The first priority is deciding where to live. Thart decision depends entirely on what type of life you intend to live, and what you intend to do. I met my partner when I was in Australia, and I've had alot of support from her family. eg. meals, transport, washing, visa assistance, holidays away. Some of these things I have done myself, but actually I've never used a local laundry, but I am guessing no problem. Just make sure you get back what you give.
The most important issue is getting access to the services you need:
1. Trustworth food and a variety of menus - no food poisoning and food that doesnt look at you. eg. Metro Manila, large malls, tourist areas like Subic, Boracay.
2. Places to go out drinking - nice, air conditioned places with cold beer. These can be found in any large city, or where foreign & local tourists go.
3. Shopping malls - preferably a large one because the smaller ones are boring since they have the same old franchise choice all around the country, eg. SM Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Manila & Galleria.
There are other criteria as well:
4. Cool climate - Manila and surrounding lowlands are a little hot. I prefer Lipa City (Batangas), Tagaytay (Cavite) and Baguio. I also like Nueva Eclija, but there is a lack of services here. No big city, but give it another 10 years and it will be good.
5. Clean Air - Manila is really polluted so many foreigners prefer places like Alabang, as its upmarket but close to Manila. I'm at Lipa City, which is 40km from there, but cooler.
6. Nice ambience - Probably the hardest aspect in the Philippines is finding a comfortable ambience because of the pollution, noise and poor infrastructure maintenance. For this reason it makes alot of sense to stay in or buy a resort-style residential condo. More on this issue later.
7. Things to do - I am keen on the outdoors so I want a place where I can get outdoors. This part is proving elusive.
8. Good Beaches - The best beaches I have seen are likely to be on the Pacific Coast because they will be cleaner. Alot of rubbish washes up on the west coast (from Philippines & China), and no one cleans it up. There are good beaches in Zambales & Pangasinan. Boracay is regarded as the best beach, but my favourite was near Sagnay in Albay, but this is a very poor, isolated area, so dangerous for tourists I'm guessing.
I think the big question is - rural or city? I think the answer depends on your local support and your lifestyle. Ideally I'd probably live in Naga City, but I would not live there alone. For people will no support I would live in the city until I found a support base, and travel out from there. I have visited many places by bus. Just get buses to major cities and travel our from there. Once you are in the countryside its easy to get a sense of where jeepneys go.
Japan Foreclosed Property 2015-2016 - Buy this 5th edition report!
You can view foreclosed properties listed for as little as $US10,000 in Japan thanks to depopulation and a culture that is geared towards working for the state. I bought foreclosed properties in Japan and now I reveal all in our expanded 350+page report. The information you need to know, strategies to apply, where to get help, and the tools to use. We even help you avoid the tsunami and nuclear risks since I was a geologist/mining finance analyst in a past life. Check out the "feedback" in our blog for stories of success by customers of our previous reports.
Download Table of Contents here.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Where to Live?
Getting established
I have been living in the Philippines for over a year now. This is my 6th trip here I think. The first 2 trips were for business, but were just 'visa stops' out of Japan when I was living there. I decided to come here to meet a girl I met on the internet, and I have not been disappointed in that respect.
Arriving Philippines Airport
There is a levy on taxis picking up from the airport so I think the cost of a taxi is around P400 now. There is a taxi rental agency there - on the left side as you exit the building. If you need money the best place is in the Philippines because its the poorer country. You can get cash at the airport, but you will get a better rate in the city at 'Money Changers'. There are alot around Ermita, which is where tourists tend to stay.
Where to Stay
When you first arrive in the Philippines you have a choice of several places for accommodation. Since you are likely here for a time, you will want cheap accommodation until you find more permanent accommodation. Most accommodation in the Philippines is good for 2. I have several favourite places:
1. New Horizon Hotel: Located near the corner Boni Ave & EDSA Blvd in Mandaluyong City, its fairly close to Robinsons Galleria and SM Megamall, and near Boni Ave Station on MRT Line. They often offer P990/night accommodation but this rate is for Filipinos, so get your Filipino partner to pay if you have one. Foreigners always pay higher. They have a coffee shop with wifi, free breakfast. I think the foreigner rate is P1400/night.
2. Ermita: Ermita is located on Manila Bay. Its a great place to stay because there are many hotels of various standards, anf its close to Makati, Mall of Asia, the bay (which has been improved). A few years ago, after a storm rubbish in the bay used to wash up onto the broadwalk. Lovely! The bay is like a toilet, so it doesnt make a good 'tourist moment'. Maybe it still happens, just they clean it up. There are good bars around Ermita too, though the more upmarket bars are in The Fort and Makati. I usually stay at SlouchHat Restaurant, but actually there are a multitude of places along Del Pilar and Mabini Streets.
If you are giving a taxi directions, ask them to take you to corner of UN Avenue and Del Pilar Street, then from there just walk back towards the airport, and you will find several basic hotels. The Corona Hotel is the more pricey, SlouchHat the most comfortable and friendly. Large rooms, great meeting place, run by an Australian.
Posts
