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Posted
18 hours ago, Larssonn said:

Not a big writer but more of the reading type and must say .....

 

absolutely one of the best threads ive read on theese forums .

 

great job both to the op and the others informative postings .

 

For thai visa issues i think sting where it hurts , before one had quite much money here now keeping nothing and own nothing except home for personal use only not to feed rentals to richer thais , no investment nothing else .

 

declared unwanted = goes for my money too

 

one thing i feeel missing about ph is about investment ....does ph banks give anything and are there and market for condo rentals ?

 

i did read about the problems buying but are there agencys sorting all or anyway to make it abit easier and quicker buying condos ?

 

also is it a safe procedure to buy ?

 

keep up the good work will continue to follow 

Hi

 

I have no knowledge of banks or investment in PI.

 

I do follow the economies of the US, UK and some EU countries as I do some derivative/stock trading

 

This website might be of interest maybe ?

 

Seems generally well balanced.

 

https://tradingeconomics.com/philippines/forecast

 

GL

Posted

ExpatPH - 

 

Thank you for the links to the Philippines Penal Code.

 

Makes for great reading and got my questions answered.  I bet that there is still a lot of corruption at the hands of the police if (you are involved in anything illegal or accused of any crime) but this can be a good thing too depending on the circumstance.

 

Having spent much time in Indonesia (and Thailand), I have a much better understanding now of how the S.E. Asian legal systems work.  

 

Knowledge is KING

Posted
3 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

Visa extension after the first 59 days in country, option:

1 month extension.

or

2 months extension.

or

6 months extension.

(6 months extensioncan only be applied twice, within first 16 months).

 

Image cost for 6 months extension.

 

http://immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/temporary-visitor-visa/long-stay-visitor-visa-extension-lsvve

 

Regards

ExpatPH

 

 

20190414_203949.jpg

Thanks for that !

Posted
12 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

A single westerner living in province, will be approached on a daily basis.

I don't want to be approached, I want to be able to walk around without people staring and thinking I am an easy target. 
In Thailand I can do that most places , because there are so many of us here. 

  • Like 1
Posted
On 4/11/2019 at 1:59 PM, madmen said:

Just wondering what these are about ? no pension is a bit steep and all those deposits are permanent

 

1. With Pension - 50 years old and above - the required time deposit is US$10,000.00 plus a monthly pension of US$800.00 for a single applicant and US$1,000 for couple.

2. Without Pension

  • 35 to 49 years old - US$50,000.00 time deposit
  • 50 years old and above - US$20,000.00 time deposit
  • Former Filipino Citizens (at least 35 years old, regardless of the number of dependents - US$1,500.00)
  • Ambassadors of Foreign Countries who served and retired in the Philippines, current and former staff members of international organizations including ADB (at least 50 years old) - US$1,500.00

That last one (Ambassadors etc) also includes ex-military, but not all countries. 

It's a pretty good plan B, or A. Ongoing costs for this group is just $10 USD per year.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Many thanks for this topic. Super comprehensive and I learned a lot; I plan my first trip to the Philippines in February; I have been to Vietnam too and I liked it. I love Thailand, do speak Thai, but I agree, a plan B is mandatory these days, for those not willing to buy a 20year visa (Elite card).

 

My concern is the pollution and the Internet. I need fast Internet, so I would opt for a condo e.g. in city centre Cebu, but the air pollution as many mentioned might be an issue. I will have to go myself and see. I am talking about a year-round thing, not seasonal pollution as Northern Thailand, although the latter has become much more prolonged and worrisome.

 

I have a few questions.

 

1. What happens with the ACR card when you leave? Do you have to start all over again like with your visa every time you leave? Or do you keep the card until a defined expiry date?

 

2. I read before that an English driving license is ok, the Thai license is in English too and it is part of the ASEAN agreement, where the countries agreed to accept each others licenses. I already suspected the police will not care. Would you suggest using taxis until we have an ACR card and convert to a Filipino driving license? I have no motorbike license from my home country (only car) so IDP is not an option.

 

3. A few months ago I found out what you wrote in this topic too. Motorbikes are cheaper than in Thailand. But I am more interested in renting first - websites like book2wheel.com quote a 30day rental price of 9500 PHP which is almost 5800 THB and twice as expensive as Thailand. Can you shed some light on this? I just do not understand why motorbikes (buying) are so much cheaper but renting at the same time is super-expensive. Maybe I use the wrong websites; I am happy for advice.

 

4. Carry passport when driving was mentioned here. Photocopy ok? (Scan on smartphone etc.)

 

It seems to me driving is complicated - I mean renting is expensive and I need a local license first, so it might be better to just use Taxis/Grab. Also keeps me more flexible.

 

 

Posted
On 4/12/2019 at 3:08 AM, swissie said:

But I know for sure: The day a armed guard would want to check my bags at the nearest 7/11 in Thailand, I would find myself at the Airport the very next day.

Been in the PI loads, never had any security guard ask to look in my bag or say anything other than 'Good morning Sir' as I walk past.

  • Like 2
Posted
On 4/12/2019 at 1:11 AM, Destiny1990 said:

2.Shop owners probably think that guards are cheaper then alarm systems and CCTV like we have in our countries.

CCTV is required by law at all business premises, and they mean it, there are frequent checks and you get shut down if it doesn't work.

  • Like 2
Posted
On 4/4/2019 at 6:04 PM, ExpatPH said:

 

Hi dddave.

Personal safety is a issue here, but I dare to say, with ahead planning and common sense, 99% of the danger can be avoided.

 

I dont show a 1000$ mobile phone in public.

Only use it inside a mall.

I use a cheap 15$ phone if I expect a long night out, with drinking.

I wear reversible shorts (Jag brand) with inner pockets where I can hide money.

I have inner pockets made on my jeans too.

 

Yes, pick pocketing and hold ups with knife and gun, do happen. Some was killed because they didnt give up their belongings.

Foreigners mostly get pick pocketed for wallets and phones, when they don't pay attention, are drunk, have female company.

The small young beggars are the worst, they distract you, and one of them manage their small hands in your side or rear pockets, and snatch your wallet, then run like hell. Don't allow them near you, just shout out loud.

 

Im of average height and weight, in my 50s, often walk alone. Not difficult to attempt to rob me, but I hide any sign of wealth.

 

Been to 'dangerous area' of town named 'Colon' day and evenings.

Take jeepneys in daylight.

Been to former nightlife area until 4am.

Never been in a situation in almost 10 years here.

 

Yes, I'm not trying to sell this place as a dream. I try to be balanced, and tell it how it really is.

Will share more of my cons and frustrations soon. Hospitals griefs already mentioned.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

Really great posts and information on the Philippines in general. My biggest concern would be the food and very expensive private hospitals.

 

    I've seen plenty of photos of Filipino food and to be honest, I couldn't live on that.

 

    Do you cook your own food from time to time? Is, meat, veggies, etc expensive? 

 

    

Posted
On 4/16/2019 at 12:58 AM, rhodie said:

It just adds a dimension to the mix. Thailand used to be a great place and still is for many. But things are not getting easier. 2 years ago my OA long stay visa was AUD$225. It is now AUD$550 for my application next month. It is not 1 thing that causes someone to look around, but the small hills are growing. Good luck to those that are still riding the crest. Some of us are just looking at other places. Nothing wrong with that. ???? 

Just a correction to my post. My OA visa was $275. $550 is for the new 5/10 year visa announced in 2016. But everything is still very confusing on the web site. 

  • Like 2
Posted
On 4/7/2019 at 11:31 AM, Destiny1990 said:

Try buy a condo in Phillipines i dare u.

I bought my condo in 2011.  No problems with purchase (Ayala Land), got the title before the building was ready for handover, no hassle at all.  The title for my car parking space had a spelling error in my name, they rectified this.

  • Like 2
  • Confused 1
Posted
18 hours ago, cerox said:

I have a few questions.

 

1. What happens with the ACR card when you leave? Do you have to start all over again like with your visa every time you leave? Or do you keep the card until a defined expiry date?

 

2. I read before that an English driving license is ok, the Thai license is in English too and it is part of the ASEAN agreement, where the countries agreed to accept each others licenses. I already suspected the police will not care. Would you suggest using taxis until we have an ACR card and convert to a Filipino driving license? I have no motorbike license from my home country (only car) so IDP is not an option.

 

3. A few months ago I found out what you wrote in this topic too. Motorbikes are cheaper than in Thailand. But I am more interested in renting first - websites like book2wheel.com quote a 30day rental price of 9500 PHP which is almost 5800 THB and twice as expensive as Thailand. Can you shed some light on this? I just do not understand why motorbikes (buying) are so much cheaper but renting at the same time is super-expensive. Maybe I use the wrong websites; I am happy for advice.

 

4. Carry passport when driving was mentioned here. Photocopy ok? (Scan on smartphone etc.)

 

It seems to me driving is complicated - I mean renting is expensive and I need a local license first, so it might be better to just use Taxis/Grab. Also keeps me more flexible.

 

 

 

1.  You keep your ACR-I card to expire date, valid 1 year. When you return to PH, Immigration ask for it.  If its expired already, they tell you to apply for a new one, something thats done automatically when one apply for extension at office (not at airport).

 

2. If IDL is not a option, use taxi, or motorcycle taxi called habal habal. 

Can't and shouldn't attempt to bribe a police officer.  I would not drive without IDL + DL from country of origin.

 

3. Renting motorbike is indeed expensive here, 9000 peso or more is normal for a 125cc bike here.  All places I visited quoted 9k up for a month. Why it's so expensive here? Good question. Not many motorbike for rent here, not same as in Thailand. Less availability = higher demand mostly from richer tourists, higher prices.

Buying a 300-600cc here is often 1000US$ cheaper than in Thailand. 

 

4. Carry real passport when driving with IDL + DL from home country. No photo copy.

 

As always in Asia, depends of the officer who stop you. To be safe, carry real Passport as required, when driving. They love to impound motorbikes here.

 

While traffic culture here is slower than in Thailand, without IDL one should await ACR-I card, before driving.

 

  • Like 1
Posted

Thank you for answering my questions.

 

Really sad that driving yourself is such a hassle in the Philippines; the high rental prices for motorbikes and the need to carry my passport just put me off. Very risky to carry a passport - so expensive to get a new one. It is good to know. I will just use taxis, habal habal / grab etc. and not rent myself. Buying a motorbike seems the only sensible option, but if I need to carry my passport everywhere - this is a really big deal.

 

I can cook at home like I do in my home country.

 

How is the Cebu air pollution compared to Chiang Mai? Is it CM burning all year because of the different pollution from the jeepneys etc. or better?

Posted
4 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

Hi Isaanbiker.

I don't eat local food either, so eat out often, and also cook at home.

Vegetables are of less quality than in Thailand.

Posted photos of food and prices before.

No doubt that food in Thailand is much much better.

 

Overall, Philippines is 7-8% cheaper than Thailand, according to survey posted earlier, and that is my personal experience as well.

About the vegetables somehow i more confident that in Phillipines vegetables are getting sprayed with only approved international chemicals in comparison with what they use in Thailand.

Veggies fine for me there and supermarkets have local and international food choices just as the restaurants.

  • Like 2
Posted

In terms of fruit how do you guys buy your fruit in the Philippines?

In Thailand I have some street vendors / small markets I buy my fruit from, which they say they do not spray and the fact you have to eat it quickly confirms that this might be true. Supermarket fruit in Thailand I find it too expensive - because I eat a lot, really a lot of fruit ????

  • Like 1
Posted

Is Dumaguete still safe to go with what happened in this small city Marawi?

I like smaller cities like Chiang Mai in terms of size. Cebu might be too big and polluted. How is the Internet in Bohol? I need to be able to do some work online. The small islands unfortunately are too slow with Internet - maybe the new Borocay is nice - you mentioned there is good Internet.

 

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