Could you tell me about the pros and cons of living in the Philippines? I'm especially curious to hear from people who have moved from the US or Europe.

I'm a Filipino woman who has lived in the US for 15 years. 1.) Pollution (noise, air, etc.) 2.) Hard to find good beef 3.) Terrible traffic and people ignoring traffic rules 4.) Inconsiderate neighbors (you can avoid this if you buy a large lot so it doesn't affect your daily life. Our neighbors keep 6 to 10 dogs, and it's noisy and smells. They blast music at 4 a.m. and throw trash anywhere. I just didn't want to deal with that kind of behavior, yet they call me picky.) 5.) Slow legal system 6.) Paperwork like buying land, paying taxes, and renewing vehicle registration takes all day. Corruption is basically the national sport at these government offices. 7.) Poor infrastructure 8.) Electricity rates are more expensive than in the US 9.) Hard to find reliable workers who actually know and follow safety and quality standards 10.) Everything is slow

A downside. Stupid motorcycle and tricycle drivers block the road everywhere they go. They cut right in front of moving cars and then drive as slowly as turtles. It should be illegal.

Most of everyday life here lacks the systems and predictability of the US or other developed countries. Logistics, inventory problems, slow customer service, traffic flow, checkout procedures, bureaucratic processes, government work, transferring utility accounts, licenses, visa renewals, prescription refills, and even mail and parcel delivery all require patience. These and many other things come with a lot of variables and unpredictability. If you expect things, you'll almost always end up disappointed, so learn to go with the flow. Make progress little by little and it usually ends up close to your goal. If you don't like the result, just fix or adjust that result right away. This is a new world, so it needs new rules. Here's a list I'm putting together. Money buys options Ask for what you want, but accept what you get Simple and easy are not the same Status, connections, and appearance matter Focus on making gradual progress, not on finishing Patience and flexibility are essential The key to satisfaction is not expecting Rushing does not speed up results Everything has its time People agree just to end a conversation, without agreement or understanding In the end, the local culture always wins Goodwill is an unfamiliar concept, so people take it for granted and expect more and more Past performance does not predict future results New improvements often ruin existing work If you repair or improve something, be prepared for collateral damage Quality results require constant involvement and detailed management Without supervision and attention, work speed and quality decline over time If you are the 'good cop,' you need someone to play the 'bad cop' Even skilled workers may need supervision or strict management to maintain quality. (For example, if you hire directly, the quality and results can be much worse than when you hire through a demanding, strict, and oppressive manager or team leader. The drive for quality usually comes from outside. Without strict supervision, quality declines over time.)

Power outages. Sometimes they last over 14 hours. It's noisy everywhere. Religion is in everything. Every day around 3 a.m. they shove it in your face. Dogs roam around, roosters crow in the morning, and drivers try to run you over 😂 And it's hot. Always.

Prices are cheap, many people speak English, healthcare and dental care are cheap and decent, and the culture, law, and religion are similar. People are friendly, and the food and weather are good too. Your retirement funds last a long time. The choice is yours. Enjoy it.