|
Title: Soon to be homeless...:0) Post by: donb2222 on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM Hi All,
I will be closing on my house next week, and I have decided to move to the Phils. I will probably start off in cebu to visit some friends, and then travel around the islands for a while. I guess you could call this a mid-life crisis thing. I will be 40 in a few months, I have no wife or kids, so I have decided to go travel the Phils for a year or so. I will also use my FF miles to take trips to Hong Kong, and possibly Australia. Okay, so here are my questions: My HMO will not cover me in the Phils. I am not too worried about being self-insured, but I might be interested in some sort of catastrophic type health insurance and/or disability insurance. I would hate be seriously injured by a Jeepney, for example, and need some serious help without the benefit of insurance. Any suggestions on where to open a dollar account with a bank in the Phils. Would the Citibank in Cebu, for example, take a cashiers check from a bank here in Atlanta? There are no Citibanks here in Atlanta. I like Cebu, but the air pollution is too much for me. Any suggestions on where I should live for a while? I like having access to the malls of the larger cities, but I do not like the traffic and pollution. In both Cebu and Manila I have never been able to find a shoe store that carries any size larger than a 10 1/2, and I wear size 12's. Can I get my passport renewed at the embassy in Manila? I do not know when I will return, and I will need to renew it eventually. And, of course, I will enjoy meeting up with anyone from this board. I enjoy meeting new people, and playing tour guide. Just send me an e-mail, or post to this board. Is there anything else I need to consider? I have been to the Phils 5 times, so I think I know what to expect, but then again.... Also, no need to comment on possible wars or kidnapping. I feel safer in most parts of the Phils than I do in many parts of the USA. Thanks in advance about any and all info, Don Title: Here are some links about living in the PI Post by: Matt on February 19, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
Hi Don! I'm here in Athens. I found some links that might be useful to you and others moving to the Philippines. The April 2002 Kiplinger's had an article about Don Herrington-"65, lives in a six-bedroom, four-bath house in Cebu City, Philippines, for which he pays $280 a month." Here are his 2 links below, and he also has a yahoo http://zinnsextravel.hypermart.net/article.htm http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/ I like the escapeartist.com website. The have some great http://www.escapeartist.com/Articles/Articles_10.html#Philippines and this one: ----------------------------------------------------------- http://www.angelfire.com/wa/caretaker/media.html The Caretaker Gazette is a great resource for caretaking jobs around the world. I don't know if there are any jobs listed for the PI, but it is worth a try. ----------------------------------------------------------- Dave's ESL cafe lists english teaching jobs around the world as well. Of course, it is not applicable for the PI, but, one could conceivably teach in Taiwan or somewhere for a few months out of the year, and spend the rest of the time in the PI. (just a thought) Best wishes to you, and to all who read this. Title: Hi Matt, thanks for the great info !.........n/t Post by: donb2222 on February 20, 2003, 05:00:00 AM Title: Don-check out this guy! Post by: Matt on February 21, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Hi Matt, thanks for the great info !......., posted by donb2222 on Feb 20, 2003
Hi Don, et al, http://www.loghomebuilders.org/letter.html http://www.loghomebuilders.org/blankpage5.html Be sure to check out Skip's page-this guy is incredible. What do y'all think? Title: Angeles? Post by: Ray on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
Smaller than Cebu? Cleaner air? Larger shoe sizes? Good access to the embassy and large cities? American food? Don, that sounds like Angeles City to me, ... :-) Baguio would be nice also, but a little more expensive maybe. Ray Title: Re: Angeles? Post by: donb2222 on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Angeles?, posted by Ray on Feb 16, 2003
Hi Ray, I have visited Angeles, and I could not wait to leave. My impression was that it is mostly populated by drunken ex-military guys. I'm not really into the bar scene either, I do not drink or smoke, and I am not into bargirls. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, I know there are a lot of guys that like to retire there, but it is just not for me. Don Title: Thanks for the info...I will post updates of my adventures....n/t Post by: donb2222 on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM Title: Good Luck! Post by: Dave H on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Thanks for the info...I will post update..., posted by donb2222 on Feb 16, 2003
Hi Don, That sounds great! Enjoy yourself and keep us posted! Dave H. Title: Re: Good Luck! Post by: donb2222 on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Good Luck!, posted by Dave H on Feb 16, 2003
Thanks, and I will post occasional reports. This is the board that got me started on the Phils, and I'm not leaving anytime soon. Don Title: Re: Soon to be homeless...:0) Post by: rgg on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
Don, From Bear and Howard's rave review, can't say anything more other than you ought to give Davao a look. We'd be glad to give you a guided tour. Get in touch. Roy Title: I second Davao! Post by: Howard on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
Don, I'm tellin ya that place is like Heaven on Earth! And Art is right, Roy and Celia are very VERY nice people. I'm sure they would be a lot of help. The city proper is crazy at night on the weekends, but is pretty tame--compared to Manila and what I hear about Cebu--the rest of the time. From what I gather Davao is big enough to have most everything you need relatively close by, but small enough to still have it's charm. Of course I am completely biased :P I have family there ;) Leyte was okay, but a bit too rural for my tastes. Manila I loathed. Everyone is in too big a rush! LOL Keep us informermed as to your decision and where abouts for that matter ;) Good Luck and Godspeed! Keep the Faith Brother H Title: I neglected to mention... Post by: Howard on February 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to I second Davao!, posted by Howard on Feb 15, 2003
...Gerlie and her family were on a quest to find me some "slippers". We didn't check Davao a whole lot, but Panabo had no size 13's, which was fine because I am not a big flip flop guy. The reaction was kinda funny though. Every few hours another family member would come by with a pair that they were sure would fit. I knew by sight that they wouldn't but felt obliged to try and stuff my foot in there. When they didn't fit the reactions was "Oiiiiii... Dako...." LOL Just thought I'd share :) H Title: Cinderfella... Post by: Dave H on February 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to I neglected to mention..., posted by Howard on Feb 17, 2003
Hi H, Aren't you the Cinderella of the Philippines. ROFLMAO! Gerlie must have found the right size because you turned into her prince. ;o) I had bit of a slipper problem with my 11's. Finally found a few pairs...Islanders. I wear them more here than I did over there. Wore mostly my "rubber shoes" or hiking boots there. Dave H. Title: Best of Luck ! Keep us posted....nt Post by: Tim on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM Title: Hong Kong Post by: donb2222 on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Best of Luck ! Keep us posted....nt, posted by Tim on Feb 15, 2003
Thanks Tim, I do have plans to visit Hong Kong sometime, let me know when you and Wendy are going, and maybe we can finally meet :0) Don Title: Re: Hong Kong Post by: Tim on February 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Hong Kong, posted by donb2222 on Feb 16, 2003
I will do that. We are not quite as flexible with travel as we were a couple of years ago (Wendy is now a full-time student and I'm still only 4 months at my new job), but I will drop you a line the next time we are headed to HK. Regards, Tim Title: Re: Soon to be homeless...:0) Post by: Mita on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
Don, You have the option of living in the suburbs of Cebu City or the othr towns around Cebu province. I've heard so much about Malapascua Island being so beautiful. You can find more about it here: http://www.malapascua.de/Volcanoe-Map/unbenannt1.html Shoes are a problem with your size, find a good shoemaker in Marikina, Metro Manila who can customize your shoes. Yes, you can have your passport renewed at the US embassy in Manila, and also at the Cebu consulate. I'm almost sure all banks will accept a cashier's check. You can open a dollar account with any commercial bank, I suggest BPI if you are going local - very stable, backed by the Ayala group. Have you checked out the yahoo group - "livinginthephilippines" ? So many foreigners have moved to the Philippines, particularly Cebu City, and are now actively participating in the message board. There's a lot of information you can get there. Good luck on your move! Mita Title: Re: Soon to be homeless...:0) Post by: Dingo on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
Don, Have you been to Thailand? Try it just for a week. You won't be sorry. Title: about shoes.....tess Post by: Stephen on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
You can have shoes made just for you in Marikina City, Metro Manila. That's the Philippines shoe capital and they really make a pretty good job. Have fun in the Philippines. Tess & Stephen Title: Why not... Post by: Bear on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
get in touch with Roy (rgg) and Celia in Davao. Since they live there they could probably be a lot more helpful with banks, carreer opportunities and companions. Paul and Em live there also - he started a business that was making $800 a week before it burned down. Visa is only good for 21 days but you probably know that and I am sure you can renew your passport it in Manila. Have fun dude. Bear and Honey Title: Re: Why not... Post by: Stephen on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Why not..., posted by Bear on Feb 15, 2003
Who are Paul and Em? What kind of business did they have that made $800 per week? I think the business must have been so hot that it burned itself down. (LOL) That's quite a good business income for the Phils. Stephen Title: If you have seen my wedding photos... Post by: Bear on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Why not..., posted by Stephen on Feb 15, 2003
they are the couple on the right in the picture of all the Mag-Anak memebers at the wedding. They ran a combination cybercafe, nitendo, playstation store. They know rgg I believe. Bear and Honey Title: Re: Soon to be homeless...:0) Post by: Jeff S on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by donb2222 on Feb 15, 2003
Best of luck to you Don and stay in touch with us. I don't know anything about the PI, but if it were me, I'd deal with a Japanese bank - like Sanwa or Sumitomo. They're all over the far east and US and are pretty good about privacy & international banking relations. Clothes and shoes for bigger people is a problem anywhere in Asia. My 13EEE shoes and 50Long suits are hard enough to find here in the states - impossible over there. I'd suggest having these things made in Hong Kong if you get there occasionally. The tailors are excellent and not overpriced. I have to tell you about getting measured for a custom suit in the big Sogo Department store in Yokohama. There were several people measuring me and one recording the dimensions on a sheet. They must make 85 measurements and as they make each, they call out the dimension for recorder to write down. They'd call out a number and the recorder would say "Honto desuka?" (Really?) or "Sugoi!" (Wow!) for every single one of the 85 measurements. It was obviously the first time they'd measured a big gaijin. Finally when they were done, they sheepishly said I'd have to pay an extra surcharge for the fabric since it was almost double the yardage they usually use in a suit. The whole thing was hilarious to me at the time. Though a bit pricey, it's a great suit and It still looks great after 16 years. - Jeff Title: Re: Re: Soon to be homeless...:0) Post by: DavidT on February 15, 2003, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Soon to be homeless...:0), posted by Jeff S on Feb 15, 2003
Don, there is a yahoo group called Living in the Philippines lots of good information for expats!Tried to add a link but wasn't allowed. Good luck and God bless! Dave & Nenita |