Manila, Philippines Report of what it's like to live there - 12/24/25
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 time living overseas. Prior to that, spent two decades in DC.
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?
DC, about a full day of travel to/from. The newly added United flight from San Fran to Manila direct was a godsend. Smooth connections, have had way worse from Europe.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
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?
Housing was amazing, no complaints…as good as it could possibly get for Manila. We lived in a
million dollar three-bedroom condo in a modern high-rise (Garden Towers). We got lucky as other condos just aren’t nearly as new or nice. Commute from Makati to Chancery was 20 minutes when leaving before 7 a.m. Coming home at 3 p.m-ish was 25 minutes. Maybe five times a year traffic would be horrendous and the commute would be about an hour. Makati to Seafront was reliably 15 minutes or less any time of day.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
No issues. We cooked local, so lots of rice and noodles. I was a big-time Landmark shopper and thought the produce and overall selection there was terrific. Rustan’s Marketplace was our “Whole Foods” for hard to find items. We also stocked up on meats and non-perishables at S&R (local Costco) about once a quarter (GSO provides a full-size standing freezer). Grocery prices were about on par with USA prices, and local fruit was dirt cheap. Heavy, imported goods could often be 3x+ the USA price so watch out for those.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Hot sauce and coffee, which I did ship to post often.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
FoodPanda and Grab were terrific. Takeout/delivery was always on point…every restaurant franchise on the planet exists here and Filipinos love to eat. Sushi Nori, Mitsuyado Ramen, Yoshinoya, New Bombay, Kaya Korean, Ramen Nagi, SaladStop!, and Texas Roadhouse were our go-tos. Getting takeout in Manila is among the cheapest in the world, so take advantage!
Protip: You save ~20% per order if you pick it up yourself, and much easier/quicker than delivery if you live adjacent to Glorietta Mall
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
I saw one cockroach in three years inside our condo, while I saw thousands outside in the street. Keep your house clean and it shouldn’t be an issue. No rats either as the thousands of cats roaming the streets kept them at bay.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Best DPO on the planet. Use it often!
Local mail is impossible, don’t even try.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help is readily available to a ridiculous extent. Plan on ~$500/month for each staffer you plan to hire (driver, yaya, helper, etc.)
My EFM took care of everything (housekeeping, baby, cars/driving, cooking, shopping, etc.) without any hired help (or headache).
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?
Not really. Makati/ BGC are safe enough but sidewalks are often non-existent and Manila is generally dirty (air, streets, etc.). You could bike to Chancery (people do), but you have to be a little nuts to do it and remain in one piece. Outdoor exercise is doable after sunset. The sun/heat here is excruciating year-round.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Lots of private gyms for a variety of sports at a reasonable cost. The gym at Seafront is a great spot if you want to lift in peace & quiet.
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?
Credit cards are accepted practically everywhere, but cash is king and ALWAYS faster. I set a 6,000 Php/week cash budget and having actual cash in hand was crucial in dozens of instances.
I didn’t use an ATM a single time my entire tour, just cashed checks at Chancery. I would recommend getting a local bank account (BPI or BDO) to simplify cash storage and access.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Lots daily.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None. Everyone attempts to speak English. Kamustaka, salamat, and mangandang umaga is all you really need to know. Trying in Tagalog goes a LONG way with the locals, so knowing a dozen or so phrases puts you leaps & bounds ahead of the average expat.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Extreme difficulty. Navigating in a wheelchair would be practically impossible.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Most people use Grab to get around if they didn’t have their own car, but it could often be unreliable during rush hour. Taxis are grubby, but serviceable, always available, and super cheap. It’s suggested to not use jeepneys or the light rail, BUT I used both often while toting a toddler without an issue. Jeepneys were super-convenient if you take the time to learn the routes, and the MRT between Ayala to Taft Avenue and then a short walk to Seafront was almost always quicker than driving.
In my opinion, the suggestion to not use public transit was issued decades ago and needs updating as it’s not relevant at all in 2025…use good street sense and you’ll be fine. Mid-day the light rail was empty and enjoyable to ride, but jam-packed during rush hours.
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?
A high-clearance vehicle is a must because it will eventually flood on Roxas Avenue on the way to Chancery. We bought a beater CR-V upon arrival and a brand new mini-SUV soon after, and made the most of both depending on the weather. We drove ourselves everywhere daily without issue. You will wait 6+ months on your shipped POV to arrive and clear customs, so plan accordingly. Don’t bring any vehicle you’d consider “nice” as it will get dinged up.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
High-speed home internet is available at a reasonable cost. The Embassy can assist in getting you connected. We declined and had no issues using WiFi hotspots thru local providers for all our internet needs the entire tour.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Popping a Smart or Globe SIM into an unlocked iPhone was ridiculously easy and cheap ($10/month for unlimited plan). An unlimited data plan covered all of our internet needs (Xbox, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, mobile cell service, etc.) for the entire tour.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
We brought two cats and had a great vet across the street (The Cat Clinic). Boarding occasionally was easy and cheap. Shipping the cats out was way more expensive than shipping them in.
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?
Spouses either have an Embassy job, remote work based in the States, or are a full-time parent/house spouse. Working on the local economy is non-existent.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots of volunteer opportunities at the schools (AmeriKids & ISM). I wouldn’t suggest venturing out on your own to volunteeer, rather wait for Embassy-organized opportunities.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Very relaxed due to the heat. Show up, grind out work while looking presentable, and no one will care that you’re not wearing a tie. Tux rentals for the Marine Corps Ball will be difficult for anyone XL or bigger, but wearing a traditional, formal barong is a-ok and looks great while being very comfy.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Makati & BGC are generally safe. There are some REALLY rough parts of Manila, but you likely will never see them.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Manila is quite the dirty and polluted place. Don’t get sick here as medical care is not top-notch and is difficult to navigate. Medical reasons were the number one reason for curtailments. If you are sick, sensitive to poor air quality, or even think you might become sick soon, don’t even consider coming to Manila.
Once again, don’t get sick here or you’re gonna have a bad time.
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?
Air quality is consistently bad. You’ll have air purifiers running full-blast 24/7 in your condo. People pray for rain to knock some of the pollution out of the air (and then the rains come and it floods).
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Air quality sensitivities, constant heat/humidity can flare up skin conditions, & food allergies aren’t understood in restaurants, so good luck explaining them.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
The heat will eventually get to you, learn to love it.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
HOT! 90°F+ and ~80% humidity year-round. January could be considered nice and mild (only 80°F, lol).
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Most people send their kids to ISM and seem generally pleased with it. I felt like it was a mixed bag since Americans’ tuition is guaranteed, your child may not be getting the highest quality education. Our babysitter was an ISM graduate, then promptly flunked out of a middling Virginia public university. Also, be warned, your child will be considered as “poor” at ISM. I went on a tour of Brent and it was the most amazing K-12 campus I’ve ever seen, and it’s run by Americans…it’s a bit south of Manila but an easy reverse commute. Do your research before deciding.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
No clue, but it won’t be what you’re used to in America.
3. 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?
Daycares are everywhere, but most Embassy families use personal yayas. The Embassy runs its own preschool, AmeriKids, on the Seafront compound. I couldn’t recommend AmeriKids enough and it was perfect for my toddler’s introduction to a half-day preschool.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Lots of indoor activities like basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics due to the heat. There are also indoor playgrounds at every mall that are very popular for kids to go crazy in to burn off some energy. Soccer should be popular in a country like this, but there was a severe lack of green space. Baseball is practically nonexistent.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge and you’ll never meet everyone. Plus there’s millions of non-diplomat expats as well. Morale in 2025 is, ummm, uncertain, but this is a great post to put your head down and grind out work because there’s always lots going on and plenty of work to be done.
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?
The Community Liaison Office (CLO) did a great job at organizing community events, but everyone is spread far and wide in Manila. Dinner parties were the usual get-together, so do your best at hosting a few. You’ll be closest with the people in your building and/or neighborhood. Hopefully a favorite coworker or two will live on your block.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It depends. Single men likely have a blast here, single women probably not as enjoyable. Couples have fun here as it’s easy to take off to the beach for the weekend or a quick trip to Taiwan/Tokyo/Saigon/Seoul/Bangkok. I consider Manila THE family post as there were kids running around everywhere all the time. There’s also tons of local kids and every event (malls, holiday, celebration, etc.) will be geared toward kids in some way.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
You’ll do very little socializing with locals as it’s quite hard to make a Filipino friend. Filipinos have a fascination with American culture and will always be friendly, but will likely not attempt to get close.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
While religious, LGBT folks won’t feel excluded in a city like Manila.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Men can often act quite ugly towards women in the Philippines. I observed multiple instances that jarred me.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
If you love the beach, you’ll be in heaven. We’re not beach people, but fortunately for us Manila is a great jumping off spot to every other country in Southeast Asia. We visited Korea, Japan (can’t skip Tokyo Disney!), Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, did two cruises, and even went to Guam for July 4th (a highlight of our tour).
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
We did quite a few crazy day/weekend trips where we simply got in the car and drove out of Manila with no real destination in mind. Lake Taal, Malabrigo Lighthouse, and Punta Fuego were places we just stumbled upon and left with wonderful memories.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not really. Most people end up with some hand-carved wooden trinkets or furniture.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
I truly feel that Manila was the perfect first-time overseas post. Not too cushy with lots of challenges, but still plenty of conveniences and everyone spoke English. A great trial of whether or not the Foreign Service really is the life for you (and your family).
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I was clued in more on the pace and frustrations. Paperwork is god here and line-standing is the national pastime.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
After running the gamut of Manila, I would do it all over again if asked.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
pretensions. Lots of people say cold weather clothes and skis, but there’s snow in Korea & Japan only a three-hour flight away!
4. But don't forget your:
patience, good attitude, sunscreen, and bug spray.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
There’s endless amounts of Manila introductions on YouTube.
6. Do you have any other comments?
There used to be a question about money/saving on TalesMag, so I’ll add it here.
This is a great post to save money. Most things in Manila are cheap, and there isn’t a ton to do so this is a great spot to buckle down and save some cash. If you jetset to a faraway beach or Taiwan/Seoul/Tokyo monthly you’ll obviously leave here broke. If you commit to paying yourself first, getting creative with your rice cooker, and settle for some cheap fun, you can tuck away a huge chunk of your earnings.
