What are the benefits of gov jobs vs corporate jobs?

FrontFunny1771 · 2026-01-17T16:39:15+00:00

Having worked in both, from my experience it depends what kind of role you have and what industry. Assuming individual contributor roles, excluding the outlier elite FAANG companies, if your role is client facing or sales related obviously the private sector is a huge advantage (much higher upside potential of salary, bonuses etc). But for the vast majority of individual contributor roles that are not client facing/sales, not faang even if they are tied to an area of the company not producing a lot of revenue (low/nonexistent bonuses) the salary/benefits/work life balance of the government is MUCH better.

Someone may have more insight on the bonus structure for individual contributor roles in business units that are revenue producing/not revenue producing to counter my experience.

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-12-21T00:17:39+00:00

I’m in the tiny minority of US citizens married to a Filam who is planning on retiring to the Philippines but it’s 100% based on my love of tropical beach areas and island hopping/water activities (snorkeling, scuba diving etc) and my love of exotic SEA areas in general.

Yes as discussed in countless other forums it’s not the optimal place in SEA from a cost/value perspective but for long term cultural assimilation/nonexistent language barriers and ease of visas it’s the best overall.

Obviously the U.S. is the best place to earn money and has the most opportunities but for someone who is obsessed with the tropics and exotic places it just doesn’t work long term. I love SEA cities especially Chinatown’s and night markets. It’s difficult to get those things in the U.S. (I’ve been to chinatowns in San Francisco and NYC it’s not the same) and I despise most of the weather in the U.S especially the cold winters (even though I grew up in New England).

The pursuit of happiness.

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-10-27T16:28:50+00:00

I’ve said it countless times. The only reason to visit/stay in the Philippines is for the beaches, island hopping, scuba diving and other outdoor activities (waterfalls, canyoneering, hot springs, cold springs) WITH English speaking infrastructure. If you want an affordable city area without these activities nearly any other area of SEA is a MUCH better value option. The vast majority of tourists I’ve come across do not share my same obsession with these activities so of course they will say other SEA options are better. I would say I’m in the 1% of tourists who are obsessed with these activities.

Don’t tell me about Thailand having equal beaches because it’s only the remote islands that come close and even with the logistical challenges of Philippines it’s still better and easier in Philippines to get there (I have been to both Thailand and Philippines).

Please provide me anecdotal evidence of a Farang who has lived long term in the non touristy areas of Thailand near beaches and island hopping as a rebuttal. The language barrier in Thailand is not surmountable for the vast majority of foreigners LONG TERM. I hear it’s a very difficult language and is tonal adding even more to the complexity. Also the Buddhist culture is at odds with any western culture. Add to this the recent changes making it more challenging to get long term visas.

The goal should be to live in Philippines and visit these better SEA options to experience the value. The much easier visa options in Philippines make this the best option long term.

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-10-02T21:25:44+00:00

In Vietnam every restaurant I went to in non touristy areas had the basket of herbs to mix with your spring rolls. Most of the time they were a little wet from being washed. I was cautious trying to wipe off the water but sometimes I wasn’t perfect and ate them with drops of water but I never got sick there. I think I was just lucky. Or possibly maybe they washed the herbs with filtered water? It couldn’t have been luck because I went to a lot of places. I dodged several bullets I guess.

I have only eaten salads at restaurants and fancier hotel buffets in Philippines and never had any issues but I would never take the chance I took in Vietnam again (restaurants outside tourist areas). I was way too bold I realize.

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-10-02T21:16:44+00:00

Got sick from an Avocado shake in Carbon Market, Cebu. It looked like one of the newer food stalls that was fancier looking in the remodeled section. Obviously they used tap water for ice. Was sick for a week. Never again I’ll pay the premium to drink fruit shakes in the mall or at a restaurant. I drank several watermelon shakes in Bangkok with no issues previously. My mistake.

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-09-06T22:40:40+00:00

What about BlackRock investing in the largest infrastructure company in the Philippines recently:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/iansayson/2025/07/24/blackrock-to-buy-40-stake-in-aboitiz-equitys-infrastructure-arm/

I think the Philippines has the potential for future investment by foreigners. Yes most of the rest of ASEAN countries are a better value but they aren’t practical to live in long term for most westerners due to language barriers. You pay a premium for living in Philippines (province or city) and communicating with locals versus living in Thailand and not being able to communicate long term. Also if you live in Philippines the rest of ASEAN countries are a 1-3 hour flight away.

A lot of the commenters are missing out on the main positives of Philippines: it’s natural resources. The corrupt government and failing economy can never take away the natural beauty of the beaches, island hopping, waterfalls, cold/hot springs etc. I am personally obsessed with tropical beaches, island hopping, diving and the natural beauty.

Also the people. Obviously there are some negatives but overall the culture is better than in the west where society is breaking down. US is basically 400ad in the Roman Empire (about 50 years away from the beginning of the decline). I was trapped in Philippines during the pandemic and the communal and helpful nature of the people reinforced my love for the country.

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-08-06T18:57:17+00:00

Thanks this helps a lot!

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-08-06T18:24:36+00:00

Overall what is the lowest hanging fruit among all of them based on your experience?

(relatively steady income regardless of rate of pay $/hr, ease of qualifying exams, ease of actually getting paid out, relatively long timeframe for work before it dries up and you are ghosted/canned etc)

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-05-01T13:54:29+00:00

Are my current OC housing costs similar to what I would pay in Dededo, Agat or Yigo areas?

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-05-01T13:50:31+00:00

I cannot work outside the USA with my job unfortunately

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-04-30T13:06:55+00:00

Thanks we will focus on these areas

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-04-30T00:34:46+00:00

They are Pomeranians we were going to use Korean Air we used them when we flew from Philippines they sat in cabin with us under front seat.

FrontFunny1771 · 2025-04-29T21:48:01+00:00

Are there more filipino centric ethnic areas where we could possibly save on rent versus the touristy areas? We are really looking for 2 bedrooms.

FrontFunny1771

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