Philippines: Recommended Places For 4-6 Month Stay?

[bucklt]

I plan to go there later-on this year and stay c4-6 months.

Ideally, am looking for a 'base' (not Manila) to operate from - renting a condo etc.

Also: details on air routes / airlines from Chiang Mai would be appreciated.

Any recommendations?

Tony

[sceadugenga]

There's a large foreign community in Angeles City which can be accessed via Singapore to Clarke Field. Tiger Airways and Singapore Airlines would be the best connection.

The range of long term accommodation there would suit any income.

The outer islands are attractive and once again what's available depends on what you are prepared to pay.

[wanderer9020]

cebu pacific flies to Manila from BKK,they offer low prices from time to time.Check out Camiguin Island, its not yet too crowded, or the laid back Bohol, which becoming a place for backpackers nowadays.There are also cheap accomodations there for long stays.The guidebooks will tell you the specifics

[jaideeguy]

I spent 7 yrs in the Phil before getting agrivated by lack of good food, infrastructure, roads, polution etc and while there I traveled extensively, trying to find the 'perfect' place. I ended up setteling up in Baguio city, where the weather was quite nice and they had some culture and decent infrastructure. Even spent a couple of years deeper into the mountains in Banaue...really isloated, but beautiful and less spoiled.

You'll like Angeles city if you like a bar town about 1/10th the size of Pattaya, but with no beaches or any daytime activities....lots of [easy] girls to entertain you in the night tho.

The beach towns like subic were better as they had a smaller bar scene but offered beaches as well.

Went to Cameguin island a couple of times and liked it much, but it is an isolated island and rather hard to access, especially when the water was rough. then it is totally isolated.

I heard that Palawan was nice and unspoiled, but isolated. never got there, so i can't say from experience.

Boracay is like a mini Samui, poluted with tourists and touts.

Give it a try and you'll appreciate the level of civilization that we enjoy [and take for granted] here.

The Filipinos are friendly like the Thais and speak a little English and you will have the illusion that they understand it. not like here, where there is no illusion that they understand english.....

hope this helps.

[mogoso]

My cousins lived there for forty years so it must be an ok place, although he's a Catholic priest and won't know much about the nightlife.

[bucklt]

I spent 7 yrs in the Phil before getting agrivated by lack of good food, infrastructure, roads, polution etc and while there I traveled extensively, trying to find the 'perfect' place. I ended up setteling up in Baguio city, where the weather was quite nice and they had some culture and decent infrastructure. Even spent a couple of years deeper into the mountains in Banaue...really isloated, but beautiful and less spoiled.

You'll like Angeles city if you like a bar town about 1/10th the size of Pattaya, but with no beaches or any daytime activities....lots of [easy] girls to entertain you in the night tho.

The beach towns like subic were better as they had a smaller bar scene but offered beaches as well.

Went to Cameguin island a couple of times and liked it much, but it is an isolated island and rather hard to access, especially when the water was rough. then it is totally isolated.

I heard that Palawan was nice and unspoiled, but isolated. never got there, so i can't say from experience.

Boracay is like a mini Samui, poluted with tourists and touts.

Give it a try and you'll appreciate the level of civilization that we enjoy [and take for granted] here.

The Filipinos are friendly like the Thais and speak a little English and you will have the illusion that they understand it. not like here, where there is no illusion that they understand english.....

hope this helps.

Many thanks to all of you - much appreciated!

Angeles City would be ideal for some r&r, but, I doubt if I could survive 4 to 6 months there

Baguio City sounds great - and will make further enquiries along those lines.

So also does Banaue - as I like both coastal and mountain regions.

Will eventually visit some of the islands, but for now, am trying to find a good 'base' on one of the larger ones from which to operate from.

Query; can anyone recommend any 'active' websites / forums (similar to THAIVISA) for ex-pats living in the Philippines?

Many thanks,

Tony

[p1p]

Moving to SEAsia forum as this has little to do with Chiang Mai.

[cliffqueens]

angeles2.com/board

manilatonight.com

livingincebu.com

Also spent many years travelling thruout Phils...any questions...just email me at

[email protected]

eg if u tell me ur likes and dislikes I may b able to point u towards a place best suited for u.....

Edited February 10, 2008 by cliffqueens

[Lotusbluete]

Hallo Buckit,

I lived in the Philippines about 5 years ago and I really enjoyed it. From all Asian nations, and I can say I visited all (including such small places as Macao, Brunei, Laos etc.) I liked the Philippines and the Filipinos best. And to add, my present GF here in Thailand is Philippine and we will get marríed soon.

But be advised of the following (fully agreed by my GF):

- The Philippines are minimum double expensive as Thailand. The car or motorbike rental as a example you pay here per day is the same you pay there per hour. Accommodation and daily food (f.ex fish) is much, much cheaper over here.

- The Philippine roads (I just have been to Angeles City last year) are much less looked after than here. How often do I see a water truck spaying the streets (at least here in Phuket where I live). Never seen in the Philippines

- The criminal rate in the Philippines is much higher. Look at all the housing estates in Manila with heavy security guards and barbed fences around. Every so small bank office has a security guard with a pump gun.

Again, still the Philippines are my favourite country in Asia. But a move over there is not an option for both of us! Rather moving to my homecountry in Europe!

[Expatmartin]

Do it and you will love Thailand forever. The PI's could be a paradise, breathtaking landscapes, amazing beaches, an incredible variety of plants and animals and last not least very friendly people. But after a while you won't be aware of this anymore and you'll understand while practically all the Philippinos are eager to leave this garden of Eden. It's the most corrupt country you'll ever be. You won't be able to spend one day without somebody trying to screw you. The way all these gorgeous food ingredients are cooked to an inedible stomach filler is inconceivable. The salaries are half of an equivalent Thai earning, but the prices are at least the double. Summa summarum, never ever again.

Edited February 11, 2008 by Expatmartin

[gunnyd]

I would have to recommend Cebu. My wife has relatives on Luzon in the Manila metro area and when we visit them we go with armed escorts (crime rate through the ceiling especially if you are Caucasian, not to mention terrorists) and the pollution is God awful. She also has relatives in Mindanao same deal armed escort (the Muslim terrorists the Abu Sayyef Group like to kidnap Westerners for profit). Lucky for me most of her relatives live in Cebu.

Cebu is where I stay as a base there and keep in the Visayans Islands (Central Philippines). Don't expect metered taxis, much government infrastructure, or being secure. Like a previous poster stated, everywhere from the shopping malls, banks, etc. have armed security. It's best to have a close friend or relative with you on your visit to the Philippines.

As for English, most Filipinos have at least a working knowledge of English and the younger are instructed in English in the schools there starting in the 4th grade. It is when you run into older (40+ y/o) Filipinos, especially in the poorer areas, that you can have trouble being understood.

For the cheapest Airfare Cebu Pacific flies into most of the Philippine islands, Mid priced would be Philippine Airlines, and if you have money to burn Cathay Pacific flies direct into Mactan International Airport in Cebu, and into NAIA in Manila.

It costs maybe 20% more, at the most to stay there, and a plus is that you will have access to much more Western entertainment, especially when it comes to TV, and you can find decent Western food. And I have to agree again with others, it is a HUGE step down from Thailand.

Edited February 11, 2008 by gunnyd

[THAILIBAN]

I would have to recommend Cebu. My wife has relatives on Luzon in the Manila metro area and when we visit them we go with armed escorts (crime rate through the ceiling especially if you are Caucasian, not to mention terrorists) and the pollution is God awful. She also has relatives in Mindanao same deal armed escort (the Muslim terrorists the Abu Sayyef Group like to kidnap Westerners for profit). Lucky for me most of her relatives live in Cebu.

Cebu is where I stay as a base there and keep in the Visayans Islands (Central Philippines). Don't expect metered taxis, much government infrastructure, or being secure. Like a previous poster stated, everywhere from the shopping malls, banks, etc. have armed security. It's best to have a close friend or relative with you on your visit to the Philippines.

As for English, most Filipinos have at least a working knowledge of English and the younger are instructed in English in the schools there starting in the 4th grade. It is when you run into older (40+ y/o) Filipinos, especially in the poorer areas, that you can have trouble being understood.

For the cheapest Airfare Cebu Pacific flies into most of the Philippine islands, Mid priced would be Philippine Airlines, and if you have money to burn Cathay Pacific flies direct into Mactan International Airport in Cebu, and into NAIA in Manila.

It costs maybe 20% more, at the most to stay there, and a plus is that you will have access to much more Western entertainment, especially when it comes to TV, and you can find decent Western food. And I have to agree again with others, it is a HUGE step down from Thailand.

I would recommend CEBU as well....

all amenities and facilities of a big city, without being an apocalypse like Manila. and many beaches just a few kilometers away.....

by the way, CEBU PACIFIC does not only fly to Manila, they as well fly nonstop to CEBU

[jumbojumbo]

ditto with Cebu.

A big city ( with international airport ) and lots of great beaches further south.

Great diving with heaps of WW2 wrecks, boats, planes, see a place called Moalboal and others.

Cebu is also a great place to explore the other islands by ferry or plane for transport.

I spent my past few 4 week annual leaves in Angeles City and although I had a ball everytime, great chicks and people/expats its only for a short time experience.

GO CEBU.

[sceadugenga]

I caught Chlamydia there.

Gets a thumbs down from me.

[jfchandler]

Hmmm.... maybe a condom would have made for a less injurious stay....

Plus, you didn't have to go to Cebu to catch that... You could have done it right here in LOS just as easily!

[micksterbs]

Yep, I liked Cebu too. I know Manila better (Aaargh!), spent a fair while in Leyte near Tacloban as well. Also some of the beaches and resorts near Olongapo are pretty good. But I have to agree with nearly all the above. For a while I seriously considered settling there but I'm glad I didn't. The country is beautiful and most of the people I met were great but... Armed guards everywhere, at every department store, bank, pawn-shop and fast-food outlet like Chow King, Jollibee, McDonalds etc. Shame, as it could be an absolute paradise but compared to LOS...

I think Cebu would make a pretty good base; I liked it. Just be careful.

[PattayaParent]

I lived in manila for 4 years and if you want my recommendation of where to stay.

STAY IN THAILAND.

[trader1]

I like the excitement of PI, compared to staid Thailand.

Where else can you find a country where an average Mcdonalds have guards with pump-action shotguns?

[micksterbs]

I like the excitement of PI, compared to staid Thailand.

Where else can you find a country where an average Mcdonalds have guards with pump-action shotguns?

Well, yeah, true... Loved the way they'd be stood there, looking hard as nails and then would open the door for you with a big flourish and a smile. Then they'd pop round picking-up the empty trays if it was busy. I suppose it put a bit of theatre into dining.

But I did see a lot more street crime in the Phils. Girls having their bags snatched by passing motorcyclists, petrol station hold-up whilst I was filling up once, a chap getting beaten senseless by about 5 or 6 other guys in Olongapo. I feel a lot safer here.

[daxbr]

...

Query; can anyone recommend any 'active' websites / forums (similar to THAIVISA) for ex-pats living in the Philippines?

Many thanks,

Tony

http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/index.html

[junkofdavid2]

Armed guards everywhere, at every department store, bank, pawn-shop and fast-food outlet like Chow King, Jollibee, McDonalds etc.

Paradoxically, while these guards with shotguns make tourists more jittery, it actually makes the Filipino folks feel safer with them around.

[jonniebkk]

Armed guards everywhere, at every department store, bank, pawn-shop and fast-food outlet like Chow King, Jollibee, McDonalds etc.

Paradoxically, while these guards with shotguns make tourists more jittery, it actually makes the Filipino folks feel safer with them around.

Some kinda personal record for me was at a bank branch inside the new shopping center on Clark in Angeles City on my last trip. I counted 5 shotgun toting guards outside the door (admitting people one at a time) and another 4 INSIDE milling around. This was a branch that was INSIDE the mall. The mall entrance itself had its own guards too of course.

[micksterbs]

What about the security guards at Mega Mall in Ortigas, then? Just use a little stick to hold open the mouth of handbags and peer inside. What are they looking for? A box with BOMB written on it? You could be absolutely laden down with Semtex and you'd get in there... Actually, there was a bombing at Glorietta recently, wasn't there?

Edited for location mistake

Edited February 17, 2008 by micksterbs

[PeaceBlondie]

I like the excitement of PI, compared to staid Thailand.

Where else can you find a country where an average Mcdonalds have guards with pump-action shotguns?

Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, etc.

[bulmercke]

I first stayed in Manila in 1991 - two months - and have visited twice since.

As an example of how unscrupulous Philippinos can be - I booked an inclusive return bus/ferry ticket from the Sundowner hotel in Ermita to Puerto Galero - and enroute to the ferry port - the hostess on the coach made her way up the aisle offering sandwiches to the mainly western passengers - which I assumed was a complimentary snack. Wrong.

A short while later - after most of these sandwiches had been consumed - she again moved up the aisle demanding payment for the said sandwiches. This would not happen in Thailand.

Incidentally - BKK is now choc-a-bloc with security guards. They might not be armed with shooters, but try spending a couple of hours of walking around central BKK. They're everywhere.

[Palace]

Hi everybody. I'm new to this forum. I'm a Filipino expat in Thailand for almost 2 years now.

I have to say I have to agree with most of the comments here about living conditions in the Philippines, even if some of them are not favourable. I love my country but I know where we lag behind our neighbor nations.

Peace & order situation is really one of the main concerns in the PI. I can honestly say I felt safer in Bangkok (though not as safe now that I'm in Pattaya) than in Manila especially after dark. Graft & corruption is also one of the blackest spots in PI society. These two are the most compelling issues why we struggle to revive our economy as fast as we would have wished.

On the other hand, as some forumers who have actually experienced living in PI claimed, Filipinos are extremely friendly while natural wonders are in abundance. It's a pity our own tourism agencies haven't got the funds or the wits to advertise the beauty of the seven thousand islands or so.

Answering the question, if you're looking for a place to stay in PI for 4-6 months, it would depend what will be your main activity during this period. If you intend to do some business, stay close to the capital. Ayala Alabang is a nice place especially for expats. This is where most expat executives reside. It's pricey but still not as expensive as Sukhumvit in BKK. If on the other hand you're likely to spend most of your time on leisure, then I would agree with the other forumers' suggestion of Cebu City. It's at the heart of the Visayas where most of the breathtaking islands are. I have been there only once but I know it's a place I would always consider to stay for an extended period.

Hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your stay in the PI. Stay safe though.

[micksterbs]

Hi everybody. I'm new to this forum. I'm a Filipino expat in Thailand for almost 2 years now.

I have to say I have to agree with most of the comments here about living conditions in the Philippines, even if some of them are not favourable. I love my country but I know where we lag behind our neighbor nations.

Peace & order situation is really one of the main concerns in the PI. I can honestly say I felt safer in Bangkok (though not as safe now that I'm in Pattaya) than in Manila especially after dark. Graft & corruption is also one of the blackest spots in PI society. These two are the most compelling issues why we struggle to revive our economy as fast as we would have wished.

On the other hand, as some forumers who have actually experienced living in PI claimed, Filipinos are extremely friendly while natural wonders are in abundance. It's a pity our own tourism agencies haven't got the funds or the wits to advertise the beauty of the seven thousand islands or so.

Answering the question, if you're looking for a place to stay in PI for 4-6 months, it would depend what will be your main activity during this period. If you intend to do some business, stay close to the capital. Ayala Alabang is a nice place especially for expats. This is where most expat executives reside. It's pricey but still not as expensive as Sukhumvit in BKK. If on the other hand you're likely to spend most of your time on leisure, then I would agree with the other forumers' suggestion of Cebu City. It's at the heart of the Visayas where most of the breathtaking islands are. I have been there only once but I know it's a place I would always consider to stay for an extended period.

Hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your stay in the PI. Stay safe though.

Good post and great to hear "from the horse's mouth", as it were. I couldn't agree more with your comments although Thailand isn't that far behind when it comes to corruption, unfortunately. Hope to see you again on here, Palace.

[yabs]

wouldn't even consider it, the Philippines is a crime and poverty ridden dump.

far better places in asia to spend your time and dough

[torrenova]

I would have to recommend Cebu. My wife has relatives on Luzon in the Manila metro area and when we visit them we go with armed escorts (crime rate through the ceiling especially if you are Caucasian, not to mention terrorists) and the pollution is God awful. She also has relatives in Mindanao same deal armed escort (the Muslim terrorists the Abu Sayyef Group like to kidnap Westerners for profit). Lucky for me most of her relatives live in Cebu.

And that is supposed to be a recommendation - that you have to travel with armed guards !

So, inedible food, terrible pollution, mass crime everywhere, corruption, lunatic muslim terrorists, kidnappers and you need armed guards to travel.

Think I'll give it a miss thank you. Guess you would as well if your relatives didn't live there. Anyone in their right mind would give it a miss.