Choosing a place to live (expat)

Recommended Posts

bows00
Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, KurtVD said:

How did you like Bonifacio?  Is it quite lively (nightlife, bars), or rather calm? (I prefer the latter)

Like most of the locations I visited, including Angeles city, BGC can be a mellow, calm place to live if you choose to do so.  It's really up to you and how decide to live your life.  

My opinion of BGC is that it does not provide me the nostalgic Philippine culture I am looking for.  It is basically a very nice rural city with nice infrastructure that most westerner's are accustomed to.  So with that, you will pay a higher price.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

virginprune
Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Cebu is the second biggest island in the Philippines where you can also use as a base if you dont want to be in Manila. 5-10k condos, somehow doubt it in Manila. ?

I would surmise that Mindanao is bigger than Cebu, it doesn't get good press though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jollygoodfellow
Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, virginprune said:

I would surmise that Mindanao is bigger than Cebu, it doesn't get good press though.

Yes you are right and Cebu is way down the list. Maybe in size of City I was thinking of. Anyway for the purposes of this topic travel to explore is relatively easy from Cebu. :thumbsup:

How big is philippines.jpg

 

 

 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

fillipino_wannabe
Posted
Posted

Ridgewood towers had studio condos just outside BGC, had them for about 10k when I looked or you could buy them for 1.6 mil.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

KurtVD
Posted
Posted

I've searched on locanto.ph, and there were a few small condos below 20k, and even 2 or 3 for 10k in Muntinlupa. I guess there must be quite a few for rent that are not listed on the Internet as well, especially on the lower end. 

How are rental contracts usually signed in the Philippines? I mean, once I've visited a place and decided that I like it, can I move in the next day? Is there usually a deposit of X months rent? A few of the ads pointed to large structures, managed by professional (looking) offices, I guess they have standard rental contracts, but do I have to watch out for hidden costs other than water and electricity? I know that the latter can be quite expensive in some Asian countries, how much is it usually for a condo? With no or very moderate A/C use?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jollygoodfellow
Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, KurtVD said:

I've searched on locanto.ph, and there were a few small condos below 20k, and even 2 or 3 for 10k in Muntinlupa. I guess there must be quite a few for rent that are not listed on the Internet as well, especially on the lower end. 

How are rental contracts usually signed in the Philippines? I mean, once I've visited a place and decided that I like it, can I move in the next day? Is there usually a deposit of X months rent? A few of the ads pointed to large structures, managed by professional (looking) offices, I guess they have standard rental contracts, but do I have to watch out for hidden costs other than water and electricity? I know that the latter can be quite expensive in some Asian countries, how much is it usually for a condo? With no or very moderate A/C use?

Are you looking for furnished or unfurnished? Does obviously make a difference to price.

In most cases you will pay 2 months deposit and one month in advance.

Some places require post dated checks for the term of the lease.

If you are leasing through a owner managing their own property they may have a rough lease contract so best to read and discuss any concerns prior to agreeing to anything.

Some leases require the tenant to pay the condo dues. Some only require the tenant to pay the water and sewerage part of the condo dues so check what the lease says. Also if you need parking that may be an added expense. 

If you need good internet check that its available or if its already in the owners name otherwise you might have to foot the bill for connection charges.

Electric costs vary from area to area and use. Best to read living costs topics but for an idea my electric is around P3200 a month studio condo for two people. My friend in the same building is around P2000 a month so depends on appliances and aircon use. That reminds me to check if the building is individually metered for each condo. 

Just to add last night my friend was telling me his usually electric had been about P1000 a month for a year and suddenly increased, he went to Veco to ask why and found they had been estimating for all this time?

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

KurtVD
Posted
Posted
On 5/24/2018 at 1:07 PM, Snowy79 said:

I was renting in Stamford Executive Residences, Taguig at 19,000 peso per month for a 24 sqm rabbit hutch. Next door to the Venice Mall. Nice area with lots of restaurants but no real bars for nightlife. 

Did you have a balcony at this price? And what area is this? Close to Muntinlupa and Paranaque?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

KurtVD
Posted
Posted

Now I’ve read through your answers and I have a few follow-up questions:

Are Paranaque, BF Homes and Muntinlupa quite similar (to find a suitable condo for rent)? Or is BF Homes more upscale?

I will need a local to help me find places for rent, once I’m there. I know a girl who might be willing to help me out, but if she proves to be not very useful, should I ask a taxi driver to drive me around for a day and look for ‘For Rent’ signs? Is that a good plan? How much is the usual rate for such an assignment?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Forum Support
scott h
Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, KurtVD said:

BF Homes

How to answer with out writing a book lol. BF homes is one of the original subdivisions in southern Manila. It is now its own Barangay. In fact it is almost a self contained city. It ranges from two bedroom apartments and older homes along the main roads (so only one guard house between them and the outside) to more exclusive subdivision inside the subdivision (takes an additional window sticker to get into these) with their own guard posts. There are restaurants, coffee houses, supermarkets, nurseries (the type with plants) private schools, banks, 7-11's, car washes you name it inside the gates. It is also one of the few places I have seen a real estate agent office (if interested I will try and get a card next time we are there). But my first stop would be the main office I am sure they would know who is selling, renting or lots that are available. Or at least point you in the right direction. Taxis are not allowed to solicite in BF, but their are trikes all over the place, that is the major mode of transport inside

2 hours ago, KurtVD said:

Paranaque,

As I sit, I can think of 5 condo towers that are either finished or going up in Paranaque. But to be honest all you really need to do is to go to a major mall in the area your interested in, walk around and sooner or later you will be handed a flyer from a person representing a condo tower. If your are looking for more upscale go to mall of asia (just outside of Paranaque) there are towers galore going up around all the new casinos. 

2 hours ago, KurtVD said:

Muntinlupa

I am really not to familiar with Muntinlupa. I know that it is near SLEX and ayala Alabang which is a very exclusive area

2 hours ago, KurtVD said:

should I ask a taxi driver

Now this is a generalization. If you are in a mall, get a flyer and are interested, most of the condos which are being shown are actually with in walking distance of the Mall in which they are being advertised. (at least in the Paranaque area). So I think you can take a taxi from mall to mall and then hoof it. Now for BF homes, I would take a taxi to the main office, gather intel then hire a trike to go from house to house. 

Now these are just general ideas and info. As you get closer and get more specific in your questions, we can develop a proper 5 paragraph order :hystery:

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...