Looking at Bataan - any feed back?

[DaveB]

I'm currently set up with a one year lease in Angeles City.  This ended up being my "set up shop" place per our move from the US back in October.  From here, we've been looking at where we really want to live.

I've had my eye on the Bataan Peninsula, for a variety of reasons including things like relatively easy access up to Clark and Angeles City, and access to the ocean.  Problem is...they have't relaxed their travel restrictions very much yet, despite the "official" changes at the Federal level.  The quarantine pass and QR code requirements I can deal with .  But the idea that I have to kick out another 5000 pesos for a COVID test - times two so my wife has one - just so I can go stay in a resort or hotel for a couple days and look around...well I haven't convinced myself to go for it yet.

Thought I'd ask the general forum for any insights on living in Bataan, while I ponder how bad I want to go there - and wait a bit to see if those nuts get ready to rejoin the rest of the country.  Any feed back would be appreciated.  Things like: living in Morong area vs. living in Balanga area - pros and cons.  How do Pacific side beaches compare to Manila Bay side?  Housing prices generally higher? Lower? Competitive?  General "feel" of the place: shopping, security, living conditions.  Whatever come to mind, I'm all ears. 

[Mike J]

I think you are going to find the same kind of issues almost everywhere in the Philippines for the foreseeable future.   The reality is that in many ways the Philippines is a developing nation, where poverty is endemic, and the medical infrastructure is lacking or subpar in most areas.  Currently there does not really seem to be much, if any, "light at the end of the tunnel" here.   But then again I may feel more encouraged after I have a second cup of coffee.   

[graham59]

I have never heard of any poriners actually living in Bataan.

I suppose SOMEBODY must live there. 

[OnMyWay]

4 hours ago, graham59 said:

I have never heard of any poriners actually living in Bataan.

I suppose SOMEBODY must live there. 

Gary, a member not active here recently, built a house in Hermosa, which is NE Bataan.  I know a guy living in Morong, which borders Subic Freeport in NW Bataan, and there are quite a few foreigners in the area.  He has a really nice rented house with a pool right on the water, and I think the price was not bad.  Morong has the Anvaya Cove Resort, a super high end golf and housing resort.  I rented a Air BnB condo there from a foreigner, for an outrageous price.  He owns several.

I'm not aware of any beaches on the bay side where a poreigner would swim.  You have to get out to the tip of the peninsula before cleaner beaches and water start.

There is a big resort at Mariveles and they promote based on the Cavite - Bataan bridge being built.  The bridge does have support and it might get done someday.

I have been to Balanga several times.  Got my 13a at the BI there.  The BI there does mostly port work.  I don't recall seeing any foreigners around but it is not a bad little town.  They just built an impressive new civic center area.  My buddy owns a nice coffee shop there and it is doing well despite opening during Covid.

The West coast has a ton of resorts that mostly cater to locals.  I have visited a few for a looksee and there are some relatively nice ones.  If that bridge gets built, those resorts will boom.  They will need some new roads though.

[DaveB]

Hi OnMyWay...good to hear from you again.  And, again, you come up with good stuff.  This was just the kind of overview I was looking for...hope some more folks weigh in.  I'm all the more hopeful on getting down there in the next month or so, even if I have to eat their stupid COVID screening process to do it.  I've had a prejudice toward the Morong side of things just based on what I see from a distance, so really want to go there and see what it actually looks like.  

Still have an open invitation to any other forum members who have thoughts to pass my way.  Gotta get through the research for the next big move.

[DaveB]

By the way...I had read about a 2 hour ferry that runs between Batanga and Manila three times a day.  Anyone know if that thing is still active?  I have learned to approach Philippine websites with some skepticism...website maintenance always seems to be lagging.

[GMG_AFP_RhoVet]

Historical backround on Morong:  Morong is the site of the last Cavalry charge of the U.S. Army (and U.S. military).  The charge was by the U.S.  Army 26th Cavalry (Philippine Scouts). It pushed advancing Japanese back across the Morong river. At the outbreak of the war, the cavalry of the 26th was the elite unit.  The charge was led by Lt. Ramsey (who went on to become a prominent guerilla leader after the fall of Bataan).

 I had been in Morong many times "back in the day".  In fact I got my jeep stuck in the middle of the Morong River on my first visit.  I only recently learned of the historical significance of the site after reading "The Twilight Riders" by Peter F. Stevens.