⌛ Here's my plan -- comments please?

Hi everybody,

You guys have been more than helpful already, so I'm going to push my luck. :D

Here's a quick rundown of where I'm at:

-- I have a good-paying job here in California, am kinda sick of living here, and my work has tentatively agreed to let me work remotely. Where I am won't matter as long as the work gets done. My pay will likely stay the same, or perhaps slightly less.

-- My goals are: Live someplace less hectic and isolated than suburban USA, with lower costs, warm weather, a maid to do all the crap I hate doing, and a social life.

-- I've been thinking of moving to SE Asia and have decided on the Phils for the following reasons: English speaking, cheap to live, decent internet access and power in most places, beautiful women, friendly to americans and mostly safe. Thailand also has a lot to offer, as does Vietnam, but I don't want to deal with the language barrier or their biases against whites. I know the cons of the Phils (rampant corruption, poverty, etc); we don't need to go over those.

-- I *must* have a reliable internet connection to do my job. In fact, I'll probably pay for two separate Internet services if possible, in case one goes down. Stable power is also important. I need to be available online and by phone.

My current plans are:

-- Visit the Phils in February (I've never been there) for 1-2 weeks. I'm thinking I need 2 weeks minimum. This is just to see if I like it there, not to find a place to live, etc. However, I'd like to see a good representation of places. Currently, I'm thinking:

* Makati City -- Pros: Lots of fun (naughty or not), good internet services, modern conveniences, close enough to the airport to take flights to other cities an explore. Cons: Relatively expensive, crowded, and polluted.

* Cebu City -- Pros: Cheaper and less crowded than Manila, yet offers many of the same conveniences. Cons: Infrastructure problems? Availability of reliable high-speed internet and power?

* Dumaguete -- College town, more relaxed atmosphere, good infrastructure, seaport for taking short trips. Cons: Maybe a little boring? Getting more expensive?

So my question are:

1) Are my high-level impressions of these three cities accurate?

2) Should I skip some of those and go somewhere else? If so, where?

3) What would YOU do, if you were in my position?

Again, thanks for your input!

 

have you looked into angeles city?

 

Your plans sounds decent enough to me.

You asked what I would do, but I will be doing much the same, so here is what I will be doing.

1. I'm going to Dumaguete and hoping for the best.

That's it.

I also work remotely (though I have my own business) and hugely rely on an internet connection. Other people in Duma do the same. It may not be fiber in Texas, but it's good enough to get the job done.

 

Hmmm Bob, I work from the Philippines also and have done so living in all 3 of those places. I can tell you A LOT about it. Where to start?

First, the internet/power infrastructure is FAR better in Makati than in either Cebu or Dumaguete. It is, however, possible to work from Cebu or DGT, but I suggest you have someone on the ground set-up your place with multiple high speed connections, generator and failovers before you arrive. (If you intend on working from day one.) Setting this things up will take time here. It took me about 6 weeks to get Globe to give me the fastest internet here. (Budget 2 months to get things up and going before you can start working...that's realistic.) Makati's advantage is that you can find places with those already in place or can be set-up without the need of an Act of Congress like is required here in the Province.

Makati, however, will cost you twice as much (maybe more) than living in DGT. And a good deal more than Cebu City. However, Metro Manila has far better nightlife and a plethora of restaurant and shopping options, but if you must venture out during the day, the traffic is murder.

Cebu's traffic is nowhere near as bad as Manila's but it is fast catching up! Nightlife and restaurants are there, but not like Manila (but neither are the prices). Cebu is booming...the rental market is tight now...the infrastructure is slow to catch up and you must be careful as you will hear "no ports are available in that area" when trying to get DSL. They cannot add capacity fast enough.

DGT has a little bit of traffic...the boulevard/seafront, parks, alot more natural/daytime activities. The nightlife is pretty slow and repetitive. If you are looking for nightlife, I think you will get bored here quickly. This is so much more like the province than either Cebu or Makati. Less crime, less pollution, more friendly people, laid-back atmosphere, also, English competency is higher amongst the general population. (Probably due to all the colleges.) Downside: slow nightlife, no Western-style shopping (at least not until Robinson's opens), very little travel connectivity (flights only to Manila and boats only to a few ports), must travel to Cebu or Manila to find certain things, etc.

 

Derivative guru has given you a good technology and social assessment of the three cities you are looking at. Go ahead and visit because you may find things to be much different than you are imaging right now. But if I were you I would reconsider what you may be about to do concerning leaving the states just when prices are becoming affordable again. A big obsticle you may be looking at is that you will be coming to Asia with no support group in place. Most of Asia is family oriented and If you are not married and have no current girl friend I would expect to have expenses a whole lot higher than they otherwise may be. Without someone experienced in the region you will be visiting you will certainly spend a lot of time and money seaching for what you think you are looking for. If returning to the states is important to you just make sure you keep some reserve cash because traveling back and forth is one huge expense and there are many taxes and tariffs to pay each way depending on where you finally choose to visit.

 

Yes, but I didn't think it offered much other than nightlife. Why do you think it's a good choice?

Have you been there before? Have you been to other places? Why did you choose Duma?

What are we talking here? 75,000 pesos in Makati to live comfortably? 50,000 in Cebu, 40,000 in DGT?

That's the first time I've read having a girlfriend makes things cheaper. :D

What expenses are you talking about? Like I said, I want a maid and am willing to pay the 3,000-4,000 per month (?). I can't see how I'll come anywhere near a mortgage payment in California.

 

that's normal in Asia, it makes things cheaper.... but life more expensive... hehe

 

im not sure its a good choice relative to the infrastructure you need, it would not be my first choice in any event. id choose dumaguete. angeles does have a larger u.s. expat population.

 

I think 2 weeks to make a decision on is a bit short, information finding goes pretty slow there. If you never been to the Philippines maybe take your time to explore the country. If you in a hurry to move, maybe pick 1 relative developed place like Cebu, put all your effort in setting up place there (it should be possible to rent something there with most facilities you demand, maybe try to make house watching appointments). And from there explore the country and move on to Dumaguete or a similar place. Don't move all your stuff straight away maybe you decide it is not the place for you after all.

Personally I find Manila one of the worst cities I know and if you are free in your location I would take that of my list. But maybe look into Subic (there is somebody from here living there), it seems to have good infrastructure and you are out of the hassle Metro Manila and easy to explore a bit from there.

Expect that at first things will not be so cheap, resorts etc will take care of you pretty well, don't worry about traveling alone.

Foreigners are the best to gather information from, I always look for some place that is run by a foreigner (not being retired means they are pretty active and aware of the pro and cons). They are pretty busy and can't baby-sit of course

I got some very useful information from Filipino's but usually the ones that are well off and they are more difficult to link up with, most Filipinos are not so well traveled even in their own country and their needs are different than yours, often it will be a lot of hear say information (my family was convinced Duma was typhoon festered, because they seen a flood on the news once, while they themselves originate from Leyte gulf where 1 out of 3 typhoons seem to hit the country).

Once you are settled stay miles of investment ideas/opportunities or any other thing that costs a lot, until you are well settled, most ppl that lose money do so in the first years.

 

Bobdobbs,
When I'm home in Dumaguete (Idaho where I am now), I use two air cards for sure internet connection which is 3g. In one usb i have Smartbro and in other I have Globe and I never lose internet on my laptop. Depending on what you will be doing. Cell Phone works just as good as any other so doe voip phones as well. What's nice about voip phones, you can have California number so your employer can call you for price of local call and you can call them for price of local (California) call as your voip phone will have a California number. Nice thing is they also have video which is nice as well, but you'll need landline, cable for your broadband connection. Is your company hiring?? I would love to live home with my Wife, working from there than having to return to the states to earn a living wage! I've been to Makati, Cebu and while they are nice and convenient, they truly are hectic and expensive. I find Makati, is good for name dropping by Philams here in the states as it is similar to living in Beverly Hills as far as status goes. For me? No place I'd rather be than Dumaguete!!
God bless and Be well,
Jen & Bill