Manila, Philippines Report of what it's like to live there - 01/29/25
Personal Experiences from Manila, Philippines
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
First under USG orders, have lived overseas before in Europe and Asia.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
East Coast/DC area. Two flights, with the longer flight from San Francisco to Manila. About 20 hours of flying to get here, but routes are frequent and easy.
3. What years did you live here?
2024-2026
4. How long have you lived here?
Less than a year
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most housing here is high-rise apartments or serviced apartments in hotels. More senior people with families get houses in villages (gated communities). Most people here are very frustrated with the commute times (45 min - 1 hour minimum) to get from provided housing to the Embassy.
In my opinion, housing has been a mixed bag and experience with it has been one of the gripes of my time here, along with many others. Our place is small, does not have a dishwasher or a dryer, has a tiny oven with an induction stove (so much of what we shipped for cookware doesn't fit nor work), and we didn't know what we were getting into because of poor communication with the housing team. High-rises often have excellent amenities (gym, pool) which make it easier. There is a huge housing shortage as the real estate market in Manila is very hot, so it takes time to find long-term housing arrangements.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Cost of groceries has been surprisingly expensive: almost D.C. price points, unless you exclusively shop Filipino (no dairy, no fresh milk, limited meat, local produce) and/or get someone to shop for you in local markets. We ship imported items through Vitacost (whole wheat flour, spices we can't find here, hot sauce) or Amazon to DPO.
You often have to go to three to four stores to get what you need, and you still might not get everything. if you see an uncommon item, buy as much of it as you can as you might not see it for four to six months. I miss Hass avocados, sweet potatoes, a variety of cereals, and affordable Brussel sprouts. Frozen food is not always reliable due to issues with supply chains and is very often freezer burnt.
Local produce can be hit or miss. Yyou have to check certain items, such as eggplant and leafy greens, very meticulously for worms/caterpillars. Heyday (bulk health foods store) in Glorietta has been a godsend. This is also not a craft beer place, so get used to San Miguel if you are a beer person. Tropical fruits though, especially mango, papaya, and pineapple, have been amazing.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
This is not a consumables post. We often order organic whole wheat flour, hot sauce, and spices (very overpriced here) through DPO. People who are into Thanksgiving foods will need to prep way in advance as you can't find most ingredients for key dishes easily (cranberry sauce, cranberries, fried onions, canned pumpkin, etc.).
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Grab delivery, decent take-out options and restaurants (although you need to set your expectations a few notches lower for Mexican or pizza). Overall best food here has been Korean or some Mediterranean. Spicy food is not a thing here, and the food tends to be very bland.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Yes.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO. Have not received mail locally. Have had local packages delivered.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very affordable ($25 a day); people often have cleaners, drivers, and nannies (either part or full-time). It's needed because everything takes more time to do here and it helps all of the life admin stay manageable.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Walking outside in Makati is safe. On Sunday mornings they close down some of the streets for runners and bikers. This is really the only good time to exercise outdoors (Ayala Triangle Gardens and Legazpi Park are too small and crowded to really run). Can't speak to BGC or Rockwell.
Some people who live in villages are able to run there, but you can't get into the villages without living there or having a resident let you in. Hiking opportunities exist outside Manila if you can handle the heat.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Most high-rises have gyms. Ours is actually very nice. Some workout classes exist (spinning, kickboxing, yoga) but quality is mixed and not what you could get in DC. Pricing is more affordable.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes in Manila, no in the provinces where cash is king. You'll need cash in Manila for smaller shops like the dry-cleaner or tailor.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
A lot if you are Catholic.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Not within the sanitized Makati or BGC bubbles, but outside, absolutely. Travel out of Manila and into the provinces would also be very challenging.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
We aren't allowed to take one, just Grab taxi (like Uber).
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Did not bring a car (shuttle service is available for getting to the Embassy). Would recommend something with a high clearance for getting out of Manila and the roads are not great.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We live in a hotel long-term so we can't install it ourselves. It is okay but not great. Others have issues installing PLDT or SMART but it usually gets resolved, especially with embassy support.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
We use GoogleFi. It is helpful if someone has a local phone number to use different local apps (Gcash in particular).
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
People often work at the Embassy. Local pay is low so it is less common. Some telework but it is difficult with the time difference.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
A lot, but can't speak to those.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Dress code at the embassy is button-down, khaki, and tie. Formal events are occasional. People dress casually given the heat (although malls are cold!)
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
General big city concerns.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Hospitals are good here (St. Luke's) and quality of available medical care has been decent, although we almost always have had received last minute calls asking to re-schedule (including minor surgeries), which we have found annoying.
You can't pay for medical bills with card, only cash, and often up-front. Among non-European posts, this is probably well up there for quality of care. Common issues have been food poisoning. People often deliver babies here or in Singapore instead of flying back to the U.S.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Moderate, was better than expected.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
They do not understand food allergies here, especially celiac disease. Be prepared. Environmental allergies are an issue, especially with dust and mold. Air quality hasn't been terrible.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
A lot of burnout due to stress and low morale.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot, relatively humid. Rarely goes below 80 degrees. Occasional typhoons. Not worth bringing cool weather clothes unless you plan to travel to Japan/Korea/Australia in their cooler seasons.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
People love ISM, but I cannot speak to it directly.
2. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Day care is affordable and easy to get through embassy referral system. No direct experience.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Large but dissolved given the difficulty of traffic in Manila. Morale among the embassy community is low due to a brutal schedule: people often leave before 5:30am to go to work, and getting home at 5 makes it difficult to do anything. There are also issues with housing, and volume of work. Manila is one of the largest embassies and there's always too much to do.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Standard meals/drinks, kids' activities. You cannot get a taxi in the holiday season to go anywhere (or you have to try for a long time and then sit in traffic, so it is often just frankly not worth it) so you are limited in your bubble for activities.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Best for families. It's been hard to make friends here as a childless couple. People are so short on time, exhausted due to the schedule, and often get out of Manila on the weekends so it is difficult to find time to connect.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Filipinos tend to be friendly towards Americans but distant. The Embassy community is also pretty isolated.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I think so but can't speak to it directly.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Probably similar to what you'd see in other parts of SE Asia.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Honestly, getting out. Palawan has some absolutely beautiful nature and island hopping is fun. However, the infrastructure for tourism is low compared to other countries in the region. The quality of what you are getting for your experience at a hotel or resort pales to what you'd get in Indonesia or Thailand at the same price point and it costs sometimes the same to fly to parts of the Philippines as neighboring countries. NAIA airport is also terrible for domestic travel and flights are delayed constantly.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not besides going to Kultura or Balikbayan for local goods.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Makati is very walkable and there are a lot of good bars and restaurants. People seem to really love ISM. Health care is good.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How complicated and slow the bureaucracy to get anything done here is. The inefficiency drains your patience. Everything has a sheen of modernity to it but once you scratch the surface you'll usually see a ton of issues. You'll also see a lot of older expats here with much younger Filipinas and it's unsettling. I wish I could desensitize myself to that. The income inequality too is also very sad, especially when you compare your Makati bubble to rural areas in the Philippines.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
If they fixed the housing, yes. The housing shortage has caused so many issues for so many people. If there was housing nearer to the Embassy (since Seafront is under renovation) and more flexibility for incoming staff (instead of living in a hotel for two years), I think other grievances would feel less acute. That being said, this is not my favorite place to live, but I recognize it has greater access to resources than a good number of other posts.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
cool weather clothes, cheese and guacamole cravings
4. But don't forget your:
hot sauce collection.
