Manila, Philippines Report of what it's like to live there - 06/25/24
Personal Experiences from Manila, Philippines
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
This is my fifth tour living abroad as a diplomat, and first time in South East Asia
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Coming from the midwest USA. It was 25-plus hours connecting through Korea, though there is a new direct flight on United from SFO. Manila is pretty well connected and there are many flights a day to the regional hubs.
3. What years did you live here?
2023 to present.
4. How long have you lived here?
About a year.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
A very large diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We're in a 3 bedroom apartment in a skyscraper in BGC. Most people within this mission live in apartments in BGC or different neighborhoods in Makati. A few large families live in houses in the villages nearby. BGC has the longest commute to the Manila Bay area, between 30-60 minutes in the morning, and 45-75 minutes on the way home.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can get almost anything here, but produce is more limited than I'd like it to be. Fruit is tasty and affordable. Meat is of acceptable quality, and you can get the good stuff if you want to pay for it.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Paper towels and toilet paper is good to ship. We sent a lot of sparkling water, though that can be purchased at a premium locally.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
All the chains you could hope for, but the speed and quality of service varies wildly. Delivery is cheap and pretty quick with Grab, but the quality of food at different restaurants varies as much as the service can.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Not for us.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We use a sort of diplomatic post office service through our mission. It takes about a week or two for things to be delivered, but usually closer to a week.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very plentiful, though the capacity seems to vary widely. We have a housekeeper and driver, and pay about $500 a month for each. We could not live without our driver considering the painful commute.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Safe in BGC, absolutely (except that pedestrian rights are routinely ignored, so always be vigilant). You can even walk from BGC to Makati if it's not too hot and you have your wits about you. I don't bike as it seems like a good way to get pancaked. BGC has a kilometer-long greenway that you can run or walk on that is pretty nice.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Our building has an in-house gym that's pretty good. The Embassy annex compound has a good gym too. There are a bunch of local gyms, and might be comparable to US prices.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
In Manila, for sure. Outside Manila, expect to pay about 4-8% surcharge. GCash is widely accepted, though the platform isn't the best. ATMs are common is most part of the country and likely safe to use.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Don't ask me, but probably a lot.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Not much at all, except as a courtesy. English is widely spoken, though at varying levels.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yeah, I'd suppose so. There's pretty poor infrastructure, even in brand new areas.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Transit is not permitted in our mission here due to petty crime concerns. Taxis and Grabs are generally safe and quite cheap.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Get something that you are okay with getting a little banged up as traffic is like jazz here. Get something that is comfortable sitting in for a long time. We got an SUV with captains seats in the back and it's excellent for long commutes. Electric vehicles will have issues with your housing and lack of infrastructure around the country.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We have pretty good fiber for about $50 a month in our home (600 mbps) and installation took about a week to set up -- prepare to jump through bureaucratic hoops as with almost everything here.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I use local 5G cell service (Smart) for about $20 a month for unlimited (coverage and service is hit-or-miss). You can get a sim card fast and easy.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
It's a pain to bring pets in because of bureaucratic hoops before departure, but you can do it if you budget some time and patience. Unsure about local capacity, but it seems that others have good vet and boarding options.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Some work in the mission, some work at the international school, we have some teleworkers, and some work on the local market (but local salaries are a lot less).
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
I believe so.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
The mission seems a little more casual than other places. There are some puritanical dress code things that pop up occasionally out and about. Mostly about modesty with bare shoulders or sandals.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Not really in the highly developed and sanitized areas. There's a lot of crime elsewhere and you have to be aware of that.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Air quality can be bad. Medical care seems fine, but I'd still want to medevac to someplace else for something serious.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Moderate-to-bad. It seems to be seasonal and can be affected by volcanic activity.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Quite large and mostly anglophone. Morale varies as daily life can be trying.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
I love to scuba dive; it's cheap and amazing to do here.
3. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Filipinos are warm and friendly and you can certainly befriend them.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Scuba diving: there's some beautiful beaches and islands if you get out of Manila.
5. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Affordable house help and some modern amenities.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Ask me later. There are challenges with bureaucracy and traffic that drive me bananas sometimes.
