Three hundred years of Spanish rule and over a hundred years of American influence have turned the Philippines into a fascinating cultural mix. If you've ever considered moving in a totally different country than your own, this Asia gem might just be what you've been looking for Here are the main reasons why you should move to the Philippines without giving it a second thought.
1. The Delicious Food
Who doesn't love Asian food? If you're like the rest of us, you probably won't say no to an exotic dish from time to time But what's great about the Philippines is that their style of cooking transcends the typical Asian recipes. The Spanish influence has put a mark on how they cook their foods, with paellas and cocidos being some of the most popular dishes in the country. The national dish is called Adobo, which is a pork and chicken stew containing garlic, peppercorns, bay leaf, vinegar sauce, soy sauce, and cooking oil — Yummy!
2. The Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Philippines is much lower than more developed countries such as the United States. Here, you can live large on a more than reasonable budget, and this includes everything from rent to cost of food, transportation, and other expenses. Expats living in the Philippines can tell you that a few pesos go a long way.
3. Language Is Not a Problem
With a total of 87 native languages, it's safe to say the Filipinos are polyglots. And English is a common language as well! Almost everyone here knows at least a little bit of English, so you won't have to worry about language barriers — not in the larger cities, at least.
4. Travel Opportunities
The Philippines is conveniently located halfway between the Koreas, China, Japan and Australia and New Zealand. This makes the country a great hub from which to travel to all of Asia. There are dozens of destinations which you can book for less than $200. But there are plenty of travel opportunities inside the country as well. The Philippines comprises more than 7,000 islands, and they're absolutely stunning!
5. Unique Wildlife
The waters surrounding the Philippines with all of its islands have the official title of the highest level of biodiversity in the World! If you love wildlife and appreciate the beauty of untouched nature, then you'll surely find your place here in one of the seventeen megadiverse nations on the Planet. Here you'll find endemic mammals such as the tamaraw of Mindoro, the Philippine deer, and the Philippine tarsier.
6. More Sunny Days
You can put away that shovel for good because you won't find any snow here! The Philippines is a tropical nation with dry and wet seasons. The dry season — November to April — is the ideal time to explore the paradise islands of Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay, among many others. You'll live beach life to the fullest because it's easy to plan a getaway on any given weekend. If you're looking to escape the heat, you can always take a road trip to Baguio City for some mountain-fresh air.
7. Wonclerful Expat Community
If you're scared of feeling lonely among the expats, you really need not worry! There's a great expat community in the Philippines, with people all over the Globe organizing regular meet-ups. It's easy to make friends and meet amazing individuals that can help you settle in and even help you find a job. Expats are boosting the economy of the Philippines, creating hundreds of jobs each year As you can see, whether you're looking for a sunny place to settle in, eat delicious meals, enjoy nature, or travel for a longer period of time, the Philippines has something to offer to everyone. This tropical paradise has received many expats over the years and the locals here are always happy to welcome more!