Considering Move To Cebu Or Manila

[ILChamp0306]

Hey all, by introduction my name is Dan and am considering a move to the Philippines in the next few months. This forum is great and has helped me with a lot of questions as I plan this out. I had a few more that I couldn't find an answer to and was hoping for a bit of assistance.

 

1) I will own my online business so will come on a tourist visa and perpetually extend until my situation changes. Are there restrictions to what I can do on a tourist visa? For example, renting an apartment... will I run into issues getting a multi-month lease? Same with leasing a car? 

 

2) I'll talk to a lawyer about this in more detail but in general terms, does anyone know if I will run into any issues if I have Filipino freelancers working with me in person on a contract basis (legally)?

 

3) I'm 30 years old and single and am willing to spend up to 50k PHP/month on rent. I'll visit and search the different neighborhoods in more detail when I get there but want to narrow down my research a bit. Can anyone recommend a nice area for westerners but has a lot of opportunity to be social looking for ladies and making friends (central location, good nightlife, etc). I was thinking Cebu City, Makati and Eastwood as definites but any other places to add to the list or preference between them?

 

Thanks a lot everyone... look forward to joining the community here

[earthdome]

1) I will own my online business so will come on a tourist visa and perpetually extend until my situation changes. Are there restrictions to what I can do on a tourist visa? For example, renting an apartment... will I run into issues getting a multi-month lease? Same with leasing a car? 

 

No problem. I leased an apartment 4 days after landing. After my first visa extension I was able to open a bank account. I also have rented cars on a tourist visa, policies may vary by rental company.

 

You can only drive on your home country DL for 3 months. After that you need a Philippines DL. It is easy to get at LTO, if you have a valid DL from your home country it is just doing the paperwork, cost me about 720 pesos.

[Old55]

If you will be running an online business reliable electrical service and fast internet will be your first priority. Manila and Cebu City would provide that in most cases.

If at all possible don't involve locals in your business. Philippines can be difficult in that regard.

Being 30 years old and single you will attract a lot of attention you may need some Filipina repellent. Both Jake and I are available to aid you in that regard.

[ILChamp0306]

Haha thanks for the help guys. Filipina repellent... talk about a nice problem to have! I keep hearing how I'd do so well in the Philippines. Would I really get approached that much by Filipinas? Just sounds almost too good to be true having lived in the US and Australia

[Old55]

Dan, it's true. If you behave in a respectful mannor it would be fairly easy to meet educated intelligent attractive Filipinas from a good family.

[pokermike]

Dan , you will be in good shape spending that kind of money on rent. The ladies , you being 30 be careful you dont have a bunch of them jump you at the same time and take advantage of you. Take your time and try to narrow your pick down to 5 or 6 , or one in every city you visit. I am going to guess you are going to have to sort through to many to count. Its tough becuase they all look like they are beauty contestants and throw in they are nice and respectful. Now you see the problems , just man up and do the best you can. if you cant handle it, you have some of the members willing to help, since i am fairly new i guess i will also do my part if needed.  Later Poker Mike

[Miguk]

Echo all the comments.  You will be astonished at:

A:  The beauty and charm of the women.

B:  That they want to meet and talk to you.

Just be careful and take your time as others said.  Not saying they would not be interested in you, but remember that you don't marry a girl there....you marry a family.  And some families use there lovely daughters as bait to lure and catch a big fish!

[jon1]

Hey all, by introduction my name is Dan and am considering a move to the Philippines in the next few months. This forum is great and has helped me with a lot of questions as I plan this out. I had a few more that I couldn't find an answer to and was hoping for a bit of assistance.

 

1) I will own my online business so will come on a tourist visa and perpetually extend until my situation changes. Are there restrictions to what I can do on a tourist visa? For example, renting an apartment... will I run into issues getting a multi-month lease? Same with leasing a car? 

 

2) I'll talk to a lawyer about this in more detail but in general terms, does anyone know if I will run into any issues if I have Filipino freelancers working with me in person on a contract basis (legally)?

 

3) I'm 30 years old and single and am willing to spend up to 50k PHP/month on rent. I'll visit and search the different neighborhoods in more detail when I get there but want to narrow down my research a bit. Can anyone recommend a nice area for westerners but has a lot of opportunity to be social looking for ladies and making friends (central location, good nightlife, etc). I was thinking Cebu City, Makati and Eastwood as definites but any other places to add to the list or preference between them?

 

Thanks a lot everyone... look forward to joining the community here

Out of the three locations, I would recommend Eastwood. It is like a self contained city; 2 malls, lots of restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alley (with billiards), plenty of condos and now a grocery store. 

 

It is also home to a couple of call centers and could make your life easier in finding freelancers.

 

No issues on obtaining a lease. You could get a Studio Condo for about 20-25,000p/mo. It may be hard to find a car to lease. I would hold off on a car until you figure out if you will be here for the long haul. Also it is no fun driving in Metro Manila.

 

If you do not want the pollution and congestion, the next best bet is the Subic Bay Freeport (the old US Navy base about 4 hours drive from Manila). It is clean, pollution free, not congested but you will need a vehicle if you decide to move there as the Freeport is quite expansive and public transportation is OK (taxis get expensive). Rent on 2-3 bedroom houses go for 25,000p (unfurnished) and up.

[BritishPinay]

Hey all, by introduction my name is Dan and am considering a move to the Philippines in the next few months. This forum is great and has helped me with a lot of questions as I plan this out. I had a few more that I couldn't find an answer to and was hoping for a bit of assistance.

 

1) I will own my online business so will come on a tourist visa and perpetually extend until my situation changes. Are there restrictions to what I can do on a tourist visa? For example, renting an apartment... will I run into issues getting a multi-month lease? Same with leasing a car? 

 

2) I'll talk to a lawyer about this in more detail but in general terms, does anyone know if I will run into any issues if I have Filipino freelancers working with me in person on a contract basis (legally)?

 

3) I'm 30 years old and single and am willing to spend up to 50k PHP/month on rent. I'll visit and search the different neighborhoods in more detail when I get there but want to narrow down my research a bit. Can anyone recommend a nice area for westerners but has a lot of opportunity to be social looking for ladies and making friends (central location, good nightlife, etc). I was thinking Cebu City, Makati and Eastwood as definites but any other places to add to the list or preference between them?

 

Thanks a lot everyone... look forward to joining the community here

I moved back to Philippines from UK two years ago and in my experience (and hearing foreigner friends' experiences)… 

 

Yes you can just have a tourist visa and keep renewing it to extend your stay here. Many of my foreigner friends do this. 

 

Some landlords want to see you have a valid visa before agreeing to rent a place for the long term but in my experience most would rent out to you as long as they can see you are sincere and you'll do what you say you would. Not sure about leasing a car, however. 

 

I used to co-run a web development company whilst I was in UK and we employed freelancers from Manila and Cebu who worked from their homes. When my partner and I came to Manila we just carried on with the arrangement - the only difference was that this time we are now in Manila. So I don't think you'd run into issues as such, however if you end up eventually employing 10+ full time employees, I think this entitles you get a SVEG visa (or something like that) which grants you better privileges. Best to check the legal official sources. 

 

P50K/month for rent will get you a pretty decent place. I lived in Taguig, Manila just almost next to Bonifacio Global City (a.k.a. The Fort) and I had a two-bedroom 55 sqm fully furnished flat in a new resort-style condominium and my rent was only P25,000/month inclusive of condo dues, cable tv and internet. Utility bills came up to about P3,000/mo on average (electricity, water, gas) 

 

Living at The Fort will suit you perfectly - clean, not prone to floods, has all the amenities you'd ever want/need, it's only a few minutes away from Makati, it has the best Hospital (St. Luke's) in the city, and plenty of bars and restaurants where plenty of single, educated young women hang out.  

 

You might also want to check out Rockwell in Makati. 

 

While Eastwood is a very nice spot, it's too tiny in my opinion. 

 

Saying that though, I moved to Cebu because after a year of living in Manila. I just couldn't take anymore the traffic and pollution. I'm more of a nature lover than a city girl so I love how living in Cebu allows me to go island hopping, go to beaches, parks, etc whilst also enjoying city amenities. So for me Cebu is better, but that's just me. 

 

Good luck!  :thumbsup:

[Jake]

 

Hey all, by introduction my name is Dan and am considering a move to the Philippines in the next few months. This forum is great and has helped me with a lot of questions as I plan this out. I had a few more that I couldn't find an answer to and was hoping for a bit of assistance.

 

 

Saying that though, I moved to Cebu because after a year of living in Manila. I just couldn't take anymore the traffic and pollution. I'm more of a nature lover than a city girl so I love how living in Cebu allows me to go island hopping, go to beaches, parks, etc whilst also enjoying city amenities. So for me Cebu is better, but that's just me. 

 

Good luck!  :thumbsup:

 

Hello Miss British Pinay,

 

Well, another fine boots on the ground report......in your case however, it would be heels on the ground report (yeah, I know it's corny).

I totally agree with you, Metro Manila and surrounding areas are getting worse regarding noise and traffic pollution.  May you and your

partner have fun at the beaches and parks around the Visayan island group.  

 

Stay with us for awhile -- we are anxious to learn from a Filipina such as yourself to keep us out of trouble.....he, he.  

 

Respectfully -- kuya Jake