Where Do You Live And What Do You Live In

[stevewool]

Renting a concrete house in gated community. Probably not considered "nicer" by western standards, but good enough for me. If I wanted western I would have stayed put. Aircon, hot water in shower (if needed), quiet enough. Great helpers.. excellent cooking! Cold San Magoo. As I sit here typing this, a rain shower is falling on the metal roof and the aroma of garlic and ginger sauting is coming from the kitchen. Ahhhhh! I think I will stay here a while! :)

Here are a few photos of the view here at the house:

Outside the front door.

Outside the back door.

That chicken's goose is cooked this Sunday!!!

you have just sold me next door, will i get the same smell wafting over towards me :thumbsup:

[Bundy]

Funny you know, i guess i'm like most Aussies my age. Grew up with the "great australian dream", that is to own a typical 1000sqm block and a brick house. Well, in my life i've built/bought and owned a few nice big houses (lost one too hahaha) and lived on acreage,had nice views etc etc but now i'm gettin' on a bit, a house just doesn't mean much to me anymore.As long as i got a roof over my head and a place to sleep i'm fine with that.

We've bought a 46sqm townhouse about 5k's into the mountains from downtown Carcar. It's bloody TINY and yet so far i'm happy as a pig in s#$t.

Ask me again in a year or two maybe i'll have a different answer but for now, we have a place to live that we own and it's a start.

[earthdome]

I just finished my first month in the Philippines. I am currently living in San Fernando City, La Union which is 6-8 hours by bus north of Manila on the coast of the China Sea. This is the provincial capital with a population around 100,000. Baguio is 50km to the SE in the mountains. Just a few km north are some beaches which are considered some of the best beaches to surf in the Philippines. I am not a beach person being someone who swims like a rock. My final destination is Baguio but I am living here to be close to the girlfriend and her family.

I live in an unfurnished studio apartment approximately 28 sq meters. Cost 5000 pesos/month with one month deposit. It is on the third floor of a 3 story building with 6 apartments per floor. There is a cement wall around the property and gates which are locked overnight with a guard dog. There are no bars on the windows and the doors had very simple locks. The first thing I did was add inside dead bolt locks to the front door and door out back to the balcony. I also added a key deadbolt lock to the front door. There is a fire alarm and emergency lights (don't know if they work). Each floor has 2 fire extinguishers and the far end from the stairway has emergency ladders for escape. It is all tile and cement with a kitchen area and CR at the rear. The CR has a very small sink, a flush toilet and large shower area. No hot water. There is an opening out front for a window aircon unit which has a metal cage. There is an electrical box with breakers for 3 20amp circuits and 1 15amp circuit. No electrical ground. The first floor apartment closest to the gate is occupied by the caretaker. Caretaker seems nice.

I arrived with 2 large checked bags, a small carryon bag and my backpack for my laptop. The first few weeks were very busy purchasing all those things needed to live in the apartment. Overall I spent about 90k - 100k pesos getting the apartment setup. For the most part I didn't look for quality, just the minimum that would meet the need. Here is a list I put together. I know that I missed some things like the deposit on the LPG tank and some small things bought with pesos at stores near the market. Still need some things. Next big purchase will be a bed frame so I can get the mattress off the floor.

Refrigerator 6cu feet 10995

Air Conditioner 1HP 16820

3'x3' Plastic Table & 2 chairs 1921

Microwave 4495

Mattress 5500

Single Burner Stove 1290

32” LED TV 13000

Small surround sound stereo, DVD and FM tuner 6650

Antenna/Electrical 1696

Stereo Stand 1600

Kitchen Storage Cabinet 1700

Clothes Cabinet 6991

Kitchen Stuff 4426

Bed & Bath 10109

The apartment building is located on a very short street off a much busier street. The street dead ends at a Pentecostal college of theology and seminary. My balcony looks at a very nice 3 story home where the cat lady lives. I have counted as many as a dozen cats at one time. The local barangay building is about 100 meters away where there have been basketball games almost every night under the lights with a game announcer.

At the head of the small street I live on is a 2 story commercial building owned by a retired fil-am which has a nice vietnamese restaurant.

Now that all the big expenses are over I expect my basic living expenses will be about $800-$900 USD/month including the girlfriend and excluding my health care. Traveling and entertainment will be outside this budget.

Edited January 10, 2013 by earthdome

[ibemarshall]

Excellent news and terrific report. It sounds like you are settling in nicely.

I like the area you are in and it is on mylist of landing spots once I make the move over from here in Southern California. I like the area. My wife has relatives in San Juan and we will be traveling up to visit with them in March sometime. I have stayed at the Bali Hai Resort a couple of times south of San Fernando city proper in the Bauang area. this area appeals to me because you are close to Baguio and the cooler climate yet can be at the beach pretty easily as well. Couple this with pretty good provincial governance and the nice ambance of the area in general and I think IMHO it is a great area for relocation.

Have you eaten at the Shakey's in the mall there yet?

Best of Luck to You and Yours - keep those cards and letters coming!

Cheers~~

[earthdome]

Excellent news and terrific report. It sounds like you are settling in nicely.

Have you eaten at the Shakey's in the mall there yet?

Yes, after one month I am pretty much settled in. Now I have more time for those things I want to do while retired. I bought a bicycle several weeks ago and try to get out for a 30 minute ride every morning. Tomorrow we may go searching out gym's so I can get back to doing some workouts. Then we want to do some traveling.

I have eaten at Shakey's in the CSI mall twice now. Last time I was there we counted 9 foreigners eating at Shakey's.

Seems there is an expat community here. Don't know how many and I haven't talked to anyone yet.

Feel free to PM me when you get in the area. Perhaps we can meet for lunch or dinner.

[BrettGC]

Nice breakdown on costs Earthdome, gives me something to work with on my impending move. I'll be moving into something very similar soon after my arrival in Cebu and using it as a base of operations until I find something permanent.

[lyno 47]

thanks earthdome for the good info.for me i will rent for 6-12 months then look to buy or build not sure if i can find what will suit me to buy, so building may be my only option i am a guy who needs a bit of room to move around in plus the fact that my 6,3 frame is not as agile as it used to be, thinking that if i spead my arms out in a streach i could touch both walls would drive me crazy. :cheersty:

[Thomas]

returning 'soon', in Guadalupe, Cebu City, 2 floor house with 8 persons (plans for 4 floors) with no yard, no security, no pool, no fitness center, 24/7 karaoke if I want. Place is paid for and utilities plus internet are around P4000 / month. First 2 floors cost under P300,000 and is around 85 square meter / floor.

I don't want to hijack this topic, but this part I think is worth an own topic, so I hope you make one :)

Earlier I have told others of (at least seemed) bargains I have found, but only 300 000 p beats them, so I wonder how come the cost could be that low. Second hand bought from urgent money needing seller? Material?

[GregZ]

returning 'soon', in Guadalupe, Cebu City, 2 floor house with 8 persons (plans for 4 floors) with no yard, no security, no pool, no fitness center, 24/7 karaoke if I want. Place is paid for and utilities plus internet are around P4000 / month. First 2 floors cost under P300,000 and is around 85 square meter / floor.

I don't want to hijack this topic, but this part I think is worth an own topic, so I hope you make one :)

Earlier I have told others of (at least seemed) bargains I have found, but only 300 000 p beats them, so I wonder how come the cost could be that low. Second hand bought from urgent money needing seller? Material?

No REAL story here. Your prices are great! We CHEATED; uncle owns construction company. Got things at cost and some below cost as he is generous. Real total is higher & I don't even know how much. Sorry, I didn't think that one through before I put that price. :1 (103):

[Thomas]

No REAL story here. Your prices are great! We CHEATED; uncle owns construction company. Got things at cost and some below cost as he is generous. Real total is higher & I don't even know how much. Sorry, I didn't think that one through before I put that price.

ok :)

(I became some suprised what material could be used to reach such price. I mean if the house isn't bought second hand.)