The Philippines is a beautiful country with lot to offer, whether you are just visiting, or planning to move to the Philippines permanently, you will enjoy breath taking scenery, beautiful and friendly natives, and a generally happy atmosphere.
Most probably, if you are an expat, you will be based in Metro Manila. Most of us are living in Makati, Taguig or further but more quiet and with less pollution, Alabang.
The city life is quite noisy, the traffic is 24 hours a day, like the pollution. But Philippines will offer you many possibilities to escape the city during the week ends. Abroad or not.
For the city lovers, they are many parties, restaurants, places to chill in Metro Manila. It’s just quite complicated to know about it when we arrive.
That ‘s the reason why we created this website, to help your acclimatation in this city who can be quite aggressiv when we arrive.
Please visit the guide, put some comments if you think it helped you, or if it can be improved. Or visit our new forum, we will answer all your questions.
Come to Manila for a “look see” prior to moving. You can start the process of arranging housing, investigating schools (and availability), checking out grocery stores and shopping centers. After a few days, you will have a “feel” for this tropical capital city of the Philippines. Why not a half-day of sightseeing to familiarize yourself with the layout of Manila?
Preparing to go abroad includes securing important documents, making copies, and a lot of planning. It is vital to make copies of everything and keep it in a separate secure space. It is a great idea to take 3 copies of your passport, visas, and other paperwork that is facilitating your move. Keep one with you, one in an accessible, but safe place (ie safe deposit box), and one that is with a trusted relative of friend that can give you the information if something were to happen to you or the other copies.
A checklist of other things to consider:
Passports: check expiration- must not expire within 6 months of your arrival. Make at least 2 copies and keep one in a safe place separate from your original passport.
Secure medical insurance and possibly travel insurance to prevent unmanageable medical bills and enable entry into other countries.
Research and apply for a Visa. This can take several months to obtain before you leave.
Save enough money to support your cost of living and lifestyle plus travel costs with enough of a buffer to be prepared for the unexpected.
Bring things to facilitate transition like a universal electric plug adaptor, any medications you take, or anything else to make you comfortable during the transition.
