Best Posts in Forum: Expat Section

Even though I agree that a foreigner should think at least twice about buying real estate in the Philippines, the view of the two previous commenters is too rigid and cynical for me.
They look at the coin from only one side and from a pure "financial risk" perspective.

In my view, buying/building a house in the Philippines can make sense for the many foreigners who are lucky enough to be in a stable and loving relationship with a Filipino partner.
My considerations are that:
1. The Filipino spouse will generally be a fair bit to a sizable number of years younger than the foreign partner, which means that as a foreigner you enjoy the love of a partner who's giving her best years to loving and caring for you.
I would not want my partner to not only outlive me as expected but also suffer dire consequences after my demise.
2. One way to diminish those consequences is to at least make sure she has a roof over her head and no rent to pay.
3. Think about it, if there is money available to buy or build a house, then yes, you could invest in something else, and if you make smart decisions you might get richer, and then you die. Who is gonna own those investments then? Are those really the people you would want to enable to buy two new cars and go on a world cruise or something? Or can you think of a more logical recipient? And wouldn't she be happier with a house than some investment portfolio?
4. Rents in the Philippines are high, relative to the value of the house. My estimate is that while renting, you pay the value of the entire house in rents in between 11 and 15 years. So yeah, you can hold out and not buy, and then 15 years later you don't own a house, the partner doesn't own a house and the money is still gone.
5. Sure there is still the risk that the relationship will ultimately fail and that I end up empty handed, but I refuse to fall for the trap of misogynistic thoughts or cultural distrust that would only ensure that I'd be unhappy.
6. There are legal ways to protect your right to live in the house you paid for, even if the title is not in your name.

 

I returned to UK just over 2 months ago and there is a lot to be said about the benefits of living here, especially in Scotland the Chosen Land, quite a few people did tell me before I left PH that the cost of living there would shock me as the price of food has rocketed, well I have found this not to be the case, eating a more western type of diet in PH is much more expensive than here in the UK, but that also can be said of the Filipino diet, you can buy a Kilo of rice here in UK for P30 this is a Long grain supermarket own brand, back in PH I seem to remember the price of rice there ranges from around P40 to around P60, a Kilo of sugar here in UK is P45, I believe it is near double that in PH, Beer and wine prices here in UK are not all that bad all things considered, A litre of good German beer here costs P180 in a Supermarket, back in PH buying Beer by the case it is around P120 per Litre but this is of inferior quality in my opinion? Wine here in a UK supermarket, there is just too many to choose from, but there will always be one or two of the well-known brands on offer, for around P330 per bottle, I seem to remember that price of petrol back there is around P82 per litre, in UK it is P120, but the much improved driving style in UK plus not needing to use AC all that often you can get almost half again the mileage per tank of fuel, car insurance is also less expensive here than there.

Housing now that is really expensive here in UK, to rent and run (paying council tax and energy costs) a small 2bed apartment here is around P50K per month, in my case I own my ain wee hoose, this is a 4bed 128M2 Bungalow, my expenses to run this for one month is around P33K, if I lived in England? I could add 10 to 15% to these figures, it is not uncommon for an Englishman to cash in his assets and emigrate to Scotland, houses in England especially close to the big cities are often worth double the price of a similar hoose in Scotland? we call these immigrants White Settlers.

 

Actually that is one lesson every foreigner here should learn ASAP that it is the Foreigners who will take you for all they can get including your life savings if you are not careful. The average Filipino is usually only looking to make a couple of extra piso at a silly long nose expense. I can live with that as I usually give a wink and smirk and play the game no problem. But, the foreign con men/women are a different story altogether. They will pretend to be your friend and when your guard is down will try to clean you out. Don't think just because they speak your native language and look like you they can be trusted. Trust must be earned. I have seen many foreigners really hurt by other foreign con men/women here. Be alert and use better judgement please!

 

Very true for some who cannot see a way out. I spent decades in an unhappy relationship, my saving grace was her leaving me again giving me opportunity to start making life choices for myself. I do not regret a thing and am thankful that all in my past led me to a much happier place I find myself in today. Even though I suffered from very bad depression myself, I reached out to others, over time and very annoyingly, I found many in the same position as myself did not want to help themselves and many liked the attention they received. That in part was the driving force behind me picking up and moving half way around the world. Best thing I ever did, for me... Watching those people sink made me aware that if I did not do something positive I would end up just like them...

Alcohol I found made my depression worse, alcohol is the LAST thing anyone needs to add to their list of problems, so I swore it off and will now only have a few glasses at most. IF you are depressed, then please, do not drink as it solves nothing! You will only wake up feeling twice as bad as you did prior to opening that bottle.

Anyone here who is in a bad place in their lives, do not be afraid to reach out and simply talk to someone else. There may not be an immediate fix to your problem, but given time and one step at a time, you can climb out of that tunnel of darkness which seems to have no light at the end of the tunnel. I for one am here to simply listen to anyone with a problem. I will not betray you, nor will I mock you if you truly wish to have an ear to listen to your problem. For most, the answer lays in self-help. You CAN do it!

Talk to someone, who knows where it may take you. I know this for a fact with several friends telling me how simply talking turned their lives around until they found that happy place in their lives. Remember;
"Suicide is a Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem"

 

Never have to dust of my helmet/s, been riding here for over 30 years, never leave home without it. Mind you I had to pass a motorcycle test in my own country to be able to ride, both written & practical, fail one thing, fail the lot, same with 4 wheel test. I'm a firm believer in A.T.G.A.T.T., ("all the gear all the time"). Saved my life & major body parts on quite a few occasions, not just here, around the world.

 

You are never without a risk anywhere unfortunately. We have some Belgian Malinois as well as other dogs, the Belgians are big dogs and quite intimidating.

Not everyone are dog lovers as we are, but our dogs do spend hours at night patrolling around our house; a chained dog that barks is worthless in my opinion on protecting your home and family.

We were some of the first folks to build a home in this area, there have been many more over the years. The area has not been immune to raids for drugs and such so the wife put in a number of cameras around our place.

Funny as she said some neighbors did not like the fact we were installing cameras that also pointed outside of our home and others were happy that someone had a bit of an eye on things.

In my opinion, most thieves or would be thieves are lazy on what they want to target...a Belgian Malinois is a tremendous deterrent.

Obviously my opinion but for those who have met my big boy...I know he will protect my family when I'm not home.

Shawn

 

I wouldn't say the love is leaving, perhaps shifting. My guess is you are listening to a lot of us who have been around Duma at least 5 years and observing some negativity.

Since my arrival to Duma, it appears the number of permanent expats has at least doubled in less than 10 years, the various articles online a few years back, including Duma as one of the top 10 places in the world to retire likely inspired this.

The skyrocketing cost of land has hurt the idea of reasonable affordable homeownership.

The roads are improving but cannot keep up with the ever increasing volume.

Still lots to do here, just more frustration and with the added local wealth, and Asian tourists, overcrowding happens quickly.

But, in the Visaya region, Duma does have a lot to offer and maybe after COVID is gone, it will take some of the abundance with it.

2019 Dumaguete felt like it has reached its capacity for being a quaint and relaxed destination. I moved outside to become "barangized" so to speak, only going downtown when needed.

So JWBobbit, you need to re-visit, say next year, re-confirm your planned lifestyle and expectation especially at your young age, then decide.

Dumaguete is still a great place, as long as you know what you want, and know what to expect.

My 2 Cents...

 

The most logical way to profit has not been mentioned. The staff at the main entrance could use the XRay machine at the door as a 'preliminary screening device' for would be travelers who want to be sure they have not 'forgotten' any contraband in their bags or had anything placed in their luggage. This 'advance screening' would be available to the general public for 50 pesos a bag. Be sure no one has tampered with your luggage before entering the airport.