Still not big enough to ship skis. :-(
Posted on 12/27/2013 1:25:46 PM PST by lafroste
Life is strange. I want to finish my life elsewhere. I am seriously thinking of moving to the Philippines. I will go there in 18 months. I intend to sell my antiques, motorcycle, and everything else. Tell me where you would recommend I land. What are the costs?
ping-a-roonie
Maybe buy a place away from the flood areas and hurricanes
Good idea to try and stay away from typhoons, also lol
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Floods? DO NOT buy anything in a low area that could flood , river deltas and such ,, buy on high ground. Avoid areas where there is a possibility of mudslides also ... most developers that build “western” quality homes build in good areas.
Hurricanes/typhoons are no joke ... but they travel westward ,, so Cebu and Cagayan being on the west sides of islands will always get the remnants of storms ,, diminished by passing over land and particularly mountains.
There is no such thing as “homeowners” insurance in the Philippines so you will find that new construction by developers will be of “commercial” type construction , “pillar and post” cement with lots of rebar.. it’s the only way that the banks will finance the developers.
I live in a small Texas town and would like to keep it that way thank you very much. Having said that, I would recommend a small town anywhere in the US over anyplace in the PI.
Cebu is the “Queen City” It is the hub of the Philippines. Largest population of retired Navy and Airforce personnel.I have friends retired there. I arrive there 01/13/2014. I’ll stay awhile but I have interests in china. I know there is a local website for americans there who need info of shops, services etc. Email me and I’ll help you further.
Still not big enough to ship skis. :-(
And what is so wrong about that?
Maybe buy a place away from the flood areas and hurricanes if you can, and after that avoid all the radical Islamic types that want your head.
After that, you should be fine. -guy
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My Advice...
1. Learn Spanish
2. Stay in the Northern Philippians to avoid the crazy muzzies that live in the south.
That is all I know at the moment- Grace
Ignorance is the display of not knowing truth or facts about the subject.
I now live in Davao City on the notorious island of Mindinao. There are Muslims everywhere in the world, but in this city, the mayor is a no-nonsense man that keeps good control of the bad elements.
There are about 2.5 million people in the DaVao City area, and though many people live meager lives, there are 11 mega-malls.
Davao is out of the hurricane region (they are called typhoons in the Pacific!), and I can recall lots of floods in America. It depends on what you want. Alex lives at the beach on Cebu Island. I live on the beach here. I am in a subdivision of around 1000 homes, rich and not-so, and Alex is along the highway. I moved to Davao from Ormoc City, Leyte, the week before Typhoon Yolanda wiped out much of that islands infrastructure and destroyed more than 100,000 homes. God spared me, as the house I rented there was among those destroyed. Manila is the largest city, but it has too many problems, due to almost 20 million population, and subsequent high prices, heavy traffic, and pollution. There are lots of us "forriners" everywhere in the Philippines. p>I came to the Philippines to enjoy my latter years. I am now 66. It is warm, the people are among the friendliest in the world, and you can speak English to anyone, though some look at you like you are speaking a foreign language (hehe). English is the common language. Christianity is prevalent, mostly Roman Catholic, but I attend a Baptist Church, where English is the language used. There are all types of Protestant congregations. You can do a search.
Though Spain was present here for hundreds of years, the common language is NOT SPANISH, though some of the dialects contain modifications of Spanish words. It is a poor country, which benefits us, as we can employ housekeepers, groundskeepers and cooks for $50-75 a month, full time.
Foreigners are prohibited from buying property, but you can buy into a condominium or rent, which is what I do. I rent a three bedroom house looking out over the water for 12,000 PhPesos, at the current exchange rate of 44.46=$1, that is less than $300 a month. My total monthly expenses including food are less than $1000 USD!
For answers to most of your questions, I recommend you join the Yahoo Group:
LivingInThePhilippines3
The view from the front of my house...
I have lived in the Philippines since 2001 and have been in and out of the Philippines since 1971 with the US Navy. The first question is; are you single? If so, you will be a target of girls attempting to separate you from your money.
As a foreigner you can not own property, but you can own a condo unit because you don’t own the land.
You will only be able to get a visitors visa good for 180 days, (you’ll need to check that law), and renewable for a limited number of times before you will need to leave the country for 24 hours.
There are some other types of visas that will allow you to be a permanent residence, (like the US green card), but you’ll need to research them.
I recommend that if you wish to live here, first come and visit for 6 months. Do not transfer your money to a Philippine bank. Use your bank’s ATM to access funds and only withdraw a specific amount a month, (stay on a tight budget). Do not buy any major items, (condo, cars, appliances etc.), because you will have a hard time selling them for the resale value, (especially houses and cars).
Stay away from the girlie clubs and do not hook up with a girl you met on the internet. These will quickly separate you from your money.
Send me a private message if you want more info.
The cultures are too different. I have worked with many.
Expats seem to unanimously agree that the best thing about living in the Philippines is the Filipino people. The cost of living is another thing to love. Expats share their tips and experiences living in The Philippines.
I recommend you visit first. If you like it, go back.
Been to the Philippines and Davao City is the best place. Peaceful, people are kind and quality of life is better than the rest of the country.
The people there are incredibly warm and friendly. But there are parts of Manila where Caucasians simply should not venture without locals to accompany them. And the south of the country is where they have the major problems with Muslim guerrillas and terror groups.
Stay away from the south islands............Islamists or plain criminals will kidnap you and hold you for ransom..................
You won’t be lonely.
Many Americans move there after retirement.
I work in Seattle.
Filipinos are [or were] the largest immigrant group here.
There’s a pretty significant intermarriage rate, usually Filipino women marry white guys, and quite often the white guys have well paid jobs, at my company anyway.
A couple things to keep in mind.
It is freaking hot and humid there ALL the time.
I grew up in south Florida, and the Philippines are worse, much worse.
Also, unless the laws have recently changed, Americans can’t really own anything there.
The guys I know who move there have to put homes and cars in their wives’ names.
And, if you invest in a business, or try to start a business, that has to be in your wife’s name, too, so be sure she loves you or she might wander away with your heart AND your money!
Also, if you buy a home, you can’t just lock it up and spend 6 months a year in a cool climate, because when you come back, there will be strangers living in your house, which, apparently, is completely legal.
Last word of advice, every dispute or confrontation between an American and a Filipino will end badly for the American.
The people are very nice, but very clannish, too, so if you become rude, or angry, or threatening, you are going to be fighting a mob of Filipinos all by yourself!
Considering the ruination of feminism, that is the main feature.
One more word of advice.....
You spelled “Philippines” wrong in your title.
That might irritate a few people!
Cebu and of course Manila are the major airports.
Maid/housekeeper. About $90 per month
Houseboy/gardener/driver. $100
Lots of new development, condos, golf courses by old Clark Air Force base.
Lots of islands, beaches. Etc.
If you have money check out white plains north of Manila. Or makati if you have even more bucks. Better life style you lead more kidnapping concern. Bodyguard services available.
The best place in the Phillipines is the international departure lounge of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
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