Many people think that living in a place like the Philippines is paradise. I don’t necessarily feel that it is paradise, but I will give you the fact that it is a lot closer to paradise than being back in the States shoveling snow, wearing heavy coats, and having to plan activities around cold weather! But, is it really paradise?
For me, if you say “paradise” you are talking about a place that is perfect, or nearly so. There are lots of problems to face up to in the Philippines, though. Admittedly, things are a lot better these days when compared to when I first moved here in 2000, but it still is nor perfect. It never will be either.
Over on an excellent blog that I read regularly called Anywired, by Skellie, they ran a two part series last week called “Trouble in Paradise.” It was written by Sharon Hurley Hall. Sharon lives in the Caribbean and freelances from there. From what I read, her life is fairly parallel to my life here in the Philippines. In her two part series entitled “Trouble in Paradise” Sharon talks about some of the problems that “Paradise” can present for somebody who is from the West, but living in an underdeveloped area. You can read the articles here and here.
Let’s have a look at some of the potential downsides that Sharon mentions, and I’ll give you my take:
- Weather can be a problem. In the Caribbean they have to worry about Hurricanes. Here in the Philippines we have typhoons, which are the same thing, but just have a different name on this side of the world. For me, typhoons are not an issue, because Davao, where I live, is south of the typhoon belt. We simply don’t have typhoons here where I live. We do have very heavy tropical rains, though, and we get those on a very regular basis. I would say that we get super heavy rains at least 3 times per week here in Davao. Nice thing is, though, it almost always rains at night here in Davao, so the day is not interrupted.
- Insects. Insects can be a problem here, and I’ve written about this before. We do have mosquitoes, ants, flies, centipedes and all kind of other bugs here! When I first moved here, I had a problem with it. These days, though, I’ve lived here long enough that I could really care less if there is a line of ants on the sidewalk. I’m just used to it. My only caution would be mosquitoes, because if you get bitten by the wrong mosquito you could come down with Dengue Fever. I’ve been lucky on that, and I recommend that you take steps to eliminate mosquitoes from your area because of the health concern.
- Inspiration. Sharon talks a little more about the weather on this topic. She says that in England you have cold days when you don’t want to work. It’s the opposite in the tropics when you have hot and humid days when you just feel like lounging around all day, and get nothing done. I admit that on many days, I just want to get out, go to the beach, go swimming, or just bum around. But, I have set up my schedule where I only really need to work for a couple of hours per day, and I am able to do that.
- Connectivity. Connection to the internet, ability to call on the telephone to anyplace around the world. This is the third world after all, and the place is not perfect, technologically (or in any other respect). That being said, what place in the world is perfect anyway? None are. I can say this – technologically speaking, this is like a different country compared to the same place 8 years ago when I moved here. Frankly, it is rare these days that I have trouble with my Internet connection. I have my VOIP Phone (Vonage) that keeps me connected via telephone to the world for very cheap, my local phones work great, no complaints here.
- Located away from the action. Being in the Philippines, or on some Caribbean Island like Sharon means that you are off, away from the action. There are things like bloggers conferences and such that I would indeed really enjoy attending, but it really is not feasible to do so. For Sharon, at least she is much closer to the USA where many such conferences are held when compared to me, I am half a world away. Being off away from such action is both the beauty of living here (away from the rat race) and also a downside. If I were able to attend such events, I would likely be a much more widely known Internet Publisher than I am. But, in the end, I like where I am. There are ups and downs to it, but I like the balance.
- Timing. It’s funny, Sharon lives in the Caribbean, yet what she describes there is very similar to what we have discussed as “Filipino Time.” Things are slower. Deadlines come and go without much notice. People run late, and sometimes don’t ever arrive. This is just life here in the Philippines, and apparently in the Caribbean too! It still annoys me from time to time, but overall, I’ve found a balance, and a way to deal with this kind of lifestyle.
So, what do you think? Is there trouble in Paradise? Is the Philippines Paradise at all? It can be Paradise for you, yet Hell for another person. It all depends on our outlook on life, our desires, goals and the lifestyle we choose to lead!
For me, the Philippines is my ideal home. I’m staying! How about you?
"If I were able to attend such events, I would likely be a much more widely known Internet Publisher than I am."
Perhaps, but I have managed to carve out a niche in being a big fish in a small pond and I suspect that you have done the same. When the world is smaller, the chance of being noticed is greater
And, importantly, I think from where I sit, you control your destiny now. As you become more well-known, I think that is more difficult to do.
Hi Tom – Yes, that is also true, no doubt about that. There could be some benefit or cachet in attending such events, but, it would not necessarily improve my standing in such a community. After all…. I really like the niche that I am in.
I would add that red-tape is a hassle, as in when you need to get paperwork done in almost any sector, but on the upside, there is the lack of red-tape, as when you want to make any improvements on your house and don't need to worry about permits and inspections.
The same goes for driving. there is a lack of rules and enforcement and the resulting chaos, but then, you can pretty much drive any old way you want! 🙂
nothing but to show but this brand new tatoo…….its a real beauty…a mexican cutie..how it got here I have'nt a clue….
Hi AmericanLola – I am lucky in that I never have to deal with the endless paperwork hassles. I always send somebody to take care of those kinds of things for me, so that is something that rarely even crosses my mind. The traffic rules – I love them! 😆
Hi brian – Ah, another Jimmy Buffett Fan! 😆
Hi Bob, paradise is never perfect, and there is never a perfect place on earth. I decided to stay in this country and , as you and Feyma know, my family too. And, we will never leave it! I can call it paradise, but it's not paradise every day OF COURSE! But I have people around me (like unique and special friends named Bob and Feyma) or other people and things, who make my life here meaningful and enjoyable. Yeah, goals and desires – together we can make it! 😆
Hi Bob – Phil R. here …I have to agree with u bob the pines is a good place to live .to me the philippines is a land of paradise.We have rainstorms where my house is but nothing to bad . We get sever thunder storms here in Pa. and tornados so a little rain doesn't bother me …i don't mind riding the public transportation system I think it is fun or going to Gingoog to email my family ..I don't need a landline my wife has a cell phone but i will hook up a broadband .my need for info is real great and i can show my stepson the real world beyond the islands ..
You are right when you said no place is perfect. Paridise, in reality, is a state of mind.
Hi Klaus – Absolutely!
Hi Phil R. – Coming here with an open mind is the best way to do it, and it sounds like you are already there!
Hi Lonnie – You couldn't be closer to the truth!
Pair o' dice? Found in casino!
Otherwise, life is what you make it! 😆
Bob as you know paradise is where you find it. Paradise also is your perspective on the place that you found. I would imagine a person that grew up living on Oahu that moved to the Philippines would find it lacking much more than a person say from the midwest. Perspective is what it is all about. Ron
The age old expression "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" applies equally to paradise. As I'm sure you havwe found out, paradise is what you make of it. For some a salting of snow on evegreens is as close to paradise as they could ever want. For others, its the tropics. The point is, if you aren't capable of being happy where you are, going somewhere else probably won't improve anything.
There's a degree of adjustment one has to be willing to make when moving to a third world country. The inflexible will never find happiness.
Hi Paul – Exactly!
Hi Ron LaFleur – Yep, I agree. I bet that guy in Oahu would too! 😆
Hi David S. – Yes, a lot of adjustment is required. But, overall, I love living here in the Philippines.
Wherever you are, you’ll experience paradise when you feel like being loved, respected, contented of what you have, and have shared your blessing to others in need in any way you can. Hell is just behind when you fail to give love, give respect, and give pleasure to others.
Hi Teng S. – I like your outlook! That is a good attitude to have! Thanks for passing it along!
I like the way Teng S. put it in #14 Bob, add the nice weather and beautiful scenery! If only a person didn't know in the back of their mind that it can all go to hell in an instant when the ingredients in #14 are lost. A person can't rest completely can they?
Nice write-up, Bob. The Philippines and the Caribbean sound remarkably similar. I'm planning on staying put, too. The benefits outweigh the disadvantages for me.
Hi John – Ha ha… yes, I guess that is true! Well, hopefully we can all keep a balance, and keep the place as close to paradise as possible!
Hi Sharon Hurley Hall – Thank you for dropping by. Yes, I was also struck by the similarities in the two places when I read your article! It never would have entered my mind, given that we are on opposite sides of the world!
Howdy Bob, I am from Australia and have been visiting the Philippines over a 2 year period. I am do not pretend to understand the country and after living here for 12 months like a philippino i frankly don't want to understand it. It is a truly fascinating place. If you treat the locals with respect and kindness the world is your oyster here. Its mostly hot and humid in iligan city, i sweat like a baboy ( pig ) but you get used to it. I actually enjoy the regular brown outs ( black outs) here, we sit and talk with candles and whatever light source we can get. Driving a motor bike without a helmet and three to four people on a bike is a real buzz. Water, well when it is available it is great, but if the supply is cut off we tend to borrow from the neighbours who have wells. Also love the bucket and scoop system for having a bath. I was lucky to have loved eating rice when in OZ because here I have rice and dried fish here for breakfast lunch and dinner, we do have lechon manok ( roast chicken ) sometimes. About the bugs, I have donated so much blood to the mosquitos that I should be granted an honorary citizen. I am a amazed at how the Philippinos know my name, they call me "Joe" all the time. They have no idea what a Greek is and who is Julius Ceaser LOL. One drawback to the Philippines, it is very expensive to live here, a lechon manok is 115 pesos, petrol prices 143 pesos a litre are a joke, a huge ripp off. One more thing every region of Pinoy is different and has its own flavour and travel is fairly cheap, that is refreshing. Vow Philippines.
Correction, sorry, should have read 43 pesos a litre………Bob you are lucky in many respects, Davao is a very modern Pinoy city, well educated people, well presented people and a low crime rate, good weather and cleaner than most cities in the Philippines, some of the best night clubs are in Davao city. Your Mayor should be President of the Philippines. It is really a place of choice if you a foreinger wanting live in the Philippines.
Hi Peter – For me, like you, there are things that I still don't understand about living here, but for me, I want to understand these things. I feel that it is important for my happiness in life to understand the culture where I am living.
Here in Davao you cannot ride a motorcycle (as the driver or passenger) without a helmet, you will soon be ticketed or even put in jail for that. The helmet law is vigorously enforced here.
Yes, Davao is quite modern, as you say, although there are still throwbacks to the old days too. Mayor Duterte indeed keeps the crime rate at a minimum here too, which is nice.
Thanks for your insightful comment.
Thanks for your reply Bob. Your website is an invaluable source of helpful information for the unwary and very refreshing. Keep up the good work champ.
Thanks for the nice words, Peter.
I am not sure I understand the comment about it being "very" expensive to live in the filipines. Gosh!
Ahhh, the driving in the filipines. Every American should experience it. LOL.
To me the filipines is not paradise in every regard…but it is in so many ways. But that is just me! My life changed for the positive when I first visited the filipines. I saw a different way. I saw a group of people, that compared to America, were very very very poor, but so much more rich in other areas.
The brownouts can drive my buggy but, hey, that is why they make generators!
Filipino time! Hmmmm, that is something that I am just getting used to. But it is also something that makes the filipines so charming.
Todd
Hi Todd J. McClean – Compared to 5 or 6 years ago, living here has gotten quite expensive. I guess that when you've lived here over a longer period, you tend to get used to the prices here, and big increases, while still less than "back home" are felt and can be shocking!
I agree with the idea expressed by Teng S.,Comment #14. I also believe that paradise is just a state of the mind. During November to March ( perfect weather in Marinduque), Marinduque is my island paradise and my heaven in earth.
From April to September, I feel Northern California ( Sacramento area) is also my paradise.
Remember, The time that you have really live is the time when you have touch the lives of others!! That could be another definition of paradise.
I could also identify with the pair o' dice analogy. Thunder Valley Casino is only 30 minutes drive from us. Our weekly sojourn makes us feels like paradise , after a win. But losing is another story!
Hi David B Katague – Absolutely, paradise is a very person thing. What is paradise to you may be hell for me, and visa versa. Glad that you enjoy your own personal paradises.
I just stumbled upon your blogs and want to say how much I am enjoying reading them.
I am from the UK and retired (early) to Bangkok Thailand 12 years ago. I love it here but my health is failing a bit now so I have to start to think about the time left to me.
I have someone in Cagayan De Oro who I have had a long distance relationship with for six years now and he (yes he) wants me to go to live there with him so he can look after me. It’s not really such a difficult decision to make but a decision nevertheless.
Any thoughts?
Regards
Peter
Hi Peter – I would say that you should do what is best for. Do what is best for your health, both physical health and mental health. Since you have been living in Thailand, you should not have much problem in transitioning to the Philippines. If you have a loved one here who wants to take care of you, it sounds like a good plan to me.
Good luck to you.