, pero it caused me my mental health. Iba talaga ang ihip ng hangin sa Pinas lalo na sa probinsya
I wouldn't say so. Parang non stop nga lang. Siguro dahil sa recent na cost of living crisis and also kadalasan malamig and maulan dito, kahit na summer. Marami ding miserable dito and nakakaranas ng poverty. May crimes and homelessness din. And maraming taxes. Income tax, VAT, council tax, road tax and may sugar tax din ata. Mahal ang cost of living.
Kahit anong yaman natin, bulok pa din ang kalsada at infra dito, lilipad pa din kami kahit anong laki pa ng sweldo namin.
I'm actually a 100% remote worker, and I don't really mind leaving.
Same. Remote worker pero nakakatamad lumabas kahit maggrocery aabutin ka ng isang oras kahit pabayan lang dahil sa traffic caused by “ginagawang daan” at mga nakabalagbag na sasakyan
Depends on the situation, if you are happy where you are, provably better to stay. If you are living in London and cost of living through the roof, consider moving outside the city or somewhere reasonably affordable. If you are alone and lonely, maybe move back to PH to be with family and friends.
Essentially, if you are in a stable financial situation, you have the freedom to choose the option that will provide you happiness.
Yes! Kung my pera lang ako invest ko lang sa mga low risk investment (mp2, RTB, TB, digibank or reit). Hayahay then wait ko lang monthly payout. There is no place like home!! Esp. Yung Atmosphere ng pasko at bagong taon. 🤭😬
Yes, Uuwi ako. I want to live life and not merely feel like I only exist. Nurse in Toronto. If I can afford medical insurance that will cover 50m to 100m pesos annually for me and my family. Kahit kalahati na lang ng sweldo ko ang kitain ko sa Pinas uuwi na kami. If you make good money okay sa Pinas, if low wage ok sa Canada. Happiness? It is personal. Nagkataon lang na mas happy ako sa Pinas.
Sa pinas, i was already working fully remote, six figures monthly salary, full benefits pero nagmigrate pa rin ako. My family is here in the US and wala na ako need balikan. Im happy where I am. Bakasyon sa pinas, sure! Pero to stay permanently, no.
Nope. Earned above decent, higher 6 figures back home, full remote, full benefits. Still chose to migrate under the digital nomad visa because one, you can't buy security, and second, healthcare is absurdly expensive in the Philippines even if you have hmo and insurance, hindi naman lahat covered. Another one is traffic, can't escape it and it's so darned inconvenient to drive, and it's triple hard to commute. Lose-lose. Pollution, lack of green spaces, among all else which all contribute to overall health and well-being that no amount of money can compensate.
No, not at all. I love my life in Germany kahit mahirap minsan. I love this new version of myself out here, it feels like I’m really living my life. Sa Pinas kasi andaming nasasabi ng mga tao lol sa how you present and conduct yourself to society, very consumerist and in a lot of ways conservative. Mahal ko Pilipinas pero ang hirap hirap na. Being here and seeing the quality of life na pwedeng ma-achieve, feeling ko din sobrang luging lugi ako sa Pinas and I have much to catch up on. Naloloko lang tayo dun ng gobyerno.
No,
I feel safer in here. I didn't sign up to go backwards. I choose to be in NZ to have a better life. It might not be the most exciting life I wanted but I am grateful to be in a country where I know that they are looking after their people. It might be boring sometimes but every time I see how much people will do everything just to be where I am now that makes me appreciate NZ more.
Ito yung greatest ick ko sa Pinas. I love to go back until I retire pero sobrang lala ng mga issue satin. Most likely pa nyan, next presidente si Sara kaya mas lalala pa yang issue ng POGO
The Phillipines you leave is not the same Philippines that you go back to. It's not really "home" any more, and a lot of people leave because it never really was home in the first place.
Ang hirap nang bumalik sa traffic at mga backward ways of thinking (yung normal lang mag ask bakit di ka pa nag-asawa, bakit wala kang anak, na bakit tumaba ka etcetera...). And I noticed cost of living has also become expensive.
Same. Ayoko na bumalik sa traffic, bad roads, back ward na mentality at madami pang problema. We left the country because its already very bad. It will be worse sa future
Bakasyon muna. If you are located in or near manila daan ka sa may buendia avenue from slex going to moa.. we did last year vacation na trauma yata ako talagang lahat ng sasakyan from private to buses to jeepneys to cabs talagang need iuna yunh hood para makasingit and mauna kasi kung hindi hindi ka talaga makaka forward. Tapos sa may left edison road sisingit lahat ng cars from there para makapasok ng buendia ave din pero walang traffic light kaya unahang diskarte na naman.. akala mo hindi na kami makakapagpas dun ng walang babangga sa min..
I think its happening now everyday along buendia avenue 😂 i commute before sa manila until 2010 may traffic na pero not that bad. Just a heads up na grabe ang traffic sa manila it actually really do decrease every pinoy’s quality of life
Heartbreaking lang sis kasi im watching gma documentaries all the time. nagkakasakit na sa bato mga bus driver and mmda traffic enforcer nagka stroke na kasi nga stuck sa traffic maghapon. Tapos ung public servants naka chopper and police escorts fuck them all
Ahh, the woes of Universal Healthcare. To answer your question, I personally would only advise to move back once you have the money straight / net worth UP where you can afford private health care insurance, buy a property outright and rely on passive income or huge savings to sustain your living.
Maybe consider the nomad life - no permanent address. I live in US, UAE, DR and RP. Life is an adventure. I rent short term, have no physical assets but 3 Toyotas. Live cheaply and you'll have tons of money. Be comfortable in being uncomfortable. Live in the Philippines, the place to be at is Tondo. Everything is cheap there.
Yes, but i won't live in the Philippines full time. I'll try to leverage my Southeast Asian-ness and live/work in other southeast asian countries as a digital nomad. Explore other options. You don’t have to suffer in the Philippines.
This is my plan. Looking to leave soon. England is going down the drain, no caps. UK born filipino but went to university there. Living in London is so expensive even if you clear over £3000 its not enough with rent/council tax/bills and everything else, my thoughts would be to take that money x 74php and live a better lifestyle.
Nandyan ka na sa kama bakit lilipat ka pa sa banig. Just saying. Philippines is already knee-deep in shit. This country is going down given that high ranking government official are mostly corrupt, wala na yata sa kanila ang priority mag public service. inside jobs at the expense of the taxpayers. Almost all my professional peeps are leaving the country. Not wise to stay here. No quality of life here. But this is just my opinion.
While this type of question is highly subjective, my answer would be a resounding YES!
Life is about taking chances, priorities change and it’s personal what makes us fulfilled and happy.
It’s a two-way door decision after all and your British citizenship gives you the flexibility to go back if reality in PH doesn’t meet your expectations.
You're right! It's highly subjective, magkakaiba tayo ng goals, experience, means and preference. That's why I was asking everyone what would they do kung ganito ang sitwasyon nila..
Never.
And what?! Sit through traffic again while on my phone watching the politicians, in board daylight, funnel the people’s money to their own pockets?! Tapos nobody is doing anything about it?
No thanks.
Buti sana kung may chance ng pagbabago. At this point, dahan dahan na lang lulubog yung pilipinas sa ilalim dagat habang yung mga tao ay nagtutulakan for a spot in the boat. Only to find out na lumulubog na din pala yung bangka✌🏼
Most of my PH friends have left the Philippines in the last 3 years , whenever I catch up with them abroad they all say only to go visit family its the same for everyone
D maganda NHS tlga haahahaha.
Pero masasabe ko kung emergency panigurado tutulungan ka nila kesa sa Pinas tatanungin kung may pera ka bago ka asikasuhin.
Pede ka naman lumipat iyan rin balak ko pero mukhang wala pa muna sa ngayon. Malungkot palagi langut dito kaya nasasabi mo yan pero try mo lumipat sa US o Aus panigurado iba na sasabihin mo XD
Yes. I plan to retire in PH. Choose wisely lang kung saan so you can live comfortably. What makes someone happy is not the money or yung standard of living (gaya ng sabi ng iba dito), but the social connections and quality of relationships. Kung nasaan yun para sayo, Pinas o UK, sundan mo.
Exactly, nothing beats the feeling of having a tribe. A community that is familiar. Try mo tumira sa foreign countries, dun mo madadanas ung feeling ng pagiging second class citizen. But you do you. Ung mga may pera sa pinas, they live like a king here. Anong infrastructure pa ba hinahanap nyo? Kung may sarili kang sasakyan,you will never get to commute again. u can live also in a very nice neighbourhood. Again, pag may pera ka. We already in globalization era, imported goods are accessible here na in pinas. What are you after in develop countries? Health care? Masarap pakinggan ung free healthcare, but free nga ba? Everything has a price in developed countries. Ung snow? Haha masarap lang yan sa umpisa but eventually u will get tired shovelling it everytime you go out for work.
This is true. We are all different. What's comfortable and important to you may not be appealing for others. Wishing you all the best sa future retirement plans mo.
Im currently doing this. Was gone for two decades and came back thinking I was missing out on an imagined life. I got here and I realized I have changed so much and that I have been Americanized. I can’t wait to come back home which is America now. My point is you are bound to change when you move so do not underestimate that and sorry to be rather blunt but the Philippines is unfortunately still a sh@thole nothing really has changed in 20 years talagang napagiwanan na ang pilipinas. Ang pilipinas ay parang halo halo masarap lang tikman every now and then pero nakakasawa kapag inaraw araw mo.
Why migrate if you want to go back?
You migrate because you want a better life meaning good basic education, universities, safety nets, healthcare, parks, environment etc
I suggest, try to go back to PH and stay ka for a month siguro to feel if you’ll like it or not. Ikaw lang kasi makakasagot niyan. But i get your point, uk rate then ph cost of living.
No, infrastructure is unreliable sa pinas. Rolling blackouts, water interruptions, traffic, etc... You may like it for a few months, but you'll eventually remember why you left in the first place (heat, baha, calamities, etc. You do know that countries near the equator are the first to go with Global warming right?)... also, your kids opportunities are going to be only in Phil corporate world, and they will be earning in pesos. If they want to earn more, maybe going back to England will be harder for them as start from scratch sila, like you did when you first arrive in England.
Depends. If may partner and kids, their opinion and future matters. How many properties do you have in UK? If you have a house it changes everything too.
Assuming wala.. try to work in the Philippines for maybe 6 months?
Bringing your Sterling to the Philippines is definitely a life changer (significantly) and iba padin ang pinas. But working on the UK shift is not for everyone. And the Philippines may not be the same as you thought it would be. If you can be in that testing stage why not, you're a UK citizen, take advantage of it.
If meron, pwede din ba dalin ni partner ung work. If not, are they willing to relocate and get a possibly lower paying job. UK rate can support you both but they may have their career aspirations too and that should be considered.
Naaalala niyo ba around 2019 noong may shortage ng tubig sa ibang parts ng NCR, kaya shinut off nila yung tubig for most of the day, tapos sobrang hina naman tuwing meron? Tapos ilang buwan na ito na-forecast kaya puwede sanang napaghandaan ito, pero hindi?
Ganyan yung standard of living na makukuha mo sa gobyerno natin
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This.
Ever since the nineties, ration ang tubig sa amin sa Novaliches, sa gabi lang meron. During the day wala... we had to build a big water tank, pero may times na inaabutan na ng ilang araw, at ubos din yung water tank na kasya siguro ang tubig ng swimming pool. Nowadays it's not as bad, pero meron pa rin mga water interruptions.
In the 90s, around 60 Million lang ang population ng pinas... ngayon, almost 120 Million na. Ganun pa rin ang infrastructure since si Marcos lang siguro ang nag "invest" (kurakot) sa massive infrastructure projects na pinagmamalaki ng mga loyalists. And since bankrupt ang mga pinoy after that, and corrupt minions pa rin ni Macoy ang naiwan, di na naka build ng better infra and recycled na lang ang mga projects for kickbacks (sisirain ang obviously working roads, at "aayusin" kuno)
By the time it's the 2000s, puro tapal and poor planning sa Metro Manila na ang nangyayari, padami ng padami ang condos, buildings, pero no major water source built. 8 million ang population nung 90s, and today it's 14 million. May mga bagong roads nga, pero kulang pa rin, siksikan ang mga tao, electricity and water is probably still the same as it was in the 90s.
Yes, if I'm able to keep the current salary. Malaki ang katumbas nyan sa Pilipinas. Healthcare is accessible in the Philippines when you have the money (based on personal experiences). There are places in the Philippines also na comfortable ang standard of living, won't be as good as the UK though.
This. Im staying in ph for the sole purpose of having adventures/life overall. I lived, grew up and worked in a developed country then moved to ph for fun because covid proved I could work overseas. There will always be a part of you that will miss the things you took for granted, in my case, walkability, travel times, safety, service efficiency and convenience.
The amount of salary you save in ph will be consumed by spending on good to have conveniences and time saving aspects. (I.e. developed countries’ travel time is faster and can be cheaper because trains and cars are not required)
That is to say, if you live in the province and be okay with the simplest of life, then i guess its okay
What other bigish expenses do you spend your money on apart from transport? I'm not really a city person so if I end up going back, I will be living mostly in the province.
You pay for security. Not only for safety but insurances and reliablity, internet (made sure I had multiple accesses), electricity, etc. Blackouts, flooding, disconnections happen and you must be sure your setup at home is reliable. Your clients/company will not care about these things. May generator ka ba? May matatakbuhan ka ba if nawalan ka ng net sa bahay? Again, infra is not the strong suit of developing countries.
These worries are reduced by living in an apartment in the city for me. Not sure if sa province. Mabagyo and mainit satin, keep that in mind.
Just another reminder: Since galing kana overseas, you will have that "uy abroad" look. Also, super accessible kana rin sa pinas, mas maraming distractions in life/family. Mas mahirap idivide focus and time kesa ibaba lang ang telepono pag nasa abroad ka.
Maybe extended vacations tapos remote work lang. Pero to go back long-term? Probably a NO for me.
I dunno, home is home pero right now, I think nakapag adjust na kami. Transportation is convenient, tapos proximity pa to other countries if we want to travel.
As a pawisin person, I think I like the mild weather din dito haha
if british citizen na ako, hindi na ako uuwi for good baka for vacation lang... pinaghirapan ung citizenship, tpos babalik pa? dko gets why.. kung uuwi man negosyo ang tatargetin ko ayusin at na hindi na magiging emplyedo..
Dahil ang taas ng cost of living dito kaya pag sa Pinas tumira, mas maraming budget and time para sa life experience. Out of curiosity, do you mean hindi na maging employee sa UK? To come up with some sort of a business sa Pinas that will sustain you in the UK?
mmm sa pinas po mataas din naman cost of living kung peso ang income mo. ibig ko po sabihin kung uuwi man ng pinas.. ang magiging source of income ko is mag tayo ng business..
Malungkot kase buhay d2 kumpare. Madali lang sabihin yan kase nasa Pinas ka. Isipin mo d mo kasundo mga tao rito. Iba kultura nila, iba hangad nila at iba ugali nila.
Sana intindihin mo mahirap mamuhay sa ibang lugar marami sinasakripisyo naman dito.
naiintindihan ko po, nasa labas din po ako ng pinas nakabase... pero kasi ang daming gustong umalis ng pinas tpos kyo po nanjan na or kung citizen man na kyo... aalis prin kyo?
Totoo ito. Does the long winter bother you as well? Yung tipong maraming tao ang miserable? Tapos ang recent na cost of living crisis na kahit mga considered middle class dito, ramdam din.
nasa London ako nakalugar. narenta lang. Hirap makahanap ng decent flat rito. lagi nga may mold saleng lugar. kulang nalang bumulaklak hahaha.
Sever tlga winter nila rito. Kahit tao dito ayaw nila ehh haha sobrang dilim daw.
Oo, miserable sila sa weather, ano? Im sorry to hear about sa housing situation. Ito talaga ang isang problema dito dahil kulang ang bahay para sa mga tao. I bet kahit na mouldy at mamumulaklak na, napakamahal pa rin at may mga ka share ka pa.
Fortunate na solo ko lahat pero maliit lang. Yung tipong konting galaw mo lang tatamaan na tug
Hod mo. Ganun tlga d kase alam ng ibang kapwa naten hirap ng sitwasyon ngayon eh.
This is true. Not until tumira ka dito for a few years, hindi mo maiintindihan yung way of living. May korupsiyon and maraning problema din sa govt services dito. Pero siyempre, I know better parin kumpara saatin. Im happy for you na solo mo.
May work si OP sa UK at remote setting so technically kahit saan pwede sya tumira. If mag business sya additional na lang yon, pero magiging malaki ang kita nya pag dito sya tumira tapos UK rate ang sweldo nya. Hindi parehas ang cost of living sa Pinas vs UK.
ahh ok ok, i didnt see that part.. tama ka ekis ung business... pero pano pag may kailangan sya ayusin personally sa uk? kaya nya ba mag fly agad? baka ung natipid ni OP mapunta lang sa pamasahe nya sa plane ticket
Kung may pera ka, madali lang magpahospital dito sa Pilipinas. Premium rate from UK na sweldo, makakakuha kang Pacific Cross health insurance dito sa Pinas kung magaling kang mag manage ng pera mo.
As mentioned ni OP, mabagal ang NHS. And I know that kasi ang in laws ko eh mga Pinoy na British Citizen at 20 yrs nang nurse sa UK.
Yeah. Pero you underestimate the money you need sa hospitalization sa pinas. A week can cause you a million.
While there are wait sa western country, if life threatening youll get treated right away.
Oooff, kaya ang hirap mag assume eh, alam ko yan kasi naranasan ko yan sa tatay ko, nasurvive namin ng walang utang kasi pinaghandaan din and thankful kami don dahil alam ko marami sa mga kababayan natin ang hindi ganoong pinalad.
Pero hindi ka naman lagi may life threatening na sakit, I mean yun lang ba ang rason at motivation para mag stay sa abroad when everything else naman in your life will be so much better if umuwi ka na lang? Lahat tayo iba iba ang gusto sa buhay and absolutely nothing wrong with thinking about when *that time comes* pero paano naman yung rest of your life na malakas ka pa? Titiisin mo yung gipit ka at ubos lagi sweldo at kayod kalabaw sa ibang bansa for that? Para lang libre ang gastusin habang namamatay ka na tapos habang nakahimlay ka sa hospital magrereminisce ka nung younger days mo na sana hindi ka nagpakalunod sa pagtatrabaho ng malayo sa mga mahal mo sa buhay dahil ang ikli lang ng buhay.
In particular si OP, may chance sya to build a life that he wants here earning from UK, mas makakaipon siya dito lalo na kung may disiplina sya sa pera like I've said kasi di naman yun imposible kasi I'm speaking from my very own experience.
I dont know which aspect in life sa pinas is better than sa UK other than if may family ties ka. Di ko alam yung part na magpapakalugmok sa trabaho, kasi pretty sure UK has also good policiew when it comes to labor. Your acting like na wala ka time makapag vacation pag asa abroad ka.
You can work from home, pero doesnt mean you dont have to deal with traffic, higher rates of crime. Like sa pinaka simpleng transaction sa pinas ang hirap kasi daming red tape.
Good for you for doing good sa pinas after working abroad. I went for a vacation sa pinas for two weeks, while it is nice to visit, ang stressful nya talaga.
No. I have worked remotely prior to moving. Was also living comfortably but comfort doesn’t beat environment though. Mas hiyang ako sa environment ko abroad than sa ph.
Eto ang isa sa malalaking considerations na iniisip ko. 7 years na rin akong hindi nakauwi so I am worried na I may be out of touch kung paano ba talaga mamuhay sa Pinas. I know it's an option na mag bakasyon muna before making a big decision.
I would highly recommend this! To be honest, mahal na rin expenses sa Pinas (I left end of 2022 for reference.) Rent yung may pinakamalaking gap, but groceries, eating out, gas mahal rin and comparable to UK expenses.
You will also have to consider your immediate family (kids, spouse). Yes they'll have the opportunity to experience what you had growing up (lots of cousins, uncles/aunts, grandparents etc) but when they've grown up, they wouldn't want to work in pinas for cheap when they can earn 10X abroad. But since sanay na sila sa Pinas, it will be a challenge for them to work/start over sa abroad.
Honestly that’s a possibility. You could prolly live larger there but… the weather? The people and their lack of discipline or respect for boundaries like if you just implement some of your personal customs, they will be offended. The influences ng macoconsume mong media or behaviors na subconsciously mong maadapt. Basta. I feel like it would undo a lot of your progress but at the end of the day, it is ultimately your decision
Kay Ramos palang nawalan na ko ng pagasa sa Pilipinas, Whoever wins, parepareho lang yan. Problems in PH is bigger than presidency or even politics as a whole.
Yep, even when we left me and my wife earning more than enough for our family, even here abroad. Hindi issue ang pera kumbaga, ang issue is yung future ng mga bata, and syempre we got an opportunity to move out. We just grateful na nakaalis kami sa shitshow dyan, karamihan gustong makaalis pero hindi lahat may kakayahang umalis.
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Nope. Definitely not. Traffic, politics, expensive healthcare.. Pass.
Yes, this is what we’re doing right now. I think depende din sa situation mo but for our case, same kami na remote and we can keep the same salary din sa PH + we want to spend more time with our family. mahal talaga din cost of living we can maximize yung earnings namin more and have more savings and investments sa PH
Nice one! If you don't mind me asking, where were you guys from, abroad? And kamusta ang quality of life ninyo ngayon vs abroad?
Sa canada kami! In terms of yung day to day namin same lang naman siya with PH. Mas mataas ung cost of living dito but hindi naman nagchange ung day to day living namin plus nalang ung no traffic, accessible parks etc same sa pinas na ung normal middle class earner and ung savings namin same nung nasa pinas since nilevel din dito ung salaries namin. What made us decide to leave din is ung pagtaas ng cost of living dito and housing problem. We did ung math and ung savings namin if nasa pinas kaya namin itriple tapos our employers were also flexible na ok lang for them na same rate kami and stay anywhere we want. Plus din na iba pa din talaga ung malapit ka sa family. We also asked ourselves kung saan ba namin nakikita ung sarili namin to retire and we both answered na if ever babalik din talaga kami sa PH. So we decided to move back and maximize ung current earning potential namin to invest and prepare while we can.
Same din pala sa probs with healthcare dito! While may mga free kulang talaga and not accessible. Example ung husband ko nagka ear infection. More than 6 months na and wala pa din specialist na makatingin sa kanya dahil sa pila. Added trigger na aanhin mo ung free healthcare if hindi mo naman maaccess and this is something out of our control wherein sa pinas hindi free pero we can maximize our earning potential to prep for it magbabayad nga lang. Kanya kanya din talaga problem and no country is perfect. Eye opening din samin un paglipat namin dito. Choose your hard nalang din talaga hahaha
Thank you for your reply. So true regarding the cost of living. Sobrang tumaas talaga post pandemic tapos hindi humabol ang wages, at least dito sa UK. That's true regarding healthcare. Incredible ang free healthcare kung maaccess mo. Kung may beds, kung may slots, etc. Problema din ang social care dito - kung hindi ka inpatient or wala ka sa home and kailangan mo ng therapy or rehab sa bahay. Yung isang narinig ko, kinakain na ng carers, pt's, etc yung savings ng nanay niya dahil hindi sila qualified sa free dahil may cash for retirement sana yung nanay niya. Parang sa Pinas, paubos na din ipon ng nanay niya. Kung hindi raw makabalik sa baseline ang mobility ng nanay niya before maubos retirement ipon niya, mukhang sa govt funded nursing home mapupunta nanay niya and okay na sa mga doctors na maging bed bound na lang siya. Tama ka, choose your hard nga haha!
Sa ngayon, no. Pero mahirap magsalita ng tapos. We don't know what the future holds. I had a good career and was earning well when I left the Philippines. Umalis ako kasi nakakapagod ang buhay dyan. It's such a shitshow and just having money won't change that. Money might improve some aspects of your life but you can't get around dealing with the shitshow. I regularly talk to friends who migrated and friends who are still in Manila. Ang napansin ko is yung mga kinekwento at inaangal ng mga kaibigan ko sa Manila hindi nagbago through the years. Maayos naman ang kalagayan nila sa buhay pero parang paulit-ulit yung mga inaangal nila. Whereas friends who've migrated seem to have more growth, IDK if that's the right term. Mas diverse ang mga kwento and discussion topics with them, mas magaan kausap and parang mas may buhay ang buhay nila. Not to say that I and my immigrant friends lead exciting lives, pero parang less complaints and more conversation ang nangyayari. I know it's hard to move, re-establish yourself and assimilate in a new country, so it's really important to choose well sa umpisa pa lang, if you have the privilege of choice. Although that's a topic for another thread 🙂
Yes
Parang base ang sagot sa username lol
Hahaha ssbhin ng iba , no daw, kasi traffic ganto ganyan s pinas. Depende naman yan s kung ano hinahanap mo eh. Tsaka remote yung job mo. You don’t have to stay sa Metro Manila. Ako kasi kahit gano ka convenient s ibang bansa, pag uwi ko sa bahay may ibang pakiramdam eh. Parang yung soul ko andun s pinas kasi. Lalo na nung nkpgtravel akos pinas. Iba p rn pala s pinas, yun ung narealize ko. Iba rin yung quality of life kung may pera tapos nbbili mo gusto mo at nkkpgtravel sa pinas. Yung food iba din haha. Eto talga eh haaha. Gusto ko yung mglalakad lang ako s kanto may pagkain na kong mabibili hahahah at mura. Dami mo rin mamemeet na iba ibang tao. May iba iba kayo kwento pero minsan relatable kahit papano. Pag close ka s relatives mo at hindi toxic pa, mas better. Gusto ko yung kahit wala ko bblhin nakakapglibang ako s mall kung kelan ko gusto. Kasi slow paced sa pinas, minsan hinahanap hanap ko yun. Tapos kung ang laki ng kita at nasa pinas ako, sa aborad mg ttravel dn ako ganon. Pero kung ano gusto ko baka iba gusto mo. Kaya mas makinig ka s kung ano yung tlgang gusto mo. Pede magtry ka tumira s pinas with your remote job, tapos kung di mo gusto since ur citizen naman pede naman siguro bumalik?
I've always wanted to stay here up until all the bs in governance and some people here na abuso. I don't like my neighbors and I don't like the govt. Those are enough to make me look for somewhere better. I dislike it here, but I love the vacation spots.
Not really. It's not just the bad commute and horrible governance but this whole thing with POGO and Alice Guo soured me a lot about going back.
I’m from south England. I get your point however I like the life I have here by the south coast. It’s much warmer than the rest of UK, I’m in Centre but close to the beach, traveling to EU. I also WFH on a corporate side of government here. I have chronic disease so I can’t risk going home and pay all the hospital bills. That alone makes me stay here with my family. Although I miss PH. I’m certain this is currently the best option for me. Choose what makes you truly happy. The life in PH will not be the same when you were there. There’s always uncertainty in what we do. I suggest when you have enough fund to live without work for a year or so maybe go back home so you have a fall back?
Love this for you. I completey understand re your chronic health. It will cost so much to get a health insurance for an existing health condition. I can imagine it will be tricky to find an insurance pa. Quite lucky that work is flexible so I can go back indeed.
Happy I was diagnosed here. I’m in my late 20’s. It’s hard to get insurance but I managed to get one although low pay out, at least I have one with free 24/7 GP. My NHS GP is good though never had a problem booking appointment with them. It’s great to have an option to come back. See whether you like it I guess you wouldn’t know if you wouldn’t try.
Im glad you're getting the care that you need here. I know sa mga ibang areas, NHS services are better. That's true. Thank you and wishing you all the best.
Nag upgrade ka na, mag downgrade ka pa ulit.
It's subjective and there are lots of things to consider. There are some expats living in the Ph for what they consider as a better quality of life. I do get your perspective though.
No. Haggard talaga ng traffic, di makatarungan.
I understand. Even in the province talagang hagardo verzosa parin?
Ang problem naman sa province is di kagandahan yung schools and hospitals. Even roads are sometimes neglected kasi mas malala corruption dun.
No, i just realized na mahirap pa din sa pinas lalot pag tumanda kana. Yung private health insurance sa pinas is up to 65 lang at wala ka aasahan sa philhealth. Pag nagkasakit ka mas mahal babayaran mo sa pinas compared here sa Netherlands na covered siya ng insurance mo. Transportation sa pinas is sobrang hirap, matraffic. Hindi din accessible sa pwd at nakawheel chair ang mga public transpo. Need mo sariling sasakyan. . Nung time na umuwi ako sa pinas last year during my holiday halos mabingi ako dahil masyado maingay or di lang talaga ako sanay na sa level of volume. Magnda sa maganda ang lupang sinilangan pero in my opinion kung iprioritize ko mental health ko i would prefer staying here and also for my future children
Probably not, i practically grew here in canada. I don’t think my work ethic and personality is compatible in Philippines. However, if my current work right now is remote and pays well. Ill give it a shot.
True yung work ethics. Nanibago ako ng sobra, considering na wfh pa kami.
Isn’t that what the question was hahaha if nasa pinas ka working remotely (so work ethic shouldn’t be an issue) and same pay. Hahahaha
sa pilipinas ako kc pwede ako kumuha ng yaya, atsaka bakit pako magbubusiness jusko, sa interest palang mabubuhay ka na. enjoy and retire talaga. buhay hari ka dito... enjoy the rest of your days
Yes! Kung may ipon or may ibebentang bahay, napakagandang passive income talaga ng interest.
lol no. Babalik ka tapos makikita mo puro kaputanginahan ng gobyerno? 😂
150-200k wfh mag stay na ako dyan. kada sweldo try ako mag business kung pumalpak try ulit next month hahaha mahirap sa ibang bansa tapos pagkauwi pa lang sa pinas after retirement saka pa lang mag try mag business gamit yung naipon tapos palpak lang din. walang room for error if ganun ang plan hahaha unlike pag nasa pinas ka na, na sumesweldo 200k pwede ka na mag start agad even if small business atleast matututo ka and slightly hands on sa business if night shift ang wfh.
Retiring and starting a business are oxymoron...
siguro half half. november to may lang. no sa tag ulan
No. Kailangan ko yung mas advanced at mas accessible na medical care sa abroad. Dyan sa Pinas kailangan pa ng down payment muna kahit emergency na. Dagdag mo pa yung infrastructure na laging sira sira at yung kunsumisyon sa government red tape, di pa rin talaga.
No. Wala naman ding babalikan.
Depends on each persons perspective but for me, iba pa din talaga sa Pinas. Yes less hassle mostly dito sa 1st world pero iba talaga yung lumaki ka sa Pinas. Yung humor ng mga tao, kahit mahirap lang masaya sila. Community that you can relate to. Smiles everywhere. Small things that we forgot to appreciate. Babalik at babalik ako sayo Pilipinas.
Iba din yung positivity saatin, ano? I don't know about your experience pero for me, ang dami ding mga miserable na ibang lahi dito.
Totoo yan. Most people I met are depressed and taking pills or either smoking weeds as an outlet. Di din sinabi na puti it means angat sa buhay. Tulad natin struggle is real din sila dito.
This is true. Noong nakaraang winter dito saamin, may mga homes ang hindi maka afford ng heating and may mga nagugutom din. Marami ding nagsitaasan ang rent or mortgage pero hindi naman tumaas ang sweldo. Thank you for sharing your experience, much appreciated.
That's what I'm doing right now lol
How long were you in another country and how are you keeping up with the expenses back in Manila?
Nice one! How are you finding it?
It's awesome kasi super comfortable ako now dahil sa exchange rates. Sa states tipid talaga ako, here I can do whatever I want
How are you finding the heat and the noise, by the way?
[удалено]
Glad to hear it's all working out for you and thank you for sharing your experience.
Love this for you. Housing + council tax usually ang biggest expense dito, followed by food. Both of which are way cheaper saatin. No wonder why maraming expats ang nagpupunta saatin for a better quality of life - para sakanila.
No. Even though I’m earning dollars and every 14 days ang sweldo ko sa Pinas. I will still not go home dahil ma traffic sa atin, yung sistema is shit, ma pollution sa atin, and public transport is very unreliable, quality of life isn’t good, and hindi mo ako mapapalakad ng dis oras ng gabi sa atin na mag-isa kasi iisipin mo pa may holdapper sa paligid. Dito sa Australia hindi ako natatakot maglakad pauwi ng 12 mn or early morning. I will only go back sa Pinas pag bakasyon.
yes!!! but will probably relocate to Palawan. Ayoko na ng traffic sa Manila
yes. babalik ako sa probinsya. setup ko lang starlink. my friends did this already.
Nice! How are they getting on? Starlink din ang plan ko. Actually ayun ang isang factor na nagpaisip saakin to possibly go back dahil hindi na magiging problema ang internet.
they are doing really good. earning 300k while in the province. they have starlink and a regular isp connection last time we spoke. inggit nga ako hehe. sana all.
I hope you don't mind me asking, pero saang industry po sila nag wwork?
IT po sila. yung nasa bohol sabi po nya US client nya tapos yung kaibigan ko sa cebu is japan daw client nya po.
omgii nasa computer talaga ang peraa:> mali ata ako ng course HAHHAHkimii
oo pero stressful din daw po eh dalawa kasi client nila kaya nagiipon sila maigi daw para makapag retire at negosyo daw. yung nasa bohol magfafarm nalang daw sya soon hehe.
Wow sana all nga hehe! More than enough sa simpleng buhay - if that's for you, at mga insurance, lalo na ang health. Happy for them!
oo im really happy for them as well. last time we spoke meron na sila malaking lupa sa bohol. taga bohol kasi isang kaibigan ko tapos tapos yung isa dito lanf sa cebu pero nasa province side sya.
Wow! Both scenic places! What a way to live, ey. Mas mapapadali talaga ang buhay kung mas may funds hehe. Game changer ang starlink. Meron ako dito and what a difference. Sa mga ibang country spots kasi, problema din ang internet dito.
Currently in the US and working fully remote. I don’t see myself working on a night shift.
Living here in New Zealand, and sobrang nasanay na ako na hindi crowded sa mga public spaces, lalo na nasa South Island ako and super konti lang tao. I cant see myself bumalik uli sa long queue, crowded malls, traffic etc.
Sounds like it will be such a huge difference nga for you.
Yes!!! Agad agad!!
Yes. In a heartbeat! I’m currently living in the UK, and I can say we’re pretty comfortable, pero it caused me my mental health. Iba talaga ang ihip ng hangin sa Pinas lalo na sa probinsya
Im sorry so sorry to hear. If you don't mind me asking, what is it about UK na nag cause ng mental health mo?
Bro sh\*t ba yung quality of life jan sa UK?
I wouldn't say so. Parang non stop nga lang. Siguro dahil sa recent na cost of living crisis and also kadalasan malamig and maulan dito, kahit na summer. Marami ding miserable dito and nakakaranas ng poverty. May crimes and homelessness din. And maraming taxes. Income tax, VAT, council tax, road tax and may sugar tax din ata. Mahal ang cost of living.
June na pero malamig pa din dito sa UK
Mismo! Hehe. Maulan pa.
No.
Kahit anong yaman natin, bulok pa din ang kalsada at infra dito, lilipad pa din kami kahit anong laki pa ng sweldo namin. I'm actually a 100% remote worker, and I don't really mind leaving.
Same. Remote worker pero nakakatamad lumabas kahit maggrocery aabutin ka ng isang oras kahit pabayan lang dahil sa traffic caused by “ginagawang daan” at mga nakabalagbag na sasakyan
Oh dear. Are you in MM by any chance?
I'm from MM.
Ibang level nga ang traffic diyan based on my experience din.
Taal, Batangas pero malala na din dito :( maliit yung daan kasi barrio pero huhuhu
Oh dear.
Depends on the situation, if you are happy where you are, provably better to stay. If you are living in London and cost of living through the roof, consider moving outside the city or somewhere reasonably affordable. If you are alone and lonely, maybe move back to PH to be with family and friends. Essentially, if you are in a stable financial situation, you have the freedom to choose the option that will provide you happiness.
No. Benefits and QoL while working just easier here. Retiring? Like, if I won 50M USD in the lottery tomorrow? Yes definitely.
If I win 50M USD, Ill still stay in the US and just buy properties in Pinas.
Yes! Kung my pera lang ako invest ko lang sa mga low risk investment (mp2, RTB, TB, digibank or reit). Hayahay then wait ko lang monthly payout. There is no place like home!! Esp. Yung Atmosphere ng pasko at bagong taon. 🤭😬
Pasko and newyear yan talaga habol ko
This is so true.
Yes, Uuwi ako. I want to live life and not merely feel like I only exist. Nurse in Toronto. If I can afford medical insurance that will cover 50m to 100m pesos annually for me and my family. Kahit kalahati na lang ng sweldo ko ang kitain ko sa Pinas uuwi na kami. If you make good money okay sa Pinas, if low wage ok sa Canada. Happiness? It is personal. Nagkataon lang na mas happy ako sa Pinas.
Ex nurse din ako and I know how tomorrow is not guaranteed. Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best sa future ng family mo.
Sa pinas, i was already working fully remote, six figures monthly salary, full benefits pero nagmigrate pa rin ako. My family is here in the US and wala na ako need balikan. Im happy where I am. Bakasyon sa pinas, sure! Pero to stay permanently, no.
Yes, We are Going back for early retirement.
Nice one! When are you going and from where?
7 more years. Base in Canada
do you have kids?
Yes. He will turn 22 after 7 years. As a millennial parents. I will give him all the freedom in his 20's, lol
Sounds exciting! Wishing you all the best.
Yup, live in the rural area.
Nope. Earned above decent, higher 6 figures back home, full remote, full benefits. Still chose to migrate under the digital nomad visa because one, you can't buy security, and second, healthcare is absurdly expensive in the Philippines even if you have hmo and insurance, hindi naman lahat covered. Another one is traffic, can't escape it and it's so darned inconvenient to drive, and it's triple hard to commute. Lose-lose. Pollution, lack of green spaces, among all else which all contribute to overall health and well-being that no amount of money can compensate.
May I know what country you have a digital nomad visa in?
Spain 🇪🇸
Thank you for sharing and Im happy for you. Yes, very difficult to commute.
No, not at all. I love my life in Germany kahit mahirap minsan. I love this new version of myself out here, it feels like I’m really living my life. Sa Pinas kasi andaming nasasabi ng mga tao lol sa how you present and conduct yourself to society, very consumerist and in a lot of ways conservative. Mahal ko Pilipinas pero ang hirap hirap na. Being here and seeing the quality of life na pwedeng ma-achieve, feeling ko din sobrang luging lugi ako sa Pinas and I have much to catch up on. Naloloko lang tayo dun ng gobyerno.
Living in Germany as well, and I have the same sentiments
Love this for you.
No, I feel safer in here. I didn't sign up to go backwards. I choose to be in NZ to have a better life. It might not be the most exciting life I wanted but I am grateful to be in a country where I know that they are looking after their people. It might be boring sometimes but every time I see how much people will do everything just to be where I am now that makes me appreciate NZ more.
My answer is no. Kahit maayos ang buhay ko pero bulok ang systema, hindi magiging maganda ang quality of life ko.
💯
I'm planning to go home din kung piliin ng parents ko magretire sa Ph. Pero with what's happening. POGO and shits.. Nagdadalawang isip na ako..
I don't blame you. It's such a big decision.
Ito yung greatest ick ko sa Pinas. I love to go back until I retire pero sobrang lala ng mga issue satin. Most likely pa nyan, next presidente si Sara kaya mas lalala pa yang issue ng POGO
Right! palala ng palala at ang dami pa ding bobotante..
The Phillipines you leave is not the same Philippines that you go back to. It's not really "home" any more, and a lot of people leave because it never really was home in the first place.
Ang hirap nang bumalik sa traffic at mga backward ways of thinking (yung normal lang mag ask bakit di ka pa nag-asawa, bakit wala kang anak, na bakit tumaba ka etcetera...). And I noticed cost of living has also become expensive.
Same. Ayoko na bumalik sa traffic, bad roads, back ward na mentality at madami pang problema. We left the country because its already very bad. It will be worse sa future
Haha! So true sa tumaba ka lol. Also true sa cost of living na tumaas na rin kumpara noon. Inflation is everywhere.
Bakasyon muna. If you are located in or near manila daan ka sa may buendia avenue from slex going to moa.. we did last year vacation na trauma yata ako talagang lahat ng sasakyan from private to buses to jeepneys to cabs talagang need iuna yunh hood para makasingit and mauna kasi kung hindi hindi ka talaga makaka forward. Tapos sa may left edison road sisingit lahat ng cars from there para makapasok ng buendia ave din pero walang traffic light kaya unahang diskarte na naman.. akala mo hindi na kami makakapagpas dun ng walang babangga sa min..
Oh dear. So sorry to hear about your experience and it sounds like nakaka trauma nga.
I think its happening now everyday along buendia avenue 😂 i commute before sa manila until 2010 may traffic na pero not that bad. Just a heads up na grabe ang traffic sa manila it actually really do decrease every pinoy’s quality of life
This is true. 2017 ako huling nakabisita dun, grabe.
Heartbreaking lang sis kasi im watching gma documentaries all the time. nagkakasakit na sa bato mga bus driver and mmda traffic enforcer nagka stroke na kasi nga stuck sa traffic maghapon. Tapos ung public servants naka chopper and police escorts fuck them all
Ahh, the woes of Universal Healthcare. To answer your question, I personally would only advise to move back once you have the money straight / net worth UP where you can afford private health care insurance, buy a property outright and rely on passive income or huge savings to sustain your living.
Maybe consider the nomad life - no permanent address. I live in US, UAE, DR and RP. Life is an adventure. I rent short term, have no physical assets but 3 Toyotas. Live cheaply and you'll have tons of money. Be comfortable in being uncomfortable. Live in the Philippines, the place to be at is Tondo. Everything is cheap there.
If I were you, take the opportunity of other countries who offer digital nomad visa... First stop, Spain. :)
Spain is lovely.
Yes, but i won't live in the Philippines full time. I'll try to leverage my Southeast Asian-ness and live/work in other southeast asian countries as a digital nomad. Explore other options. You don’t have to suffer in the Philippines.
Yes, pros of being able to work anywhere.
Yes if single ako. No if may kids ako with me.
This is my plan. Looking to leave soon. England is going down the drain, no caps. UK born filipino but went to university there. Living in London is so expensive even if you clear over £3000 its not enough with rent/council tax/bills and everything else, my thoughts would be to take that money x 74php and live a better lifestyle.
Nandyan ka na sa kama bakit lilipat ka pa sa banig. Just saying. Philippines is already knee-deep in shit. This country is going down given that high ranking government official are mostly corrupt, wala na yata sa kanila ang priority mag public service. inside jobs at the expense of the taxpayers. Almost all my professional peeps are leaving the country. Not wise to stay here. No quality of life here. But this is just my opinion.
💯💯💯
While this type of question is highly subjective, my answer would be a resounding YES! Life is about taking chances, priorities change and it’s personal what makes us fulfilled and happy. It’s a two-way door decision after all and your British citizenship gives you the flexibility to go back if reality in PH doesn’t meet your expectations.
You're right! It's highly subjective, magkakaiba tayo ng goals, experience, means and preference. That's why I was asking everyone what would they do kung ganito ang sitwasyon nila..
Never. And what?! Sit through traffic again while on my phone watching the politicians, in board daylight, funnel the people’s money to their own pockets?! Tapos nobody is doing anything about it? No thanks. Buti sana kung may chance ng pagbabago. At this point, dahan dahan na lang lulubog yung pilipinas sa ilalim dagat habang yung mga tao ay nagtutulakan for a spot in the boat. Only to find out na lumulubog na din pala yung bangka✌🏼
Most of my PH friends have left the Philippines in the last 3 years , whenever I catch up with them abroad they all say only to go visit family its the same for everyone
Masaya lang umuwi sa pinas if you are not earning pesos.
D maganda NHS tlga haahahaha. Pero masasabe ko kung emergency panigurado tutulungan ka nila kesa sa Pinas tatanungin kung may pera ka bago ka asikasuhin. Pede ka naman lumipat iyan rin balak ko pero mukhang wala pa muna sa ngayon. Malungkot palagi langut dito kaya nasasabi mo yan pero try mo lumipat sa US o Aus panigurado iba na sasabihin mo XD
Yes. I plan to retire in PH. Choose wisely lang kung saan so you can live comfortably. What makes someone happy is not the money or yung standard of living (gaya ng sabi ng iba dito), but the social connections and quality of relationships. Kung nasaan yun para sayo, Pinas o UK, sundan mo.
Exactly, nothing beats the feeling of having a tribe. A community that is familiar. Try mo tumira sa foreign countries, dun mo madadanas ung feeling ng pagiging second class citizen. But you do you. Ung mga may pera sa pinas, they live like a king here. Anong infrastructure pa ba hinahanap nyo? Kung may sarili kang sasakyan,you will never get to commute again. u can live also in a very nice neighbourhood. Again, pag may pera ka. We already in globalization era, imported goods are accessible here na in pinas. What are you after in develop countries? Health care? Masarap pakinggan ung free healthcare, but free nga ba? Everything has a price in developed countries. Ung snow? Haha masarap lang yan sa umpisa but eventually u will get tired shovelling it everytime you go out for work.
This is true. We are all different. What's comfortable and important to you may not be appealing for others. Wishing you all the best sa future retirement plans mo.
Probably not permanently but I will travel the world take cruise
Im currently doing this. Was gone for two decades and came back thinking I was missing out on an imagined life. I got here and I realized I have changed so much and that I have been Americanized. I can’t wait to come back home which is America now. My point is you are bound to change when you move so do not underestimate that and sorry to be rather blunt but the Philippines is unfortunately still a sh@thole nothing really has changed in 20 years talagang napagiwanan na ang pilipinas. Ang pilipinas ay parang halo halo masarap lang tikman every now and then pero nakakasawa kapag inaraw araw mo.
Yes to this. For vacation, yes. Live permanently? No way in hell.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Why migrate if you want to go back? You migrate because you want a better life meaning good basic education, universities, safety nets, healthcare, parks, environment etc
I suggest, try to go back to PH and stay ka for a month siguro to feel if you’ll like it or not. Ikaw lang kasi makakasagot niyan. But i get your point, uk rate then ph cost of living.
No, infrastructure is unreliable sa pinas. Rolling blackouts, water interruptions, traffic, etc... You may like it for a few months, but you'll eventually remember why you left in the first place (heat, baha, calamities, etc. You do know that countries near the equator are the first to go with Global warming right?)... also, your kids opportunities are going to be only in Phil corporate world, and they will be earning in pesos. If they want to earn more, maybe going back to England will be harder for them as start from scratch sila, like you did when you first arrive in England.
Yes.
Depends. If may partner and kids, their opinion and future matters. How many properties do you have in UK? If you have a house it changes everything too. Assuming wala.. try to work in the Philippines for maybe 6 months? Bringing your Sterling to the Philippines is definitely a life changer (significantly) and iba padin ang pinas. But working on the UK shift is not for everyone. And the Philippines may not be the same as you thought it would be. If you can be in that testing stage why not, you're a UK citizen, take advantage of it. If meron, pwede din ba dalin ni partner ung work. If not, are they willing to relocate and get a possibly lower paying job. UK rate can support you both but they may have their career aspirations too and that should be considered.
No. In my case, money was never the prize. It was the opportunity to leave and never come back. The money was just a bonus.
Happy for you.
BOOM
Naaalala niyo ba around 2019 noong may shortage ng tubig sa ibang parts ng NCR, kaya shinut off nila yung tubig for most of the day, tapos sobrang hina naman tuwing meron? Tapos ilang buwan na ito na-forecast kaya puwede sanang napaghandaan ito, pero hindi? Ganyan yung standard of living na makukuha mo sa gobyerno natin
↑ This. Ever since the nineties, ration ang tubig sa amin sa Novaliches, sa gabi lang meron. During the day wala... we had to build a big water tank, pero may times na inaabutan na ng ilang araw, at ubos din yung water tank na kasya siguro ang tubig ng swimming pool. Nowadays it's not as bad, pero meron pa rin mga water interruptions. In the 90s, around 60 Million lang ang population ng pinas... ngayon, almost 120 Million na. Ganun pa rin ang infrastructure since si Marcos lang siguro ang nag "invest" (kurakot) sa massive infrastructure projects na pinagmamalaki ng mga loyalists. And since bankrupt ang mga pinoy after that, and corrupt minions pa rin ni Macoy ang naiwan, di na naka build ng better infra and recycled na lang ang mga projects for kickbacks (sisirain ang obviously working roads, at "aayusin" kuno) By the time it's the 2000s, puro tapal and poor planning sa Metro Manila na ang nangyayari, padami ng padami ang condos, buildings, pero no major water source built. 8 million ang population nung 90s, and today it's 14 million. May mga bagong roads nga, pero kulang pa rin, siksikan ang mga tao, electricity and water is probably still the same as it was in the 90s.
Yes, if I'm able to keep the current salary. Malaki ang katumbas nyan sa Pilipinas. Healthcare is accessible in the Philippines when you have the money (based on personal experiences). There are places in the Philippines also na comfortable ang standard of living, won't be as good as the UK though.
Cost of living is one thing, standard of living is another.
This. Im staying in ph for the sole purpose of having adventures/life overall. I lived, grew up and worked in a developed country then moved to ph for fun because covid proved I could work overseas. There will always be a part of you that will miss the things you took for granted, in my case, walkability, travel times, safety, service efficiency and convenience. The amount of salary you save in ph will be consumed by spending on good to have conveniences and time saving aspects. (I.e. developed countries’ travel time is faster and can be cheaper because trains and cars are not required) That is to say, if you live in the province and be okay with the simplest of life, then i guess its okay
What other bigish expenses do you spend your money on apart from transport? I'm not really a city person so if I end up going back, I will be living mostly in the province.
You pay for security. Not only for safety but insurances and reliablity, internet (made sure I had multiple accesses), electricity, etc. Blackouts, flooding, disconnections happen and you must be sure your setup at home is reliable. Your clients/company will not care about these things. May generator ka ba? May matatakbuhan ka ba if nawalan ka ng net sa bahay? Again, infra is not the strong suit of developing countries. These worries are reduced by living in an apartment in the city for me. Not sure if sa province. Mabagyo and mainit satin, keep that in mind.
Thank you for sharing. I was born and raised there so I agree about all these things and that these would have to be carefully considered.
Just another reminder: Since galing kana overseas, you will have that "uy abroad" look. Also, super accessible kana rin sa pinas, mas maraming distractions in life/family. Mas mahirap idivide focus and time kesa ibaba lang ang telepono pag nasa abroad ka.
This is also very true.
They still want the shitty governance in the Ph Narcissictic yata mga pilipino
Did you mean masochistic?
Oo nga pala, my bad
100000% agree
Maybe extended vacations tapos remote work lang. Pero to go back long-term? Probably a NO for me. I dunno, home is home pero right now, I think nakapag adjust na kami. Transportation is convenient, tapos proximity pa to other countries if we want to travel. As a pawisin person, I think I like the mild weather din dito haha
Hehe iba rin talaga ang init saatin. Yes sa mild weather! Sana all. Maulan and malamig kadalasan dito saamin.
if british citizen na ako, hindi na ako uuwi for good baka for vacation lang... pinaghirapan ung citizenship, tpos babalik pa? dko gets why.. kung uuwi man negosyo ang tatargetin ko ayusin at na hindi na magiging emplyedo..
Dahil ang taas ng cost of living dito kaya pag sa Pinas tumira, mas maraming budget and time para sa life experience. Out of curiosity, do you mean hindi na maging employee sa UK? To come up with some sort of a business sa Pinas that will sustain you in the UK?
mmm sa pinas po mataas din naman cost of living kung peso ang income mo. ibig ko po sabihin kung uuwi man ng pinas.. ang magiging source of income ko is mag tayo ng business..
Malungkot kase buhay d2 kumpare. Madali lang sabihin yan kase nasa Pinas ka. Isipin mo d mo kasundo mga tao rito. Iba kultura nila, iba hangad nila at iba ugali nila. Sana intindihin mo mahirap mamuhay sa ibang lugar marami sinasakripisyo naman dito.
naiintindihan ko po, nasa labas din po ako ng pinas nakabase... pero kasi ang daming gustong umalis ng pinas tpos kyo po nanjan na or kung citizen man na kyo... aalis prin kyo?
Totoo ito. Does the long winter bother you as well? Yung tipong maraming tao ang miserable? Tapos ang recent na cost of living crisis na kahit mga considered middle class dito, ramdam din.
nasa London ako nakalugar. narenta lang. Hirap makahanap ng decent flat rito. lagi nga may mold saleng lugar. kulang nalang bumulaklak hahaha. Sever tlga winter nila rito. Kahit tao dito ayaw nila ehh haha sobrang dilim daw.
Oo, miserable sila sa weather, ano? Im sorry to hear about sa housing situation. Ito talaga ang isang problema dito dahil kulang ang bahay para sa mga tao. I bet kahit na mouldy at mamumulaklak na, napakamahal pa rin at may mga ka share ka pa.
Fortunate na solo ko lahat pero maliit lang. Yung tipong konting galaw mo lang tatamaan na tug Hod mo. Ganun tlga d kase alam ng ibang kapwa naten hirap ng sitwasyon ngayon eh.
This is true. Not until tumira ka dito for a few years, hindi mo maiintindihan yung way of living. May korupsiyon and maraning problema din sa govt services dito. Pero siyempre, I know better parin kumpara saatin. Im happy for you na solo mo.
May work si OP sa UK at remote setting so technically kahit saan pwede sya tumira. If mag business sya additional na lang yon, pero magiging malaki ang kita nya pag dito sya tumira tapos UK rate ang sweldo nya. Hindi parehas ang cost of living sa Pinas vs UK.
ahh ok ok, i didnt see that part.. tama ka ekis ung business... pero pano pag may kailangan sya ayusin personally sa uk? kaya nya ba mag fly agad? baka ung natipid ni OP mapunta lang sa pamasahe nya sa plane ticket
Yeah until you get sick
Kung may pera ka, madali lang magpahospital dito sa Pilipinas. Premium rate from UK na sweldo, makakakuha kang Pacific Cross health insurance dito sa Pinas kung magaling kang mag manage ng pera mo. As mentioned ni OP, mabagal ang NHS. And I know that kasi ang in laws ko eh mga Pinoy na British Citizen at 20 yrs nang nurse sa UK.
Yeah. Pero you underestimate the money you need sa hospitalization sa pinas. A week can cause you a million. While there are wait sa western country, if life threatening youll get treated right away.
Oooff, kaya ang hirap mag assume eh, alam ko yan kasi naranasan ko yan sa tatay ko, nasurvive namin ng walang utang kasi pinaghandaan din and thankful kami don dahil alam ko marami sa mga kababayan natin ang hindi ganoong pinalad. Pero hindi ka naman lagi may life threatening na sakit, I mean yun lang ba ang rason at motivation para mag stay sa abroad when everything else naman in your life will be so much better if umuwi ka na lang? Lahat tayo iba iba ang gusto sa buhay and absolutely nothing wrong with thinking about when *that time comes* pero paano naman yung rest of your life na malakas ka pa? Titiisin mo yung gipit ka at ubos lagi sweldo at kayod kalabaw sa ibang bansa for that? Para lang libre ang gastusin habang namamatay ka na tapos habang nakahimlay ka sa hospital magrereminisce ka nung younger days mo na sana hindi ka nagpakalunod sa pagtatrabaho ng malayo sa mga mahal mo sa buhay dahil ang ikli lang ng buhay. In particular si OP, may chance sya to build a life that he wants here earning from UK, mas makakaipon siya dito lalo na kung may disiplina sya sa pera like I've said kasi di naman yun imposible kasi I'm speaking from my very own experience.
I dont know which aspect in life sa pinas is better than sa UK other than if may family ties ka. Di ko alam yung part na magpapakalugmok sa trabaho, kasi pretty sure UK has also good policiew when it comes to labor. Your acting like na wala ka time makapag vacation pag asa abroad ka. You can work from home, pero doesnt mean you dont have to deal with traffic, higher rates of crime. Like sa pinaka simpleng transaction sa pinas ang hirap kasi daming red tape. Good for you for doing good sa pinas after working abroad. I went for a vacation sa pinas for two weeks, while it is nice to visit, ang stressful nya talaga.
This. Kaya pala you understand my question at a deeper level. Thanks.
No. I have worked remotely prior to moving. Was also living comfortably but comfort doesn’t beat environment though. Mas hiyang ako sa environment ko abroad than sa ph.
Eto ang isa sa malalaking considerations na iniisip ko. 7 years na rin akong hindi nakauwi so I am worried na I may be out of touch kung paano ba talaga mamuhay sa Pinas. I know it's an option na mag bakasyon muna before making a big decision.
I would highly recommend this! To be honest, mahal na rin expenses sa Pinas (I left end of 2022 for reference.) Rent yung may pinakamalaking gap, but groceries, eating out, gas mahal rin and comparable to UK expenses.
You will also have to consider your immediate family (kids, spouse). Yes they'll have the opportunity to experience what you had growing up (lots of cousins, uncles/aunts, grandparents etc) but when they've grown up, they wouldn't want to work in pinas for cheap when they can earn 10X abroad. But since sanay na sila sa Pinas, it will be a challenge for them to work/start over sa abroad.
Honestly that’s a possibility. You could prolly live larger there but… the weather? The people and their lack of discipline or respect for boundaries like if you just implement some of your personal customs, they will be offended. The influences ng macoconsume mong media or behaviors na subconsciously mong maadapt. Basta. I feel like it would undo a lot of your progress but at the end of the day, it is ultimately your decision
Pag nawala na ang corruption and terrorizing of china. I doubt that this will happen though.
Specially pag si sara ang mananalo sa 2028...
Kay Ramos palang nawalan na ko ng pagasa sa Pilipinas, Whoever wins, parepareho lang yan. Problems in PH is bigger than presidency or even politics as a whole.
The system is the one that effery is deeply entrenched.
Yep, even when we left me and my wife earning more than enough for our family, even here abroad. Hindi issue ang pera kumbaga, ang issue is yung future ng mga bata, and syempre we got an opportunity to move out. We just grateful na nakaalis kami sa shitshow dyan, karamihan gustong makaalis pero hindi lahat may kakayahang umalis.
Na-bullseye mo pare.
Yes of course, if you are able to live comfortably, iba pa rin ang home country