⌛ Here's my plan -- comments please?

Hi bobdobbs

I'm an American and I've been living in the Philippines for 11 years and I'm very happy here.

I lived in northern Cebu for 7 years and Dumaguete for 4.
It looks like the others have already given you a good overview of those places so there isn't much I can add, but I can give you a hand if you decide to visit Dumaguete.

You can e-mail me at expatron2003@yahoo.com if you want.

Hope all works out good for you

Ron

 

Thanks, everybody. I'm truly grateful for all the advice and offers to help.

So far I'm undecided between starting off for six months in either Makati or Cebu City. Makati has some nice amenities that might make it easier for me to start working right away without having to learn the ins-and-outs of RP. However, Cebu has similar offerings, with a lower cost of living and less crowded big-city issues.

While Dumaguete might be nice, I think I'll have to wait until I'm more established. I'll keep y'all updated on my progress.

 

For you Bobdobbs

Bobdobbs well you have posed a few good questions. derivative_guru, Arie have given you outstanding information. As for me I would never live on the island of Luzon. For a Newbie, Cebu would be the best place in my personal opinion. As far as your maid use an agency for the hiring it really is your best bet if you really have to have one. As for me maids they were a nightmare I will never have one again. Food you really have to change the way you eat. Kraft cheese for your sandwich will cost you three times more than back home. I really doubt you can live on ginamos or bulad. It takes time to adjust. So you will understand imported food in America right! Prices are out of sight. Even the most common item for you is an import with import prices in the Philippines.

1.Try Cebu as a starting place to learn the ropes. But don’t live in Cebu city proper try Mandaue city it is which is a part of Cebu City better prices. But some like to live in Lapu Lapu.

2. No Maid, you can send your laundry out. (SM has a laundry service that is good, maids always ruin your clothes anyway)

3. Cooking at home is not cheap like America. Better to eat out it saves you a lot (Its weird but if you buy a raw chicken in the store it will cost 140P which is more than buying a lechon manok which is Rotisserie chicken 130P ready to eat). Find a carenderea (low cost local Filipino restaurant).

4. If you do need help try to find a runner (gopher) local guy to get the things you need.

I have had to learn these things the hard way almost lost everything but I did make it after a while. But I had to take from my retirement fund to do so which I am building back up again. That is why I am working in Taiwan so I can come back home because as many things in the Philippines that will make you crazy there is just as many reasons you will love it. It’s a normal love hate relationship. He he !!! hoped this helped.. please don't be to proud to ask we are very happy to help..

 

Thanks, Teacher, that's very helpful. I am leaning toward Cebu now, even though Makati sounds like it would be a fun place for 6 months or so. However, I need to focus on being able to get up and running quickly so I can do my job to my employer's satisfaction. They're being very generous allowing me this experiment. They don't know it yet, but I intend propose establishing a formal presence in the region with local tech support and programmers (we're a software company) after I have some time to learn the ropes of the area. Cebu sounds like a better location for that than Manila, so I might as well start there.

I agree about the maid thing; sounds like more hassle than it's worth. Hopefully I can hire an assistant/runner to take care of some of the errands for me. I don't need to spend half my day chasing down little things.

 

Fair Warning:

I set-up an office in Cebu 2 years ago. It took 3 weeks for Globe and a month for PLDT to establish any type of internet connection. Neither were to the speeds/specification I needed. Upgrading took PLDT 4 and half months! (I kid you not...) Globe never managed to make it happen.

Smart Bro was installed the next day, however, it is only a 384kbps connection.

If you don't have a month to spend organizing the office, I strongly recommend you find someplace that already has a good, pre-established connection (and don't trust what any real estate agent tells you--they are the spawn of Satan).

Also note, all of your neighbors could have a PLDT and/or a Globe connection but that does not mean you can get one. "Sorry, there are no ports available in that area anymore" is something I heard many times in Cebu. Check for available ports before you rent.

Second note: Globe will not establish service in the name of a foreigner without an ACR Number. You can apply, however, in the name of an employee.

As I told you before, I've lived in all the places you're considering and enjoyed living in each. Just be prepared...things are very slow here and help is recommended!

 

derivative_guru is right

Really don't use Globe very poor service. Smart is much better and it is owned by PLDT. Cebu has an IT park and you will find outstanding high tech support and programmers in Cebu at a low cost.

Lots of fun in Cebu too!

 

Here is what I would do if I were you. Take 2 weeks and just travel. Don't settle in. Go to Bagiuo (sp), Makati,Cebu and of course Dumaguete. See these places for yourself. It is cheap to travel here so why not?

Yes maids will ruin your clothes because they scrub them so hard. It is not uncommon to find all kinds of holes in your underwear in a very short time.

I would rather buy a chicken and put it in a pressure cooker at home. You have to be concerned about germs here. I have had food poisoning twice and my girlfriend just got Typhoid Fever. Do not. I repeat do not eat the way the locals do. At least not at first. Always buy bottled water. Be careful about the ice cubes in your drinks. I hope I don't scare you with this but really who needs to be hospitalized while on vacation.

Dumaguete is much more that just a College Town. The say there are more expats concentrated here than any other place in the Phills. I have a small internet seo business here and I use both Globe and Smart Bro. Yes, Smart gives you only 384 but what if I told you I have 5 guys using Smart and they ALL get 384! Globe has given me some problems.

Also when it comes to women you may find that the Province girls are the best. Girls from outside of places like Cebu. Allot of guys come to Dumaguete to meet these kind of girls and allot guys never leave. Then again it depends on why you are coming here. As one person suggested you may want to go to Angeles City.

 

What is your Job

If you want a centrl air place I would do Bogota, Colombia but I don't know your budget. As far as the Pi goes well here it is. Coffee, red meat (like steaks and hamburger), gas and internet are either expensive or POOR. Now labor is very cheap and the people are the best. If you can handle sea foods, and some heat and some pollution then you may be able to handle the PI. urs the Spook

 

Whats been happening?

Have not seen any recent posts from Gorbana. Have they changed their minds about Dumaguete? It seems that link to their VOIP business is no longer functioning. Did the spiders scare him off?

 

I currently am in the USA . I cant wait to get back to my home in Dumaguete . I have been all around the Philippines in the past 8 years . Manila is a mess and very expensive . Cebu is a mess and very expensive . Dumaguete is one of the nicer places I have been . I guess thats why I bought a home there . Dont even consider anything in the southern province ( too unstable ). Good luck in your venture , I think you will find the Philippines very welcoming......... Carl