Manila, Philippines Report of what it's like to live there - 07/19/24
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?
Yes, first expatriate experience.
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?
Home country USA, Denver CO. Trip to post is 17 hours of flying. Direct flight from Manila to San Francisco. Then domestic from SF to Denver.
3. How long have you lived here?
I lived here about ten months.
4. What years did you live here?
2023-2024.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
I’ve got a 2 bedroom 2.5 bath condo. Typical housing is high rise condominium apartments. Most have 3 bedroom 3 bath units in either Makati or BGC. Some families have houses based on size of the family. Commute times are minimum 30 minutes from Makati and 40 minutes from BGC.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are readily available, but you may have to go to more than one store to get all of your items. Cost of groceries can be from inexpensive to close to US prices based on the store.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Mouthwash with fluoride.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are local and US food choices along with Grab and food panda for food delivery. Popularity of places are based on how close they are to people and where they live.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Unusual problems with insects hasn’t been an issue since I’m in a newer building but was told it will probably happen sooner or later.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Send and receive letters and packages through DPO at work. Haven’t used local or in country shipping companies.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Haven’t used household help but it is readily available. Cost I have heard is reasonable.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are usually gyms in the condo complexes and they are well equipped. In the local area, there are a few gyms and some boutique style gyms but not as prevalent as in the US. For locals they are expensive, reasonably priced for expats.
4. 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?
It is safe to walk around but crowds may be an issue for running. Bike riding is at your own risk. I see locals doing it as commuting but not as a leisure activity. Outdoor space for exercise is limited to few urban park areas. They are easy to get to but there aren’t a lot of them.
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?
Despite what we heard, credit cards are widely accepted. Have only used ATMs occasionally, but so far have been safe to use.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic church with services in English.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You don’t need much of the local language since English is spoken by most locals but is appreciated if you pick up on terms and greetings. Classes are available through work.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Having physical disabilities would be tough compared to the US. There are handicapped sidewalks but not all. Escalators don’t work all the time and elevators are not widespread.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Buses, trains and jeepneys are not authorized for US mission personnel. Ride share app Grab works well and is affordable. Taxis are a crap shoot and can be cheap or expensive just depends. Taxis can be in bad shape as well.
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?
I would recommend bringing a Jeep or small SUV. The roads can go from decent to rugged in an instant, and quick moves in and out of lanes happens almost constantly. I haven’t seen an electric charging station but haven’t looked for one. Haven’t heard about car jacking or burglary but stay out of the bad areas. I wouldn’t bring a vehicle but buy one here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
High speed home internet is available and is down or throttled sometimes. Doesn’t seem great for work from home but streaming and surfing is fine. Install after arrival was within a couple weeks, but employer helps with the process. Doing it on my own would have been difficult.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I use Google fi but that requires activation in the US prior to going overseas.
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?
Have no pets.
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?
With the US mission some spouses are employed at the embassy. Not worth working in the local economy since wages are very low. Some spouses telework for US companies.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Volunteer work is available but we haven’t looked into it.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Dress code at work can be business formal or business casual to polos and cargo pants depending on position.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Outside of post can be sketchy but not outright unsafe. I wouldn’t frequent areas near post at night but not close to housing so doesn’t happen often.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Health concerns would be air pollution. Pretty bad during dry season but not as bad during rainy season. Haven’t used used medical care yet but have heard it is adequate.
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?
Air quality is moderate to bad. I notice it during exercise and from occasional burning eyes.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Not sure if locals have as high a concern for food allergies but I don’t have any.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Haven’t seen particular mental health issues but most people get out of the city every couple of months to outlying areas or other islands.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Climate is hot and humid. There is a dry season (November ish to April) where it did not rain for months and a rainy season (May till October) where it rains daily and can flood at times.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
No school aged children but have heard schools are decent and available.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Expat community in my building is the majority of people residing there. Morale is good to very content.
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?
Socializing with locals depends on the relationship. If you want to go to Chilis or Olive Garden that is huge expenses for them. So not always an option. Expats seem to be good with meeting up or hanging out just depends on distance to where they live or if they have a family or are single.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think it would be a good city for singles but also could be lonely. Married so not sure. Married couple is good but I don’t see it being a great city for families if you are use to US activities and excisions with school aged children.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Making friends with locals is easy but curb expectations as they usually work way more hours and don’t have the funds to do a lot of extracurricular activities.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes, does not seem to have any issues with LGBT community.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Haven’t seen these types of problems.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Highlights have been the sharing of the experience with my spouse in a country with very nice areas and very poor areas and learning to appreciate where we came from. Loved going to Bohol.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Interesting fun things to do are seeing the intramuros area and museums. Hidden gems would be meeting locals and getting them to show you the real areas.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Shopping post, malls, malls, malls and malls.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Particular advantage is it is cheap to live here.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I had known about the volume. Volume of people, sound from traffic, density of the city, volume of rain and volume of poverty.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, it makes its mark on you and is an experience for sure.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
warm weather clothing.
4. But don't forget your:
walking shoes and makes sure they are waterproof.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Books and movies cannot prepare you. Extremes from luxury to extreme poverty. Seeing is only way to experience.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Take it all in and know that at least you have a way back out. Not the worst place to be but if you had make it on your own merits like a local, would be a very steep climb.
