Why do expats love Dumaguete?

Strongly agree with the never hire family rule. Also get a maid from a few towns away.

I've recently heard an interesting argument in favour of paying a maid at least 4500 - below this you as an employer are required to take care of SSS / philhealth by law, above you can tell the maid to take care of that herself.
I don't know if that is 100% correct though but it sounds plausible.

In fact all that sss bureaucracy is the only reason I'd think twice before hiring a maid again. But oh well, now I'm a registered employer in the Philippines

 

I think you will find that as employer you are responsible for the SSS. If you read the same thing I did I believe the person paid them that much and told them it was one of their duties to stand in line and pay it for themselves, meaning that their pay would be reduced if the employer had to stand in line. Essentially the 4,500 was too much but the employee got to keep the extra for removing the burden on the employer to stand in line. It doesn't mean the employer is no longer responsible to make sure it is paid. I'm reasonably certain that if the question about SSS payments were in doubt in the future that the government would come looking for the employer.

 

Yup, that's him in the Missouri case net site. Sexual offense 2nd degree misdemeanor. He's also been in the local papers many times and not for saving old ladies from burning homes: several arrests for failure to appear in court, property damage, theft, etc. He's a real winner. We've all got our faults, but his preachy nature brings him to the height of hypocrisy. I'm a bit amazed he's still roaming around in PH, albeit as a hobo basically.

 

What a terrific post. I've been planning this move for nearly a year. I targeted 3-places. 1) Baguio 2) Tagaytay 3) Dumaguete. The 1st 2-have been disapointing and I don't care to dwell on the negative. This Thursday my Pinay and I are landing in Dumaguete. I had 3-things Im looking for with a move to the Philippines. 1) a safe place to live. 2) a sexy Satellite TV package to support my American Football & Basketball addiction. 3) a place that has access to "getting wet." Be it pool, beach, waterfall, lake, river, spring. The 1st two destinations didn't come close. I'm looking forward to Dumaguete. I'm optimistic and your post is music to my ears. Thank you amigo'.

 

Just being curious: What was wrong with Tagaytay? There is the Lake Taal where you can get wet. What I have heard about Baguio is really disappointing (very high rates on crimes, homicides, rip offs and so on).

 

I have only myself to blame I s'pose. I was told people didn't swim in the Lake. So I took them at their word. Also I am without a car and had been in Baguio where there is a cab every 6-feet and the terrible air as proof. No cabs in Tag. Uh, OK. There are Jeepneys and Trikes up the wazoo. I'm 6'3" and 245. That isn't going to work. So I got all excited when I got a good price for a long term rental. It was 15-minutes from Robinsons and the guy went to 20K-P from 25K-P. I saw the brochure and there is this beautiful pool. So, this is a long tedious story and I'm only hitting the lowlights, I get up my 1st morning and head to the pool. No water. The developers drained the pool when the owners balked at paying 250P per swim for upkeep. I told my landlord in London I'm out of here when the rent comes due 11/3. So, I'm with my GF and all we did was go for walks and take a "rent-a-car" (their version of a taxi I guess at 200-P an hour) to Ayala Mall. Just wasn't feeling it here. Can't wait to see Dumaguete. I'm old but this place is like God's waiting room. Shopping or bust. Hope to say hello in Dumaguete, Take care.

 

Well, in Duma nobody cares if you climb over the sea wall and swim in the water, I wouldn't advise it though. Tell me more about this place where you can hire a car for 200 php an hour? Nevermind. I'm afraid you will find nothing like that in Duma.

 

FYI, I get the NBA network here and I ordered the NFL Gamepass package for $200 annually. Dumaguete has just enough for me.

 

Hmm. I was told by a Hotelier there that there are "rent-a-cars" w/drivers for 350-P a day. That translates pretty well for me.

 

I don't think you could rent a trike with driver for that. The trike drivers pay 200 php a day for their trike rental.