Expats find Philippines ideal for love and social life

MANILA: According to a survey by British banking giant HSBC, the Philippines is among the world’s most attractive destination for expatriates seeking a healthier love life and social life.

It’s the best place to find a match made in heaven, get closer to the one you love or create a cosy love nest.

According to the 2016 Expat Explorer survey commissioned by British banking giant HSBC, which compared 45 destinations around the world, the Philippines ranks No. 1 overall for expats as a destination conducive to feel closer to their partners.

The country ranks fifth in offering social life for expats and eighth in ease of integrating with the locals.

Overall, the Philippines ranked only 37th out of 45 destinations. Singapore topped the list, with expats citing the citystate lucrative in seeking new challenge, improving earnings or achieving better quality of life.

In the case of the Philippines, expats pointed to benefits ranging from easing the problem of finding good accommodation, forming new friendships and embracing diversity.

Once in the country, expats don’t feel like strangers, as it is natural for Filipinos to be more than willing and happy to assist them in adjusting to the country’s culture and environment, the survey said.

Be it around fostering relationships, providing good and affordable education-child care, creating a good environment for raising children or bringing partners closer together, the survey showed that the Philippines was a good place for expats bringing their families along.

The Philippines is the top country in the world cited by expats who said that their relocation had brought them closer to their partners (59%).

The cost of education and child care are typically more expensive abroad but the majority (57%) of expats in the Philippines found the overall cost of raising children less expensive in this country.

An additional benefit of raising a family in the Philippines is how smoothly the family members are able to socially adapt and “feel at home”.

A respondent said: “The Philippines is a familybased culture. As soon as you enter a house the host-hostess will offer you the best chair plus food and drink. People want you to be comfortable and feel at home.” — Philippine Daily Inquirer / Asia News Network