Need Pre Moving Advice

[BeAstMaSter]

Hello all, have perused thru the threads looking for answers, and they didn't quite hit what I needed......

Have lived several years in the Philippines so I know somewhat how the living is

plus a few short visits to Pattaya & Hua Hin

Have pretty much decided on settling down in Chiang Rai once I do a 2-3 month visit just to seal the deal.....

but before I waste even that time I'm in definite need of a few things (which decides where I actually go)

am a bit of a techie, are high end computer parts available?

ie. excellent HD Wide Screen Monitors (24"-32"), quality video cards, memory, power supplies, etc etc?

high speed internet, read a previous post about 3Bb (went their this morning but their site unavailable as of now)

how good is the actual connection? how good is their tech support?

what is their coverage? (am looking maybe at a place 10-15 Km from downtown..... can I connect?)

also is there a bandwidth transfer limitation? ie. how much you can upload/download (I run a private web/ftp server & need up to 1 TB/month)

By trade I'm a custom cabinetmaker and I know I'll want to tinker to pass the time

Can I get planks of hardwood lumber? (2x6, 2x8, etc), plywoods, and maybe veneers?

also what about woodworking equipment (table saw, planer, shaper, routers, etc) ??

I don't like to drive, how hard will it be to find a local car/driver for full day every now and then?

Will also be looking for a housekeeper/cook, either live in or not

what's the going wage scale? and where would be the best place to advertise for help?

got plenty more questions but that's enough for now.

Appreciate any help in the above

[jubby]

Strewth ! . Not another Sheila from Aus or another RPB !? . cant take anymore, We're all full up

I hear people are getting 5 meg broadband now. Unlimited downloads I believe. Lots of HD wide screen Monitors, the computer Bits and pieces are readily available, anything thats not will be easily found by Mail order from Bangkok or somewhere.

Wood ! ofcourse and Tools. Driver , maid also, but not sure going rate.

But , dont take my word for it. better come and check its all to your standards first

We have Nice Countryside too

[sceadugenga]

Welcome to the board.

The 2-3 month visit is the way to go. there's nothing like seeing the place for yourself and asking around personally.

A car and driver is easy, the travel agents usually have them. Not expensive, depends on the deal you make on the day.

Getting a good maid/cook is a common discussion here, as it is on Philippines message boards.

Probably best to ask around rather than advertise. Word of mouth usually comes up with some one.

Where in the PI do you live? I've lived both and it's a bit different here.

[BeAstMaSter]

@ jubby - definitely not a sheila, no idea what a RPB is

just another yank looking for some peace & quiet in a comfortable space.

and have an idea about the countryside as it's what drew my attention in the 1st place.

have seen some beautiful country in photos I've searched.

I saw some of 3Bb's page but was mostly in Thai so couldn't read specs.

@ sceadugenga - thanks

lived in Angeles City for under a year, then on Negros Occidental for a bit over a year

That was a couple years ago, came back to states for a bit and ran into a boatload of medical issues

almost over with and am ready to "recouperate"

figure the living in Chiang rai is a bit slower than the P.I. ..... correct me if I'm wrong.

did also figure acquiring local help would be the same, checked the want ads here and didn't see much ..

[sceadugenga]

Depends on where you live in the PI.

Yes it's slower than Angeles City. But then I have trouble trying to think of anywhere faster than Angeles, it can make Pattaya look slow on a good day.

If you lived on Negros I'd say it's not as slow Dumaguete (on the Oriental side), a place I liked a lot and considered living in.

Not sure how it would compare with Bacalod (on the Occidental side), I was only there one night and it seemed a bit slow to me.

Best thing with domestic help would be to ask in the hotel you stay at here. Maybe their staff would have a relative looking for work. There's not as many English speakers among the locals here as you would find in places like Angeles though.

[dindong]

Hi. welcome to the forum and possibly to Chiang Rai.

I would think that all of your needs here.could be taken care of fairly easily.

I would however reccommend that you should try to find a place fairly near the highway or city considering your transport and internet needs.

Taxis are expensive here so definitly an advantage to be near the main routes to town.

Internet is improving but further from town will seriously curtail your internet speed.

All your techie and wood requirements are abundantly available. Getting a good maid may be a problem but if you can swing the paperwork , you can get a good Burmeese maid living in for about 4000 baht a month some speaking a little English.

[BeAstMaSter]

@ sceadugenga - actually the 'ex' corrected me, it was negros oriental,opposite Bacalod on the far east of the island, right on the tanon strait, about an hour drive north of san carlos

beautiful countryside, used to love watching the sun rise with feet in water and cuppa java in hand.

View was very calming and peaceful ..... what a way to start the day! :jap:

@ dingdong - thanks mate

I 've been looking at rentals online trying to get a feel for the real estate, internet requirements matters more than transportation

figured if I was close to hiway I could get baht bus for basic needs, car/truck rental for more demanding runs.

Also plan eventually on buying vehicle and hiring local driver as "on call" basis

also plan on learning to speak native tongue..... will learn a little here before I go, then hire a tutor when I get there.

have learned that if you try to speak in people's language, and help support the local community, that things go much easier for you

guess next step is scheduling 2-3 month visit and doing things feet on the ground.