Is moving to As long-term worth it for remote work

#1

Bhrubby

Thinking about relocating to Asia long-term instead of flying back and forth to the UK. Hypothetical scenario: I work fully remote on UK hours, earning around £40,000, and I’m considering renting (not buying).

Shortlisted areas in the Philippines:
• Clark (less traffic, airport access, quieter)
• Cebu IT Park (walkable, expat-friendly, 24/7 spots)
• BGC (convenient but traffic + higher rent)

Priorities:
• Safe area for foreigners
• Reliable internet + power
• Walkable / minimal traffic
• 24/7 food & services (since I work nights asia time)
• Peace of mind + decent quality of life on that budget

I’ve tried Thailand (great value but more language barrier outside tourist areas) and Vietnam (even cheaper but harder day-to-day communication). PH feels easier because English is widely spoken, culture is friendly to foreigners (they always treat me like Im special and they’re super nice), and daily life just feels smoother. Malaysia/Singapore feel solid but pricier for what you get on this budget.

For Asians/expats/digital nomads living in ph or nearby countries:
• Is PH actually good long-term or does the honeymoon phase fade?
• How’s night-shift remote work there in terms of safety, noise, lifestyle?
• Any hidden downsides people don’t talk about?
• Where would you settle and why?

Would love honest takes pros, cons, regrets, or “best decision ever” stories.

#2

delighted

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to answer ur question yes philippines is a very good option

#4

Bhrubby

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Is Bgc overrated or is that really the best place to w work remote?

#6

delighted

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cebu IT park is good long term

#3

number1_mada_fan

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dont live in philipines, terrible country, ive gotten mugged twice and the people are insanely rude, the environment is also really dirty, food is decent tho

thailand is a decent choice but their economy and birth rate is declining a lot

malaysia and singapore probably the best options

#5

delighted

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where did u go to

if it was in manila honestly u can't really do anything abt it since loads of bs happens there

#25

Bhrubby

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The only issue I have btw is when I tried to do a jog, random kids follow me which scared me for a second.

#26

delighted

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those random kids are probably js running around asw

#7

Bhrubby

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Thanks for this and several friends also told me this. Singapore is a tad bit too expensive for my liking. Do you have any recommendations in Malaysia outside kuala lumpur and ipoh?

#8

delighted

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Melaka is good

#12

cxrsedval

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penang and melaka id say

#27

Kinkz

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There's also Georgetown where a significant portion of the population are foreigners, immigrants, digital nomads.

Have you considered India or Indonesia as an option?

#28

Bhrubby

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Appreciate it. Language barrier is worse on those countries no?

#29

CinnamonStew34s

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India has the 2nd mst english speakers in the world and although yea it has one of the most amt of languages everyone y need to speak almost certainly speaks gud english and passable working english at the least

#30

Kinkz

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I've been to Bali before and people there can communicate in English since they have to talk to tourists. Not sure about other places in Indonesia.

In India there won't be much of a language barrier issue if you're in the big cities. Beyond them, there could be some issues but most people will still know enough English for basic communication. There's a lot of language diversity in India so even while travelling regionally within the country, Indians use english.

I feel like India is an underrated option because when you have money here you can live like you're in a first world country. Plus the cost of living should be lower than other alternatives. If you're making good money India might be worth looking into.

#31

Bhrubby

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Thanks for this?

#9

V0sotros

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come to Philippines

unironically if u stay in the super westernized areas like BGC it'll be almost indistinguishable from being in the US or UK other than the weather

#11

delighted

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Clark is the best place for peace and quiet

#13

V0sotros

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I remember when I was in Clark it literally just looked like an average mid sized California city lol

I prefer the provinces tbh my family's from out there but obviously it's going to be dogshit for a westerner unfamiliar with the country

#15

delighted

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it's a huge problem for even asian torurists thay are unfamiliar lmao

#10

cxrsedval

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Singapore - really pricey, people are insanely rude and entitled but its really safe and clean

Malaysia - decently priced, most of the people is nice, food is great, some areas is dangerous, some parts is clean

Thailand - really cheap, really friendly people, amazing food, pretty dirty tho

Vietnam - idk never been

Philipines - might be the worst on the list, food is decent, its pretty cheap but theres alot of rural areas and pretty dangerous places

#14

Pengu12

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as someone living in singapore, I feel like the only rude people are the old ones and they are only rude to other Asiansspecially Indians) but apart from that it is an insanely nice place to live

#16

delighted

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it is pretty expensive for a reason

#17

guuz

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malaysia or singapore

#18

delighted

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Melaka is right there tbh

#20

guuz

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least patriotic pinoy

i wish i were going into a field with lots of travel. i fucking hate boston

#22

delighted

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bro I tried to defend the philippines yet I didn't get any upvotes lol

#19

mondely

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sea is pretty crowded in general. i think malaysia might be the best? not as crowded as some of the others, though not sure about reliable internet or power

#21

Bhrubby

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Is internet or power bad there?

#23

delighted

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not really

#24

mondely

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its just sea in general prob dont have the best infastructure for internet

#32

cartizerra

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anything but val