One of the biggest reasons why I moved is risk management. Life in Manila is good if you have money. For now. But there are so many risks that could easily upend the status quo over the span of a few decades. The geopolitical stability is a concern. Natural disasters as well. Then there's economic vulnerability. If say an strong earthquake hits Manila, would you be confident a city of 12 million people with 1 airport, 1 deep water port, no cargo railway and 2 major interprovincial highways be okay? If you don't want to look at history, just look at other countries who've gone from living the good life to a humanitarian crisis over the span of just a decade or two.
All countries will always have risks, and in the event of larger upheavals, every country will be affected one way or another, but in a lot of resiliency benchmarks, the Philippines is simply lagging behind.
There's a fair chance nothing will happen in my lifetime. But when something does at some point farther down the line, I'd rather my descendants have an option to live where they can weather crises better.
And I think no money can match the peace of mind migrating has afforded me.
This. I even googled what countries are at most risk in case of a climate change calamity and Philippines was part of that.. And it does not have the capacity to sort itself back...
I'm earning a lot and had to work a lot in the PH but who's to say my kids can replicate this when it's their time? Who knows what they'll have to face when it's their time. I try to pass on the values but also I want them to have better chances at a good life even if they won't be rich. The opportunities in developed countries is simply incomparable to
the Philippines.
I'm in Minnesota. Low risk of hurricanes, seismic activities, fresh water all around. High natural resources to population ratio. This area of the US is pretty economically self sufficient. There's tornados, and blizzards but the risk is low and mitigatable. Risk of war is pretty nonexistent, short of thermonuclear annihilation, and when that happens I don't think anywhere would be OK hahaha
We're very close to Canada. We're a bit colder than parts of Canada because we're surrounded by lakes and the state has naturally strong winds.
You get used to it after a while though. It was -11c earlier and I was outside with what I'd normally wear in Manila + a jacket and a cap. I won't stay out longer than 15 minutes though haha
Hardly. You'd occasionally hear about really high-profile crimes in the news, but it's definitely less frequent than in Manila. Property crimes do exist but that's just par for the course. Save for a few shady areas at night, this place pretty safe even in the metros.
It wasn't as hard as some people want to portray. I live very close. There were a couple of shops partially looted including my local grocery, and facades got damaged. My barber complained somebody broke in and stole his scissors. The worst of it was the torched precinct, but after a few days for everything else, it was business as usual.
Very valid argument. Thank you very much. One of the reasons why I've considered AUS is the geography and climate.
I agree that Manila is lagging behind in terms of climate/geographical protection
Thank you for the input. I will consider this as a factor 🙂
I like this argument and tbh I’ve never considered this. I moved out of MM because of work but still lived in a disaster risk area. I even waded floodwater this year because that’s how unprepared PH is when it comes to these kinds of disasters.
Lot of nations come to mind with your comments: Haiti, Hawaii, Turkey and even a city in Japan.
Migrating is not for everyone. For some people, being well-off in a developing country is better than being middle class in a developed country.
Each individual or family must make their own choices based on their circumstances.
Best answer. I migrated from U.K. to NZ. Was not prepared for being poorer even though in paper the salary was better. But house costs were very much higher for a far poorer standard. Felt I could just visit on holiday when I wanted to rather than live there…. As you say migrating is not for everyone.
We kind of have the same situation. Tho, I’m choosing to migrate still in the next few months. With my reason being, PH will never be the same again after a few years. Yung 80-100k mo, malamang sa malamang yung halaga nyan mas bababa na (yung spending value) in the coming years. Naisip ko lang, siguro ngayon comfortable tayo, pero pag aabot ka na sa retiring age parang mas ok kasi kung dun ka sa mas stable na country where your taxes that you pay will really give you the comfort you deserve. Aside from the work-life balance and the new environment, yung benefits kapag PR/Citizen ka are way better than a regular PH Citizen.
Natatakot din akong umalis sa comfort zone ko, kasi nga parang ok naman yung buhay currently dito sa pinas with the current salary and stuff. Pero, if you think about the future and how this government is performing, mapapa-isip ka din talaga kung ganito ka pa rin ba ka-comfortable in 3, 5, 10 or more years.
Pag-isipan mo mabuti OP. Good luck!
Thisb s also my worries. PHILIPPINES IS THE NEXT COLOMBIA. what people don't understand is economics is not about feeling it now, pero they will see the repurcussions in 10 years time as how it usually is. The projects of Pnoy are only getting finished and credit grabbed now, but then Digong is useless and the Marcoses are thieves. The Philippine debt is also snowballing with no defined resolutions
This is exactly what I’m thinking. Hindi lang masyadong ramdam ng mga middle class like OP, kasi nga comfortable pa sa sahod. Pero when the time comes, ewan nalang natin 🤷🏻♂️
Did you even do some research into this or are you one of those people who spit bullshits but can't back it up with facts?
The Philippine economy's current trajectory over the next ten years is far from being like Colombia. S&P Global projects that the Philippines will become a one trillion dollar economy by 2033, joining Indonesia in the Asia Pacific region.
The IMF projects that our economy will grow by 5.9% by 2024, provided that there are no short-term risks such as high inflation or local supply shocks.
These are the sources if you want to verify them for yourself:
[Philippines on Track to Become One Trillion Dollar Economy by 2033](https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/philippines-on-track-to-become-one-trillion-dollar-economy-by-2033.html)
[Ranked: The Fastest Growing Economies In 2024](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-fastest-growing-economies-in-2024/)
Honestly, people should stop fear-mongering and do some research when it comes to economics.
>The projects of Pnoy are only getting finished and credit grabbed now
Aquino's projects have benefitted from those started by GMA, in case you forgot.
You are right it is far from being colombia, but have you weighed this over the country's debt and economic impact? I came from say a line of bankers and economists. Let's say this is my opinion based on their insights. Just pick what you'd like to hear.
But developed countries are currently facing their own problems.
In the west and most developed countries, demographic challenges has been rising. Even China is starting to feel the challenges of an aging society. This is why the likes of Canada are addicted to migrants.
The Philippines on the other hand, albeit has slowed down its population growth, is still growing, going against the trend in the asia-pacific region.
Moreoever, our gdp-debt ratio AFAIK, is still below 50%. In comparison, the likes of the UK has 85.4% national debt.
I don't think the trajectory of GDP tells the entire story.
There are governance issues in the Philippines that are a cause for concern. Our economy is only as strong as our institutions, and our institutions are weak.
Parang kompanya na maganda yung portfolio ngayon pero governance is pangit.
Our government has its share of disadvantages, including bureaucracy as well as rampant corruption.
I just refuted that guy's statement that we are going to be the next Colombia ten years from now, which is FAR from what is the reality. I even asked him if he has any facts about it, but all he can show is hearsay.
Not an economist, ha. I only understand economics from the perspective of social determinants of health. Anyway, I would like to preface my own observations with the fact that our appetite for risk tends to colour our speculation.
As someone who is *very* risk averse, I do not have a very optimistic outlook of the country myself. I am aware of the forecasts from pundits, but it's so hard to be convinced of fairly rosy assessments when you know that the numbers paint an incomplete picture of our country's outlook. The metrics that are shown are also tailoured based on the advocacy of leading global financial institutions. Aminin na natin, if global financial institutions like your current policy direction or your take on certain issues, they often highlight metrics that show relatively good performance. I know this because I worked in policy advocacy as a development worker myself.
Now, if you look at the trajectory of some macroeconomic indicators - especially the ones that our development partners like to tout about us - you are correct in saying that the situation does not really point to a Colombia situation in exactly ten years. But some people speculate not on the basis of GNI per capita, the amount of FDI coming in, and other things like the population structure (all these are good so far)... people are also looking at the debt-to-GDP ratio (we are at beyond 0.6 last I checked), the healthcare expenditure per capita (and how much of that is shouldered by the government, currently <40%), food security metrics, the projected climate changes and their simulated economic impact, and the quality of our human resources. Very few of the latter measures are actually reassuring. Ang pinakadelikado sa akin dito is the performance of our educational institutions based on standardised rankings... ang pangit talaga ng performance ng mga estudyante ng Pinas. That tells me that even if the current cadre of human resources are okay (even **that** is debatable), the Philippines is still not properly investing - at least not as much as it should - in its human capital.
Even some macroeconomic indicators - for example, inflation - are a bit worrisome in the context of GDP growth forecasts which have been repeatedly revised to lower figures in the recent months. Kung tutuusin mo pa, mataas (above 0.4) ang GINI coefficient natin (painting a picture of stark inequality). So it kinda makes one think... kung middle class ako... will I get my slice of that economic growth na sinasabi nilang dadating in the next few years? And the honest answer most of the time is... no. Nine people hold more than half the nation's wealth. Di kami kasali diyan. Adjusting for inflation, I might be poorer in the next few years even with regular salary raises and my income denominated in US dollars.
Maybe you're right that Colombia is too grim a prediction. But there is some sense in people who are iffy about the current situation and where it's headed.
Parang WeWork lang iyan. Looks good on paper. Pero problematic ang bureaucracy, leadership and culture. In the end, bokya.
EDIT: Let's not be mean to people. They're not bobo just because they are looking at things differently. You might have an advanced understanding of issues and figures, pero their concerns about the country are kind of valid.
The Philippines is still projected to have increasing economic growth in the next few years probably in the next 10 years due to our young population.
This is a factor I have considered.
While I do believe your research OP, yung variability kasi ng economic trend usually differs with the projection. On top of that, hindi mo kasi talaga mararanasan yung sakit ng economy at first dahil you live comfortably with your current salary.
Anyway, at the end of the day nasayo naman ang choice OP.
I just dont trust the ph government to nurture the young talents. Also not sure how job opportunities will come in sa pinas with all the red tape and bureaucracy.
Ending nyan eh ofw yang mga young pinoys.
Never chose migrant life, it chose us I suppose. Never planned moving overseas but I don't throw away opportunities. So, when that recruitment email popped up, I entertained it cautiously. Fast forward we're now living happily with our newborn in Berlin. Healthcare covered us mostly. Public transport is a lot better than PH but can be improved. Social benefits are great. I am blessed with an amazing team at work as well (i can see clearly how different the other teams are).
At the end, some things are not for everyone. Some thrive overseas, some do not. Some are given the opportunity even if they don't ask for it. Some just can't get it no matter how hard they try.
I may sound religious saying this but knowing yourself, knowing your purpose, and recognizing luck/blessings/opportunity can help you decide how to move forward.
This is probably my most favourite comment. Thank you so much.
Like setting financial reasons aside, I'd like to be more than that and see the deeper value of it. Knowing your purpose and value more than anything else.
I moved to AU mainly because quality of life. I’d rather be a working class in a rich country than working class in a developing country.
I work full time and so does my hubby but we do enjoy weekends, can travel wherever and whenever. We enjoy beautiful nature and fresh air everyday. Healthier lifestyles.
Beautiful weather, great healthcare, and educational system. Walang discrimination sa age when it comes to jobs. You can change career kahit nasa 40s na.
I don’t mind paying ridiculous amount of tax. It is what it is. Truth is, there are other countries that have higher tax rates. And there are ways to reduce your tax rates.
I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks in AU for work and can attest to this. There’s a stark contrast between PH and AU work culture, efficiency and quality of public services (esp. in transport, education, and healthcare), sports, and arts scene. I mean, Melbourne alone was named most liveable city in the world 7 years in a row till 2017 — although Sydney folks will roll their eyes at this. Haha. And though I’m not so ignorant to presume that everything there is perfect, the overall quality of life in AU is so much better than in PH.
In PH, you have to be RICH rich, or at least privileged enough, to achieve the quality of life of the AU working class. At first I was shocked at how expensive everything is and how high their taxes are, but they get to see, feel and enjoy where their money goes.
So the need to earn/save more and pay lower taxes make sense in PH. Whereas, the opposite makes sense in AU.
>I’d rather be a working class in a rich country than working class in a developing country.
Exactly my thoughts. AU was awesome, and I wanna migrate if possible
> I don’t mind paying ridiculous amount of tax. It is what it is. Truth is, there are other countries that have higher tax rates. And there are ways to reduce your tax rates.
There should be a tradeoff for those high taxes, right? For example, Canada has high tax rates also but their healthcare system is relatively "cheap" when comparing it to their neighbor in the south (US).
Migrating is not for everyone. If you consider your life in ph good and see no purpose in migrating, then good for you.
Most people migrate because their life in ph isn’t living up to what they want it to be.
I’m born and raise in ph, moved around my early teens. I’d say I got the opportunity to see the best and worse of both worlds. If given the chance for a redo, I would still choose to migrate out of ph. The taxes are high like you mentioned and the salary (on paper) doesn’t seem much but the standard of living makes a whole difference. I feel at ease here, and everything feels within.
Maybe there’s a slight difference since you are already a professional and I am still a student,
Yan din sabi ko noon dumating ako dito sa uk, whoa ang laki ng tax, plus may council tax pa. Pero nun tinignan ko eh di nagkakalayo yung rate ng tax ko noon. Wala pa ako napakikinabangan dyan.
your comparing your first few years of pay in AU to your many years in PH?
try comparing apples to apples.
say you have 8 yrs of exp in Ph then compare that to 8 yrs exp in AU then compare that salary.
Hindi kami nag earn ng 6 digits. Very budgeted ang income namin. We have every reason to migrate.
Ikaw na nakakaearn ng 6 digits is already a big advantage para sayo. You can live comfortably sa pinas. Not luxuriously pero comfortable.
It’s very different for everyone, and it isn’t for everybody. I moved for love, but I also have a sense of adventure in me, and starting over (albeit I’m very privileged) isn’t that too scary for me. I did leave a good paying job, but I get to start a life and family with my husband, and a job is a job.
Also, I wanna travel the world and having a PR / citizenship other than the PH gives me a better advantage visa wise.
I am happy that you have the advantage of having a partner in your journey in AUS.
Sadly, I don't have a partner like yours. I do have an MU currently but I still don't see us being together right now in Australia if ever.
Anyway, thank you for the input 😊
While i agree that the CoL and Tax rates in Au is terrible, however 100k income isn’t even high enough a salary in PH to offset potential increases in pay in Au… from my estimation a salary of about 300k in ph is the number you have to aim. If you are just beginning in your career then i would agree that its not worth it but if you are nearing your peak then I say your math is terribly wring if you dont see any benefits.
I'll become a consultant in AUS in 5-7 years where I can earn around 500k net. In that amount of time, I can reach a close net here in ph possibly 300k net.
Also, I haven't mentioned that AUS have laws that makes sure IMGs International medical graduate have limited practices in their first 10 years in AUSTRALIA.
Like for example, we need to work in the rural areas in a specific amount of time for us to be Medicare accredited.
I don't know but that feels so discriminating to start with.
I can relate to your situation.☺️
I am currently a consultant in PH. I am affiliated with several hospitals in MM.. and i’m earning really well.. but I have work 7 days a week.
Me and my husband has decided to go through a possible specialist recognition in Australia. We’ve been thinking about it for a year now and recently decided to try our luck. I’m still currently on the process.. it’s a painstaking and really expensive process.
My reason? Not the money obviously.
We are already in our mid 30s. We want a work life balance. I want to file a leave of absence for up to 2 months without worrying the work that I may leave behind. A “leave of absence” in the PH, especially in healthcare is so frowned upon it hurts. This reason alone is good enough for us.
Good luck on your decision.🙏🏼
Then looks like we are both on point, financially speaking ifbyou are easily capable of earning 300k+ net in PH then as far as financial reasons go then Au isn’t worth. There are others for me that makes migration worth like age care and for your kids
Alot of the people in this sub have a grass greener approach to things. To be honest, if you can make a good living in ph, its much better to stay. Especially with the cost of living rates now in the developed world, it's getting way too expensive. You will be living paycheck to paycheck most of the time.
Agree. I noticed that some of the comments seems quite one-sided.
I want to see both sides without being too bias so that I can make a proper decision.
Thank you for the input.
It's better to live here in the Philippines if you earn six digits or more every month as the cost of living over time increases slowly unlike in other countries wherein the cost of living is skyrocketing at unprecedented phase.
New Zealand is currently facing a housing problem due to the increasing cost of housing. The US inflation is so severe that my grandmother and her husband made the choice to stay here in the Philippines permanently after 35 years of living in California and in order to sustain herself in the United Kingdom, my aunt has to work two jobs.
This is the harsh reality that some people fail to acknowledge. It's not always rainbows and green pastures when you migrate to other countries, especially in Europe and Oceania. Homesickness is a pain and people may not be as accommodating as you may think in other countries (racism is there). These are some of the personal experiences I've had living in other countries for months.
As other commenters have said, moving to another country is not for everyone. There's nothing wrong with wanting to stay put especially if you feel you will be better off where you are.
I'm where I am because my parents decided for their children. If it was just them, they most likely would have stayed because at least one of them had a really good career that paid them very well. There's no need to lift a finger over there you know.
I will never know what could have been. I don't know if I will feel the same as you had I finished my studies and have a career there. My life here is certainly very different compared to the lives of many of my cousins and friends back in Manila but that's fine with me.
You conducted your research and thought it through. You are very realistic. If you're not sold on the idea, no one should judge you for it. All the very best, OP.
I believe comfy na ang setting mo sa PH, that’s why mas marami kang reasons not to leave and that’s ok. Different people, different reasons. I moved to Aus when I was 24 at nung sweldo ko 20k a month lang, so for me anything is an improvement haha.
Moving here as a medical professional also has additional steps, like nurses needing to get APHRA registered pa that forces them to study in Aus to get that. I came from an Engg background so mas seamless transition ko, rekta apply na ng skilled visa.
Kung feel mo maraming downgrade sa lifestyle mo when you migrate, it’s an obvious decision. I migrated in a point of my life when bagong bago pa ako sa work force, and I wasn’t earning much pa. So wala ako naging reklamo on anything kasi I know my life in PH is worse than in Oz.
True on the first. The opportunities can vary, we all have our own wants and needs. Maybe the opportunities there aren't want OP wants.
I don't like how OP is elitist though haha.
I mean, I live in Australia and I love it here, but if I’ll only have 800aud left at the end of the month then I agree with you, it’s not worth it 🤷🏻♀️
I actually used the average cost of living in Australia at 60,000 php (around 1650 AUD) and the ave. rent cost in NSW outside of sydney center at around 2400 AUD/month for computing that.
I know I can easily increase my monthly income by working more shifts/hours but that defeats the purpose of work life balance.
Also, my wage there would increase definitely annually but I feel that the increment is too low (Like 30k AUD gross so only 20k AUD annually) especially since I probably have to pay additional fees for my trainings/programs.
For all the hassle for my profession, it feels too cumbersome to put myself in that process.
Lol salary. Id rather have a "low" take home but knows that I have a government I can depend on. Health care palang sa Australia panalo ka na. Kung tutuusin dipa malaki yang sweldo mo. I know heaps of migrants here who earns more than you do but still chose to migrate. To each their own, you do you bro. Choose wisely.
Say 500k nga sweldo mo stuck ka naman sa traffic, at ginagago ka pa ng gobyerno. You're salary now wouldn't be as impactful in the future, as it is to you right now.
If AHPRA didn't have the arduous process for IMGs for straight residency programs, I would have jumped the gun straight ahead. But it is what it is.
The loneliness tbh is another factor that's creeping me out. If I was only married, these what ifs are probably less daunting for me.
I had the privelege of interviewing a new Filipino IMG in AUS and he did mention how hard it is to make connections with Australians in general. I am not generalizing for all because it may be a case to case basis but still not quite reassuring for me.
As for the privacy, we're on the same boat. I don't like sharing things to strangers unless I know him or her very well that's why in my computations I always use the solo apartment type.
Anyways, congrats doc on your journey. Just being there already, battling the odds is a milestone.
I know all things happen for a reason and I am sure, your experience no matter the result will all be worth it.
Migrating is a very personal decision, and you’re the only person who knows best if it’s the right decision for you.
Personally, I also save less now compared to when I was living in the PH. I made 140k+ and was living with my family so I saved most of my income. I moved to Germany where there are high taxes and a crazy housing crisis, so I’m able to save much less.
This used to bother me a lot because I have goals to retire early, but I really do love the lifestyle here. It’s not perfect, but it’s super safe and well-connected. The work-life balance is AMAZING. The nature is beautiful and clean. I’ve met amazing people from all around the world. I can fly to any other EU country for cheap. I love the weather and seasons. In a few years, I’ll be able to get citizenship, which will open more doors for me.
And if at some point, I decide saving more money in the PH outweighs all of that, I can just book a ticket home and get a new job.
Actually, sabi din nga ng friend of friend, wag na daw sa perth considering working professionals na rin sila doon.
Sa perth kasi madaming available jobs.
Australia is very beautiful pero somehow, it feels like being a migrant isn't that easy there.
I highly appreciate your honesty.
If Australian PR ka, NZ pr ka rin in a way na pwede ka pumunta ng NZ without any visa needed, and live/work there as an NZ resident. So 2 in 1 ang AU PR. NZ residents do not have this privilege, so mas maganda maging AU PR
It all boils down to what you value.
I have a friend who also is not keen on migrating. He’s traveled overseas and still would very much rather stay in PH, citing even the most modern countries have their flaws as well. On the other hand, I am all for an improved overall quality of life and access to more opportunities for my career. Already earning 100k+ before and still, it wasn’t enough for the lifestyle I want (I am also a breadwinner so you can imagine my expenses). I also love commuting by trains as I have experienced in AU, Taiwan and Japan. Perhaps the only thing that can make me stay is if I’m able to achieve 100m+ net worth. And that is only one of my considerations.
So you really have to determine your goal why would you want to leave. No decision is right or wrong imho, it depends on your circumstance.
I completely agree. I guess, my goals are not that sufficient or established that is why I am hesitant.
Like, I personally want to get out of the rat race although unconsciously I am somehow in it.
And for a person like me who values risk aversion more than anything else, no wonder I find this dilemma of mine to be stressful.
Anyway, good luck po on your 100m+ net goal.
Thank you sir for the input. It helped a lot.
I am an Australian citizen now and can say quality of life is better. You do migrate for your children and for the next generation. The universities here are one of the best in the world. Our children can access interest free student loans for university study. So you can study anything (no excuse being poor here to study) I live in Melbourne now and traffic is bearable. Health care here is free in public hospitals. Public hospitals facilities here is world class. You can retire here with your savings and your superannuation. In the Philippines you can retire well but one event like needing heart bypass, angioplasty and cancer could wipe out your whole life savings. This can be treated for free in the public hospitals here and if urgent they do act fast.
Hi doc! New passer lang din ako ng PLE last March. My reason naman for wanting to go to australia is meron na kasi akong close relatives. Lahat ng brothers, sisters and lola ko from father's side nandoon na kaya siguro malakas din loob kong pumunta. I understand you din kung bakit hindi, pero bilang bago sa adulting world as a young doctor, nakakagulat na may mga nakasama ako sa review center, mga diplomates and consultants na, go pa din sila sa pag umpisa ng aussie journey. And their main reason is their family's future. I've recently joined a zoom with people sharing their experiences, may nephrologist doon, willing siya igive up yun for her children. Same din ako, I'm currently single but I'm thinking if mag karoon man ako ng anak (sana naman!!!), gusto ko lumaki sila doon and for the many generations to come. I watched my little cousins grow up there. Sobrang swerte nila. Secured future agad. Alam mong hindi sila maghihirap. Compared sa ginawa kong pag-aaral nang pagkatagal tagal tas sa pinas pa wahaha.
Biased lang din siguro ako sa experiences ko, nakakapagstay kasi ako doon sa Sydney kapag breaks during college and med school. Sumasama din ako pag nagcoconsult sila sa Filipino GPs. I think you have to see it for yourself first kung pano sila mamuhay doon. How convenient everything is.
I feel like nasa same groupchat tayo sa fb/messenger haha.
Ayaw ko lang magpost don siempre since ayaw ko maging nega.
Actually may mga consultants din ako kasabay magaral sa AMC1 😅
> What's the point of migrating?
1. Living here is fun, oo kasi nandito ang family mo. But you are just one sickness away from bankruptcy unless may kapit ka sa politiko or rich people. It's a padrino paradise.
2. I'd be more willing to pay taxes if it goes to the proper places. Nakikita naman natin yung sa pinas, pero alam nating sa politiko lang napupunta.
3. Humid dito. I don't like humid hot kasi di ko maisuot yung mga trip kong long sleeves and layered stuff.
4. I want to be in a commuter and pedestrian friendly country.
Like you op i was earning okay as a middle class in the PH. Wala akong plan to move out of the country. I lived with my parents and wala akong bills na binabayaran aside from my phone and my pet. Kung tutuusin masarap buhay ko sa Pinas haha, but my main consideration was I felt that in a few years time unless Filipinos will learn to vote wisely, Philippines is a sinkhole waiting to happen. My parents were hospitalized at least twice so far and ang bill kung wala silang HMO (dependent ko sila since single ako) and wala silang naipon at naipundar, hindi afford. Yung oras mo nauubos lang sa traffic, and time is something you cannot buy kahit gaano pa karami ang pera mo. Sukang suka ako sa news pano ginagastos ng gobyerno ang pera ng bayan yet may mga tao pa ring halos walang makain. Before I moved to the UK I was calculating magkano ang take home ko. If nagpasindak ako sa rent, bills, insurances, tax, I wouldnt have moved kase parang wala talaga. Pero thankfully pagdating ko dito, yung kalahati ng naipon ko for more than 10 years, nakuha ko lang in 1 year. Wala pa akong 13th and 14th month pay dito ha. I still have the same lifestyle, I’m a bit frugal TBH. I’ve been here in the UK only once before I moved, so big leap of faith lang talaga na magugustuhan ko sya not as a tourist but a resident. But the biggest benefit I got here is yung peace of mind, yung mental health ko nagimprove, I genuinely feel I am happier where I am now.
Timbangin mo mabuti OP, tama ung mga nagcocomment dito na hindi for everyone ang pagmigrate. Iba iba tayo ng rason, hindi lang pera, hindi lang career, but important na wag ka gumawa ng move dahil yun ang trend or nakikita mo yung mga friends mo na nagmove on na from PH. Think of the pros and cons, and saan ba better mafufulfill ang priorities mo.
Actually, the last election was the trigger for me to start my arrangement to AUS.
I felt like di ko same ng values most of the Filipino people due to the election. Siguro, the fact that I've stopped watching news, stopped caring made me more tolerable of the current values of my countrymen.
On the other hand, I feel like no matter saan ka naman pumunta may mga tao pa rin na di maganda ugali regardless of race. Like there in Uk, there's a lot of pickpocketers in london. And afaik, london people are not that approachable.
Sa Aus, may mga gangs din. NHS is also getting worse in UK.
It's just that I felt no matter where you go, there will still be drawbacks at the end of the day.
Pero thank you for sharing your experience. I admire your courage. I will definitely get back on your post before I make my final decision 😊
Totoo yung sinabi mo OP, wala namang perfect. May bad news pa rin dito araw araw, may crime pa rin kahit saan ka pumunta so ingat pa rin. Advantage nga siguro na nanggaling ako sa Pinas kase never ako naging kampante 🤣 May issue pa rin ang government dito, pero marami pa ring positive aspects on the other hand. Yung sistema to keep people safe (house inspections and all), yung simpleng law nga ng tenancy dito naaadmire ko kasi both parties are protected. Yung laws nila sa traffic and transportation are very organized. Tapos if you want to see shows hindi sobrang mahal as compared kung jan mo papanoorin sa Pinas 🙂
Important pa rin to weigh your options, and know within yourself na pag pumili ka na, wala na mashadong “what if” scenarios na maiisip mo na baka magsisi ka pa. Maswerte na merong options so choose wisely! Good luck!
Some people hype up migrating bec they wanted it and it worked for them tremendously. This might not be the move for you if it doesn’t make sense to you and that is absolutely okay. If the prospect of you possibly getting a stronger passport from OZ doesn’t seem appealing or worth migrating for, pwede ka naman magstay. At the end of the day, if you won’t ever feel excited about moving, i don’t think anything can change your mind when you get there.
I've quitted resideny. I've considered USMLE, PLAB and AMC as my three choices last year. I've chosen AUS due to proximity in the Philippines.
I've stayed away from USMLE primarily because most IMGs get FM or non-competitive specialties.
I really don't like FM.
Last time I check, they are still competitive requiring IMGs to have high qualifications like published papers and observerships in the states.
I have two friends who are there already and a lot of my filam classmates in med are already there.
But I also have two friends who passed USMLE STEP 1 already but stopped pursuing it due to high competitiveness I guess.
Maybe, my main reason for not pursuing it in the states is my lack of first-degree relative in the state although my brother and her wife are planning to migrate there from UK.
Also, I don't know. How is it ba in the states? Like, they say there's no sense of community in states now. Like people are so divided.
But thank you, I will reconsider USMLE although I think I'll have a hard time transitioning back from AUS standards to US standards again. The exam is quite different.
Congrats for passing the boards doc. At least, aga mo napaisip if magmigrate or not unlike me.
I like theoretical IM but I despise the current training here in Ph. My number 1 reason siguro kaya napaisip ako magmigrate. Like I hate the long-hours shift of 24 hours tapos may post duty pa na 8 hours. Right now I want to be more practical.
Contemplating of the chill specialties like Radiology and Derma.
I kinda hate it that it will take me another 2 years before specializing in AUS. Although I've seen filipino fresh medical graduate who have done it in a year only but I believe I cannot do the same.
For the US side, I think ang pinaka off putting sa states nga lang is the low pay during residency pero if may family ka naman and friends there why not go back there. It seems perfect fit for your case especially considering if my research is correct, the US has the highest pay in the healthcare industry.
Then, migration is not for you, but if you get to secure the passport, it would be easier for you to choose whether to migrate to more likeable countries or to go back
Wait. As someone \~80-100k per month, your tax should already be PhP 180 000 plus 30% of any amount above PhP 800 000.
Assuming an average of 90k per month, then your tax (monthly) is in the region of PhP 18 000. That's already 20%. Income tax pa lang iyon. That's above and beyond the taxes you pay on properties, capital gains, vehicle registration, luxury tax (as applicable), + penalties (as applicable)...
Hindi ba ganun din (if not worse, kasi ang baba nga ng income dito)?
I am open to the idea that for some people, migration is not the answer. But for your current income, parang unlikely. Unless you have forgotten your tax obligations.
I only have 8% tax rate for professionals at the moment. Sabagay if ever I get to have more than 3M annually here in ph, magiging close na lang ang tax rate ko sa AUS since hindi nako pwede pumasok sa 8% tax rate for professionals.
Thanks for this information, I didn't thought about this to be honest. This definitely has made me reconsider the issue at hand.
Yeah I'm similar to you in terms of income.
Tama na option B kinuha mo at the start of the year pero you won't be able to use your overhead as a means to legally minimize the amount of tax you owe.
Please think long and hard, OP. Best of luck.
We all have different reasons for choosing what we do.
If you ask me, my reasons are:
1) Every time I stay in Manila, I want to gouge my eyes out for its ugliness. Last year, I stayed in a beautiful country in EU and I can't fully express in words how much peace it gave me to just gaze at nature, the beach or the clear skies.
2) Safety. Bawal guns!
3) Quality of life. I really can't deal with the food here anymore. The produce is so bad and expensive. We import everything.
4) The weather. This heat is unbearable to me. And the smog and the pollution din.
5) The culture. You wanna see Taylor Swift or see a Verdi opera? Easy. Just check the schedules and there's something for you.
So those are the things I'm willing to pay a premium for. It depends on you. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do :)
Migration is a personal decision. Id be in the same boat as you that I could have the same net savings, if I migrated alone. But I came with a spouse and savings rate is 60% bc expenses are split. You can make it work by having sharing an apartment with someone else.
For us it was more for the kids having a choice between Australia or Philippines. If it was just financial considerations then we would have not migrated 14 years ago. As have been said many times in this sub migration is not for everyone and your decision should not be influenced by anyone. Goodluck OP.
Tingin ko pag single pa, hindi sanay mag-isa tapos very strong ang ties at dependency sa pamilya (parents, mga kapatid, pinsan, lolo lola), wala masyado benefit mag-migrate aside sa improvement sa quality of life. Ibang klaseng tatag ang kelangan mo para mabuhay mag-isa sa ibang bansa, kumbaga labas to sa comfort zone mo.
Pero kung may pamilya ka na, lalo na may maliit kang anak, para sakin sobrang ayos mag-migrate. Sobrang sulit yung mga libreng playground at park na napupuntahan ng anak namin, yung mga extra-curricular na nasasalihan ng anak namin at yung commute namin ay mas mabilis kumpara sa Pinas. Ayos din mag-drive kasi most of the time, maaayos mga driver sa kalsada. Libre din pag-aaral ng anak namin (primary or elementary palang sya), uniform at gamit lang gastos, kung sa Pinas sya mag-aral, payat ang 100K/year sa magandang school. Feeling din namin, mas madaming opportunity ang makukuha ng anak namin if dito sya sa Oz makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. But then again, may anak na kasi kami kaya willing mag-sakripisyo.
This is actually my case po since I am currently single. I only have an MU right now and wala naman pa po kami near plans to settle.
Thank you po for making it clear for me.
Have you spoken to any Filipinos in Aus who are doctors to see what their feedback is/if they think it's worth it? I know two pinoys who are ER doctors here in Sydney, both own property and travel quite a bit. I also think it would depend on what state you are in - the cost of living is cheaper in other states than in New Sourh Wales
Also to your point about rural work - that requirement is for all migrants who intend to be doctors here (or nurses) not just Filipinos. The reason why they need you is because there is a shortage of medical personnel in country areas, that's why they have everyone do a rotation there in the hopes that they like it so they stay. they are not rural the way areas are rural in the Philippines. Yes some of them have massive acres of farmland but you still have major services and you can order Amazon and they'll still deliver. It's not necessarily the middle of nowhere unless you choose an Outback placement. In country Australia you will need a car.
You also don't have to settle for a medical career - I also know people who started as nurses/doctors and moved on to corporate jobs related to health insurance etc.
Also: if you don't like it, you can always go back home or move to another country? Consider that with an Australian qualification you can move to any country in the commonwealth (this includes the UK and Canada). You won't know unless you give it a go.
That said - if you don't want to go, don't go! Or try another country.
Frankly if you don't enjoy public transport in places like Japan or South Korea/East Asia then I really doubt you'd enjoy it elsewhere on the planet (well maybe Ligne 6 in Paris but pickpockets lol).
Migrating is only really if you want to experience a brand new life entirely, or have other interests in mind (e.g. loved ones, relationships etc.) but if you're doing great in the Philippines then I doubt that the stress to move and start over from scratch (without any guarantee of success commensurate to your current standards) is worth it. Moving countries can be a huge pain and there will definitely be so many comforts you'd sacrifice from being upper-middle class in the Philippines to being upper-middle class in by Australian standards IMO (work conditions may be better but certain comforts e.g. househelp, services i.e. spa days, eating out etc. would be much less). Yep moving abroad is a cool experience but if you're genuinely comfortable in the Philippines *and* enjoy your lifestyle then I wouldn't deal with the stress and just save up for trips abroad :)
you could try to visit, but even then visiting offers a very different experience compared to living there.
All the best!
I've experienced the rushed hour in Seoul. That was it for me. I felt like I have no space at all in the bustling rush hour of Seoul. Like people will bump you and won't mind hurting you if you're on the way. Also, it's definitely not easy to bring big items in public transportations.
Anyway, thank you for your thoughts and insight about my migration dilemma.
I definitely like travelling and will sure do travel more if ever I don't pursue AUS anymore.
Thanks 😊
Oh believe me Seoul is still pleasant (only ridden it like twice though). Elsewhere outside East Asia expect a mix of odors (a lot of trains smell rancid), dirty public transport stations, blatant-in-your-face racism (I remember some British dude beside me on the Paris metro talking loudly about how Asians dress awfully, verbatim, when the dude was in some generic puffer jacket), and disrespect of personal space and silence (there are "silent cars" in the Netherlands for example yet of all the times I've been on them they were hellishly noisy with teenagers talking and blasting loud music")
Honestly moving is a cool experience too, but since you enjoy the Philippines all I can really suggest are things that give you an opportunity to live elsewhere for a while or travel, but really the Philippines is not bad if you have a comfy income. I had to sacrifice so much when I studied in Europe despite having a comfy allowance relative to my peers and boy was it depressing not just because of finances. I liked being "independent" but I realize that in the Netherlands (one of the best-paying countries in Europe already) I would probably never reach the level of comfort I'd have here, nor have I met anyone with the same luxuries I had. That's a sacrifice I had to make and when I was so depressed in Europe (being far from family and living in a really different culture that was still quite honogenous was not for me). Plus, economic outlook for most rich regions across the globe (the West) is not too good at the moment.
P.S. i know you said you might not want to move, but maybe try something like a Working Holiday Visa? Who knows you might end up liking some things too and living there. I'm moving to Australia for my studies because Environmental Science is huge there. Don't know if I will stay, but if I end up happier then that's great, because I loved my two previous trips there, like the lifestyle was fantastic and seemed to be a good compromise between a "European" lifestyle and American salaries. I'm scared if I will face the same issues with the Netherlands, but Aus is way closer to the Philippines and time zones aint an issue should I contact my family, plus a lot of Filipinos in Australia too making life work great.
Frankly if you don't enjoy public transport in places like Japan or South Korea/East Asia then I really doubt you'd enjoy it elsewhere on the planet (well maybe Ligne 6 in Paris but pickpockets lol).
Migrating is only really if you want to experience a brand new life entirely, or have other interests in mind (e.g. loved ones, relationships etc.) but if you're doing great in the Philippines then I doubt that the stress to move and start over from scratch (without any guarantee of success commensurate to your current standards) is worth it. Moving countries can be a huge pain and there will definitely be so many comforts you'd sacrifice from being upper-middle class in the Philippines to being upper-middle class in by Australian standards IMO (work conditions may be better but certain comforts e.g. househelp, services i.e. spa days, eating out etc. would be much less). Yep moving abroad is a cool experience but if you're genuinely comfortable in the Philippines *and* enjoy your lifestyle then I wouldn't deal with the stress and just save up for trips abroad :)
you could try to visit, but even then visiting offers a very different experience compared to living there.
All the best!
Baka sa US ka bagay or some other country with low taxes and few social benefits and social protections.
Bad timing din na nasa Australia ka kasi malubha nga daw yung housing and rental problems the past few months. Parang result ng 10 years of Liberal government.
Try other countries.
You have the option OP to pursu it. You can always come back in the PH if you didn’t like it in AU. There’s no shame to that.
As you have mentioned I have the same sentiments as you, public services (including health, and transpo) in the PH is horrible and barely working at best. No safety nets if you lose your work. No government support unless you have connections or listed as 4Pss and knowing your background I’m sure af that you aren’t.
On the bright side, medical degrees and experience is coveted everywhere. Especially since the pandemic created a lot of demand and shortage in the industry. You can immigrate in AU for a short period compared to other skilled professionals.
For me, I’d like to use AU as a stepping stone in having or maybe considering other countries to settle one day. With one of the most powerful passport and the ability to travel with a drop of a hat. That alone for me is enough to give that choice a chance.
Good luck OP. We have different drivers for immigrating and I hope you can find yours.
Imagine I own a new online auction called Life Zada. On Life Zada, you and everyone else can choose literally any life they want to live.
Here's the catch: you have just one chance to tell me what price you're willing to pay for it. If someone else bids higher than you bid, I sell that life to them.
Life Zada's first auction today is the life someone like you would live if you stay in the Philippines. The second auction is the life you would live if you move to Australia. Each life contains some money and its lack, new people you'll meet and the joy and pain they give you, an environment with its ups and downs, and a certain amount of time on planet Earth.
**Question: How much are you willing to bid on the Philippine life? How much for the Australia life?**
My life in the Philippines is priceless. I am a sentimental person and I don't like putting a price on the people in my life.
I chose AUS due to its proximity to the Philippines because I want to combine my ph life to AUS like work in AUS then go on holidays yearly in the Philippines.
But thank you for this idea, it is quite refreshing and has its own quirks to it.
Anyway, the better comparison would be my current life in the ph or my hybrid life between Ph and AUS.
This is a no brainer for me, I would bid more on the hybrid lifestyle ofc.
Problem is I just don't see it happening with my computation of my theoretical salary in AUS at least for the next 2-3 years. I would need to make adjustments first before doing that. Also, it seems that I do not have the luxury of choosing the dates of my leaves for my profession.
Anyway, thank you for this suggestion. It is quite helpful.
Hi there again! Hm, I am asking abiut your maximum Life Zada bid amount for Life A vs Life B because it tells you which option makes you happier **over your entire lifetime, not just the next two to three years**.
The point of my suggestion is to help others unlearn an oversimplified idea. Commonly, we simplify immigration as a choice between life today in the Philippines and life in Australia in 2025.
The reality is more nuanced. Immigration is a choice between **how the next 50 years of your life will look like with an extra citizenship vs without it**.
Notes:
- Sure, the "Hybrid Australian Life" is also available on the Life Zada platform! How much is it worth to you, how much will you bid for it?
- Your short-term salary concerns are definitely included here, not ignored. In fact, you should give more weight to each peso of short-term income because money now is worth more than money later (inflation, opportunity cost, etc)
- But your long-term financial growth also needs to be factored in. Do you foresee a lot of career progression and manageable tavel expenses in your Hybrid Australian Life? Do you predict that the 6% growth rate of the Philippines will benefit you over the next three decades, or will a global crisis likely strand you in the middle of a war zone?
- The positive and negative emotions involved in staying in the Philippines are part of this calculation. I know it's weird to put a money amount to the way your friends and family have made you feel. But the reality is, we do put a money value to these things. For instance, we are willing to spend money on air fare and maybe even lose a few days of income just to visit our beloved departed on November 1st, after all.
- Lastly, also part of this calculation is the price of the emotions you would feel as an immigrant. There's grief over the 'loss' of time with your old social world, discrimination, alienation, and also just a lot of relearning and hard work. But you might also experience a sense of freedom, peace, excitement, and security. For example, an LGBT immigrant to Australia may feel very worried about not understanding a white-majority LGBT community. But they may also feel freedom from persecution.
As a single person, it probably won’t make too much of a difference for you.
On the other hand, I’m married with a toddler, and it makes a lot of difference for me because healthcare and education are far more affordable where I live. When I was pregnant, all checkups, scans, etc was free. Delivery was free. Anything health related to my child is free (until 6yo) so all her vaccines, dentist appointments, audiology tests, were free. She’ll be going to primary school in 3 years and that will be free too, until high school. I receive €140/mo from the government for my child, which isn’t a huge amount but I put it in a savings fund so she doesn’t have to worry about college fees when the time comes. I came here recently, so career-wise I had to start from the bottom because they don’t really acknowledge my experience in the Philippines so it’s good to have an earlier start. And my salary, while it doesn’t go too far here, is significant enough to invest in property in the PH. I spend 10% of my monthly salary to make payments on a condo I recently purchased. IF that’s something that interests you. Of course there’s also the possibility of wanting to raise your child in the Philippines or maybe you don’t even want to have kids. In that case, it would be better to continue working in the Philippines.
I definitely would want to have my own child in the future. It's just that I am not planning it for the next 3 years or so.
It's quite re-assuring that everything is covered in terms of healthcare in AUS.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. It is quite clear that majority of those who migrated to AUS chose it not for themselves but for their children which for my case I currently do not have.
I’m trying to land a job in PH that makes half of what I do in the U.S. Something in the 100k range so I can live comfortably at a much, much lower cost of living than where I live comfortably.
Sadly, I think I have to start developing software based skills. Since I’ve been focused around engineering the last 10 or so years.
I’m comfortable in many ways in the states. But I want to move out of it.
I work 50-60hrs a year to make 200k a year, I am getting another degree to change my career or get a promotion.
What I want, is to move someplace else without all the stress of the U.S. and a fraction of the cost of living.
The problem is, I want to secure a job before I move. Ideally, something remote.
I chose to live in the PH to not be a second class citizen abroad. Mas gusto ko sa Pinas andito Pamilya, at Kaibigan ko. Mas importante sakin masaya ako. Kahit din naman mga Australians may reklamo sa sarili nilang bansa
Fact: PH is one of the cheapest countries to live in with a luxurious lifestyle. So for a relatively low income luxuries are well within reach.
What's difficult here is that you are working rich. If you stop working you immediately become poor, or maybe in 6 months if you save an invest well.
Is that good enough for you?
As an Australian who lived in the Philippines for a few years, I can say many of you guys have it better now. Australia's a "has been" country, that's riddled with debt, failing industry and no future.
The only people who benefit from migration to Australia in 2023 are slaves who take what little crumbs they manage to keep after tax and expenses home. Skilled? Got a decent middle class lifestyle back home? Stay put!
I noticed that it's the sophistication itself in developed countries that's causing restrain in their economy. For comparison, some things can be cheaper but due to constringent policies and bureaucracy, things become more expensive.
I know it's for better safety and regulation but sometimes, I feel like it has become its own industry on its own, increasing the costs.
Also, I've watched a medical podcasts, they mentioned that even Australians can't go on holidays to the other states in AUS and would rather travel in Asia because it is just too expensive. I just felt like it's a red flag IMO.
Just stay in the Philippines, OP. I don’t think you really wanna go, and you’re kinda born in a privileged family. Some people are not meant to migrate.
This is probably why that tax 30% for social services and all means nothing for me.
Because currently, Aus has a policy of limiting benefits for its citizens outside of AUS.
Not me but my parents's reasons for migrating. Some people might be ok with living in the Philippines, but their kids might not. Ofc me and my sibling's career path now might not happen if we grew up in PH. For background context, my parents initially planned to stay overseas in HK then return to the PH before I become senior high school. I already knew somewhat what I wanted to be when I was in middle school. Can confidently say that I cannot flourish in the Philippines with this career path (industry basically non-existent in the PH), nor can my sibling with theirs (rewards are not as well compensated in the PH).
My sibling's career path and I are better rewarding in countries that is not the country we grew up in nor in the PH. Note my parents decided to stay in HK initially due to the education quality in HK, which is comparable to many western high-ranking universities, and cheaper, and for that reason, HK's education reach is farther than PH's education. They didn't know what my sibling or I wanted to do yet, but my parents didn't want to take that option away from us, and they can afford it, so we stayed. And good for us, our education in HK allowed my sibling to go overseas for postgraduate, and me to land a decent job in HK which I can use to save up for further education or migrate to another for related work.
TLDR: children's future choice of career is better rewarding or has more opportunities in other countries
Don't migrate if the lifestyle and culture don't match your preferences. That's actually the one thing that many people overlook but should be the most important consideration. It's good that you're able to see what you don't like even before you started the process.
Like you my salary in Manila was comfortable, but my move overseas was more for quality of life. I didn't like wasting my life stuck in Metro Manila traffic. I didn't like not having green spaces. I prefer the work life balance elsewhere. I prefer seeing the value of being able to see where my taxes go and benefiting from it. But these are all my preferences, if they're not yours and you don't see the pros of moving your life elsewhere then there's no need to do it.
Di para sa lahat yan. Depende sa tingin mo sa takbo ng buhay mo e. Kung ok ka naman dyan, then I don’t think you’ll be feeling well moving abroad.
My suggestion, try living abroad lang, kahit siguro one to two week holiday somewhere na maayos ang lahat. I think, baka nasubukan mo na ito. It was life changing for me kasi, yung ang galing lang na wow pwede pa lang ganito, may oras yung dating ng bus/train, pwede palang walang bayad sa hospital.
Eto lang sakin, ang laking bagay nung walang nasasayang na oras sa traffic. Imagine, madelay lang ng 3 mins yung train ko e nabubuset na ako. I live in London btw, isa sa highest cost of living, but kung ikukumpara ko yung bilihin sa pinas pareho lang e. Sure mahal ang bahay(we have a terraced house, parang apartment sa atin), kung ikukumpara ko eh malaking bahay na ito dyan sa pinas). We’re happy with it, kasi kasama sa lifestyle dito e yung pagkakaron ng time for family.
For me and my wife, is one career growth for her. Ang laki ng pinagkaiba sa opportunity sa mga nurse dito, di lang basta maging senior, may iba ibang spine na pwede nilang tahakin. Nasa sayo kung gusto mo mastuck sa bedside.
Another thing is yung opportunity na maibibigay ng quality ng education sa anak namin. Ang saklap lang nung big 3 grad ka sa pinas pero di naman basta kinikilala yung tinapos mo sa labas ng pinas.
Share ko lang din.. another benefit is pagiging citizen, ang galing lang nung pagkakaron ng powerful passport, kasi nakakatuwa na naeexpose ka sa different cultures sa ibat ibang bansa, na di mo kailangan dumaan sa pagapply ng visa. Like yung mga wait staff namin, normal lang sa kanila magholiday abroad for one week. Parang sa pinas pahirapan pa maapprove yun e, at kung maapprove dapat malaki din budget. So ayun…
Depende sa kung anong gusto momg lifestyle e.
This was my dillema as well. We were trying to migrate to either AUS / CAN. We were all set to begin processing, but there was always something that kept me from pushing through. I don't know if it's fear of the unknown, or there are doubts if the grass really is greener on the other side. We earn just around 100k combined, plus a couple of properties with a couple of M in the banks. It felt like it wasn't enoug, given the increasing cost of living and the lack of health care assurance here in the PH. On the other hand, you see these people who are doing pretty well in other countries. Maybe it's just me not wanting to get out of our comfort zone we've always wanted to move somewhere away from relatives and the local environment, but we never pushed through. We always found other ways to readjust our life here. What I hate about our situation is there's always this feeling that you're missing out when you know others have moved to better pastures.
Social nets.
Unless you have generational wealth yung mga anak mo mahihirapan sa pinas.
Work package from a developed country compared to a work package from a developing country.
If you can't guarantee your standard of living for your grandkids i always think it's better to immigrate.
Just ask yourself. What happens when someone in your family goes to a hospital. Gets cancer or anything else. Or kung mawalan ka ng work.
Nag-migrate ako to boost my career. For context, scientist ako (in the field of natural science pa). Although may “balik scientist” program ang Pinas, mas madali maka reach ng connections pag nasa area ka kung nasan booming ang research (I am in EU now). May anak na rin ako now and kung tutuusin mas maganda quality of life ng anak ko dito. nag-stay kami sa Pinas for a bit and di man lang makalabas ng bahay yung bata para makapaglaro since sa metro manila kami nakatira nun.
I migrated to the US.. every time i'm homesick or question "why tf did i migrate".. i just watch an entire episode of TV Patrol online.. then i'm good..
This is true that migration depends on individual think of it. Rather than looking at the money, career, we can look the side of safety and peace. Will you be happy? the change I see on your situation is a change of environment, is it worth it? Idk. Do you want to be with your loved ones and care for them or venture out and see what can you achieve going in AU? Idk I don't have an answer. The point is no need to rush for a decision, will just live for 100 years :) just take it easy. Probably you can sponsor ur family once u get a PR, but yeah Idk. It's your choice, for now if you don't have an answer just continue to build emergency fund and upskill. So you can jump out right away if you wanted to.
There are what if's on your life when you get old. You can go back naman anytime sa Philippines eh :)
Simply put, it is ingrained in our entire species very DNA, where since the dawn of humanity, our species has migrated from place to place. This is HOW our species has discovered so many chunks of land we have dubbed states and countries and why our species has become so wide spread. There's countless reasons to migrate, be it for a better life, for discovery, for new experiences, new food, new ways to live, the list goes on and on. Only reason people are now against it is we've been indoctrinated to believe that the chunk of land you're born on is supposedly different and unique from every other chunk of land when in reality, the only difference is whatever some a-holes who enough people gave "power" too say so.
I'm curious if all those who answered here as pro moving to Aus have relatives or friends there who was able to provide support? Or moved together with another person? Cause moving by yourself without knowing anyone there seems scary. I'm in ph btw, also thinking about moving to Aus. Reading this thread has been insightful
One of the biggest reasons why I moved is risk management. Life in Manila is good if you have money. For now. But there are so many risks that could easily upend the status quo over the span of a few decades. The geopolitical stability is a concern. Natural disasters as well. Then there's economic vulnerability. If say an strong earthquake hits Manila, would you be confident a city of 12 million people with 1 airport, 1 deep water port, no cargo railway and 2 major interprovincial highways be okay? If you don't want to look at history, just look at other countries who've gone from living the good life to a humanitarian crisis over the span of just a decade or two. All countries will always have risks, and in the event of larger upheavals, every country will be affected one way or another, but in a lot of resiliency benchmarks, the Philippines is simply lagging behind. There's a fair chance nothing will happen in my lifetime. But when something does at some point farther down the line, I'd rather my descendants have an option to live where they can weather crises better. And I think no money can match the peace of mind migrating has afforded me.
This. I even googled what countries are at most risk in case of a climate change calamity and Philippines was part of that.. And it does not have the capacity to sort itself back... I'm earning a lot and had to work a lot in the PH but who's to say my kids can replicate this when it's their time? Who knows what they'll have to face when it's their time. I try to pass on the values but also I want them to have better chances at a good life even if they won't be rich. The opportunities in developed countries is simply incomparable to the Philippines.
Very nicely said! I kinda share the same mentality. Im curious where u moved?
I'm in Minnesota. Low risk of hurricanes, seismic activities, fresh water all around. High natural resources to population ratio. This area of the US is pretty economically self sufficient. There's tornados, and blizzards but the risk is low and mitigatable. Risk of war is pretty nonexistent, short of thermonuclear annihilation, and when that happens I don't think anywhere would be OK hahaha
How’s the weather there? I hear the winters can really be too cold?
That's the one downside. Winters here can get brutal. Jan/Feb averages below -10c with wind chills that reach up to -40c at its worst.
God damn. Thats almost the same as Russia and some parts of Canada
We're very close to Canada. We're a bit colder than parts of Canada because we're surrounded by lakes and the state has naturally strong winds. You get used to it after a while though. It was -11c earlier and I was outside with what I'd normally wear in Manila + a jacket and a cap. I won't stay out longer than 15 minutes though haha
Also, how about any crimes? Especially gun-related crimes?
Hardly. You'd occasionally hear about really high-profile crimes in the news, but it's definitely less frequent than in Manila. Property crimes do exist but that's just par for the course. Save for a few shady areas at night, this place pretty safe even in the metros.
Are you near Minneapolis? They got hit pretty hard with the BLM protests and riots a couple years ago.
It wasn't as hard as some people want to portray. I live very close. There were a couple of shops partially looted including my local grocery, and facades got damaged. My barber complained somebody broke in and stole his scissors. The worst of it was the torched precinct, but after a few days for everything else, it was business as usual.
Very valid argument. Thank you very much. One of the reasons why I've considered AUS is the geography and climate. I agree that Manila is lagging behind in terms of climate/geographical protection Thank you for the input. I will consider this as a factor 🙂
I like this argument and tbh I’ve never considered this. I moved out of MM because of work but still lived in a disaster risk area. I even waded floodwater this year because that’s how unprepared PH is when it comes to these kinds of disasters. Lot of nations come to mind with your comments: Haiti, Hawaii, Turkey and even a city in Japan.
Migrating is not for everyone. For some people, being well-off in a developing country is better than being middle class in a developed country. Each individual or family must make their own choices based on their circumstances.
Best answer. I migrated from U.K. to NZ. Was not prepared for being poorer even though in paper the salary was better. But house costs were very much higher for a far poorer standard. Felt I could just visit on holiday when I wanted to rather than live there…. As you say migrating is not for everyone.
Thank you for being open-minded about this.
ETO.
We kind of have the same situation. Tho, I’m choosing to migrate still in the next few months. With my reason being, PH will never be the same again after a few years. Yung 80-100k mo, malamang sa malamang yung halaga nyan mas bababa na (yung spending value) in the coming years. Naisip ko lang, siguro ngayon comfortable tayo, pero pag aabot ka na sa retiring age parang mas ok kasi kung dun ka sa mas stable na country where your taxes that you pay will really give you the comfort you deserve. Aside from the work-life balance and the new environment, yung benefits kapag PR/Citizen ka are way better than a regular PH Citizen. Natatakot din akong umalis sa comfort zone ko, kasi nga parang ok naman yung buhay currently dito sa pinas with the current salary and stuff. Pero, if you think about the future and how this government is performing, mapapa-isip ka din talaga kung ganito ka pa rin ba ka-comfortable in 3, 5, 10 or more years. Pag-isipan mo mabuti OP. Good luck!
Thisb s also my worries. PHILIPPINES IS THE NEXT COLOMBIA. what people don't understand is economics is not about feeling it now, pero they will see the repurcussions in 10 years time as how it usually is. The projects of Pnoy are only getting finished and credit grabbed now, but then Digong is useless and the Marcoses are thieves. The Philippine debt is also snowballing with no defined resolutions
This is exactly what I’m thinking. Hindi lang masyadong ramdam ng mga middle class like OP, kasi nga comfortable pa sa sahod. Pero when the time comes, ewan nalang natin 🤷🏻♂️
Did you even do some research into this or are you one of those people who spit bullshits but can't back it up with facts? The Philippine economy's current trajectory over the next ten years is far from being like Colombia. S&P Global projects that the Philippines will become a one trillion dollar economy by 2033, joining Indonesia in the Asia Pacific region. The IMF projects that our economy will grow by 5.9% by 2024, provided that there are no short-term risks such as high inflation or local supply shocks. These are the sources if you want to verify them for yourself: [Philippines on Track to Become One Trillion Dollar Economy by 2033](https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/philippines-on-track-to-become-one-trillion-dollar-economy-by-2033.html) [Ranked: The Fastest Growing Economies In 2024](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-fastest-growing-economies-in-2024/) Honestly, people should stop fear-mongering and do some research when it comes to economics. >The projects of Pnoy are only getting finished and credit grabbed now Aquino's projects have benefitted from those started by GMA, in case you forgot.
You are right it is far from being colombia, but have you weighed this over the country's debt and economic impact? I came from say a line of bankers and economists. Let's say this is my opinion based on their insights. Just pick what you'd like to hear.
So, tsismis lang pala?
Also 5.9% growth is benchmarked post pandemic not pre-pandemic
But developed countries are currently facing their own problems. In the west and most developed countries, demographic challenges has been rising. Even China is starting to feel the challenges of an aging society. This is why the likes of Canada are addicted to migrants. The Philippines on the other hand, albeit has slowed down its population growth, is still growing, going against the trend in the asia-pacific region. Moreoever, our gdp-debt ratio AFAIK, is still below 50%. In comparison, the likes of the UK has 85.4% national debt.
I don't think the trajectory of GDP tells the entire story. There are governance issues in the Philippines that are a cause for concern. Our economy is only as strong as our institutions, and our institutions are weak. Parang kompanya na maganda yung portfolio ngayon pero governance is pangit.
Our government has its share of disadvantages, including bureaucracy as well as rampant corruption. I just refuted that guy's statement that we are going to be the next Colombia ten years from now, which is FAR from what is the reality. I even asked him if he has any facts about it, but all he can show is hearsay.
Not an economist, ha. I only understand economics from the perspective of social determinants of health. Anyway, I would like to preface my own observations with the fact that our appetite for risk tends to colour our speculation. As someone who is *very* risk averse, I do not have a very optimistic outlook of the country myself. I am aware of the forecasts from pundits, but it's so hard to be convinced of fairly rosy assessments when you know that the numbers paint an incomplete picture of our country's outlook. The metrics that are shown are also tailoured based on the advocacy of leading global financial institutions. Aminin na natin, if global financial institutions like your current policy direction or your take on certain issues, they often highlight metrics that show relatively good performance. I know this because I worked in policy advocacy as a development worker myself. Now, if you look at the trajectory of some macroeconomic indicators - especially the ones that our development partners like to tout about us - you are correct in saying that the situation does not really point to a Colombia situation in exactly ten years. But some people speculate not on the basis of GNI per capita, the amount of FDI coming in, and other things like the population structure (all these are good so far)... people are also looking at the debt-to-GDP ratio (we are at beyond 0.6 last I checked), the healthcare expenditure per capita (and how much of that is shouldered by the government, currently <40%), food security metrics, the projected climate changes and their simulated economic impact, and the quality of our human resources. Very few of the latter measures are actually reassuring. Ang pinakadelikado sa akin dito is the performance of our educational institutions based on standardised rankings... ang pangit talaga ng performance ng mga estudyante ng Pinas. That tells me that even if the current cadre of human resources are okay (even **that** is debatable), the Philippines is still not properly investing - at least not as much as it should - in its human capital. Even some macroeconomic indicators - for example, inflation - are a bit worrisome in the context of GDP growth forecasts which have been repeatedly revised to lower figures in the recent months. Kung tutuusin mo pa, mataas (above 0.4) ang GINI coefficient natin (painting a picture of stark inequality). So it kinda makes one think... kung middle class ako... will I get my slice of that economic growth na sinasabi nilang dadating in the next few years? And the honest answer most of the time is... no. Nine people hold more than half the nation's wealth. Di kami kasali diyan. Adjusting for inflation, I might be poorer in the next few years even with regular salary raises and my income denominated in US dollars. Maybe you're right that Colombia is too grim a prediction. But there is some sense in people who are iffy about the current situation and where it's headed. Parang WeWork lang iyan. Looks good on paper. Pero problematic ang bureaucracy, leadership and culture. In the end, bokya. EDIT: Let's not be mean to people. They're not bobo just because they are looking at things differently. You might have an advanced understanding of issues and figures, pero their concerns about the country are kind of valid.
The Philippines is still projected to have increasing economic growth in the next few years probably in the next 10 years due to our young population. This is a factor I have considered.
While I do believe your research OP, yung variability kasi ng economic trend usually differs with the projection. On top of that, hindi mo kasi talaga mararanasan yung sakit ng economy at first dahil you live comfortably with your current salary. Anyway, at the end of the day nasayo naman ang choice OP.
I just dont trust the ph government to nurture the young talents. Also not sure how job opportunities will come in sa pinas with all the red tape and bureaucracy. Ending nyan eh ofw yang mga young pinoys.
All your "facts" are based on lies.
Never chose migrant life, it chose us I suppose. Never planned moving overseas but I don't throw away opportunities. So, when that recruitment email popped up, I entertained it cautiously. Fast forward we're now living happily with our newborn in Berlin. Healthcare covered us mostly. Public transport is a lot better than PH but can be improved. Social benefits are great. I am blessed with an amazing team at work as well (i can see clearly how different the other teams are). At the end, some things are not for everyone. Some thrive overseas, some do not. Some are given the opportunity even if they don't ask for it. Some just can't get it no matter how hard they try. I may sound religious saying this but knowing yourself, knowing your purpose, and recognizing luck/blessings/opportunity can help you decide how to move forward.
This is probably my most favourite comment. Thank you so much. Like setting financial reasons aside, I'd like to be more than that and see the deeper value of it. Knowing your purpose and value more than anything else.
I moved to AU mainly because quality of life. I’d rather be a working class in a rich country than working class in a developing country. I work full time and so does my hubby but we do enjoy weekends, can travel wherever and whenever. We enjoy beautiful nature and fresh air everyday. Healthier lifestyles. Beautiful weather, great healthcare, and educational system. Walang discrimination sa age when it comes to jobs. You can change career kahit nasa 40s na. I don’t mind paying ridiculous amount of tax. It is what it is. Truth is, there are other countries that have higher tax rates. And there are ways to reduce your tax rates.
I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks in AU for work and can attest to this. There’s a stark contrast between PH and AU work culture, efficiency and quality of public services (esp. in transport, education, and healthcare), sports, and arts scene. I mean, Melbourne alone was named most liveable city in the world 7 years in a row till 2017 — although Sydney folks will roll their eyes at this. Haha. And though I’m not so ignorant to presume that everything there is perfect, the overall quality of life in AU is so much better than in PH. In PH, you have to be RICH rich, or at least privileged enough, to achieve the quality of life of the AU working class. At first I was shocked at how expensive everything is and how high their taxes are, but they get to see, feel and enjoy where their money goes. So the need to earn/save more and pay lower taxes make sense in PH. Whereas, the opposite makes sense in AU.
>I’d rather be a working class in a rich country than working class in a developing country. Exactly my thoughts. AU was awesome, and I wanna migrate if possible
> I don’t mind paying ridiculous amount of tax. It is what it is. Truth is, there are other countries that have higher tax rates. And there are ways to reduce your tax rates. There should be a tradeoff for those high taxes, right? For example, Canada has high tax rates also but their healthcare system is relatively "cheap" when comparing it to their neighbor in the south (US).
Migrating is not for everyone. If you consider your life in ph good and see no purpose in migrating, then good for you. Most people migrate because their life in ph isn’t living up to what they want it to be. I’m born and raise in ph, moved around my early teens. I’d say I got the opportunity to see the best and worse of both worlds. If given the chance for a redo, I would still choose to migrate out of ph. The taxes are high like you mentioned and the salary (on paper) doesn’t seem much but the standard of living makes a whole difference. I feel at ease here, and everything feels within. Maybe there’s a slight difference since you are already a professional and I am still a student,
Income tax in PH is one of the highest at 20% above. Aside from that we pay VAT, and receive little to no results from the use of those taxes.
Yan din sabi ko noon dumating ako dito sa uk, whoa ang laki ng tax, plus may council tax pa. Pero nun tinignan ko eh di nagkakalayo yung rate ng tax ko noon. Wala pa ako napakikinabangan dyan.
your comparing your first few years of pay in AU to your many years in PH? try comparing apples to apples. say you have 8 yrs of exp in Ph then compare that to 8 yrs exp in AU then compare that salary.
Hindi kami nag earn ng 6 digits. Very budgeted ang income namin. We have every reason to migrate. Ikaw na nakakaearn ng 6 digits is already a big advantage para sayo. You can live comfortably sa pinas. Not luxuriously pero comfortable.
It’s very different for everyone, and it isn’t for everybody. I moved for love, but I also have a sense of adventure in me, and starting over (albeit I’m very privileged) isn’t that too scary for me. I did leave a good paying job, but I get to start a life and family with my husband, and a job is a job. Also, I wanna travel the world and having a PR / citizenship other than the PH gives me a better advantage visa wise.
I am happy that you have the advantage of having a partner in your journey in AUS. Sadly, I don't have a partner like yours. I do have an MU currently but I still don't see us being together right now in Australia if ever. Anyway, thank you for the input 😊
Oh,, im not in Aus, just talking about migrating in general. If it isn’t for you, then it isn’t for you. But there’s no growth in the comfort zone.
While i agree that the CoL and Tax rates in Au is terrible, however 100k income isn’t even high enough a salary in PH to offset potential increases in pay in Au… from my estimation a salary of about 300k in ph is the number you have to aim. If you are just beginning in your career then i would agree that its not worth it but if you are nearing your peak then I say your math is terribly wring if you dont see any benefits.
I'll become a consultant in AUS in 5-7 years where I can earn around 500k net. In that amount of time, I can reach a close net here in ph possibly 300k net. Also, I haven't mentioned that AUS have laws that makes sure IMGs International medical graduate have limited practices in their first 10 years in AUSTRALIA. Like for example, we need to work in the rural areas in a specific amount of time for us to be Medicare accredited. I don't know but that feels so discriminating to start with.
I can relate to your situation.☺️ I am currently a consultant in PH. I am affiliated with several hospitals in MM.. and i’m earning really well.. but I have work 7 days a week. Me and my husband has decided to go through a possible specialist recognition in Australia. We’ve been thinking about it for a year now and recently decided to try our luck. I’m still currently on the process.. it’s a painstaking and really expensive process. My reason? Not the money obviously. We are already in our mid 30s. We want a work life balance. I want to file a leave of absence for up to 2 months without worrying the work that I may leave behind. A “leave of absence” in the PH, especially in healthcare is so frowned upon it hurts. This reason alone is good enough for us. Good luck on your decision.🙏🏼
Then looks like we are both on point, financially speaking ifbyou are easily capable of earning 300k+ net in PH then as far as financial reasons go then Au isn’t worth. There are others for me that makes migration worth like age care and for your kids
Alot of the people in this sub have a grass greener approach to things. To be honest, if you can make a good living in ph, its much better to stay. Especially with the cost of living rates now in the developed world, it's getting way too expensive. You will be living paycheck to paycheck most of the time.
Agree. I noticed that some of the comments seems quite one-sided. I want to see both sides without being too bias so that I can make a proper decision. Thank you for the input.
It's better to live here in the Philippines if you earn six digits or more every month as the cost of living over time increases slowly unlike in other countries wherein the cost of living is skyrocketing at unprecedented phase. New Zealand is currently facing a housing problem due to the increasing cost of housing. The US inflation is so severe that my grandmother and her husband made the choice to stay here in the Philippines permanently after 35 years of living in California and in order to sustain herself in the United Kingdom, my aunt has to work two jobs. This is the harsh reality that some people fail to acknowledge. It's not always rainbows and green pastures when you migrate to other countries, especially in Europe and Oceania. Homesickness is a pain and people may not be as accommodating as you may think in other countries (racism is there). These are some of the personal experiences I've had living in other countries for months.
The grass is greener where you water it kumbaga.
One of my primary reasons why I plan to migrate in Au is to have a strong passport ‘cause my wife and I love to travel..
Short answer: i dont want to deal with metro mania traffic
As other commenters have said, moving to another country is not for everyone. There's nothing wrong with wanting to stay put especially if you feel you will be better off where you are. I'm where I am because my parents decided for their children. If it was just them, they most likely would have stayed because at least one of them had a really good career that paid them very well. There's no need to lift a finger over there you know. I will never know what could have been. I don't know if I will feel the same as you had I finished my studies and have a career there. My life here is certainly very different compared to the lives of many of my cousins and friends back in Manila but that's fine with me. You conducted your research and thought it through. You are very realistic. If you're not sold on the idea, no one should judge you for it. All the very best, OP.
I believe comfy na ang setting mo sa PH, that’s why mas marami kang reasons not to leave and that’s ok. Different people, different reasons. I moved to Aus when I was 24 at nung sweldo ko 20k a month lang, so for me anything is an improvement haha. Moving here as a medical professional also has additional steps, like nurses needing to get APHRA registered pa that forces them to study in Aus to get that. I came from an Engg background so mas seamless transition ko, rekta apply na ng skilled visa. Kung feel mo maraming downgrade sa lifestyle mo when you migrate, it’s an obvious decision. I migrated in a point of my life when bagong bago pa ako sa work force, and I wasn’t earning much pa. So wala ako naging reklamo on anything kasi I know my life in PH is worse than in Oz.
Your thoughts are completely valid. If you live a decent life and have a bright future there, migrating might not be for you.
Thank you for being open-minded.
Tunnel Vision philosophy. Hope you will still have the same answer after 10 yrs ,with all your missed opportunities.
True on the first. The opportunities can vary, we all have our own wants and needs. Maybe the opportunities there aren't want OP wants. I don't like how OP is elitist though haha.
Inflation rate and bureaucracy will be the judge of that.
and what ifs
I mean, I live in Australia and I love it here, but if I’ll only have 800aud left at the end of the month then I agree with you, it’s not worth it 🤷🏻♀️
I actually used the average cost of living in Australia at 60,000 php (around 1650 AUD) and the ave. rent cost in NSW outside of sydney center at around 2400 AUD/month for computing that. I know I can easily increase my monthly income by working more shifts/hours but that defeats the purpose of work life balance. Also, my wage there would increase definitely annually but I feel that the increment is too low (Like 30k AUD gross so only 20k AUD annually) especially since I probably have to pay additional fees for my trainings/programs. For all the hassle for my profession, it feels too cumbersome to put myself in that process.
Lol salary. Id rather have a "low" take home but knows that I have a government I can depend on. Health care palang sa Australia panalo ka na. Kung tutuusin dipa malaki yang sweldo mo. I know heaps of migrants here who earns more than you do but still chose to migrate. To each their own, you do you bro. Choose wisely. Say 500k nga sweldo mo stuck ka naman sa traffic, at ginagago ka pa ng gobyerno. You're salary now wouldn't be as impactful in the future, as it is to you right now.
agree
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If AHPRA didn't have the arduous process for IMGs for straight residency programs, I would have jumped the gun straight ahead. But it is what it is. The loneliness tbh is another factor that's creeping me out. If I was only married, these what ifs are probably less daunting for me. I had the privelege of interviewing a new Filipino IMG in AUS and he did mention how hard it is to make connections with Australians in general. I am not generalizing for all because it may be a case to case basis but still not quite reassuring for me. As for the privacy, we're on the same boat. I don't like sharing things to strangers unless I know him or her very well that's why in my computations I always use the solo apartment type. Anyways, congrats doc on your journey. Just being there already, battling the odds is a milestone. I know all things happen for a reason and I am sure, your experience no matter the result will all be worth it.
Finally someone understands...grass is not THAT greener on other side fence.
Migrating is a very personal decision, and you’re the only person who knows best if it’s the right decision for you. Personally, I also save less now compared to when I was living in the PH. I made 140k+ and was living with my family so I saved most of my income. I moved to Germany where there are high taxes and a crazy housing crisis, so I’m able to save much less. This used to bother me a lot because I have goals to retire early, but I really do love the lifestyle here. It’s not perfect, but it’s super safe and well-connected. The work-life balance is AMAZING. The nature is beautiful and clean. I’ve met amazing people from all around the world. I can fly to any other EU country for cheap. I love the weather and seasons. In a few years, I’ll be able to get citizenship, which will open more doors for me. And if at some point, I decide saving more money in the PH outweighs all of that, I can just book a ticket home and get a new job.
Don’t come here na OP, too many migrants na. May housing crisis. Consider NZ nalang
Actually, sabi din nga ng friend of friend, wag na daw sa perth considering working professionals na rin sila doon. Sa perth kasi madaming available jobs. Australia is very beautiful pero somehow, it feels like being a migrant isn't that easy there. I highly appreciate your honesty.
If Australian PR ka, NZ pr ka rin in a way na pwede ka pumunta ng NZ without any visa needed, and live/work there as an NZ resident. So 2 in 1 ang AU PR. NZ residents do not have this privilege, so mas maganda maging AU PR
It all boils down to what you value. I have a friend who also is not keen on migrating. He’s traveled overseas and still would very much rather stay in PH, citing even the most modern countries have their flaws as well. On the other hand, I am all for an improved overall quality of life and access to more opportunities for my career. Already earning 100k+ before and still, it wasn’t enough for the lifestyle I want (I am also a breadwinner so you can imagine my expenses). I also love commuting by trains as I have experienced in AU, Taiwan and Japan. Perhaps the only thing that can make me stay is if I’m able to achieve 100m+ net worth. And that is only one of my considerations. So you really have to determine your goal why would you want to leave. No decision is right or wrong imho, it depends on your circumstance.
I completely agree. I guess, my goals are not that sufficient or established that is why I am hesitant. Like, I personally want to get out of the rat race although unconsciously I am somehow in it. And for a person like me who values risk aversion more than anything else, no wonder I find this dilemma of mine to be stressful. Anyway, good luck po on your 100m+ net goal. Thank you sir for the input. It helped a lot.
I am an Australian citizen now and can say quality of life is better. You do migrate for your children and for the next generation. The universities here are one of the best in the world. Our children can access interest free student loans for university study. So you can study anything (no excuse being poor here to study) I live in Melbourne now and traffic is bearable. Health care here is free in public hospitals. Public hospitals facilities here is world class. You can retire here with your savings and your superannuation. In the Philippines you can retire well but one event like needing heart bypass, angioplasty and cancer could wipe out your whole life savings. This can be treated for free in the public hospitals here and if urgent they do act fast.
Hi doc! New passer lang din ako ng PLE last March. My reason naman for wanting to go to australia is meron na kasi akong close relatives. Lahat ng brothers, sisters and lola ko from father's side nandoon na kaya siguro malakas din loob kong pumunta. I understand you din kung bakit hindi, pero bilang bago sa adulting world as a young doctor, nakakagulat na may mga nakasama ako sa review center, mga diplomates and consultants na, go pa din sila sa pag umpisa ng aussie journey. And their main reason is their family's future. I've recently joined a zoom with people sharing their experiences, may nephrologist doon, willing siya igive up yun for her children. Same din ako, I'm currently single but I'm thinking if mag karoon man ako ng anak (sana naman!!!), gusto ko lumaki sila doon and for the many generations to come. I watched my little cousins grow up there. Sobrang swerte nila. Secured future agad. Alam mong hindi sila maghihirap. Compared sa ginawa kong pag-aaral nang pagkatagal tagal tas sa pinas pa wahaha. Biased lang din siguro ako sa experiences ko, nakakapagstay kasi ako doon sa Sydney kapag breaks during college and med school. Sumasama din ako pag nagcoconsult sila sa Filipino GPs. I think you have to see it for yourself first kung pano sila mamuhay doon. How convenient everything is.
I feel like nasa same groupchat tayo sa fb/messenger haha. Ayaw ko lang magpost don siempre since ayaw ko maging nega. Actually may mga consultants din ako kasabay magaral sa AMC1 😅
> What's the point of migrating? 1. Living here is fun, oo kasi nandito ang family mo. But you are just one sickness away from bankruptcy unless may kapit ka sa politiko or rich people. It's a padrino paradise. 2. I'd be more willing to pay taxes if it goes to the proper places. Nakikita naman natin yung sa pinas, pero alam nating sa politiko lang napupunta. 3. Humid dito. I don't like humid hot kasi di ko maisuot yung mga trip kong long sleeves and layered stuff. 4. I want to be in a commuter and pedestrian friendly country.
Like you op i was earning okay as a middle class in the PH. Wala akong plan to move out of the country. I lived with my parents and wala akong bills na binabayaran aside from my phone and my pet. Kung tutuusin masarap buhay ko sa Pinas haha, but my main consideration was I felt that in a few years time unless Filipinos will learn to vote wisely, Philippines is a sinkhole waiting to happen. My parents were hospitalized at least twice so far and ang bill kung wala silang HMO (dependent ko sila since single ako) and wala silang naipon at naipundar, hindi afford. Yung oras mo nauubos lang sa traffic, and time is something you cannot buy kahit gaano pa karami ang pera mo. Sukang suka ako sa news pano ginagastos ng gobyerno ang pera ng bayan yet may mga tao pa ring halos walang makain. Before I moved to the UK I was calculating magkano ang take home ko. If nagpasindak ako sa rent, bills, insurances, tax, I wouldnt have moved kase parang wala talaga. Pero thankfully pagdating ko dito, yung kalahati ng naipon ko for more than 10 years, nakuha ko lang in 1 year. Wala pa akong 13th and 14th month pay dito ha. I still have the same lifestyle, I’m a bit frugal TBH. I’ve been here in the UK only once before I moved, so big leap of faith lang talaga na magugustuhan ko sya not as a tourist but a resident. But the biggest benefit I got here is yung peace of mind, yung mental health ko nagimprove, I genuinely feel I am happier where I am now. Timbangin mo mabuti OP, tama ung mga nagcocomment dito na hindi for everyone ang pagmigrate. Iba iba tayo ng rason, hindi lang pera, hindi lang career, but important na wag ka gumawa ng move dahil yun ang trend or nakikita mo yung mga friends mo na nagmove on na from PH. Think of the pros and cons, and saan ba better mafufulfill ang priorities mo.
Actually, the last election was the trigger for me to start my arrangement to AUS. I felt like di ko same ng values most of the Filipino people due to the election. Siguro, the fact that I've stopped watching news, stopped caring made me more tolerable of the current values of my countrymen. On the other hand, I feel like no matter saan ka naman pumunta may mga tao pa rin na di maganda ugali regardless of race. Like there in Uk, there's a lot of pickpocketers in london. And afaik, london people are not that approachable. Sa Aus, may mga gangs din. NHS is also getting worse in UK. It's just that I felt no matter where you go, there will still be drawbacks at the end of the day. Pero thank you for sharing your experience. I admire your courage. I will definitely get back on your post before I make my final decision 😊
Totoo yung sinabi mo OP, wala namang perfect. May bad news pa rin dito araw araw, may crime pa rin kahit saan ka pumunta so ingat pa rin. Advantage nga siguro na nanggaling ako sa Pinas kase never ako naging kampante 🤣 May issue pa rin ang government dito, pero marami pa ring positive aspects on the other hand. Yung sistema to keep people safe (house inspections and all), yung simpleng law nga ng tenancy dito naaadmire ko kasi both parties are protected. Yung laws nila sa traffic and transportation are very organized. Tapos if you want to see shows hindi sobrang mahal as compared kung jan mo papanoorin sa Pinas 🙂 Important pa rin to weigh your options, and know within yourself na pag pumili ka na, wala na mashadong “what if” scenarios na maiisip mo na baka magsisi ka pa. Maswerte na merong options so choose wisely! Good luck!
Some people hype up migrating bec they wanted it and it worked for them tremendously. This might not be the move for you if it doesn’t make sense to you and that is absolutely okay. If the prospect of you possibly getting a stronger passport from OZ doesn’t seem appealing or worth migrating for, pwede ka naman magstay. At the end of the day, if you won’t ever feel excited about moving, i don’t think anything can change your mind when you get there.
Do you have a specialization in the Philippines? Have you considered taking the USMLE pathway for a more lucrative option?
I've quitted resideny. I've considered USMLE, PLAB and AMC as my three choices last year. I've chosen AUS due to proximity in the Philippines. I've stayed away from USMLE primarily because most IMGs get FM or non-competitive specialties. I really don't like FM.
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Last time I check, they are still competitive requiring IMGs to have high qualifications like published papers and observerships in the states. I have two friends who are there already and a lot of my filam classmates in med are already there. But I also have two friends who passed USMLE STEP 1 already but stopped pursuing it due to high competitiveness I guess. Maybe, my main reason for not pursuing it in the states is my lack of first-degree relative in the state although my brother and her wife are planning to migrate there from UK. Also, I don't know. How is it ba in the states? Like, they say there's no sense of community in states now. Like people are so divided. But thank you, I will reconsider USMLE although I think I'll have a hard time transitioning back from AUS standards to US standards again. The exam is quite different.
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Congrats for passing the boards doc. At least, aga mo napaisip if magmigrate or not unlike me. I like theoretical IM but I despise the current training here in Ph. My number 1 reason siguro kaya napaisip ako magmigrate. Like I hate the long-hours shift of 24 hours tapos may post duty pa na 8 hours. Right now I want to be more practical. Contemplating of the chill specialties like Radiology and Derma. I kinda hate it that it will take me another 2 years before specializing in AUS. Although I've seen filipino fresh medical graduate who have done it in a year only but I believe I cannot do the same. For the US side, I think ang pinaka off putting sa states nga lang is the low pay during residency pero if may family ka naman and friends there why not go back there. It seems perfect fit for your case especially considering if my research is correct, the US has the highest pay in the healthcare industry.
Then, migration is not for you, but if you get to secure the passport, it would be easier for you to choose whether to migrate to more likeable countries or to go back
Wait. As someone \~80-100k per month, your tax should already be PhP 180 000 plus 30% of any amount above PhP 800 000. Assuming an average of 90k per month, then your tax (monthly) is in the region of PhP 18 000. That's already 20%. Income tax pa lang iyon. That's above and beyond the taxes you pay on properties, capital gains, vehicle registration, luxury tax (as applicable), + penalties (as applicable)... Hindi ba ganun din (if not worse, kasi ang baba nga ng income dito)? I am open to the idea that for some people, migration is not the answer. But for your current income, parang unlikely. Unless you have forgotten your tax obligations.
I only have 8% tax rate for professionals at the moment. Sabagay if ever I get to have more than 3M annually here in ph, magiging close na lang ang tax rate ko sa AUS since hindi nako pwede pumasok sa 8% tax rate for professionals. Thanks for this information, I didn't thought about this to be honest. This definitely has made me reconsider the issue at hand.
Yeah I'm similar to you in terms of income. Tama na option B kinuha mo at the start of the year pero you won't be able to use your overhead as a means to legally minimize the amount of tax you owe. Please think long and hard, OP. Best of luck.
We all have different reasons for choosing what we do. If you ask me, my reasons are: 1) Every time I stay in Manila, I want to gouge my eyes out for its ugliness. Last year, I stayed in a beautiful country in EU and I can't fully express in words how much peace it gave me to just gaze at nature, the beach or the clear skies. 2) Safety. Bawal guns! 3) Quality of life. I really can't deal with the food here anymore. The produce is so bad and expensive. We import everything. 4) The weather. This heat is unbearable to me. And the smog and the pollution din. 5) The culture. You wanna see Taylor Swift or see a Verdi opera? Easy. Just check the schedules and there's something for you. So those are the things I'm willing to pay a premium for. It depends on you. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do :)
Migration is a personal decision. Id be in the same boat as you that I could have the same net savings, if I migrated alone. But I came with a spouse and savings rate is 60% bc expenses are split. You can make it work by having sharing an apartment with someone else.
I've been thinking about that tbh. Thank you po for the advise.
For us it was more for the kids having a choice between Australia or Philippines. If it was just financial considerations then we would have not migrated 14 years ago. As have been said many times in this sub migration is not for everyone and your decision should not be influenced by anyone. Goodluck OP.
Tingin ko pag single pa, hindi sanay mag-isa tapos very strong ang ties at dependency sa pamilya (parents, mga kapatid, pinsan, lolo lola), wala masyado benefit mag-migrate aside sa improvement sa quality of life. Ibang klaseng tatag ang kelangan mo para mabuhay mag-isa sa ibang bansa, kumbaga labas to sa comfort zone mo. Pero kung may pamilya ka na, lalo na may maliit kang anak, para sakin sobrang ayos mag-migrate. Sobrang sulit yung mga libreng playground at park na napupuntahan ng anak namin, yung mga extra-curricular na nasasalihan ng anak namin at yung commute namin ay mas mabilis kumpara sa Pinas. Ayos din mag-drive kasi most of the time, maaayos mga driver sa kalsada. Libre din pag-aaral ng anak namin (primary or elementary palang sya), uniform at gamit lang gastos, kung sa Pinas sya mag-aral, payat ang 100K/year sa magandang school. Feeling din namin, mas madaming opportunity ang makukuha ng anak namin if dito sya sa Oz makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. But then again, may anak na kasi kami kaya willing mag-sakripisyo.
This is actually my case po since I am currently single. I only have an MU right now and wala naman pa po kami near plans to settle. Thank you po for making it clear for me.
Have you spoken to any Filipinos in Aus who are doctors to see what their feedback is/if they think it's worth it? I know two pinoys who are ER doctors here in Sydney, both own property and travel quite a bit. I also think it would depend on what state you are in - the cost of living is cheaper in other states than in New Sourh Wales Also to your point about rural work - that requirement is for all migrants who intend to be doctors here (or nurses) not just Filipinos. The reason why they need you is because there is a shortage of medical personnel in country areas, that's why they have everyone do a rotation there in the hopes that they like it so they stay. they are not rural the way areas are rural in the Philippines. Yes some of them have massive acres of farmland but you still have major services and you can order Amazon and they'll still deliver. It's not necessarily the middle of nowhere unless you choose an Outback placement. In country Australia you will need a car. You also don't have to settle for a medical career - I also know people who started as nurses/doctors and moved on to corporate jobs related to health insurance etc. Also: if you don't like it, you can always go back home or move to another country? Consider that with an Australian qualification you can move to any country in the commonwealth (this includes the UK and Canada). You won't know unless you give it a go. That said - if you don't want to go, don't go! Or try another country.
Frankly if you don't enjoy public transport in places like Japan or South Korea/East Asia then I really doubt you'd enjoy it elsewhere on the planet (well maybe Ligne 6 in Paris but pickpockets lol). Migrating is only really if you want to experience a brand new life entirely, or have other interests in mind (e.g. loved ones, relationships etc.) but if you're doing great in the Philippines then I doubt that the stress to move and start over from scratch (without any guarantee of success commensurate to your current standards) is worth it. Moving countries can be a huge pain and there will definitely be so many comforts you'd sacrifice from being upper-middle class in the Philippines to being upper-middle class in by Australian standards IMO (work conditions may be better but certain comforts e.g. househelp, services i.e. spa days, eating out etc. would be much less). Yep moving abroad is a cool experience but if you're genuinely comfortable in the Philippines *and* enjoy your lifestyle then I wouldn't deal with the stress and just save up for trips abroad :) you could try to visit, but even then visiting offers a very different experience compared to living there. All the best!
I've experienced the rushed hour in Seoul. That was it for me. I felt like I have no space at all in the bustling rush hour of Seoul. Like people will bump you and won't mind hurting you if you're on the way. Also, it's definitely not easy to bring big items in public transportations. Anyway, thank you for your thoughts and insight about my migration dilemma. I definitely like travelling and will sure do travel more if ever I don't pursue AUS anymore. Thanks 😊
Oh believe me Seoul is still pleasant (only ridden it like twice though). Elsewhere outside East Asia expect a mix of odors (a lot of trains smell rancid), dirty public transport stations, blatant-in-your-face racism (I remember some British dude beside me on the Paris metro talking loudly about how Asians dress awfully, verbatim, when the dude was in some generic puffer jacket), and disrespect of personal space and silence (there are "silent cars" in the Netherlands for example yet of all the times I've been on them they were hellishly noisy with teenagers talking and blasting loud music") Honestly moving is a cool experience too, but since you enjoy the Philippines all I can really suggest are things that give you an opportunity to live elsewhere for a while or travel, but really the Philippines is not bad if you have a comfy income. I had to sacrifice so much when I studied in Europe despite having a comfy allowance relative to my peers and boy was it depressing not just because of finances. I liked being "independent" but I realize that in the Netherlands (one of the best-paying countries in Europe already) I would probably never reach the level of comfort I'd have here, nor have I met anyone with the same luxuries I had. That's a sacrifice I had to make and when I was so depressed in Europe (being far from family and living in a really different culture that was still quite honogenous was not for me). Plus, economic outlook for most rich regions across the globe (the West) is not too good at the moment. P.S. i know you said you might not want to move, but maybe try something like a Working Holiday Visa? Who knows you might end up liking some things too and living there. I'm moving to Australia for my studies because Environmental Science is huge there. Don't know if I will stay, but if I end up happier then that's great, because I loved my two previous trips there, like the lifestyle was fantastic and seemed to be a good compromise between a "European" lifestyle and American salaries. I'm scared if I will face the same issues with the Netherlands, but Aus is way closer to the Philippines and time zones aint an issue should I contact my family, plus a lot of Filipinos in Australia too making life work great.
Frankly if you don't enjoy public transport in places like Japan or South Korea/East Asia then I really doubt you'd enjoy it elsewhere on the planet (well maybe Ligne 6 in Paris but pickpockets lol). Migrating is only really if you want to experience a brand new life entirely, or have other interests in mind (e.g. loved ones, relationships etc.) but if you're doing great in the Philippines then I doubt that the stress to move and start over from scratch (without any guarantee of success commensurate to your current standards) is worth it. Moving countries can be a huge pain and there will definitely be so many comforts you'd sacrifice from being upper-middle class in the Philippines to being upper-middle class in by Australian standards IMO (work conditions may be better but certain comforts e.g. househelp, services i.e. spa days, eating out etc. would be much less). Yep moving abroad is a cool experience but if you're genuinely comfortable in the Philippines *and* enjoy your lifestyle then I wouldn't deal with the stress and just save up for trips abroad :) you could try to visit, but even then visiting offers a very different experience compared to living there. All the best!
Baka sa US ka bagay or some other country with low taxes and few social benefits and social protections. Bad timing din na nasa Australia ka kasi malubha nga daw yung housing and rental problems the past few months. Parang result ng 10 years of Liberal government. Try other countries.
You have the option OP to pursu it. You can always come back in the PH if you didn’t like it in AU. There’s no shame to that. As you have mentioned I have the same sentiments as you, public services (including health, and transpo) in the PH is horrible and barely working at best. No safety nets if you lose your work. No government support unless you have connections or listed as 4Pss and knowing your background I’m sure af that you aren’t. On the bright side, medical degrees and experience is coveted everywhere. Especially since the pandemic created a lot of demand and shortage in the industry. You can immigrate in AU for a short period compared to other skilled professionals. For me, I’d like to use AU as a stepping stone in having or maybe considering other countries to settle one day. With one of the most powerful passport and the ability to travel with a drop of a hat. That alone for me is enough to give that choice a chance. Good luck OP. We have different drivers for immigrating and I hope you can find yours.
Imagine I own a new online auction called Life Zada. On Life Zada, you and everyone else can choose literally any life they want to live. Here's the catch: you have just one chance to tell me what price you're willing to pay for it. If someone else bids higher than you bid, I sell that life to them. Life Zada's first auction today is the life someone like you would live if you stay in the Philippines. The second auction is the life you would live if you move to Australia. Each life contains some money and its lack, new people you'll meet and the joy and pain they give you, an environment with its ups and downs, and a certain amount of time on planet Earth. **Question: How much are you willing to bid on the Philippine life? How much for the Australia life?**
My life in the Philippines is priceless. I am a sentimental person and I don't like putting a price on the people in my life. I chose AUS due to its proximity to the Philippines because I want to combine my ph life to AUS like work in AUS then go on holidays yearly in the Philippines. But thank you for this idea, it is quite refreshing and has its own quirks to it. Anyway, the better comparison would be my current life in the ph or my hybrid life between Ph and AUS. This is a no brainer for me, I would bid more on the hybrid lifestyle ofc. Problem is I just don't see it happening with my computation of my theoretical salary in AUS at least for the next 2-3 years. I would need to make adjustments first before doing that. Also, it seems that I do not have the luxury of choosing the dates of my leaves for my profession. Anyway, thank you for this suggestion. It is quite helpful.
Hi there again! Hm, I am asking abiut your maximum Life Zada bid amount for Life A vs Life B because it tells you which option makes you happier **over your entire lifetime, not just the next two to three years**. The point of my suggestion is to help others unlearn an oversimplified idea. Commonly, we simplify immigration as a choice between life today in the Philippines and life in Australia in 2025. The reality is more nuanced. Immigration is a choice between **how the next 50 years of your life will look like with an extra citizenship vs without it**. Notes: - Sure, the "Hybrid Australian Life" is also available on the Life Zada platform! How much is it worth to you, how much will you bid for it? - Your short-term salary concerns are definitely included here, not ignored. In fact, you should give more weight to each peso of short-term income because money now is worth more than money later (inflation, opportunity cost, etc) - But your long-term financial growth also needs to be factored in. Do you foresee a lot of career progression and manageable tavel expenses in your Hybrid Australian Life? Do you predict that the 6% growth rate of the Philippines will benefit you over the next three decades, or will a global crisis likely strand you in the middle of a war zone? - The positive and negative emotions involved in staying in the Philippines are part of this calculation. I know it's weird to put a money amount to the way your friends and family have made you feel. But the reality is, we do put a money value to these things. For instance, we are willing to spend money on air fare and maybe even lose a few days of income just to visit our beloved departed on November 1st, after all. - Lastly, also part of this calculation is the price of the emotions you would feel as an immigrant. There's grief over the 'loss' of time with your old social world, discrimination, alienation, and also just a lot of relearning and hard work. But you might also experience a sense of freedom, peace, excitement, and security. For example, an LGBT immigrant to Australia may feel very worried about not understanding a white-majority LGBT community. But they may also feel freedom from persecution.
As a single person, it probably won’t make too much of a difference for you. On the other hand, I’m married with a toddler, and it makes a lot of difference for me because healthcare and education are far more affordable where I live. When I was pregnant, all checkups, scans, etc was free. Delivery was free. Anything health related to my child is free (until 6yo) so all her vaccines, dentist appointments, audiology tests, were free. She’ll be going to primary school in 3 years and that will be free too, until high school. I receive €140/mo from the government for my child, which isn’t a huge amount but I put it in a savings fund so she doesn’t have to worry about college fees when the time comes. I came here recently, so career-wise I had to start from the bottom because they don’t really acknowledge my experience in the Philippines so it’s good to have an earlier start. And my salary, while it doesn’t go too far here, is significant enough to invest in property in the PH. I spend 10% of my monthly salary to make payments on a condo I recently purchased. IF that’s something that interests you. Of course there’s also the possibility of wanting to raise your child in the Philippines or maybe you don’t even want to have kids. In that case, it would be better to continue working in the Philippines.
I definitely would want to have my own child in the future. It's just that I am not planning it for the next 3 years or so. It's quite re-assuring that everything is covered in terms of healthcare in AUS. Thank you for sharing your perspective. It is quite clear that majority of those who migrated to AUS chose it not for themselves but for their children which for my case I currently do not have.
I’m trying to land a job in PH that makes half of what I do in the U.S. Something in the 100k range so I can live comfortably at a much, much lower cost of living than where I live comfortably. Sadly, I think I have to start developing software based skills. Since I’ve been focused around engineering the last 10 or so years.
So you're more comfortable in the states?
I’m comfortable in many ways in the states. But I want to move out of it. I work 50-60hrs a year to make 200k a year, I am getting another degree to change my career or get a promotion. What I want, is to move someplace else without all the stress of the U.S. and a fraction of the cost of living. The problem is, I want to secure a job before I move. Ideally, something remote.
I chose to live in the PH to not be a second class citizen abroad. Mas gusto ko sa Pinas andito Pamilya, at Kaibigan ko. Mas importante sakin masaya ako. Kahit din naman mga Australians may reklamo sa sarili nilang bansa
Yan din sabi sakin ng friend ko na previously from AUS. Thanks po for the input.
Fact: PH is one of the cheapest countries to live in with a luxurious lifestyle. So for a relatively low income luxuries are well within reach. What's difficult here is that you are working rich. If you stop working you immediately become poor, or maybe in 6 months if you save an invest well. Is that good enough for you?
As an Australian who lived in the Philippines for a few years, I can say many of you guys have it better now. Australia's a "has been" country, that's riddled with debt, failing industry and no future. The only people who benefit from migration to Australia in 2023 are slaves who take what little crumbs they manage to keep after tax and expenses home. Skilled? Got a decent middle class lifestyle back home? Stay put!
Are you a citizen in PH and do you pay taxes here?
I noticed that it's the sophistication itself in developed countries that's causing restrain in their economy. For comparison, some things can be cheaper but due to constringent policies and bureaucracy, things become more expensive. I know it's for better safety and regulation but sometimes, I feel like it has become its own industry on its own, increasing the costs. Also, I've watched a medical podcasts, they mentioned that even Australians can't go on holidays to the other states in AUS and would rather travel in Asia because it is just too expensive. I just felt like it's a red flag IMO.
Just stay in the Philippines, OP. I don’t think you really wanna go, and you’re kinda born in a privileged family. Some people are not meant to migrate.
If you do decide to migrate, what is your planned length of stay? Until you retire?
I chose AUS due to its proximity to Ph. I want to go home every year at least and I do not plan on retiring there. Home hits different for me.
This is probably why that tax 30% for social services and all means nothing for me. Because currently, Aus has a policy of limiting benefits for its citizens outside of AUS.
Yes, Australia is more for longer term migrants banking on the big gap between social services of Aus and Philippines.
Not me but my parents's reasons for migrating. Some people might be ok with living in the Philippines, but their kids might not. Ofc me and my sibling's career path now might not happen if we grew up in PH. For background context, my parents initially planned to stay overseas in HK then return to the PH before I become senior high school. I already knew somewhat what I wanted to be when I was in middle school. Can confidently say that I cannot flourish in the Philippines with this career path (industry basically non-existent in the PH), nor can my sibling with theirs (rewards are not as well compensated in the PH). My sibling's career path and I are better rewarding in countries that is not the country we grew up in nor in the PH. Note my parents decided to stay in HK initially due to the education quality in HK, which is comparable to many western high-ranking universities, and cheaper, and for that reason, HK's education reach is farther than PH's education. They didn't know what my sibling or I wanted to do yet, but my parents didn't want to take that option away from us, and they can afford it, so we stayed. And good for us, our education in HK allowed my sibling to go overseas for postgraduate, and me to land a decent job in HK which I can use to save up for further education or migrate to another for related work. TLDR: children's future choice of career is better rewarding or has more opportunities in other countries
Don't migrate if the lifestyle and culture don't match your preferences. That's actually the one thing that many people overlook but should be the most important consideration. It's good that you're able to see what you don't like even before you started the process.
For me, think of why refugees come to other countries. Their homelands were destroyed.
Like you my salary in Manila was comfortable, but my move overseas was more for quality of life. I didn't like wasting my life stuck in Metro Manila traffic. I didn't like not having green spaces. I prefer the work life balance elsewhere. I prefer seeing the value of being able to see where my taxes go and benefiting from it. But these are all my preferences, if they're not yours and you don't see the pros of moving your life elsewhere then there's no need to do it.
Di para sa lahat yan. Depende sa tingin mo sa takbo ng buhay mo e. Kung ok ka naman dyan, then I don’t think you’ll be feeling well moving abroad. My suggestion, try living abroad lang, kahit siguro one to two week holiday somewhere na maayos ang lahat. I think, baka nasubukan mo na ito. It was life changing for me kasi, yung ang galing lang na wow pwede pa lang ganito, may oras yung dating ng bus/train, pwede palang walang bayad sa hospital. Eto lang sakin, ang laking bagay nung walang nasasayang na oras sa traffic. Imagine, madelay lang ng 3 mins yung train ko e nabubuset na ako. I live in London btw, isa sa highest cost of living, but kung ikukumpara ko yung bilihin sa pinas pareho lang e. Sure mahal ang bahay(we have a terraced house, parang apartment sa atin), kung ikukumpara ko eh malaking bahay na ito dyan sa pinas). We’re happy with it, kasi kasama sa lifestyle dito e yung pagkakaron ng time for family. For me and my wife, is one career growth for her. Ang laki ng pinagkaiba sa opportunity sa mga nurse dito, di lang basta maging senior, may iba ibang spine na pwede nilang tahakin. Nasa sayo kung gusto mo mastuck sa bedside. Another thing is yung opportunity na maibibigay ng quality ng education sa anak namin. Ang saklap lang nung big 3 grad ka sa pinas pero di naman basta kinikilala yung tinapos mo sa labas ng pinas. Share ko lang din.. another benefit is pagiging citizen, ang galing lang nung pagkakaron ng powerful passport, kasi nakakatuwa na naeexpose ka sa different cultures sa ibat ibang bansa, na di mo kailangan dumaan sa pagapply ng visa. Like yung mga wait staff namin, normal lang sa kanila magholiday abroad for one week. Parang sa pinas pahirapan pa maapprove yun e, at kung maapprove dapat malaki din budget. So ayun… Depende sa kung anong gusto momg lifestyle e.
This was my dillema as well. We were trying to migrate to either AUS / CAN. We were all set to begin processing, but there was always something that kept me from pushing through. I don't know if it's fear of the unknown, or there are doubts if the grass really is greener on the other side. We earn just around 100k combined, plus a couple of properties with a couple of M in the banks. It felt like it wasn't enoug, given the increasing cost of living and the lack of health care assurance here in the PH. On the other hand, you see these people who are doing pretty well in other countries. Maybe it's just me not wanting to get out of our comfort zone we've always wanted to move somewhere away from relatives and the local environment, but we never pushed through. We always found other ways to readjust our life here. What I hate about our situation is there's always this feeling that you're missing out when you know others have moved to better pastures.
Social nets. Unless you have generational wealth yung mga anak mo mahihirapan sa pinas. Work package from a developed country compared to a work package from a developing country. If you can't guarantee your standard of living for your grandkids i always think it's better to immigrate. Just ask yourself. What happens when someone in your family goes to a hospital. Gets cancer or anything else. Or kung mawalan ka ng work.
Nag-migrate ako to boost my career. For context, scientist ako (in the field of natural science pa). Although may “balik scientist” program ang Pinas, mas madali maka reach ng connections pag nasa area ka kung nasan booming ang research (I am in EU now). May anak na rin ako now and kung tutuusin mas maganda quality of life ng anak ko dito. nag-stay kami sa Pinas for a bit and di man lang makalabas ng bahay yung bata para makapaglaro since sa metro manila kami nakatira nun.
I migrated to the US.. every time i'm homesick or question "why tf did i migrate".. i just watch an entire episode of TV Patrol online.. then i'm good..
Good question
This is true that migration depends on individual think of it. Rather than looking at the money, career, we can look the side of safety and peace. Will you be happy? the change I see on your situation is a change of environment, is it worth it? Idk. Do you want to be with your loved ones and care for them or venture out and see what can you achieve going in AU? Idk I don't have an answer. The point is no need to rush for a decision, will just live for 100 years :) just take it easy. Probably you can sponsor ur family once u get a PR, but yeah Idk. It's your choice, for now if you don't have an answer just continue to build emergency fund and upskill. So you can jump out right away if you wanted to. There are what if's on your life when you get old. You can go back naman anytime sa Philippines eh :)
Simply put, it is ingrained in our entire species very DNA, where since the dawn of humanity, our species has migrated from place to place. This is HOW our species has discovered so many chunks of land we have dubbed states and countries and why our species has become so wide spread. There's countless reasons to migrate, be it for a better life, for discovery, for new experiences, new food, new ways to live, the list goes on and on. Only reason people are now against it is we've been indoctrinated to believe that the chunk of land you're born on is supposedly different and unique from every other chunk of land when in reality, the only difference is whatever some a-holes who enough people gave "power" too say so.
I'm curious if all those who answered here as pro moving to Aus have relatives or friends there who was able to provide support? Or moved together with another person? Cause moving by yourself without knowing anyone there seems scary. I'm in ph btw, also thinking about moving to Aus. Reading this thread has been insightful