Moving to the Philippines Did Not Work
November 7, 2008
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Posted by dmihalia
I write this blog for many different reasons. I hope that people who are in my situation considering moving to the Philippines realize this has been a journey that was started over 30 years ago. I have lived in the Philippines previously for almost 10 years. I have been married twice to filipinas and I visit every year on vacation once or twice. Moving there is not something I just decided to do a year ago without thinking it through. The reason I bring this up is I received a comment on a recent post from a guy who I assumed had made the move or was thinking about it. What I didn’t realize was the guy had made the move and like so many it didn’t work out and now I believe he is in the states away from the girl he married in the Philippines trying to work and support her. I think he is trying to go back but I haven’t read into it that much yet since he has just started the blog. In my opinion this guy went about it wrong and his lack of preparation put him in the situation he is in now. Fortunetly I have mentors such as Bob Martin to guide me through my move. Bob you couldn’t possibly realize how much you’ve helped. One thing Bob warns people to do is go over and visit for awhile with no intentions of staying and live native and see if you really want to do this. Again in my opinion this man who commented didn’t do this and in fact had never been to the Philippines previous to his move. Dude, you know who you are, I don’t want to call you out and I feel so sorry and hope you have learned from your experience and I wish you luck in what ever you decide to do. Hopefully someday we can sit down and have a drink together in Manila.
Categories: Philippines General
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Thanks for your vote of confidence!
I was born in the Philippines and have lived there for the first years of my life then I moved here to Chicago. I’ve wondered about going to the Philippines and living there.. but I just can’t seem to find myself ”fitting in”, not in terms of people, but in terms of the way living is there compared to here. If that guy has never been to the Philippines, he is in for a big surprise (not a bad one). To me, Philippines is like an escape.. a very nice escape that you can go to, have fun and relax and spend your money (like Hawaii) then you go back home.
-Nurse Jen Doll
http://www.nursejendoll.com
I totally agree with your friend Bob’s advice about ‘testing the water before diving in’ I got several friends married to Germans, who have tried the same process.Interestingly,they’ve changed their mind after 5 years of living in the Phil.
Hi dan,thanks for dropping by my blog. Will add this URL of yours’hope you don’t mind.
Have a great weekend!
chehs last blog post..Litratong Pinoy 2: Maalaala Mo Kaya?
Hi Bob
All praise is well deserved
Hi Nurse Jen Doll
I really liked your site and as I was explaining this guy has already been there and had to return to the states to support his family. I just wish he would have read Bob’s book before he went and he would probably still be there by applying the ideas. For me the Philippines is a place I would rather be at this time and I do spend a lot of money there.
Hi cheh
Wow they spent 5 years and then returned. If they lasted 5 years they should have had it whipped.
hi.. i’m glad you’re here in the Philippines and enjoying the people, place and culture. Ü
So what is holding you back from moving to the Philippines now? Is it cost? Finding a job there?
It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit, but at this point it’s hard to travel anywhere with young kids.
Remos last blog post..Wall Stickers
I’m not in the Philippines for good yet but very soon
Hi Remo
The only thing holding me back is tying up loose ends. Although basically our house is finished and paid for,there are additions and furnishings we are getting done and this is financed by my wife working outside the home and my online earnings. Plus my granddaughter was born in August and we are still enjoying our time with her.
I like your blog. Thanks for visiting my site. Good luck to you and your family! I may not be there in the Philippines right now but I would still go back and live there again one day for good!
Hi Betchay
I really enjoyed visiting your site and I’m glad you like mine. Maybe when you get to the Philippines we can have coffee together.
Bounce over from Bob’s site, been a regular at his place, nice blog I tagged it for future visits..one thing..hard to read for an old guy…to dark….hope u dont mind the input.
Hi Brian
I know it’s too dark for us OLD guys. I’m working on another Philippine based template so it should get much better.
Good…now I put away my magnifying glass !!!
Nice blog, I like your insight, will be checking back regularly
I hope that this guy realized it now. Moving from one place to another is really a big step and you must realized and study first the location, its people and if you can really stand on what will you be doing. It is sad that there are some people experience the difficulties but I guess its part of the ride. Just be positive and you will be better. Having the right path of course.
hannahs last blog post..Internet top search words
Hi Hannah
The last I heard this guy is back in the Philippines and enjoying it more. I hope so!
I agree. You should definitely check a place out before moving. Good advice and I hope you get to have that drink together.
mommyto2s last blog post..Multi Tasking…Or NOT!
I just found your blog and find it interesting. You mention the guy who moved here and had never been here. I read it all the time. I don’t get it I would not move to New York without going there first and checking it out. So why would one move to another country and culture without checking it out first?
Hi Ray
I wouldn’t move to the next town without visiting first. I only decided to move there after years of studying the culture and history and people. Even now I don’t know everything I will face in my move. BTW i enjoy reading your site and Ermita is one of my favorite places to bar hop.
i am thinking of visiting to see if i want to live there. is the currency exchange what they say..? 5000 pesos to 100 u.s. dollars..? please advise. i have a great education and i am 44 years old but you would never know it. i really am curious. could you e-mail some websites people should see before jumping in. thanks for this m-
Hi MJ Tyree
Yes the exchange rate is about 50 pesos to 1 dollar but don’t let that fool you. You can afford to live better in the Philippines but then some people have a different view of what living better means. As far as websites I recommend you check out my blogroll but my two favorite are the ones titled Live in the Philippines and Retire in The Philippines Now.