Live in the Philippines

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Best Places to be an Expat

Expats / by

The survey is in!  It’s been published.

Internations, an expat website has come out with the 2014 survey of the Best Places to be an Expat!

I am an expat who lives in the Philippines.  The people who read this website are interested in the Philippines – either living in the Philippines or at least visiting.

However, even if we are mostly interested in the Philippines, we owe it to ourselves to see if there are other expat destinations that warrant our attention.

With that in mind, lets take a look at the survey, and where it found to be the top expat destionations.

Expat Destinations
Expat Destinations

Before we talk about it, let’s take a look at the top 10 places to be an expat, according to the survey:

  1. Eduador
  2. Luxembourg
  3. Mexico
  4. Switzerland
  5. USA
  6. Singapore
  7. Spain
  8. Philippines
  9. Australia
  10. Hong Kong

OK, there you have it!  Those are, based on this survey, the top 10 places in which to be an expat.

What is my take?

Well, firstly, I am very happy to see the Philippines appear in the top 10.  Number 8 is just barely in there, but still, that is an honor.  Since I live in the Philippines, that is really great news.

There are some surprises to me.

Luxembourg and Switzerland.  These are expensive places to live.  Not “good weather” spots either.  Not places where I would choose to live.  Becoming an expat usually means that it is a place where you are choosing to locate.  Of course, if you are becoming an expat for employment reasons, that does tend to take the choice out of your hands, though.

USA?  I just don’t see it.  I do admit that for people all over the world, many do have a desire to go to and live in the USA.  But, frankly, I am happy to be out of there.

Every other place on the list, except for the 3 I have mentioned, I can see as plausible expat spots.  I mean, lots of nice weather, or interesting destinations in one way or another.

I do admit that I am very partial toward living in Asia.  There are 3 Asia expat spots on the list:  Singapore, Philippines and Hong Kong.  All three are, in my view, great places to check out.  For Europe, I do feel great about the possibilities in Spain as well.  That could bring some real cultural charm, in my view.  Mexico is another place where I think would be a fun desination.

What are your thoughts?  Is there any place that you feel is missing from the list?  Any places on the list that are just glaringly wrong in your view?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Like you, Bob, I was pretty surprised to see some of the countries listed .. I lived in Europe several years and the expense and weather conditions alone would make it hard for me to ever considered living there permanently.

    In the Americas I am surprised not to see Panama. In addition to a real ‘deep discount” program for senior citizens, something many countries don’t let oldies like me avail of, they are in the same time zone as the US, English is an official language and the US Dollar is an official currency .. so there is never an exchange rate to deal with.

    A true “sleeper” in Asia is Macau. A part of Chain with its own separate set of laws .. same as Hong Kong, Macau is very quiet, orderly, clean, efficient and does not have the “eye-popping” expenses of either Hong Kong or Singapore.

    And since mar US casinos are the major investors, there are _plenty_ English-speaking preferred jobs going begging for applicants.

    Macau also has a very special Internet Entrepreneur visa which essentially has no investment/up front costs and allows one to live permanently in the country as long as you earn your income from outside the country .. a concept many of us here are familiar with.

    It’s worth a look.

    • Hi Dave, thanks for stopping by at Expat Island, hope to see you here more often! 🙂

      I had not thought about Panama, but like you I am very surprised that it did not make it on the list. In addition to the things that you mentioned, Panama is always part of the discussion when it comes to 2nd passports and such, Panama has a big following. I believe that Panama is also a real haven for expat banking.

      I have not been to Macau, but have only heard good things about it. I know that you have been to Macau doing visa runs from time to time, and everything you have told me has sounded good. I will have to make that trip one of these days!

    • My wife was living in Macau when she and I first began chatting. She (a Filipina) was working there at the time. I visited there for a few days to meet her in person. Looks like it would be an interesting place to live.

      • Hi Kevin – I believe that it would be an interesting destination. I guess my only downside on HK would be that it is pretty crowded there, and I am not sure I would like that as a place to live, although I like HK as a visit destination.

  7. Ecuador,Mexico ,Phillipines are the most affordable on the list. Ecuador would bore me and Mexico is only affordable in certain areas. Must learn spanish fluenty as well. It’s no secret that its hard to find a women any better than pinay once you find a great one.

  8. Hi Bob.
    Europe would not be on my list either except for a few places in Italy and Portugal. The Black Forest area in southern Germany is also nice providing you stay away from the larger cities and situate yourself in a “Dorf” (small Town) where expenses are much lower.
    Philippines and USA are MY choices, USA mainly because of Health care cost and quality (Seniors can get Medicare part A & B, coupled with AARP’s Medicare Complete)
    With these 2 programs and your States Medicare, Hospital, Doctors visits and Medicine costs are practically zero. When I was in the hospital for 3 days having benign cancer surgery in my lower intestine my bill would have been $55.000, but cost me only $200
    I think my plan will be to live in the Philippines for 6 or so months and return for the rest of the year. Forgot to mention that there are a lot of Food Banks here in Vancouver you go to once per month, so my food cost is about $50 per month, mainly for veggies, milk and meats, I also get $155 in food stamps (Cash) from the State, so basically I live very comfortable on my SS and extras.
    Of course my summer business also helps, but most of that money goes to the Philippines for the kid’s education etc.
    MY ideal situation would be if I could bring Shirley and the kids over here and have them become citizens, but that won’t happen due the past rule abuses by the Pinay and many living here illegally abusing their Fiance Visa or Visitors Visa privilege.
    Maybe if I win the Jackpot Lotto of 250 million I can buy their way to here,lol!

    • Hello Heinz – For Europe, I would find Spain to be of interest as well.

      Have you tried bringing Shirley and the kids on a fiance visa? Those are usually approved, I bet you could get it done!

  9. Hi Michael Boo, I believe that to have a great life in the Philippines, you also need to learn the language here. I know it changed my life in the Philippines tremendously.

  10. My guess and it is only that, the European countries made the cut based on a lot of free social programs that would be good for the expat if their income was high enough to live there. The US doesn’t surprise me. While i live here part time and Philippines part time i can say the US has a lot to offer when one gets out of certain ethnic and religious circles and start looking. It is a country of diversity, opportunity and climates. The cost of living can be outrageous like San Francisco or dirt cheap like some of the small towns in Texas..Singapore surprised as it is very costly as well and i was a little surprised Thailand didnt make the cut. One thing is for sure we have lots of choices and the world is so much bigger then when our parents reached their golden years:)

  14. Luxembourg and Switzerland are places used by very wealthy people as a tax shelter and to hide “black money”. That could be a reason to why they are on the list.
    Many even don’t live there, they just have an address.

  16. I just about lived in Mexico for 5 years back n forth racing horses down there…People were genuine and it is cheap…However now with the drug wars all over the place I would stay away….I really wanted to go to Costa Rica it is beautiful down there and very reasonable to live about as the same here..After reasoning here that the Philipphines is just as about close as Costa Rica in all ways ..Beauty Beaches etc…. There just was no need to make a change….

    • Hi Lenny – I have been to Mexico many times, but never lived there. I do hear a lot about the drug wars these days, not sure how it would be to live there now. Of course they say bad stuff about Mindanao, where I live too…. and I love it here!

  17. Luxembourg…………..because they love American..and beer is cheep

    Switzerland………….because of the worlds greatest food.CHOCOLATE!!

  18. I am 66 and have lived in Texas all my life – except for the 6th grade (France) and the 11th grade (Maryland). As a Texan for 64 years I have heard so many horror stories of the life below the border all the way to the tip of South America. Banditos, drug dealers, violent guys who just love to kill people for the thrill of it. I know you are save in the expat communities south of the border – BUT – if you want to travel around and see the country – you are exposed to all the violence. And the AIR pollution. In 2002 I went on week long missionary trip to Michoacan Mexico. That is very deep into Mexico. On the way in and out we went thru several “checkpoints”. These “checkpoints” were manned by Federales! There were sandbags with MACHINE GUNS behind them !!!!!. At every stop the Federales took everything out of our van and searched the van and our possessions. We had the church logo and print on the sides of the van. SO — I so not advise moving south of the border. This is why I decided over a year ago to move to the Philippines. It is safe to travel and see the country, the natives like us, the economy is very favorable for us, it is a beautiful country and there are so many other countries to visit that are close. Some Philippine women at work have convinced me that this is a great move. I have a little stash and a very good monthly Social Security payment. I have been checking out the various expat blogs and other resources for the past year and a half. I have a few other large items to sell. I am so looking forward to moving to the Philippines and enjoying my retirement. I want to thank Bob Martin very much for his books and personal answers to my inquires.

    • Hi JK – Been to Europe many times, including France, but never lived there. At 6th grade it must have been an adventure!

      Thanks for sharing the things you hear about life in Mexico.

  19. Bob I am with you on the US. I am out of here hopefully by September. Things here are getting so different and it’s just not the same. The govt has become so intrusive in the everyday lives of the citizens. And forcing people to buy health insurance, that is not the America I grew up in. Also I am tired of cold weather, need I say more.

    I love the Philippines and the culture. And it also doesn’t hurt that the Philippine economy is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Looking forward to being there and being a part of it. And I agree you should learn the local language. It enhances the experience and it also make it where you don’t feel like a tourist. I also feel when conducting business the people take you a lot more serious and they show you more respect. And it shows you respect them enough to learn a whole new language.

      • We are really looking forward to it! It just seem the closer it gets the slower time goes by. Things are going as smooth as possible . I always expect a hiccup or two when doing something major as this. It is a real pain packing and sending the balikbayan boxes. And we are in the processes of do we really need to take this phase. Our house in Gensan is ready and has the appliances there waiting for us to hook them up. We have income from our businesses there coming in so all set there. But all in all things are going smooth.

  21. Hi Bob

    I’m with Axel about Switzerland but some people do go there because of the lack of pollution etc.

    As for Singapore, it’s as expensive as you get in the world at the moment because of the exchange rates. I’ve lived and worked in Singapore on and off for the last 15 years and noticed the price increase. Our apartment, luckily paid by the company, is US$4700/month. You would need one hell of a pension to cover that. There is obviously cheaper but I wouldn’t want the cramped lifestyle.

    No, it’s got to be the good old PI for me!

    Cheers

    AJ UK

    • Hi AJ – You sure are correct about Singapore, very expensive place to live. I like the way that everything balances out in the Philippines! Perfect for me!

  22. Yes the living here is In my opinion Wonderful. I feel good here and I am relaxed. When I am back in the USA I am very tense and lots of stress. Plus everyone is running here and there. Do not want to live that way anymore.

  24. I LIVE IN GREECE ON A LOVELY ISLAND (CRETE) BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN PHILS…..BUT MY PINAY ASAWA DONT WANT IT….SHE HAS BETTER SALARY HERE AND A GOOD JOB ….I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ….

    • There was a time when I was in your situation. I wanted to move to the Philippines and Feyma did not, it took a few years to convince her.

  25. I love living here. I just wish this government stuff was a little easier and people knew what they were talking about. I could write a book on my travels for one document! 😉

  26. Bob,
    We enjoying living in the Philippines, but could also spend more time in Australia/US or wherever the wind takes us lol.

  27. Hi Christy – I understand about the government stuff, it can be a hassle. I don’t know how long you have lived in the Philippines, but my experience is that you will get used to it, and also that you will learn ways to make it easier/quicker. Good luck to you!

  28. I’m a native of Switzerland, and a citizen of France and the USA. I’m an on and off resident of those countries plus the Philippines. I give little credence to surveys of this type for two reasons. First, because the loose definition and use of the word expat to define students, adventurers and corporate employees alike allows the term to mean exactly or only what surveyors and respondents want it to mean, secondly because the results are compiled from data submitted only by readers of the publishing entity.

    Without research costing in the millions of dollars each time a survey is conducted, I believe the results will lean toward the majority of respondents vice any meaningful statistical data. If the Philippines showed up in 8th place, there’s a strong probability that the surveying site has less responding members from the PH than from the U.S.or Luxembourg because of the numbers of people who pass through Europe and the U.S. on temporary work assignments.

    It’s also probably worth noting that certain countries may come in higher in the rankings if the respondents are mid to executive level corporate personnel with paid-up housing and drivers in advanced economies. They may be a bit happier than pensioners in Costa Rica or the Philippines.

    Although I find many things not quite right on a daily basis, this expat believes the Philippines would rate appreciably higher, compared to many places, if data gathering reserved a category for retirees who have established permanent residence, and if those who fit the bill in the Philippines found it worthwhile to reply.

  29. Hi Bob,

    I’ve always believed that The Philippines would be a more ideal place to retire for those who do not have any family connections to the country than those that do.However, I have never met anyone that fits that description.I know there are a few people on LIP like Brenton who have no family ties there,and I’m sure you probably know of some others.

    In your estimation has there been an increase over the years of expats retiring in The Philippines who are not Balikbayans,OFW’s etc ? I realize this is hard to quantify but I’d like to hear your thoughts.

    • Hi Bobby – You know, it is funny how different people look at the same thing completely differently. It doesn’t mean that one person is right or the other person… they can both be right for their own reasons, even if their answer is completely different.

      When I read what you said about the Philippines being ideal for those without family connections… well, it kind of shocked me. I feel that my life in the Philippines would be MUCH worse if I had no family connections here. Of course, Feyma is my wife and I would not want to live without her. The extended family is always a big, huge help too. Some of the most important people in my life are people who are part of Feyma’s family (which means my family too). In fact, there have been a few times that the thought has crossed my mind to move back to the USA, but there is one person in particular that I would have to leave behind, an extended family member. It is because of that person that I would never make the move back. So, having the family connection is probably the #1 benefit of the Philippines in my mind.

      Let me add that over the years, one of the biggest complaints that I hear from expats is the extended family. “They are only out for money.” “They don’t treat me good.” Stuff like that. That has not been my experience at all. Feyma’s family has always been very good to me, and I have no complaints.

      Now, as for your question… there may be a few more expats moving here now who have no family connection, but not a huge number compared to before. The numbers are very, very small for that type of person.