Moving to the Philippines: My Experience After Almost a Year
On December 10, 2025, I got on the plane. Back in Germany I had given up everything – after more than 50 years. Today I live in a small apartment just outside Dumaguete, five minutes from the beach and 15 minutes by motorbike to the mountains. In this article I tell you honestly how it came to that, what went well, where I paid my dues and what life here really costs. No glossy brochure – just my experience.
Why I left
I had done my duty in Germany: I raised my child and cared for my mother until she passed away. After that, it was time to finally think about myself, after more than 50 years. On top of that, I hadn't been happy with the way things were going in Germany for a long time.
I wanted something new.
How the Philippines got under my skin: Thailand, Davao, then Dumaguete
In December 2024 I first went to Thailand for seven days to visit friends. Nice places for a vacation, no question. But Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket were too commercial for me. I paid €5 for 100 grams of durian there – here it costs 50 cents. After three days I looked for the cheapest flight out and found one: €35 to Davao, round trip, with luggage.
And that was it – the Philippines got under my skin, deep. I fell in love with the country and the people. Friendly people, no “give money”, no rip-offs. All-you-can-eat at a Korean restaurant for two, drinks included: €10 (about $11). Ten days in different hotels and Airbnbs: €135 in total (about $150). You couldn't do that in Thailand. As a country boy at heart, I found the Philippines simply overwhelming.
In June 2025 I wanted to see more, not Davao again. Friends happened to be in Dumaguete, so I went there. And that sealed it. Dumaguete is smaller and quieter than Davao, and I had everything I wanted in one place: mountains, beach and sun.
After I moved, I went to Bohol first. Bohol is beautiful, and I like going there for two or three days. But you can already feel some of that Thailand-style commerce – huge hotels, beach vendors. Not my thing. Negros is totally my place. Six kilometers of sandy beach all to myself, just outside Dumaguete – for someone who loves peace and quiet, that's a dream.
The first weeks: language, heat, finding a place
Thanks to my two visits, I roughly knew what to expect. So there weren't many big surprises. The hardest part for me at the start was the language: my English was close to zero. I survived anyway, and today I get everything I need. The big advantage over Thailand: English is an official language here. You hear it and need it every day, so you learn much faster.
You have to like the heat. Up in Valencia, in the mountains, it's a few degrees cooler and very bearable. And a good apartment isn't something you find on the first try – more on that in a moment. After about six to eight weeks, you've got the hang of everything.
Where I paid my dues
With the rent. My first apartment was too expensive. The landlord told me that was the normal rent here – it wasn't. My lesson: look around and compare, and do it before you sign. What places in Dumaguete really cost, you'll find in our guide Renting in Dumaguete.
With taxis and tricycles, on the other hand, I hardly ever got ripped off. Once, late at night, a tricycle driver wanted 300 instead of 100 pesos – I survived. And yes, I've also met the “friends” who suddenly need money. A friendly “Sorry, I can't help you” is usually enough, and they leave you alone.
Visa: extending without stress
I'm here on a regular tourist visa and extend it every two months. So far without any problems: go there, say “I'd like to stay another two months” – four days later the visa is done. I use an agency for it. It costs a few dollars extra, but the people there are super nice and help with other things too. My driver's license, for example: the German one is only valid for the first three months here, after that you need a Philippine license. Through the agency that was stress-free and not expensive either. Exactly what I paid, I'd rather not say – make of that what you will.
Which visas there are for a long stay, we explain in Visa for the Philippines: long-term stay.
What life here costs me
My small apartment costs ₱14,000 a month. With electricity and water I'm at around ₱18,000. I spend about ₱10,000 on food. Together that's around ₱28,000 a month, roughly $450. With that I have everything I need to live.
| Item | Per month | In USD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | ₱14,000 | $225 |
| Electricity and water | ₱4,000 | $65 |
| Food | ₱10,000 | $160 |
| Total | ₱28,000 | $450 |
On top of that come things like a motorbike, insurance, visa fees and trips. But the basic costs are manageable. You'll find a detailed breakdown in Cost of living in the Philippines 2026.
Health: what I learned
I've been to the hospital twice and had an operation. I was treated really well – honestly better than in Germany.
But I made a mistake with my health insurance. In my first year I had a special offer, free of charge. I'll never do that again, and I'm currently looking for a new one. The operation was the result of an accident; I went under the knife four weeks later. Because I hadn't registered it with the insurance beforehand, they didn't pay.
My two tips from this story:
- Always register treatments and operations with your insurance beforehand – even if it doesn't seem urgent. And read the terms carefully before you choose an insurance.
- Call the police after every accident, even small ones. A police report saves you a lot of stress later – with the insurance and with everyone else.
What I miss – and what I don't
The only thing I miss is my friends in Germany. But we talk on the phone regularly. Other than that, I'm doing great here. I don't need the German daily grind with all its pressure anymore.
Would I do it again?
Yes. One hundred percent, exactly the same way!
When I said “I'm just going to do it now”, everyone in Germany was stunned and tried to talk me out of it. I did it and I was rewarded for it. I'm living in my own little paradise here. The nature, and the way people live with nature, is so intense that for me it's simply beautiful.
That doesn't mean Dumaguete is right for everyone. If you like the buzz, Cebu is a good fit; if you like big cities, go to Manila. There are many beautiful places, and I keep traveling. I've found my place here.
My advice for anyone thinking about it
- Test it first: Go spontaneously and see what you like – a short trip, ten days, no longer.
- Then decide: has it got under your skin or not? If not, try the next country. If it has, it's the right place.
- Listen to yourself: Do you feel good here? Then it's for you.
- Don't overthink it: What if, why, how – if you overthink everything, it goes wrong. The longer you think about it, the further away the idea of actually doing it moves.
And the most important point of all:
GO FOR IT. Just GO FOR IT.
Any other attitude is the wrong one and only leads to problems. The rest falls into place.
If you're planning the move: our complete guide to emigrating to the Philippines covers everything organizational. And if you're looking for an apartment or a house in Dumaguete – Genessa and I are happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need per month in the Philippines?
I live in a small apartment near Dumaguete on around ₱28,000 a month (about $450) for rent, electricity, water and food. Insurance, a vehicle, visa fees and travel come on top.
Do you need good English to live in the Philippines?
No. My English was close to zero at the start, and I got by fine anyway. Because English is an official language, you pick it up quickly in everyday life.
How long does it take to settle in?
For me it took about six to eight weeks until I had the hang of everything.
Is the medical care good?
My hospital experience was very good, even better than in Germany. What matters is solid health insurance – and registering treatments with it beforehand.
Why Dumaguete and not Cebu or Manila?
Dumaguete is smaller and quieter, and has mountains, beach and sun close together. If you're after a big city or lots of buzz, Cebu or Manila are a better fit.
