Was listening to the Lost Boys the other day and came across this idea .. a reader-written article.
A large percentage of my traffic here … especially search traffic … first time visitors … fits into the broad niche of “people who think they want to move to the Philippines, but can’t”.
… I ain’t rich enough I really don’t belong here
I don’t want to meet your mommy and daddy
I ain’t good lookin’ but you get used to it like I did
Don’t you want to
Give me some affection
Why is it so hard …
OK, why is it so hard? I’ve written 800 plus articles here over the years, mainly on the subject of how to move here, earn here, live here … and people still have some reason that equates to “It’s so hard” in their questions to me. Obviously, my articles aren’t covering all the ground to be covered.
So, the floor is yours … “Why is it so hard” to move to the Philippines?
What single thing don’t you know that would make a decision for you?
Especially if you are a first time visitor here (welcome, by the way), what will it take to make you come back?
You can type in a question in the “What Articles Do You Want To See Here on PhilFAQS” plugin just over to your right.
You can reach me easily via my dedicated “Contact” page (It’s on the Main Menu, right above where your eyes are now).
Or if you prefer direct email, Dave (at) PhilfFAQS(dot) Com
Or call me on 1-719-966.4295 (yes, that’s my US number, standard US rates apply, no need to be isolated just because I’m living in the Philippines)
Howdy. Just came across your site when I was googling David Foster Wallace.
Keep writing.
Jenn
Interesting. I had no idea who he was until I looked him up after reading your comment. maybe I quoted him or something. Thanks for the encouraging words. Be well.
I am considering moving and the Philippines came to mind. Can you give me info or direct me in the right direction of getting info on moving there.
Thanks
Hi Preston. Thanks for dropping by and for your question. It’s a bit daunting, though. How would I summarize over 7 or 8 years of work and over 800 articles into one comment to answer your question? Perhaps you might want to start here,
http://philfaqs.com/faqs-and-tips/
and then go here
http://philfaqs.com/get-there/
and then follow up with specific questions. Godspeed.
Howdy Philly; That might seem like an odd phrase coming from a Southern Californian but I’m from the older generation when CA was more known for oranges and strawberries than defense contractors and IT. So I’m pretty much a country kid who barely recognizes his country anymore.
I am thinking about coming / moving to the PIs next year. I have lived in China, 2 years, and Colombia, 3 years, and I am trying to find a place that has equal weather to Colombia but has far less concerns about security.
I liked China or at least Southern China, I lived in Sanya and Chengdu, but I couldn’t handle the heat and my Chinese is null & void.
I love the Colombian climate, I live in Medellin so I’m at 4,000′ and it doesn’t get too hot or cold and it is the same year round. But the dollar has fallen 30% in the time I have been here, which was my entire entertainment budget and crime is high and seems to be getting worse.
So I am looking for someplace in the PIs where it is cooler, but I suspect that Baguio is too cold and wet. I am not finding much info about other places in the PIs that have a more moderate climate, maybe they don’t exist?
BTW I came across your site through another site “myphilippienretirement” where one of you articles was posted.
Love your site, thanks for all of your hard work.
James
Hello James, thanks for stopping by and for contributing.
Alas, I am not aware of anywhere in the Philippines with the kind of climate you are looking for. As you already surmised, Baguio is cooler (somewhat) than the low-level cites, but it is also very foggy and clammy much of the time … the coolness (and the clouds and fog) are all related to ts altitude.
It’s not for me … some people like it … perhaps too many, it’s a very crowded place.
I know of no other cities that are at any altitude nearly close to Baguio. This is not the country for cool places to live.
Check out Tagatay, Batangas. Its south of Manila. I have not been there myself but I’m told the weather is cooler than most Places. Baguio is nice weatherwise but too crowded. The traffic is worse than Manila. I am currently in Angeles City and except for a few days mabey a couple times a year it is fairly pleasent.
Thanks for the input, Ray. You might want to check out my page didicated to the “Where to Live” topic, here:
http://philfaqs.com/live-there/best-places-philippines/
I don’t post “What I have heard” about a place, I let people who live there talk about the places they know.. Example, I have written severla articles on Angles City, becuase most of what people “have heard” about Angles is not really correct.
I’ve been to Tagaytay many times. It’s a nice pl;ace in many ways. Many expats enjoy living there, but it isn’t my cup of tea.
It is cooler there, but remember that “cooler” is a relative term. Tagatay is bout 2500 feet higher than Manila. When it’s 90 something degrees and 90 something percent humidity in Manila, it will likely be 85 degrees in Tagaytay. Technically cooler, but whether or not you’ll feel much cooler is a matter of debate. And bear in mind the humidity n any given day in Tagatay is oftem 100%*, because it’s shrouded in wet clouds for days and day at a time.
Regarding traffic, Manila and Baguio? Having driven in both cities for myself, the idea that traffic in Baguio is worse than Manila just doesn’t ring true. In the first place the size of Baguio is tiny in comparison to Metro Manila. There are traffic problems, for sure, in most places, but in sheer size and number of traffic jams Baguio is no where near Manila, it’s nothing like Manila at all. (in my opinion, of course).
Hi Ray B.,
Yes, Tagaytay is an excellent place to live. I’ve been there many times, however I don’t choose to live there … but many have. I don’t like it there because it is too much of a ‘resort town’ culture, too many tourists and, at times like holiday weekends the traffic is HORRID. Nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t care to live there.
I’ve also visited Baguio and it is not a place for me to live, either. Crowds and horrid pollution … it’s in a bowl in the mountains and the stale, exhaust-laden air just collects and gets thicker and thicker, at times in the cool months for days on end.
here’s the truth about the coolness. Tagaytay is about 2500 feet above sea level. Baguio is about 5,000 feet above sea level. The reason places that are higher in elevation is called the adiabatic lapse rate. Sea level temperatures drop, on average, about 1,5 degrees C per thousand feet. So, on a typical hot day in Manila … say 32 degrees C, (89.6 F)the temperature in Tagaytay will be about 3,75 degrees C cooler, or 28.25 C (83.3 F). If that temperature difference is enough to make up for the extra costs, remoteness, crowds, etc. then great .. it is a favored place by many, but don’t get the idea that it will always be noticeably cooler … 83 degrees is a lot better than 89, but you will still sweat.
Baguio, at twice the altitude will have roughly double the temperature drop, so there are, indeed, many cool nights there. But the only time I stayed over in Baguio, our room had no air con and I sweated like crazy, couldn’t stand the sewer smell and exhaust stench and was so very glad to leave the next morning. BTW, have you ever driven any of the three mountain highways that lead to Baguio? Scary, and way more so in a bus with a driver on shabu (speed). Just don’t look and you’ll be all alright.
As always, YMMV