I have to admit living in Cebu as an expat is often a bit confusing due to there being a lack of structure to the way people think as there is justifications for things in all directions as well as people from all walks of life. The Sexpat from Australia that sent over an abusive email because the apartment I advertised “no sexpats because its a family orientated environment” is a typical example of the way things which in what would be a Western society unacceptable get wash with “but this is the Philippines”. Its an odd thing and I don’t agree with the statement but its the no.1 use of phrase for something that is either immoral, illegal or doesn’t make sense. No point arguing the point either as many wouldn’t get it and often get abusive instead.
But besides that generally living in Cebu as an expat can be an easy life. If you can work out how to make an income and to be honest there are plenty of ways to make money out there just takes a bit of thought to work out how to make things work. The easiest option for many younger expats here is the internet and the growing outsourcing market which is lowering prices abroad at the same time a web designer in the UK really can’t compete with people out here charging less than half the UK rate.
For myself and my family its been an initial struggle to get things setup the way we wanted here in Cebu as I don’t get my pension until I hit 65 I believe and another 30 years away I am not really interested in waiting that long when I can sit here in the sunshine every day and watch my kids grow and develop with my wife. In reality I have no regrets from escaping the rat race but would say its took 3 years to get from arrival to where we are today sustainable. Not an easy feat and something you should ponder on more if looking to live here full-time as you can see the money drain rather rapidly if not careful within the first few months before you establish a life and a job/income.
Adapting to life in Cebu often means making sacrifices on small things to have the better long term things in life. An example of this is microwave food which in the West is a quick meal especially when too busy to cook a proper meal. In reality I don’t know anyone with a microwave here and from the health aspects I often wonder why the microwave meals need so much colouring and flavourings. Our fish here for example is so fresh when it arrives its still alive, meat is killed that day and we are starting to eat vegetables from our own garden.
Originally posted 2011-06-12 06:06:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
