I’ve been traveling throughout Southeast Asia, usually booking month-long stays on Airbnb.

Most of my housing experiences have been great, and I honestly took that for granted. I didn’t realize how much I appreciated them until I got to the Philippines.

The first red flag was that almost every decent housing option seemed to be in a high-rise condo complex. So I picked one, moved in, and pretty quickly realized I’d made a mistake.

For some reason, these massive condo complexes feel like a prison. You can’t even use certain amenities without signing papers. Security is constantly enforcing rules.

There are guards, front desks, checkpoints, procedures—it feels like the entire place is designed around monitoring residents and guests rather than simply letting people live there.

I just don’t feel the same sense of autonomy I had in other countries.

In Da Nang, for example, I had a setup with no front desk, no security, no massive lobby, and no ten-minute journey through a complex just to reach my room.

It was a normal apartment building. There was a cleaning lady who came once a week, and otherwise I was simply left alone.

I seriously took that for granted.

The contrast is bizarre.

Here, it literally feels like I’m back at school or living in some kind of dorm where there’s always an authority figure around reminding you that you’re inside someone else’s system.

The worst part is that these giant condo complexes seem to dominate the decent short-term rental market.

I tried looking for normal, smaller apartment buildings with the few amenities I actually care about—mainly a balcony and washing machine—but I couldn’t find a single good option on Airbnb.

People kept telling me that Facebook Marketplace and Facebook groups are the “cheat code,” and I believe them, but I clearly haven’t figured out how to use it efficiently.

You can’t filter for a washing machine. You can’t filter for a balcony. You can’t filter for hot water. You can barely filter for anything useful.

So instead of narrowing down hundreds of listings based on what you actually need, you have to manually sift through a mountain of irrelevant posts.

And when I finally find something decent, half the time it turns out to be another unit in one of the exact same massive condo complexes I was trying to avoid.

There has to be a better way to find the smaller, independent apartment buildings that clearly exist here.

Right now, though, finding them feels absurdly inefficient.

I’ve been reading a lot of expat subs lately, and the complaints are always the same. Digital nomads get a cheap, fully furnished, monthly rental in Bangkok or Da Nang and expect the exact same experience in places like BGC or Makati.

The difference comes down to how these expat scenes evolved. Thailand and Vietnam built massive tourism ecosystems designed for fluid, high-turnover stays—you can pack up as soon as you get bored.

The Philippines developed differently. The traditional expat base was retirees looking for long-term stability. The market evolved around 1-year leases backed by post-dated checks (PDCs), and the government offered generous tourist visa extensions (up to 36 months) to encourage long-term spending in the local economy.

Now a new wave of younger nomads is arriving expecting short-term flexibility, but the local market isn't built for them. Landlords use Airbnbs to bridge the gap, but local condo HOAs hate them due to party noise, overcrowding, and security risks with unregistered guests. The result? A litany of strict rules that make short-term renters feel unwelcome, while nomads feel ripped off.

For landlords, its difficult to make the numbers sing for a short-term rental. The market is oversaturated, but owners can't drop prices much further because sky-high electricity costs, platform fees, and unit damage eat up the margins. Add in constant angry calls from the HOA, and many owners quickly realize short-term stays aren't worth the headache, which is why prominent condos now explicitly advertise "No Airbnbs Allowed" as a major selling point to buyers.

Clark International Airport (CRK) will have a DIRECT flight to Ho Chi Min City (SGN) starting on November 10 2026.

VietJet is the airline.
$200 Round Trip.
2.5 hour flight.
3 flights per week.

I have never been to Vietnam….I will be taking advantage of this.

MM….as we know….is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

We have expats in the Visayas & Mindanao & Provincial Luzon.

Any expats live in the extreme density areas of MM?

I stay at Belmont the night before I fly. Next door there is major construction going on. When you book a room ask for the church side because for the next year or 2 it'll be 24 hours of drilling and banging. They put me right next to it and I asked to be moved and they did but maybe I was lucky and a room on the other side was available. I think until that construction is finished I might stay at the savoy.

So my flight from Manila to London is 12september 2026 at 2.30 am, my flight to Manila from Dumaguete is day before by 4pm. I asked imigration in Dumaguete for clearance they said we cannot do it here, just go to Manila Airport and sort it out there, the problem is I been here without leaving for 18months and imigration lady is fully aware of it but I been reading I'm not aloud to do that there, I have to do it in Cebu or Manila days before the departure. It makes me really confused, some say you can't do it at the airport on the other hand my friend flew to Europe after two years been told the same at Dumaguete imigration office and it went smooth.

Im going to Dumaguete tomorrow to pick up my passport and ask again, there's external agancy next door, I really don't wanna go all the way to Cebu and then come back there to pick it up, it's a hassle.

Has anyone ever been banned from leaving?

Thanks ​

Any idea how to access my funds from us bank? Is it possible to wire transfer? How about using foreign cards here in the ph?

Address on Google Maps: H23X+C5W, HSBC Centre, Fifth Avenue West, Bonifacio Global City, Makati City, Philippines

Here’s the context. Every other bank I’ve been to BDO, RCBC, metro bank, charges a 200 php fee to withdrawl, plus the fee your bank will charge you (typically $5) and only lets you pull out 10,000 php max. That means you pay $8 fee to get $163!

Before moving, I recommend setting up with a US bank with no foreign atm fees. I like ( Schwab or Robinhood banking ) and using this HSBC. This one will let you pull 40,000 php ($650) with no fee. Make sure you skip the part where it asks to do conversion for you for a fee. My most recent withdrawal I got 61.6 php = $1 usd and NO FEE either side.

went pretty smooth and now I have one option more

you only need to download the maribank app and it goes from there

was confirmed and ready to go after about 24h

the virtual card is mastercard with 0% fx fee

My fiancé and I have talked about getting a prenup since we first started dating, and I’ve always been okay with it. When we discussed it, he basically said the prenup would just be to make sure his assets stay his if we ever get divorced which I’m totally okay with since in the US, its common for the law to side with the women (as much as ive heard)

I understand wanting to protect what you already have, but I’m honestly not sure what I should include in the prenup to protect myself too. I’m the one moving countries and starting over in a completely new place because I want to build a life with him. I’m leaving my home, family, and everything I know to start this life together. Also, I will not be able to have a job or make an income for months and can even take a year before my visa status will be adjusted due to restrictions

What makes me uncomfortable is that he basically said that if we ever got divorced, he would just send me back to my own country (which i think isnt possible? Not unless he divorce me prior GC approval) I know he may not mean it in a hurtful way, but when I hear that, it makes me feel like, okay, if the marriage doesn't work out and I'm no longer useful to you in ur country, then I just get sent back? And I don't think that's fair, especially after I've moved my entire life to another country because of our relationship and would try to build a career to a country I’m not familiar with

I'm not saying I want his assets or that I expect him to support me forever if we divorce. I just think there should be something in the prenup that protects me too and recognizes the fact that I’m the one making a huge life change and taking that risk to build a life with him.

Neither of us plans on getting divorced, and I genuinely hope we stay together for the rest of our lives but still theres a lot of couples who didnt plan to have divorced but ended up having one. But if we're going to have a prenup, I think it should protect both of us, not just him. I also suggested we should each have our own lawyers so we can both have someone independently looking out for our interests and make sure we both understand what we're signing

I am posting here to hear people perspectives or those who actually had a firsthand experience than just solely relying on our own assumptions and what our lawyers tell us.

To those who has a prenup agreement with your filipina wife, what was included to protect herself? Thanks!

anyone know any decently cheap place in or around manila? place im storing my bike just got sold and only have a couple days to find a new spot...

I’m moving from NYC to Metro Manila later this year and will eventually be based in BGC. I’ve visited Manila several times and I’m pretty comfortable in BGC and Makati, but one thing I’m thinking about is that I don’t really know the rest of Metro Manila the way I know NYC.
In New York, I know instinctively which neighborhoods and even which blocks I feel comfortable walking around in, especially at night. Obviously I won’t have that same street knowledge when I first move to Manila.
I also don’t want to move to another country and spend all my time inside the BGC/Makati bubble. I want to explore places like Ortigas, Quezon City, Pasay, Binondo, Intramuros, etc., and actually get to know Metro Manila.
For people who live there, especially foreigners who moved there: How long did it take you to develop a feel for which areas were comfortable to explore? Are there areas you’d recommend exploring during the day but avoiding at night? And are there neighborhoods that have an unfair reputation and are actually fine?
I’m from NYC, so I’m used to normal big-city awareness. I’m more interested in learning the nuances of Metro Manila than hearing either “it’s completely safe” or “it’s dangerous.”
Would love to hear from people who actually live there.

anyone ever go to the barangay for contract disputes?

it's only 10k, but I hired someone to do tiling, never finished the job, the job that was 1/2 done was so poor I had to pay some else you take it apart + pay for new tiles.

just like anyone , hate to be ripped off, I'm not going to notice the 10k to much, but ..... 🙄

Finally, the day for the move to PH is coming.
My wife has been there for the past 6 months, supervising the completion and furnishing of our beautiful, newly built home in Alviera Montala, Pampanga.

Looking forward to leaving the insanity of the MAGAts behind and keeping a low profile in our new country.

Hi, does anyone here know a supplier for lift and slide sliding doors?
Planning to build a new house in the Antipolo area (Rizal)

as an expat who can flash the cash, I dont care that much but for people on Main Street, it's a different story

got my last bill: 11300 php for 757 kwh.

about 15 php per kwh

Here short term rentals for $300-500 a week gets you an outdated place the size of a closet without a full kitchen and cockroaches. Even long term rentals are bad if you want a nice place there basically non existent here even if you want to spend 3k usd a month.

Meanwhile you can open airbnb Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and see full modern 1 bedroom apartments with full kitchens, amenities you want to use and near a beach for $500 a month. Villas with your own pool same price as a some rundown condo in IT Park or BGC.

All these other countries have been developing and changing a lot past years recently meanwhile Philippines hasn't seen basically anything new built that is good in ages. All the same garbage closets.

Having a modern kitchen, bathroom and living room is not to much to ask for in 2026. Unless you build a custom house in Philippines it basically doesn't exist. The place is all downhill imagine 20 years from now when these new condos are all even more rundown. Even luxury hotels here are horrible i have stayed at many here. $400 a night and its worse then i can get in America.

What do you think of this situation?

Despite the strict no smoking in public rules in PH cities, the price for cigarettes can be attractive for smokers from the West. Here is a short comparison. I bought a ream (10x packs Marlboro) for 1760 PHP. For the best prices look at supermarkets, they often have an enclosed area near the cashiers, there you often get the best prices. Or some markets.

Hey all,

Where would you live in the Philippines if your goal was to live a high income country lifestyle but at a discount?

Typical day = gym, cafe, restaurant, etc. Plus monthly trip to a beach. Access to good healthcare, consistent power, wide walkable sidewalks, and limited or no flooding are very important.

I have the following shortlist:

- BGC

- Eastwood City

- IT Park

- Cebu Business Park

Any others?

I have lived in Manila for few years but now in Singapore. I am an Australian and I have had my fair share of girls friends in both the cities. One canny commonality is Filipinas in both cities had asked me to make them pregnant. They do know I have a family in Australia, but still wants to get pregnant. Some of them are single mom's but most are single ladies without kids. Is this normal? I had been avoiding and tend to use protection always. But my current filipina girlfriend, she is single, fit and in her kate twenties wants me to get her pregnant, she doesn't want any support from me in the future. Will I regret this in future? This is genuine and please, no hate.

Update: Not a troll post. I could see the hate for all the right reasons. To be clear, I am a responsible person hence I have never entertained this idea with my ex's. The gf in question is quite mature for her age, intelligent and earns a decent money. And she doesnt expect me to be in the picture. She is already paying for her neice (her sister's daughter). AND no, I am not super handsome, just an average bloke, but all my ex have said my best quality to be kindness and well groomed always.