Philippines 2019 for new expats

[Destiny1990 7,307]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

If she's telling ME, almost certainly as I'm total rubbish in bed.

I know because my former Brit wife (of 30 years) told me.

(But I've always been good enough for me)

I believe you’re finally talking some truth now Hahaja .

[cerox 618]

Let us please keep our mind on Thailand/Philippines positive aspects.

 

Has anyone experience about Bacolod? And Baguio for colder climate?

Bohol could be very nice for me, better air and still close to Cebu if I needed something. Air quality and Internet are the major points for me.

[Destiny1990 7,307]

When will the OP gives us his Bohol field trip report?

[ExpatPH 876]

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

When will the OP gives us his Bohol field trip report?

 

When I arrive there, think I wrote 'end of month'.

 

[ExpatPH 876]

On 5/20/2019 at 1:10 PM, DonDoRondo said:

Was considering Cebu as an alternative but after reading these posts  there seems to be too many 

negatives so I will continue looking.  Maybe back to the USA for 6 months to regroup.

 

Thanks to the OP and the other contributors for the information.

 

Thank you DonDoRondo. 

Traffic, hospitals, local food are the big negatives. The big advantages are easy tourist visa up to 3 year, english widely spoken, and the girls. Easy for those over 50-60 to find a partner.

 

Philippines isn't for some who need all the frills, comfort, and similarity to Thailand, because that doesn't exist here, unless one pay a high premium for it. It's different, very different, but one get used to it.

 

Being around polite people with genuine smiles, always call you Sir, it's a very nice change to LOS.

 

Good restaurants with international food to be found in major cities here, we don't starve.

 

Less stress here because Immigration here don't come with more restrictions semi yearly, not same in Los.

 

I first came here because other expats told me how nice it was. Well, times has changed. 

Philippines have other Islands that might be a better option.

 

For those who need to be close to good hospitals, I think only St. Luke hospital in Manila will be their best option.

 

Cambodia, Vietnam and other destinations also have their cons.

So I think one must 'reset' before another country become a real Plan B.

 

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by ExpatPH

[ExpatPH 876]

Philippines advantages over Thailand:

 

No 800k.

No tm 30.

No tm 28.

No minimum in bank acc.

No new visa changes semi yearly.

No residence certificate required to buy a vehicle.

No embassy pension letter needed.

No denied at airport.

No dual pricing.

No medical insurance required.

 

 

[ExpatPH 876]

1 hour ago, DonDoRondo said:

Thank you for following up.......for me what is most important is finding a serviced apartment

with good sized units / housekeeper service and a reception desk.  That's what I'm going to miss

most about Chiang Mai.  I also want to be able to rent a scooter and not have to rely on taxis.

 

Anything like this available in Cebu?  I have looked into a long visa and it seems pretty easy

to obtain.  Really have no interest in returning to the USA.

 

Again, nice posts.

 

First serviced apartment that comes to mind is

Santonis Place Cebu.

Rent starts at 32.000php (620 US$)

Can book direcrly and on AirBnb for shorter stay. Reccommend the later.

 

Scooter rent per month start at 9000php (180US$)

 

Tourist visa up to 3 year are easy, aprox 500 US$ year.

Leave for one day only, return and start another 3 years.

 

[cerox 618]

Although the Thai Baht is very strong, Thailand in my situation seems still cheap compared to the Philippines. A typical livable condo in Thailand costs me 10k THB monthly, in Cebu it seems to cost twice as much, around 600 USD. From my research most rooms are just unbelievable small otherwise.

 

I am not complaining about PH, on the contrary I find it very interesting. I am just saying that TH, despite the Baht and the expensive ED visa is still better value if we just talk about money and everyday convenience.

 

Immigration however will be the major point for me. Also the pollution in Northern Thailand. Plan B is mandatory like ExpatPH said, I totally agree with that.  Yesterday I read something about changes in the ED visa system here in the forum, which was fortunately not confirmed by the school I asked, but it just showed me again the importance of plan B.

I like the fact that so many guys go to Da Nang now; I went there only once for holiday. It is a little bit like Chiang Mai without burning season and Immigration trouble and a beach for me. Bohol seems beautiful; English and the girls seem to be the major plus points for PH.

[lopburi3 9,915]

5 minutes ago, cerox said:

A typical livable condo in Thailand costs me 10k THB monthly, in Cebu it seems to cost twice as much,

That is a valid point - much overbuilding of condos in Thailand for a limited population has kept price very reasonable where in Philippines there is never enough housing/room for rapidly increasing population and condos will normally be city center where as in Thailand they are being built on less expensive land in many places now.  Homes are available at reasonable prices in PI but then you may face security issues if not family home or more expensive gated community.

[ExpatPH 876]

12 minutes ago, cerox said:

Although the Thai Baht is very strong, Thailand in my situation seems still cheap compared to the Philippines. A typical livable condo in Thailand costs me 10k THB monthly, in Cebu it seems to cost twice as much, around 600 USD. From my research most rooms are just unbelievable small otherwise.

 

I am not complaining about PH, on the contrary I find it very interesting. I am just saying that TH, despite the Baht and the expensive ED visa is still better value if we just talk about money and everyday convenience.

 

Immigration however will be the major point for me. Also the pollution in Northern Thailand. Plan B is mandatory like ExpatPH said, I totally agree with that.  Yesterday I read something about changes in the ED visa system here in the forum, which was fortunately not confirmed by the school I asked, but it just showed me again the importance of plan B.

 

 

Condos here are mostly 22-26sqm, smaller than Thailands average 28-32sqm.

Examples of budget condo:

La Guardia Flats, Cebu, furnished unit 22-29sqm with balcony rents for 15000- 20000php. 

(9100-12000 THB)

(290-388US$)

 

Other building Ramos Tower, same size condo mostly 20000 - 30000php.

 

Equal to 9000 - 12000 baht is possible here, although in limited numbers vs Thailand.

With so limited buildings in the past, rent stays high vs value for money.

 

[Destiny1990 7,307]

Rents are similar a poster said he rents condo in Thai for 10,000 bht that means 15,000 Pesos In Phillipines its very well possible to finding such condos both in Cebu and Pattaya but personally i’am always spending more on rents.

Yes they might be few sqm smaller in Phills for a similar price.

Edited May 23, 2019 by Destiny1990

[ExpatPH 876]

Exchange rates:

 

2000 US$ = 63.000 THB.

 

2000 US$ = 104.000 PHP.

 

 

 

[ExpatPH 876]

36 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Rents are similar a poster said he rents condo in Thai for 10,000 bht that means 15,000 Pesos In Phillipines its very well possible to finding such condos both in Cebu and Pattaya but personally i’am always spending more on rents.

 

 

If ones monthly budget is for example 2000US$, money still last l o n g e r here in Philippines. Posted earlier stats that said Philippines is 8% cheaper than Thailand. And that is my personal experience as well.

 

2000US$ doesn't last long for many In Thailand, while here in PH, its easy to spend only 1200-1500US$ and live a similar lifestyle, all included.

 

[cerox 618]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting for those leaving from CM. How much is one year in advance compared to flexible extensions ( 30 days, 59 days, 6 months etc.)?
Cebu rooms I saw are 600 EUR for a nice condo which is half price in CM 10k THB / 300 EUR.
Visa in TH for me yearly around 1600 EUR , still more expensive in PH overall cause of expensive room, electricity and food.

Sent from my SM-M205FN using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[BritManToo 44,455]

14 minutes ago, cerox said:

Thanks for sharing. Interesting for those leaving from CM. How much is one year in advance compared to flexible extensions ( 30 days, 59 days, 6 months etc.)?
Cebu rooms I saw are 600 EUR for a nice condo which is half price in CM 10k THB / 300 EUR.
Visa in TH for me yearly around 1600 EUR , still more expensive in PH overall cause of expensive room, electricity and food.
 

Air-con rooms near the beach in the Subic area can be had for 300-400peso/night (4-6kpeso/month).

If you can't find places in PI comparable to prices in Thailand, you've got 'mug' written on yer forehead.

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by BritManToo