Philippines 2019 for new expats

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

 

1 hour ago, ExpatPH said:

Private hospitals, I been to 2 of the 5 best here.

 

So are any of the 5 you mention in Cebu, or all in the Manila area?

 

If you had a more significant medical issue in Cebu, where would you go?

 

[ExpatPH]

4 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

I think your OP post is a great start to the thread....  Some of the other issues I'd hope you'll touch on at some point, kinda key things that often seem to not be mentioned:

 

--ability to open and maintain local bank accounts / debit cards / credit cards, and what's required to do so.

 

--ability to obtain a local DL and rent or purchase a car, and if the latter is even desired/necessary.

 

--ability to receive direct deposit pension payments from the U.S. or other countries into a local account there.

 

--to what extent is reasonable quality medical care available, where, and at what kind of expense?

 

--is there any local, reasonable quality health insurance available there, and at what kinds of prices?

 

--is there any kind of restaurant food home delivery services operating there like UberEats or comparable, and do those get used much or not.

 

--how's the grocery/supermarket shopping experience there compared to Thailand, in terms of the cost and availability of foods that a westerner typically would be buying?

 

--What happens when the tropical storms/typhoons etc come, and how much are those likely to disrupt one's life, and for what duration in terms of flooding, power outages, shortages, etc etc?

 

Food for thought....

 

 

 

Many excellent questions

TallGuyJohninBKK

 

Food delivery in Cebu:

1. McDonalds

2. Burger king

3. Jollibee (fav for locals)

4. Foodpanda android app and website with many restaurants, a few high end as well. They are used evenings and bad weather, reviews are mixed.

 

Supermarkets and imported food:

1. Rustans.

Imported steak beef from US and New Zealand.

Salmon from many countries. Canned food from US, UK.

2. Metro Gaisano Supermarket Ayala center Cebu.

3. Tinderbox Cebu (crossroads)

Deli shop and wine and restaurant. Has hotdogs in mReview on tripadvisor.

 

Not compatible to Thailand, still we have choices so we don't have to 'go local'.

 

Storms Typhoons:

We all get advanced warning from government by SMS on our mobile phones, also when heavy downpoor is expected.

People run to supermarkets and buy water, food, and canned food for 1 week.

Earlier the warnings came to late, after public storm of complaints, warnings now come too often, too early. Better safe than sorry.

Typhoons and storms with strong windgusts, streets are deserted for people and traffic, malls are closed. We wait it out 1-2-3 days, back to normal.

 

Black out brown out:

Less frequent in the city, weekly in province. New hotels and new apartments have their own back up generator.

Black out last on average 5 hrs. Seldom more than 12 hrs.

 

Internet is highly unreliable, most have at least 2 ways to connect online. Still, while I was writing earlier today from city central, both my connections was lost for 1/2 an hour.

 

Let the good questions continue

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Internet is highly unreliable, most have at least 2 ways to connect online. Still, while I was writing earlier today from city central, both my connections was lost for 1/2 an hour.

 

 

For either residential or mobile data connections that are available to you, what kind of international/home country connection speeds can you get... say...if you were trying to stream a video service from your home country?

 

Is that even viable, things like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video? And how much might it typically cost per month to obtain that kind of internet service?

 

 

[kekalot]

I have been there short time in 2013, my plan was to stay around for 2 months but I had to leave after 3 weeks due to the sad state this place was.

what I would call metro Cebu is about 6km at most, included a map. I lived near the orange mark on the map.

 

I don't like Jeepneys, being like sardines in there wasn't my idea of fun.

idk about air quality meters but  Cebu City was the only place where I blew my nose and it came out gray colored (maybe it was just a bad time)

 

anyways, I walked quite a bit.

me walking about 3km (30-35 minutes) in any direction would get me to any location in Cebu since I was near the middle. (orange icon on map)

 

walking to Ayala mall around 7pm was this. (colors for little dot on map)

 

pink, walk 5 minutes up getting almost pickpocketed by a gang of 5-7 year old kids

red, having to run over the Guadelupe river because otherwise might puke

blue, getting offered "Cialis", maps, sunglasses and other stuff by very persistent hawkers

orange, around Ayala mall, getting propositioned by some girl with jaundice (or Hepatitis B?)

 

Ayala mall is nice and modern. nothing to complain about

 

the trip back was exactly the same thing except the kid beggars made a run for me

 

I was told many times to never take my phone out in public (just like mentioned above) even if my phone was some $150 crap Samsung.

 

food is nothing great, fried everything and rice. there's a reason why you don't see many Filipino restaurants around anywhere.

can't comment about the internet since I didn't have my own internet but the owner of the house for some reason manually unplugged the router everyday (to save like 5 pesos per month? idk)

electricity situation was a bit grim.

no numbers on most houses, local I was meeting at first told me he lived "somewhere in front of Queensland" (a short time motel with underground hidden parking, lol)

even if i pressed him many times for an address. I learned why.. because there are no numbers to most of the houses (in that area anyways)

 

I have walked a lot to the west side as well and north and felt some people were giving me threatening looks (could just be my imagination)

shotgun and rifle guards in small pharmacies and businesses, hmm.

 

the girls are nice  tho, I haven't had the chance to meet a lot of them because I only stayed there for 3 weeks and talked to the same one mostly.. but she ended up being overly jealous about absolutely nothing. (which is one of the main reasons why i left early)

 

I have traveled by motorbike extensively in Thailand in every part (except the south) and so far never seen any places that looked as run down as Cebu City was back then

I am sure that there are plenty of nice places, cities, beaches in the Philippines but Cebu City is nothing special. unless you want to spend your life at home or Ayala mall?

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

21 minutes ago, kekalot said:

I have been there short time in 2013,

 

It's possible things have changed some there, for better or worse, in the past 6 years.

 

Certainly Thailand has changed a lot in the past 6 years, in many different ways, many not good.

 

[ExpatPH]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

 

So are any of the 5 you mention in Cebu, or all in the Manila area?

 

If you had a more significant medical issue in Cebu, where would you go?

 

The hospitals I mentioned are all in Cebu.

Only 1-2 in Manila has good reviews from expats, with better facility and care.

 

I have a serious illness now, but I have accepted my destiny and situation, since it's on a late stage.  Operation are possible but not recommended due to high risk for heart attacks under / after operation in ICU. Also high risk of reduced life quality after, if one survive.  So I will continue live here.

If I was on a early stage, I would go for operation in Thailand or Singapore only.

 

[ExpatPH]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

For either residential or mobile data connections that are available to you, what kind of international/home country connection speeds can you get... say...if you were trying to stream a video service from your home country?

 

Is that even viable, things like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video? And how much might it typically cost per month to obtain that kind of internet service?

 

 

 

Netflix, and Amazon Prime work well. Only need 5Mbps for that, without loading. Don't use Skype. Friends say Skype most of the time are working.

In province, no netflix or Amazon prime video works. Even websites takes forever to load. One quickly learn patience here, no options.

I pay 13$ monthly for netflix HD. Not UltraHD pack, due to lack of 4k movies in this region.

 

As mentioned, a few new apartment building has fiber optic cable. Go for those buildings if one want the fastest connection available.

 

Internet 'real time' online banking are working in City, and on some few places in province.

 

[ExpatPH]

7 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Local mail and package delivery experience, customs duties, hassles, restrictions might be another topic to touch on....

 

 

 

Local mail system is anything than reliable.

Use international curier when I send or receive anything at all. No other options really if I want successfull shipment to from PH.

 

Customs rules:

Value limit: 10000 Php or 195$, shipping fee included.

Weight limit: 5 kilo gross weight.

 

Compare to TH 1500THB customs value limit, we can import more here in PH vs TH.

 

Value or weight more than 195$ and or 5 kilos, require advanced application, and or customs fee.

 

If you follow the regulations, custom release shipment within 24 hours, and shipment will be received 1 week from order date overseas.

If you exceed these limitations, customs can take a week+, awaiting more documentation, and or application and approval.

 

[ExpatPH]

2 hours ago, kekalot said:

I have been there short time in 2013, my plan was to stay around for 2 months but I had to leave after 3 weeks due to the sad state this place was.

what I would call metro Cebu is about 6km at most, included a map. I lived near the orange mark on the map.

 

I don't like Jeepneys, being like sardines in there wasn't my idea of fun.

idk about air quality meters but  Cebu City was the only place where I blew my nose and it came out gray colored (maybe it was just a bad time)

 

Ayala mall is nice and modern. nothing to complain about

 

food is nothing great, fried everything and rice. there's a reason why you don't see many Filipino restaurants around anywhere.

 

the girls are nice  tho, I haven't had the chance to meet a lot of them because I only stayed there for 3 weeks and talked to the same one mostly.. but she ended up being overly jealous about absolutely nothing. (which is one of the main reasons why i left early)

 

I have traveled by motorbike extensively in Thailand in every part (except the south) and so far never seen any places that looked as run down as Cebu City was back then

I am sure that there are plenty of nice places, cities, beaches in the Philippines but Cebu City is nothing special. unless you want to spend your life at home or Ayala mall?

 

 

Hi kelalot.

I appreciate your feedback, and respect your opinion. Later on, my personal views will show that we're not so different in opinion. I think it depends of our expectations and preparations, before travelling.

 

Huge changes here since 2013, 50+ new apartment buildings all 25-50 floors tall, worse traffic, a little improvement in internet speed, more imported food available, more tv channels, and most of all for expats, improvement in tourist visas available.

No stress with tourist visa here.

 

Jeepneys isn't fun, its a way to embrace and understand the local culture. Not for any over 5'10 or more than 150lbs 70 kilos. Jeepney is a way to meet the locals, had many good talks on the way, and learned from them.

 

About air quality we both agree, its bad.

 

Local food, we all know that it's not good, at least not for western pallets.

 

Girls here are all jealous, many way over the top. The spanish mix clearly shows in mood, and body figure chubbiness. Choose carefully, 80%+ will be overweight by the age of 25 only. All food cooked in oil, healthy food are unheard of, junk food, no exercise ...

 

Same time, the ladies here are the sweetest loving people I met all my life. They really treat you like a king, not very demanding for big support.

We often discuss that topic here. Most have a girlfriend or wife who's happy to receive 100-200$ a month in support. Of which, most goes to her younger siblings.

See if you find many ladies in TH who will continue live with you, for that small amount.

Also, see how many TH ladies in their 20's these days, who accept to live with a 30-40 year older man. PH ladies win hands down, not even close.

 

Cebu city has become more boring lately, says expats. Shutdown of nightlife and worse traffic, many reasons. 

 

* For me, I feel Cebu city is like Korat in TH. Expats there go to The Mall, Big C, Tesco Lotus. After that, they usually stay home. Very boring for most if you age less than 50. Many over 50 are in a longterm relationship, many have children, so their life has a slower pace. Same as Cebu city.

 

We still take holidays to nearby Bohol Island and Boracay in north, and I've been many times back to Thailand.

 

We had expats as young as 30's, they work as English teacher or online, and most move on to another location within 3 years.

 

Cebu has beautiful places few hours north. Moalboal and Bantayan island have many expats living there, next to beautiful beaches, diving, and peaceful life.

 

* No place can be directly compared to Thailand.

Thailand are unique in so many different ways, we all agree on that.

When we grow older, we also demand peace of mind and no stress. There is where Thailand fail totally.

Then some of us look and explore other destinations. And it's then we accept less frills and comfort, for steady visa regulations, and also good understanding of the english language.

 

It's a trade off, we all have different limits for how much we are willing to trade off, for stressless life, and visa regulations that stays the same over longer time.

 

[ExpatPH]

7 hours ago, Old Croc said:

I'm a little confused about your section on rentals.

Firstly, the prices you quote, in dollars, for what I would consider a dog box, seem very high.

Then you explain that high cost away by stating that you get more pesos for a dollar than you get baht.

I don't understand. Perhaps it's me. 

 

I should had used better words, sorry.

 

In simple terms, I live the exaxt same life in PH as I did in TH.

In TH I use all my budget of 65k Thb per month.

In PH I still have 500$ left over, per month.

 

Trade off, smaller apartment here (26sqm) than in TH (40sqm)

 

Bread are cheaper here 0.90$ vs TH 1.30$

Beer are cheaper here, 0.70$ vs TH 1.05$

Sigarettes are cheaper here, 1.90$ vs TH 3.90$

Jeepney are cheaper here 0.10$ vs TH Songtaew 0.33$

 

Just a few examples of less living costs in PH.

Apartments are more expensive in PH.

On a monthly total budget I still have money left here, while in TH I spend all of it. Same lifestyle and habbits.

 

Correct wording should perhaps been 'more buying power or more for the money' 

Hope this helps for the confusion I made?

 

At the end of the day, I can save money here, compared to similar life in TH, where there was nothing left to save.

[ExpatPH]

Maybe the biggest saving in the PH is the much lower expence to support a girlfriend wife.

PH win this.

 

And possibility to get a younger lady as our girlfriend or wife,

even age difference is 20-30 years (or even more).

PH win this.

 

[ExpatPH]

Culture chock:

 

Security guards with weapon at every mall, also at most stores that handles money.

 

Guards will pat you down on pockets and your back side. Metal detector many places.

 

Money transport with 3 heavy armed, super alert guards.

 

All speak to unknown others with 'Sir Mam'.

 

Powerty, beggars and homeless.

 

Unemployment percentage.

 

Bank branches, counter withdraval, customer service takes 1 hour+, not minutes.

 

Make a doctor appointment takes hours, not minutes.

 

Atm runs out of money, specially before holidays.

At salary days, Atm lines are 50+ people long.

Atm often no data signal, no withdraval.

 

Internet at very slow speed and shorter cut off daily in many areas. Often not enough for skype, netflix, outside city.

 

Typhoons and hurricane leads to complete shut down of schools in advance, hoarding of water, food, canned food, candle light and batteries, malls are closed and streets are deserted.

 

First and second date often with a friend, chaperone. Only in a public place like a mall. First on 3rd date will she meet you alone.

 

If you are intimate with a decent lady, she expect that you will marry her.

 

Deflower a cherry, her entire family will chase you down, if you try to do a runner.

 

If you're observed alone with a minor less than 18 years old, in private or in public place, someone will call authorities and you will be arrested and handed down a long jail term. Always have another family member age 18 or more present, to avoid this.

 

No divorce, annulment is possible but costs 2000 - 5000$. Out of economic range for most people.

 

Adultery, a husband who caught his legally married wife cheating on the spot, can kill both parties without legal consequences later.

 

Meeting the family, younger person will grab your right hand and pull it towards their forehead. Traditional way of greeting and respect for older person.

 

Contraception of any kind are not used. No sex education in school, or at home. Condoms and birth controll pills has only been easily available last few years, very seldom used.

 

'Out of stock', the most spoken words in all shops.

Ask when they get more in stock, and receive a empty look in their face followed with 'I dont know'.

 

Ask a direction, and get a silent reply with a kissing mouth, directed in the direction you asked for.

 

6 pm Mass on speakers in supermarkets and other places. One are required to  complete stand still, until the 5 minute mass on speakers are over.

 

Chairs by check out cashier, for older people tired of standing in line.

 

People age over 65 can sneak to first place in taxi waiting line.

 

Lack of medicine in Pharmacys and hospitals

Most medicines requires a doctors prescription.

 

Lack of knowledge about healty food. 

Shopping trolleys filled with junk food, fatty food.

 

13-14 year young mothers.

 

High number of shabu amfethamine drug users.

 

Number of single parents.

 

Catholic church stronghold on their lifes and beliefs, and how much that inflict on their life.

 

Mass at 3-4 am, and hordes flocking to the church, filling even outside area.

 

'God bless' in most conversations.

 

Lack of money planning and understanding of budget money more than a very few days.

 

Extreme high unemployment.

 

Salaries as low as 40$ per month for fulltime work 6 days a week, even the law dictate minimum wage of 190$.

 

Powerty, lack of money for their childrens education. Many children dont get more than elementary or high school education. 

No future to get a job, that mostly require minimum bachelor degree.

 

Ask a hospital to take a hiv test, requires a 2 page questionary, parents maiden name, number of sexual partners, why you request to take this test.

 

Educated nurses that work full time in private hospital, and earn less than 200$ per month.

 

The list can go on and on

 

Regards

ExpatPH

 

 

[ExpatPH]

Internet packages:

19$ for 1 month regular web surfing without netflix amazon prime.

 

60$ if you want to watch some netflix / amazon.

 

Phone sim card:

Sim card can be bought many places for 0.80$ No passport or id required.

 

1 month unlimited text (Sun sim) 4$ (3000 SMS)

 

1 month regular Internet 24Gb limit 19$

 

[balo]

11 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

Doesnt matter really, as a foreigner involved in a accident, you always pay!

Are you telling us that the insurance company will not cover it? Surely with a good insurance you do not have to pay anything unless it's your fault.

I have been involved in a couple of accidents in Thailand and insurance covered everything. 

[balo]

8 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

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.

Reason enough for me to stay in Thailand. Always felt safe here.  

[Destiny1990]

5 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

Internet packages:

19$ for 1 month regular web surfing without netflix amazon prime.

 

60$ if you want to watch some netflix / amazon.

 

Phone sim card:

Sim card can be bought many places for 0.80$ No passport or id required.

 

1 month unlimited text (Sun sim) 4$ (3000 SMS)

 

1 month regular Internet 24Gb limit 19$

 

Most guys here are stuck with a Thai wive , even kids, and a unsellable house.. So whatever new aggressive visa rule get pushed in their throat they just have to swollow. Also their Thaiwives would never ever agree relocating to The Phillipines.

They can talk about vietnam Cambodia all they want but in reality they have nothing to choose.

 

[ExpatPH]

10 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Most guys here are stuck with a Thai wive , even kids, and a unsellable house.. So whatever new aggressive visa rule get pushed in their throat they just have to swollow. Also their Thaiwives would never ever agree relocating to The Phillipines.

They can talk about vietnam Cambodia all they want but in reality they have nothing to choose.

 

 

Not aimed to those married with Thai, for obvious reasons.

Many many guys there, are not stuck with a wife.

Nothing about married guys in OP.

 

[Destiny1990]

1 minute ago, ExpatPH said:

 

Not aimed to those married with Thai, for obvious reasons.

Many many guys there, are not stuck with a wife.

Nothing about married guys in OP.

 

Anyway we dont need all of them all of sudden going to Phillipines how will that benefit us,?

They will just go after our babes moving in to our territory.

let them suffer in Chiang Mai or Koh Samui where ever they at.

[ExpatPH]

Lack of foreign import food: we have imported food, but it's much less quantity than Foodland. We learn to get by, and in these days many online companies ship food to PH. International courier services working on small cooling containers, for chilled small food orders.

 

Biggest frustrations:

Out of stock of the item they had full stock of just days ago.

We learn quickly to buy 10-20 of the items we like, when it's in stock.

 

Time (spent) wasted in banks and hospital, for simple things like withdrawal over the counter, make a doctor appointment.

ATM lines, and non working atm's.

 

Love, relationship, money.

For us over 50 it's so much easier here in PH to find a partner. They are happy with 100-200$ support per month. Although they dream to get married and live in their own house, there is no obvious push or continued nagging, for a house.

Family do not have their hand out waiting for money. You give if you can and want, else you don't. You don't buy gold, or a top end mobile phone, or a motorcycle, to your girlfriend or wife.

You do buy some normal priced clothes for her, at the market. On her birthday, she will be over the top to get a 100$ new mobile. Maintenance for a partner here are much less than in TH. One of the biggest reasons you live on a lower spending budget in PH.

 

Lesbian, gays, transgender, bisexuality:

Are more common here than in TH, and no discrimination except a few guest houses that only accept married couples.

More lesbians than a decade ago.

Transgenders are not as beautiful as in TH. If a transgender aproach a foreigner, it's done with politeness, and a polite no thank you is enough for them to leave you alone, without any danger for violence. We all know how TH transgenders often behave violently against foreigners.

Bisexuality are very common here, hence the high acceptance also for gays. White gay males are in very high demand here.

Public affection is seldom seen, hold hands is accepted, but no kissing in public.

 

Summary: easier for us over 50 to find a new partner, and to maintain a relationship is much less in PH than a relationship in TH. There's always exceptions in both countries, I speak in general terms.

 

I always try to find a lady who has a fulltime job. I know she's not lazy, she has her own money, and when the relationship become serious over time, she will quit her job if you ask her.

I compensated my gf when she quit, similar to her salary at the hotel where we first met. She earned 6000 Php 120$.

 

Last time I was in Bkk, ladies age up to 40 expected minimum 500$ support per month. Mine in PH is late 20's now, and still happy with 120$

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

The Filipina lady:

 

Can be sweeter than chocolate, and she is well aware of her duty to care for her man (her words).

 

She will rush to the supermarket, pharmacy and anywhere, to buy what you need, while you can relax at home, or meet up with expats.

 

She's not demaning for support, allowance, 100-200$ makes her happy.

 

She will sit by your hospital bed for weeks, without a word of complaining.

 

She do your laundry before you wake up, even you never asked for it. When you wake up she ask if you want coffee or breakfast.

 

She love to cuddle with you, and snuggle up in your arms. She's always willing and ready for more than that, on your request. If you loose interest for intimacy, she will nag you, 'are you bored of me, do you want another girlfriend'.

 

She stays by her man, even if you run low or empty of money.

 

She comes in all heights and shapes, from 4'6 in height and 35 kilos 75 lbs, to 5'3 height and 70 kilos 145lbs.

 

She always dream to have a mixed child with you, that brings big status, and many times a very good adult life for the child, working in tv, movies, entertaining. 

 

She wish you meet her parents and family, but you will never be forced to do it, its up to you when you meet them.

 

She can be moody (tampo) and she can become really mad. But first when you stepped over the line a dozen times.

 

She dont talk with you for days, if she caught you cheating, and she might even end the relationship.

 

She calls you 'bana' (husband) even you only in a relationship for a few months.

 

She can become chubby and fat quickly, if you dont teach her healthy eating, avoid fried food, and junk food. She don't make long walks, until you teach her the importance of keep in shape and stay healthy.

 

She will become your best friend in life, one you can trust with your wallet and atm card (speaking in general, when you choose a lady wisely)

 

And this is why we expat appreciate our Pinay girlfriend so much.

Choose wisely, find a lady that works, and who has a thin slender figure, unless you don't mind bellyfat. 

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

More about tourist visa:

 

within 1 week in country you can apply for:

 

Day 2 in country

1 months extension

 

Day 3 in country

6 months extension

 

Day 4 in country

another 6 months extension

 

If you sure you'll stay here long term, you can get 14 months in total, in your first week here.

 

Didnt know this until my last tourist visa extension at Immigration.

 

No stress with tourist visa here in Philippines.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[baansgr]

Interesting reading from the OP and thanks for taking the time for your detailed posts. Main concern for many would be healthcare, however it does exist there and lets not forget Thailand before the days of BKK hospital etc that wasn't that long ago. I regularly visit PI and find it a breath of fresh air. I love the cantina food and the array of western food available at a fraction of the cost here is unbelievable. Thai food can be cooked at home cheaply if one feels like Thai cuisine. The devalued PHP over the past 18 months has made living expenses even cheaper especially compared to the Baht rising. For me the SRVV is an attraction as I would think is to most. With the inward investment over the past few years I would envisage many private hospitals the same as here opening with excellent care so that issue will disappear. I know of condos sold out in Angeles before the piling is even in so many are relocating there. Yes there is corruption and crime but it can be avoided easily with common sense. Keep the posts coming..

[ExpatPH]

Thank you very much baansgr, for your feedback and shared experience in country here.

 

Angeles would be my choice today, if I was younger and in better health, so that I could enjoy what Angeles has to offer.

 

I like to have expat friend around, why I choosed Cebu. Cebu was more lively and fun when I moved here, than now.

 

With building boom both in Angeles and Cebu, as well as other places, investors have belief in the economic future for the country.

I hope better Hospitals and quality of care, will follow the current big Chinese investments here.

 

[freedomnow]

You lost me at

 

"Apartment prices Cebu:

For a very small 18 sqm modern apartment example (search photos online)

'Lot8 cebu' units rent for 300-400$ smallest modern apartment in the city 18sqm. Tiny balcony."

 

$400 to hit a cat off both walls,then slide over the balcony on the wet patch.

 

 

Looks like there is a gap in the market for better priced bigger-sized flexible term farang rentals in CEBU...

[Pilotman]

19 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

Visa:

After the first 29 days on arrival, go to immigration and apply for 1 months extension. You can apply next day after arrival if you want. 3.120 peso 60$

 

After first 59 days in country, your extension options are 1, 2, 6 months extension. You can apoly for this as early as 3rd dau in country, if you applied for 1 month extension the day before.

After 59 days a obligatory ACR-I Card (alien registration card) is required by immigration, take finger prints, proof of adress, this is the only time I show proof of location, never asked to show proof later on. Lease contract or hotel receipt is enough. Take photo copy ahead.

Within the first 16 months in country, you are allowed to get 2 times 6 months extension, so if you plan to stay long, apply for 6 months extension after the first 59 days in country.

Then the 2nd and last 6 month extension after 8 months stay.

After this, extend with 2 month each time, unless you can get a 3rd 6 months extension.  Some got it, I did not, so just ask politely.

36 months is the maximum you can stay in PH on tourist visa extensions.

Take 1 day trip or more out if the country, and start from scratch again.

 

No re-entry permit here.

If you leave the country, all visa you have in passport is used. 

 

If you stay more than 6 months in country and want to leave, you are required to apply for ECC (Exit clearance certificate) at immigration.

Apply 1 week ahead of departure and bring airline ticket.

 

If you stay for 1 year, the cost for extensions has been around 500$

 

My visa extensions take 2-3 hour.

 

Visa agents can do all your extensions for you, they charge you 25-30$ for this.

 

Opening a Bank account in PH:

 

Regulations require that you have ACR-I card that you can first apply for after 59 days stay, but it takes months to receive the actual card.

Your options are:

- ask a expat to go with you to the bank, together talk with bank manager about open new account and bring with you a dash of US$

- Go alone to main branch in the city and ask to talk with bank manager.

- Western Union transfer to yourself a day before you travel.

- zoom

 

Banking in general is time consuming, all my visits take 1-1.5 hour.

If you dont have patience, you got to learn to be patient.

 

I have local ATM with online banking android app, and also Visa prepaid card for online purchase.

Standard withdrawal is limited to 10000 Php 95$ per day, apply in the bank for higher limit, I have 50.000 Php limit 950$ per day, applied in the bank with reason condo rental payment.

 

Foreigner Visa / Mastercard:

Go to HSBC near Ayala center and withdraw max 40.000 per withdrawal. Daily number of withdrawals limit depends of your bank own limits, in country of origin.

 

Need to carry Passport?

 

The first 59 days I carried a color photo copy of my ID page and entry and extension stamp.

Never been asked to show passport in public.

When ACR-I card arrive after some months in ATM size, this is your legal id card you carry on daily basis.

 

Much more to come

 

Regards

ExpatPH

sound like a total pain to me, easier in LOS. 

[Pilotman]

5 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

You lost me at

 

"Apartment prices Cebu:

For a very small 18 sqm modern apartment example (search photos online)

'Lot8 cebu' units rent for 300-400$ smallest modern apartment in the city 18sqm. Tiny balcony."

 

$400 to hit a cat off both walls,then slide over the balcony on the wet patch.

 

 

Looks like there is a gap in the market for better priced bigger-sized flexible term farang rentals in CEBU...

Agree. my bathroom is bigger than 18 sqm . How can anyone  possibly exist in a space that small? 

[baansgr]

16 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Thank you very much baansgr, for your feedback and shared experience in country here.

 

Angeles would be my choice today, if I was younger and in better health, so that I could enjoy what Angeles has to offer.

 

I like to have expat friend around, why I choosed Cebu. Cebu was more lively and fun when I moved here, than now.

 

With building boom both in Angeles and Cebu, as well as other places, investors have belief in the economic future for the country.

I hope better Hospitals and quality of care, will follow the current big Chinese investments here.

 

Angeles is predominately Westerners and Koreans, no Chinese influx as of present. Why Clarke isn't used is a mystery to many, was upgraded yet very few International flights but the P2P is a cheap way from Manila and with Philipine Air can arrive early AM making the journey not much more than one hour. 

[freedomnow]

16 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Agree. my bathroom is bigger than 18 sqm . How can anyone  possibly exist in a space that small? 

for 12,000 Baht you get a decent new 100m2 house outside Bangkok in smaller cities.

 

OP better off just getting 800k in Thai bank and coming back ?

 

Food sucks in PI, Brazil style barrios, and all the shotgun security guard crap at 7-11/malls/donut places...that still going on ?

I'd head to various beach towns of Vietnam as a 2nd choice option....$350 or something for a year ME Biz Visa or the like....and I think you can get Beer Lao at same or similar Lao prices...haha.

For $400 you can rent a nice house in any of the beach towns.

[Pilotman]

1 minute ago, freedomnow said:

for 12,000 Baht you get a decent new 100m2 house outside Bangkok in smaller cities.

 

OP better off just getting 800k in Thai bank and coming back ?

 

Food sucks in PI, Brazil style barrios, and all the shotgun security guard crap at 7-11/malls/donut places...that still going on ?

I'd head to various beach towns of Vietnam as a 2nd choice option....$350 or something for a year ME Biz Visa or the like....and I think you can get Beer Lao at same or similar Lao prices...haha.

whenever I visit the PI, I'm always glad to get back to the relative normality and modern (ish) facilities in Thailand.  The PI is truly a dump. but I admit, a beautiful one in terms of its scenery.  

[freedomnow]

Just now, Pilotman said:

whenever I visit the PI, I'm always glad to get back to the relative normality and modern (ish) facilities in Thailand.  The PI is truly a dump. but I admit, a beautiful one in terms of its scenery.  

Yep, the place has so much going for it as much as Thailand but going to both around 2001 when I arrived in Asia..they have diverged so much in development....Thailand has left PI in the dust.

Urban s-holes surrounded by paradise is PI.

 

PI currency against UK pound is almost same as 2001 which is surprising though !

Against the Baht its been kicked in the teeth hard...deserved it though, with all the Brexit incompetence.