Consider moving to the Philippines? More info here

[Asia2000]

If you consider visit or moving to the Philippines, a few links and information here that might be useful.

I lived in Thailand since year 2000, but in 2011 I wanted to try another country in the region.

Visited Philippines 4 times and finally made the move. Been here 2 years now, and are not a expert on Philippines. However my Links and personal opinions can hopefully be useful for people thinking of moving here.

VISA Link with Visa fees 2 pages.

http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/temporary-visitor-visa/extension-of-authorized-stay-beyond-59-days

Links seldom get updated, be aware and seek updated info at Immigration office.

Arrival - 30 days at arrival, no visa needed. You must have return ticket within 30 days, to show at arrival.

Buy a 1 year ticket that you can change return date after your arrival.

30-59 days can apply at some airports at arrival, or at Immigration, see fee in link above.
59 days and more = Extension 2 months or 6 months available. See link above.
Maximum length of stay is now 3 years, previous is was 16 months.
Typical extension can take 2-3 hours at Immigration. VISA AGENTS can do your extension for a fee of 20 - 30 USD in Manila and Cebu.
Before leaving Philippines: if you stayed 6 months or more you will need a ECC or Exit Clearance Certificate from Immigration office, before leaving.

RETIREMENT VISA

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/

http://www.pra.gov.ph/

http://myphilippinelife.com/philippines-retirement-visa-srrv/

SPECIAL RESIDENT RETIREE VISA (SRRV). This is a option if you are not married to a Philippines citizen, you have a pension of more than 1,000 USD per month and have 10,000 USD to deposit in a Philippine bank. 1400 USD application fee and a 360 USD annual fee.

Investment = http://www.boi.gov.ph/

Before you consider start a business, consider the general lack of buying power here and be very careful.

Invest in property for rent: Go for new condo buildings in lover price segment.

Open Bank account = rules says you should have ACR card issused by Immigration when opening account, problem is that you only get ACR card after 60 days, often much later. Bring another expat to the bank, and he can help you. If one bank says no, go to another branch. Show you want to deposit 2-3000 USD or more, and suddenly things go smoother. You can choose to open Peso account or USD account.

Money Transfer to Bank account:
Express transfer from Europe 1- 2 working days, normal transfer 5-7 working days.

Rent apartment condo:
Usually minimum 1 year lease, very few 6 months lease to be found.
Usually 1 months rent and 2-3 months deposit required.
Condo dues are usually added on top of your rent, typically 50-80 USD month.
Use attorney when signing contract, typIcal Attorney fee is 1500-2500 PHP / 35-60 USD.

Real Estate Agents: Personally I avoid agents, and do the foot work myself. Agents are slow to reply. Agents get 1 months rent from owner, if you sign a 1 year lease. Note that many so called agents do not hold a lisence, so ask to see their lisence. Many report problem getting deposit back, I rented 4 places and never had a problem. Usually wait 2 weeks after move out, to get deposit back, wait for last electricity bill.

Rent house: are usually cheaper than a condo. Check our your neighbours first, for possible noise problems. Your personal safety is a reason why you should consider a condo rather than a house.

Buy property: Foreigner can buy Condo in his name. Foreigners can not buy a house. Use Attorney to check deed and foreigner ownership in the building, before you sign contract.

Rent out property: go for low level properties. Over supply of mid level and high level properties on the rental market. Lack of good new properties for rent less than 25000 PHP / 580 USD.

Before you buy a property: Live in the area for a year or more, you might change idea. It is very hard to sell property here, without taking a huge loss. Friends sold houses with 1-2 million peso loss, (23.000-45.000 USD) on houses in range 5-7 Million PHP. Pinoys prefer to buy new or build themselves, so you are left with a very limited market of expat buyers. They again have local knowledge and looking for bargains, typical 30-40% less than you paid. Don't buy property.

Property for rent/sale: http://www.olx.ph

Bringing Medicine = bring your doctors prescription. Customs can be very thorough.

Need medicine while your stay in Philippines = Bring extra medicine for the period you intend to stay here. Lack of many medicines in the Philippines.

Medical Insurance:
Blue Cross = most used by expats in Philippines. http://www.bluecross.com.ph/
Phil health = for basic minimum for your local girlfriend. http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/

Hospitals: Only a very few good hospitals here, usually located in Manila and Cebu. Remember your insurance.

Dentist:
30-40% cheaper than Thailand.

[Asia2000]

Airlines in the Philippines:

http://www.philippineairlines.com/

https://www.cebupacificair.com/

http://www.airasia.com/ph/en/home.page

http://www.tigerair.com/sg/en/

[lopburi3]

SPECIAL RESIDENT RETIREE VISA (SRRV). This is a option if you are not married to a Philippines citizen, you have a pension of more than 1,000 USD per month and have 10,000 USD to deposit in a Philippine bank. 1400 USD application fee and a 360 USD annual fee.

This may be even more attractive to many as believe there are provisions for many of those who have been assigned to the Philippines to use without bank deposit requirements now.

[Asia2000]

Hospital /room rates:
http://www.chonghua.com.ph/
http://cduh.com.ph/
Appliances price:
http://www.cebuappliancecenter.com/
http://www.smappliance.com/home
http://www.lazada.com.ph/
Furniture price:
http://www.mandauefoam.ph/
Smoke free cities:
Dumaguete and Davao are both smoke free cities, no smoking in public. Law enforced both places.
Expats favorite place to stay/live:
Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, El Nido, Moalboal, Puerto Princesa, Surigao City.

[samsensam]

any forums where one can get general information similar to here?

[Asia2000]

will send pm

[Asia2000]

Philippines Department of Tourism

http://tourism.gov.ph/Pages/default.aspx

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

Philippines Tourist Arrivals:
2005 2,623,084
2006 2,843,335
2007 3,091,993
2008 3,139,422
2009 3,017,099
2010 3,520,471
2011 3,917,454
2012 4,272,811
2013 4,681,307
2014 (Jan-August) 4,267,542

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_the_Philippines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Philippines

Population: 107,668,231 (July 2014 est.)
Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html

Source: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/philippines/population

Growth momentum was maintained at 6% in the first half of 2014, and remained one of the fastest in East Asia region,

surpassed only by China (7.4%) and Malaysia (6.3%). The country has earned investment grade ratings from major credit raters for the economy’s strong performance and the government’s sound fiscal management.

Source: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/overview

World Bank: Philippines can end poverty within a generation
The World Bank said Wednesday the Philippines can eliminate poverty within a generation as sustained economic growth in recent years has translated into more jobs and higher incomes. The bank said in a report that more than a million jobs were created between October last year and October 2013, pulling unemployment down to a 10-year low of 6 percent.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/world-bank-philippines-end-poverty-within-generation-085655553.html;_ylt=AwrT6VptcMhUBggATQcnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByNzhwY2hkBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2dxMQR2dGlkAw--

[Chwooly]

And still the arm pit of South East Asia.

[lopburi3]

Am not sure what above stats are trying to prove? That Philippines with a population 30% more than Thailand has tourist arrivals more than 80% less is somehow attractive? And a population growth rate 5 times Thailand is a positive? Guess it could be from some points of view.

That unemployment is only 8 times greater than Thailand is a plus? Guess it is for cheap labor. But perhaps not so much for the thousands of Philippine nationals having to work in Thailand to get the unemployment rate down.

There are indeed plus marks for Philippines - but believe that is more in regard to interpersonal relationships rather than a list of CIA factbook data. The Philippines does not fare well on the international development scale. There is always some hope - but corruption is not a good factor for such improvement.

Believe thread and your posting of experiences and comparisons good - sorry if I appear to be raining on it - just that facts are easy to obtain on internet for anyone wanting to do so - much harder to obtain your personal knowledge and day to day experiences - believe they are of much more value (if in agreement or not).

[Asia2000]

Ok.

[Asia2000]

Am not sure what above stats are trying to prove?

Philippines tourist arrivals has increased significantly (doubled) last 10 years. This is important, it shows a positive trend about a country that must like to trash. If The Philippines are so bad in most people views, why do tourist arrivals increase so much?

Philippines are not Thailand,(it's been mentioned million times already) but many expats are moving, Philippines are one of their alternatives. All countries change, Thailand sure has changed, Philippines are also in a change, here it's a positive change.

Philippines unemployment is going down - Philippines economy is improving fast. Faster than many think.

Yahoo News reported 2 years ago, that many foreign companies are investing here in the Philippines. At least international companies have belief in the future for the Philippines. Minimum wage per day is now 340 peso or 7,70 USD per day.

Philippines reserve fond have increased 4 times in short time. The government must be doing something right, in addition of foreign investments. Important stats and facts, for people who seriously consider moving here.

Cost of hospital rooms, furniture and appliances, are interesting to know if one consider move here.

Facts are easy to obtain on internet, but many people don't take the time do it. They listen to rumors rather than facts.

I use hours to find facts, and I make it easier for those who are seriously interested.

It's fashion to talk bad about the Philippines, same as many now talk bad about Thailand as well. But fact is that things are improving here in the Philippines.

Been to Cebu lately? 20 new high rise buildings are being built at the moment, Most start at minimum 3 Mill peso and up to 20 Mill Peso. At least some have belief in the future of the Philippines and invest here.

I had plan to make this a long going informative thread, with more personal experience as well about

- relationships ups and downs (reason why most people live/ visit in Asia)

- renting.

- expat life.

- daily life good and bad.

ThaiVisa Southeast Asia sub-forum are full of posts from members about where to move next, alternatives to Thailand.

I try to be informative and helpful. If members here are not interested, then I will not continue.

Members decides.

To Lopburi3: I sent you PM January 26.

[lopburi3]

Believe you mean you sent a PM to samsensam?

I have no objections to any of your posting and urge you to do so - was just trying to point out that the more important factors may not be those shown in stats but more on your personal experiences and knowledge - but perhaps supply the stats to back them up?

Indeed my posting is in hope to obtain more information for myself and others. As you are there expect you can do so.

Edit: Have found PM and will answer now - sorry for delay as never got notification for some reason.

[Asia2000]

The Filipina and Relationships:

The best wife in the world, is said to be a Filipina, and not without reason. She will treat you like her King.

I been in a 7 months long relationship now, so let me give some examples. She usually wake up 6-7 am, and before I wake up, she already cleaned the apartment, and done laundry. When she see I wake up, she start cooking breakfast. I have never told her to do anything, in fact I told her many times that we can share duties, as I am used to from my country. This goes for def ears. She tells me this is how the Filipina are brought up, they are used to do duties, and they don't mind. Amazing Filipina.

When we go out, she always hold my arm, took some time for me to get adjusted to. Wherever you are, you will see couple where the lady hold her man's arm. Very loving always. When I meet up with other expats in a mall, my Filipina gf will usually go to the supermarket and buy whatever we need, without I asking her to do so. 'You can sit here in the restaurant and relax, and talk with your friends', she says. Again, I never told her to do shopping for me, she just want to do it. Filipina sure make a man's life so much easier.

When we have a meal, she prefer to go to Jollibee (aka McDonalds) and have her meal there, while I eat in a international restaurant. A good Filipina always want you to save money and not waste anything. They seem to love their Jollibee meal anyway, and makes life a lot easier. As a long time expat said, 'a filipina don't cost you money - she save money for you.

At home she will serve refreshments, and take good care of any guest at our place. When nighttime comes, she always have time for take good care of her man. Never a 'headache' / I'm too tired' / 'not tonight', Amazing loving Filipina.

No demand of money so far in a 7 months relationship. She worked in a hotel when I met her, she resigned 4 months into our relationship, and she now been a housewife for the last 3 months. No demands, but I buy her clothes, and give her 120 USD a month, most of this she usually send to her family. She did not want to accept the money, but I told her she really deserved it. I plan to give her twice in the future, she sure deserves every peso. She handle our food budget of 200 USD every month, she always brings receipt.

I tested her honesty in the beginning of our relationship, but I never missed any money. Now she have earned my trust totally. She is here for the long run, not for a quick hand out and leave. Filipinas are very loving and sweet, treat her the same way, and you will be a very happy man. Just take your time in your search.

In the beginning living here in the Philippines, I searched for look rather than brain and personality, and that was my mistake. Learning the hard way, I later searched for a conservative less talkative lady, and then I succeeded. Finally I found my Princess.

Next time: internet dating, expat friends mistakes and my own mistakes.

[phuketrichard]

the only country in SE Asia i have ever visited that i saw so many desperate people trying to leave.

Would rather move back to the states than even think of the Philippines.

Asia 2000 i have heard the same thing and i think, and others agree, is the reason is they are afraid you will find someone else as that's what the Philippine males do

[NeverSure]

Move Over Thailand, the Philippines is Southeast Asia's Strong Man.

With a greater focus on manufacturing, a young population and a president committed to stable growth, the Philippines is pulling ahead.

"The Philippines is no longer the `sick man of Asia', Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan declared yesterday after the economy grew a better-than-estimated 6.9 percent last quarter from a year earlier. That capped three successive years of above-6-percent growth, placing it well ahead of Thailand, once a growth engine of Southeast Asia."

Bloomberg

[Asia2000]

NeverSure: Thanks for that Link, very interesting.

While Thailand's manufacturing is diving - Philippines has a good growth.

While Thailand's manufacturing output is in the red - Philippines has a considerable growth.

While Thailand's export is in the red - Philippines has a 12% growth.

See the graphs in the Link.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-30/move-over-thailand-the-philippines-is-southeast-asia-s-strong-man

Thaivisa has enough Thailand VS Philippines threads, it's like the never ending Apple VS Samsung comparison. Useless.

It's like comparing Mercedes Benz with Lada, a very unfair comparison, wouldn't you say?

If members wants to compare - be fair and compare 2 countries that are more equal, like Cambodia vs Philippines.

I want this thread to be informative with personal experience with updated actual views about the Philippines.

Philippines sees a good growth in many fields, something many people seems to turn the blind eye to. Times are changing, many South East Asian countries has a remarkable growth.

Bloomberg's graphs in the link above talk for itself, also the raising tourist arrivals to the Philippines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_the_Philippines

Thailand and the Philippines has changed a lot the last 10 years, please come with recent experiences, to keep this thread informative.

[tuonsai]

I lived in the Philippines for six months before moving to Cambodia, and kind of felt like the local people were not really interested in me, except for romantic relationships. It seemed like they were playing some games, like the ladyboys were going crazy trying to make friends with me, and then some schoolkids were going crazy to make friends with me as if they had who could pick up the foreigner game going amongst themselves. However, when I moved to a small city, Dumaguete, I found that the locals did not really want to talk to me about anything. All the people that talked to me turned out wanted sex from me. Even one guy I made friends with, I thought he was a friend, turned out he was gay, and when he realized I wasn't he stopped talking to me. Overral, I don't know what to think about filipinos, but the way they treated me was weird. Initially I went there really liking the Philippines and learning the language but by the time I left I was really kind of disappointed that I did not manage to make any friends whatsoever. I distinctly had the impression Filipinos do not want to be friends with a foreigner.

At the time I thought it was the cultural difference, but coming to Cambodia, I found Cambodians just treat me like a normal human being, even with the language barrier I felt a major difference.

[balo]

After reading the opening post here I do not feel more tempted to relocate from Thailand to Phills.

Even i it's easier to get a long term visa there, I would never invest in any property , or start a business, And I would be very careful with who I make friends with.

[Asia2000]

Internet dating, expat friends mistakes and my own mistakes:

I have only bad experience from internet dating. I was active on a few sites, but majority seemed to be there more for friends with benefits and a quickie, rather than a serious relationship. I could easily get 20 intimate dates every afternoon, but non of a lasting nature. If you still want to use internet, most Filipinas use facebook, and they are fast to add you as a friend.

A few examples from previous internet dating:

* One lady I met was age 27 without children. She wanted to stay at my hotel from day 1. The next day, she wanted to introduce me to her parents.

Wow, this was too fast for me, so I declined. Before 7 days she insisted I should marry her. That was it for me, time to bail.

I had to change hotel and phone number, to get rid of her. She is still online searching for her man, although now she is another new single mother.

* Lesson learned: have one phone number for ladies, have another number for expat friends.

* Don't bring a lady to your hotel/apartment, until you know her better.

* Dated another lady for a few months without intimacy. She told me that I had to show my serious intentions, no second base, or third. The lady was cute and seemed very serious, so I gave her a few months. Then she didn't answer my text or calls for a month, so I moved on. 1 year later I meet her again in a mall, she now had a newborn and was single. She admitted that she had a relationship with a local man, while she was dating me. Karma sure works.

* My shortest date ever, went like this: Met in a mall with a mid 20's lady. We went to lunch together, and we started ask each other questions about the past. When I asked her; have you had any relationship with a foreigner before, she replied: Yes I had 5 foreigner bf's before. My gut feeling kicked in, I paid the bill, and left her with the words:

I'm not gonna be your 6th foreigner bf, if the 5 you had in the past wasn't good enough, then I will not be good enough either.

* Recently a expat friend of me observed a lady who is in relationship with another foreigner. He stays overseas 9 months of the year. The lady was walking hand in hand with a unknown foreigner. Her boyfriend sends money every month, and sponsor her education as well.

We don't know, should we inform him or not. After all, we live here, and have to take our personal safety into consideration as well.

He is not a newbie to Asia, and should know better.

* Overseas relationship seldom work. Your girlfriend is not different, she is not better than others. Young ladies of any nationality, want a relationship with someone who is there, together with her. Sponsorship does not guarantee that the person will stay exclusively to you.

I know a very few overseas relationship who worked out, usually because the girlfriend was in a full time employment. I would not take my chances, if the girlfriend was unemployed. Too much free time .....

* A foreigner friend of mine is 40 years older than his girlfriend. She is good looking. He is a typical 60 year old man. He spoils her rotten, take her on holiday overseas and happily pays 150 USD for hotel, and shopping without limitations. He is not that rich, but obviously he want to impress her.....

If he only know that his girl is one of them who says 'she's with him for practical reasons'...

I wish I could tell him, but I can't. He is as blind as blind can be, for reality.

* When you get a date, get used to Philippines time. 2-3 hours late is the norm, blame the traffic or weather. I soon learned to arrive 2 hours late to a date, and usually I was the first to arrive.

* Filipinas usually bring a friend (chaperone) on a first date in a mall. I want to have a personal talk, without a friend listning into our conversation. Typical the friend / chaperone have to be fed as well, and her transportation cost reimbursed. I don't care these small expences, but I dislike that they bring a friend or two, even without asking first. Looking back, I realize I lost a few dates, because I denied them to bring a friend. I was fed up feeding their friends. Some are simply scared to meet a foreigner, even it's in a mall daytime.

* I used to say: Don't bring a friend, only you and me in a mall, talking. Then I asked my date to send me a SMS / text, when she arrived in the mall. I sat home until I received that message. No more 2-3 hours waiting for me.

* Had many dates early daytime, some ladies came dressed as if they were going to the disco or bars. Not looking for a P4P lady, I rejected these right away. Some dates had very high mileage.

Filipinas are not demanding;

Talking with expats friends here, their girlfriend are usually very happy to get 100-150USD monthly. There are no emergency's, unless you behave like a victim from day 1. Be reasonable and set the rules, then no future problem. However if you found a less good person as your partner, then expect request for money frequently.

* What many Filipinas think about us foreigners:

- that we have many girls, even we just arrived here

- that we are married

- that we are very rude, and fast to complain

- than we only like young and slim girls

- that we are very sex minded

* How to dress on a first date (according to my previous dates in Cebu City):

- Filipinas prefer a man who look clean, clean shaved, smell good.

- wear shoes, rather than sandals.

- wear jeans, rather than shorts.

- clean nails is very important for them, get your manicure / pedicure gents.

I am not a expert on Philippines, only been here 2 years and share from my personal experience.

I find Filipinos much nicer and friendlier to be with, than people in some other SEA countries.

Philippines are very different to Thailand, no comparison in most cases. But if peoples friendliness and acceptance of foreigners are important for you, then Philippines are a very good place to be.

It took longer than expected to find a serious relationship, but looking back, I appreciate my learning curve. My long term plan is to return to Thailand, when I see improvements there. Until then, I enjoy living here in the Philippines.

I welcome different actual experiences from recent years. That's what Thaivisa is all about.

Next time: my experience from renting apartment and house.

[sas_cars]

Very informative posts about the Phils. Thanks Asia2000.

[tuonsai]

Thanks for the posts Asia2000. I come from Europe, so it might be different for Americans,

but somehow I found that I can relate to Thais and Cambodians whereas I find it very difficult to relate to Filipinos. As I mentioned in the above post already. I guess this could be either religion or culture, but the Philippines just was not working for me. I also had a friend, who actually moved in with his Filipina girlfriend's family, and it ended disastrously because of culture clash. My friend wanted to fix up their house, clean their garden etc, there was a lot of work that could be done and he wanted to help them. He was doing exactly what would be expected in the West. However the filipinos took offense at this. They didn't want him to show them how things are done. I found myself that the smiling hospitality you get from strangers often ends when things get serious. Where I lived there was a cleaning lady in my street, and for weeks every time I saw her she would smile at me with the most pure, beautiful smile, like someone would smile at their own kid. After a while I thought I should get to know her because she smiles at me so nicely. So I started trying to initiate conversation with her. After several tries it turned out it was pointless, this lady was not interested in getting to know me at all. She didn't ask me anything about where I'm from, who I am etc. She didn't care. She had the beautiful smile for me, but did not want to actually know me. I thought it was bizarre. These were just two of a string of incidents that led me to think that I do not understand filipinos, and that they have a bizarre love-hate relationship with foreigners. I think Filipinos are wonderful people, definitely one of the friendliest nations on Earth, but on the other hand there is a huge cultural divide that means it will not work out for some.

[Asia2000]

@ tuonsai: I come from Europe as well, so I can relate to what you're saying. Culture chock hit me big time when I moved to Thailand long time ago. Some countries works for some, but not for others. I never been in Cambodia, only to the border many times. What I observed on the border, and what I read on Khmer forum, made me go for the Philippines, rather than Cambodia. If you are happy in Cambodia, that's all that matters.

Dumaguete city, the city of gentle people, was a positive experience for me. I met many expats at My Way and Casablanca, on the Boulevard. They were helpful with advice to a newbie. Some foreigners had made the local news in a bad way. So people of Dumaguete became negative toward foreigners, and expressed it in media. Dumaguete has a big expat community, and most was happy living there. I found nice rental apartments there, much cheaper than Cebu, so I was tempted to live there. However coming from a capitol city, Dumaguete was too slow and boring for me. I stayed there only 2 months, so my experience is limited.

Moving in with a girlfriends family, is a big no no. We foreigners are independent, and live alone from early 20's. Asian's usually live with their family until they get married. They have their habit, very unlike western habit. Waking up at 5 am, loud talk, loud music. I tried it twice in Thailand, and it never worked. Better live alone with girlfriend, and avoid the problems.

Western mindset can't be used in Asia. This is the biggest mistakes we foreigners do, when visit / live in Asia. It's their culture, accept is. Less problems and peace of mind.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

If you always keep in mind that we westerners come with money, you will know your place in Thailand or Vietnam or Cambodia. I have lived in all three. Cynical? Partially.

My experiences and those of friends have led us to conclude we will always be outsiders due to deep cultural differences, plus poor education that stymies understanding and critical thinking.

There's also the issue of there being so many of us visitors that the locals start to resent our intrusion into their lands and culture. They bear us because of what else? Our money.

I think that if many of us expats in Thailand suddenly left, we'd hear a collective and very loud sigh of relief. (Except from those who depend on our tourist/expat dollars.)

The fact they don't throw us out is because of what else? Our money.

I would say my best experiences have been in Cambodia, then Vietnam. Never had an interest in going to the Phils because of so many negative reports, especially those about the food and threat of criminal activity. By comparison, Thailand is an easy pick. Personally for me it's about the medical care, plus inexpensive good accommodation and food, although the price of food has been climbing rapidly the last couple of years.

[tuonsai]

@ tuonsai: I come from Europe as well, so I can relate to what you're saying. Culture chock hit me big time when I moved to Thailand long time ago. Some countries works for some, but not for others. I never been in Cambodia, only to the border many times. What I observed on the border, and what I read on Khmer forum, made me go for the Philippines, rather than Cambodia. If you are happy in Cambodia, that's all that matters.

Dumaguete city, the city of gentle people, was a positive experience for me. I met many expats at My Way and Casablanca, on the Boulevard. They were helpful with advice to a newbie. Some foreigners had made the local news in a bad way. So people of Dumaguete became negative toward foreigners, and expressed it in media. Dumaguete has a big expat community, and most was happy living there. I found nice rental apartments there, much cheaper than Cebu, so I was tempted to live there. However coming from a capitol city, Dumaguete was too slow and boring for me. I stayed there only 2 months, so my experience is limited.

I agree with you, Dumaguete was too small for me too, that's why I left. I haven't tried living in Cebu yet, visited only briefly and found it a kind of seedy, though this was three years ago, so it may be better now.

Dumaguete has a few discos where foreigners do not go. They have big parties there, but it's all filipino. So I went to these parties about 6-8 times with one filipino buddy, however I did not make any friends. All the filipinos were really not interested in getting to know me. It was obvious that they all knew each other. They were very respectful and polite, they introduced me to everyone and showed me around as a spectacle, however noone wanted to have a conversation really. I found it kind of disappointing, because I thought they loved foreigners and I really wanted to meet them and learn their culture. I'm sure a filipino visiting a small disco like that in my country in Eastern Europe would have received a much friendlier welcome, which is ridiculous.

With Cambodians I have the impression they judge me as a person and not as a foreigner, that's why it's so different for me here.

You should definitely not judge Cambodia by one notorious border town, which is known to be the least desirable place in the country. Phnom Penh is actually a very nice city and definitely competes with Chiang Mai, Saigon and Cebu.

[djayz]

will send pm

Would you mind sending me the same links/forums focusing on the Philippines?

Thanking you in advance.

[KittenKong]

Thanks for the posts Asia2000. I come from Europe, so it might be different for Americans,

but somehow I found that I can relate to Thais and Cambodians whereas I find it very difficult to relate to Filipinos. ......These were just two of a string of incidents that led me to think that I do not understand filipinos, and that they have a bizarre love-hate relationship with foreigners. I think Filipinos are wonderful people, definitely one of the friendliest nations on Earth, but on the other hand there is a huge cultural divide that means it will not work out for some.

How odd.

For me the one big difference between Thais and Filipinos is that the latter think almost exactly the same way that I do whereas I will never understand the former in a million years.

[pat3ck]

On 1/27/2015 at 8:49 PM, Asia2000 said:

Hospital /room rates:
http://www.chonghua.com.ph/
http://cduh.com.ph/
Appliances price:
http://www.cebuappliancecenter.com/
http://www.smappliance.com/home
http://www.lazada.com.ph/
Furniture price:
http://www.mandauefoam.ph/
Smoke free cities:
Dumaguete and Davao are both smoke free cities, no smoking in public. Law enforced both places.
Expats favorite place to stay/live:
Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, El Nido, Moalboal, Puerto Princesa, Surigao City.

May I add an additional website if you want to compare prices for appliances? https://western.com.ph

In my experience, it's a good alternative if you're looking for more affordable appliances compared to the other appliance stores.

Personally, I ordered microwave oven and aircon on their website. Compared to other appliance stores, they carry the same product but the price is lower.

Thank you!

[Hugh Cow]

I have been told you can arrive at Manila on a 30 day VOA and add 29 days before you leave manila airport and then before the 59 days expire apply at immigration for a 6 months stay. Has anyone tried this or no someone who has?

[sekmet]

Old thread, but here goes: since 2015, Thailand has had one dictator and TAT has actively pursued mass tourism from China, Russia and India. Philippines have built a new airport in Bohol, upgraded Mactan, cleaned up Boracay. Thailand has better Thai food, but Philippines has better Western food. 

 

Many long term expats moved to Thailand a long time ago. Staying in Thailand long term takes considerable monthly reports to immigration or visa runs while in the Philippines you can literally live there for three years on a tourist visa. Getting an ARC in the Philippines is pretty cheap. Outside of Western expats, Philippines has mostly Koreans and Japanese. Infrastructure is better in Thailand, but also not great - bad traffic, sewers flood during rain, etc.

 

I think of the Philippines as Thailand twenty years ago. Not for everyone, but should it be? If you want first world amenities, you should expect first world prices.

[Adumbration]

This thread is worthless in the absence of photos of PI women.