The Philippines is a tropical country that was a Spanish colony until 100 years ago, so it still retains many aspects, such as religion (it is the only Catholic country in Asia) and European-style architecture. But there are not many foreigners who are currently living in the Philippines.
After the Second World War, with the settlement of the Americans, the Spanish spoken throughout the country disappeared. Today, English is the official language of the country, along with Tagalog, and is spoken by the majority of the population.
Living in the Philippines
The Philippines is generally cheap, although it depends a lot on your needs. Prices for food in supermarkets are cheap and much cheaper if you go to local markets. Eating on the street is not expensive, you can eat for about $1 or $2. Hiring domestic staff isn’t expensive either. With an average salary of $150 per month for a domestic worker. Transportation is also very cheap: jeepneys, the main form of public transportation in the Philippines, cost only $0.15.
Many people worry about safety in the Philippines, but it is actually a place where very little happens despite the poverty in which many live. Just take the usual precautions you would in any other country. Filipinos are very friendly, very hospitable and always laughing. They are a fairly peaceful and quiet people. The bad thing is that when problems arise, the police are very ineffective and always tend to cover up the problems.
Being a tropical country, it is hot all year round. There are two seasons: Dry and rainy season. Being close to the equator there are twelve hours of sun during the day and twelve hours at night, all year round. The only problem is the hurricanes, but they usually cause the most damage to the destitute population, who live in shacks and makeshift shelters.
Living in the Philippines, renting a house
In Big cities you can live in a house or in a condominium.
Renting a house with 2 or 3 bedrooms can be quite cheap, about $150-200, although it is not highly recommended, as they are usually in poor condition, and there is a risk of flooding the streets every day.
The other option is condominiums. These are high buildings equipped with a swimming pool, gym and private security. Prices vary greatly depending on the area.
The main websites to search for rental apartments in the Philippines are:
Working in the Philippines
The low salary of the population, which usually does not exceed $200 per month, has led to the creation of a large number of call centers in the last 10 years, mainly targeting English-speaking countries. And you will be paid quite well compared to the average Filipino salary, we are talking about $1,200 net per month. A salary that you can live with dignity. Most job opportunities for expats in the Philippines are in Manila and sometimes in the second largest city in the Philippines, Cebu, where the salary is usually a bit lower.
These are the most popular job search websites in the Philippines:
- Linkedin. to realise its full potential, you must have it in English and live in the Philippines
- Jobstreet,, the most important portal for job search
- Cognizant, empresa BPO
- Transcom, empresa BPO
- Teleperformance, empresa BPO
- Teleiman, empresa BPO
- Sykes, empresa BPO
To work in the Philippines, you need a work visa, and usually the company that hires you takes care of everything. Since the cost of obtaining this visa is borne by the company, you must be very sure to show in the interview that you will be transferred to the Philippines and will stay there, because it would be very costly to the company if you decide to leave your job shortly thereafter.
