Comments on: Living in Luxury in the Philippines http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/ A Forum about an American Expat Living in Davao, Philippines Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:31:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bruce http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-17503 Bruce Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:32:12 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-17503 David, I am not sure how to answer you. I have no idea how and what fast food business make there and about the girl, just be careful. David,

I am not sure how to answer you. I have no idea how and what fast food business make there and about the girl, just be careful.

]]> By: David http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-16836 David Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:37:26 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-16836 hi Bruce how are you My name is David I live in Dubai, I thank you for the information about the Philippines and I have a question I have a friend living in the Philippines form 5 years and sent him a message I want to I work there the field of fast food Kentucky such as Dubai has sent me the information that he could do I that in the city of Angeles and said to me The cost of the establishment of the restaurant about 70 000 thousand dollars and profits daily exceed $ 1300 after all expenses and I did not believe tahat Can we get this profit in the Philippines, many Filipinos working here, I'm afraid to have my friend had lied to me that the profit of this magnitude Is there such that I hope that this teaches me to invest this amount in the Philippines can achieve The second question I got to know she old girl 22 years at the site of the marriage has been accepted to marry me knowing that my old is 50 years Is this marriage is acceptable in the Philippine law or do they want money just note it's not asking me any amount of money and she told me that her father agree to her marriage, and I like it Thank you very much to all of the information best regard hi Bruce how are you
My name is David I live in Dubai, I thank you for the information about the Philippines and I have a question I have a friend living in the Philippines form 5 years and sent him a message I want to I work there the field of fast food Kentucky such as Dubai has sent me the information that he could do I that in the city of Angeles and said to me The cost of the establishment of the restaurant about 70 000 thousand dollars and profits daily exceed $ 1300 after all expenses and I did not believe tahat Can we get this profit in the Philippines, many Filipinos working here, I’m afraid to have my friend had lied to me that the profit of this magnitude
Is there such that I hope that this teaches me to invest this amount in the Philippines can achieve
The second question I got to know she old girl 22 years at the site of the marriage has been accepted to marry me knowing that my old is 50 years Is this marriage is acceptable in the Philippine law or do they want money just note it’s not asking me any amount of money and she told me that her father agree to her marriage, and I like it Thank you very much to all of the information
best regard

]]> By: Bruce http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-6830 Bruce Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:24:06 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-6830 Al, Here as anywhere else, there is good things and bad, good people and criminals. The purpose of my writings is to let people that are planning to move here, THIS IS NOT AMERICA. There are differences and you cannot live your life or plan life will be the same. We all came here for our reasons. Once here, you have two choices, stay or leave. If you stay you need to accept what you cannot change. Al,
Here as anywhere else, there is good things and bad, good people and criminals. The purpose of my writings is to let people that are planning to move here, THIS IS NOT AMERICA. There are differences and you cannot live your life or plan life will be the same. We all came here for our reasons. Once here, you have two choices, stay or leave. If you stay you need to accept what you cannot change.

]]> By: Al http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-6789 Al Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:14:09 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-6789 Give me a green card + money and I will still say no to living in US :) When I was in my 18's I was so taken by the glamour and facade that is going on there then one day I just realized that under that facade there is not much substance. Philippines or similar country all the way. The thing is, there is no similar country to Philippines. The Philippines might not have that glamour facade but the substance is certainly there and that's what will make most of your life in the end. Anyway, just my 2 pesos :) Wait, too much, 2 centavos is better :) Give me a green card + money and I will still say no to living in US :) When I was in my 18’s I was so taken by the glamour and facade that is going on there then one day I just realized that under that facade there is not much substance.

Philippines or similar country all the way. The thing is, there is no similar country to Philippines. The Philippines might not have that glamour facade but the substance is certainly there and that’s what will make most of your life in the end.

Anyway, just my 2 pesos :) Wait, too much, 2 centavos is better :)

]]> By: Bruce http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-5235 Bruce Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:23:20 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-5235 Roger, I can only answer for Davao. Each city in this country, it would vary depending on cost of living. We pay 1500 a month, plus room and board. After a year we plan to give a raise. Some pay more, some less. Roger,
I can only answer for Davao. Each city in this country, it would vary depending on cost of living. We pay 1500 a month, plus room and board. After a year we plan to give a raise. Some pay more, some less.

]]> By: Roger http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-5227 Roger Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:41:35 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-5227 Here's a question from a future visitor...How necessary, and how expensive, would domestic help be? Here’s a question from a future visitor…How necessary, and how expensive, would domestic help be?

]]> By: Bruce http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-4882 Bruce Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:31:54 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-4882 Seth, Thank you for commenting. Yes, I try to be honest with my views. I do not get real hard on negative things because life here is the way it is. I also try not to sugar coat things and make people think this is paradise where all your dreams will come true. You are right about the heat compared to the Gulf Coast, the difference is it never really gets cool here. It is like Florida or Gulf Coast 12 months a year. I hope your wife will comment and introduce herself too. Seth,
Thank you for commenting. Yes, I try to be honest with my views. I do not get real hard on negative things because life here is the way it is. I also try not to sugar coat things and make people think this is paradise where all your dreams will come true.

You are right about the heat compared to the Gulf Coast, the difference is it never really gets cool here. It is like Florida or Gulf Coast 12 months a year.

I hope your wife will comment and introduce herself too.

]]> By: Seth http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-4879 Seth Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:09:19 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-4879 Bruce, I appreciate the cander in which you write. You try to be very honest and it shows. As for the cost of living in the PI I find it very interesting because my wife and I always talk about returning to Davao. When I have visited I always make it a point to go to the local malls and shopping centers to compare prices and also check on the availability of things. I have not considered going to a hardware store but will make it a point next time I visit. Things in America are going up on a daily basis and there is no change in site. As far as the heat goes, my wife tells me all the time that it is hotter on the Louisiana Gulf Coast then it is in Davao. So she is miserable here outside in the summer and like most Filipina's she dont handle the cold to well either. The thing I like the best there is that there is so many different kinds of fresh fruit and fresh seafood. I showed your website to the wife recently and she is also now reading your columns. Keep it up and may God bless you Seth Bruce,

I appreciate the cander in which you write. You try to be very honest and it shows. As for the cost of living in the PI I find it very interesting because my wife and I always talk about returning to Davao. When I have visited I always make it a point to go to the local malls and shopping centers to compare prices and also check on the availability of things. I have not considered going to a hardware store but will make it a point next time I visit. Things in America are going up on a daily basis and there is no change in site. As far as the heat goes, my wife tells me all the time that it is hotter on the Louisiana Gulf Coast then it is in Davao. So she is miserable here outside in the summer and like most Filipina’s she dont handle the cold to well either. The thing I like the best there is that there is so many different kinds of fresh fruit and fresh seafood. I showed your website to the wife recently and she is also now reading your columns. Keep it up and may God bless you

Seth

]]> By: Bruce http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-4864 Bruce Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:07 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-4864 Stewart, It is true, a foreigner cannot own land. Some of the options is what most do, have the title in their wife/partners name. You need to trust her because legally it will be hers. Another is leasing the land with a long term lease. Then you own the house but they own the land. You can legally own a condo. Gated subdivisions have better rules and more quiet. Medical availability is good in many ways, but this is not America or England. Driving is crazy, but as I have written in many articles you need to be aggressively defensive. You need to know how to force your way into traffic and when to back off. Good thing most do not drive faster then 20-40 mpkm. There are ways to import a car, the custom charges go down with age of vehicle. Just remember, if it is not sold here, where will you get spare parts. Stewart,
It is true, a foreigner cannot own land. Some of the options is what most do, have the title in their wife/partners name. You need to trust her because legally it will be hers. Another is leasing the land with a long term lease. Then you own the house but they own the land. You can legally own a condo.
Gated subdivisions have better rules and more quiet. Medical availability is good in many ways, but this is not America or England.
Driving is crazy, but as I have written in many articles you need to be aggressively defensive. You need to know how to force your way into traffic and when to back off. Good thing most do not drive faster then 20-40 mpkm.
There are ways to import a car, the custom charges go down with age of vehicle. Just remember, if it is not sold here, where will you get spare parts.

]]> By: Stewart http://americanindavao.com/blog/2009/08/living-in-luxury-in-the-philippines/comment-page-1/#comment-4857 Stewart Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:23:27 +0000 http://americanindavao.com/blog/?p=1003#comment-4857 Hello Bruce, I just returned from two weeks in Davao and read your blog with interest. My Partner here in the UK is Filipino though she left a long time ago. She had a house built in Toril some years ago though (being a Civil Engineer). This was my first trip to Asia so it was Culture Shock to the fore. Do they all have noisy dogs and cockerels? I fantasised about mass murder of the neighbours every night ;o) I guess we are thinking of selling up and early retirement back to Davao and looked at places like Villa Mercedes and Royal Pines for a QUIET life then I spoke with an Attorney and unearthed the difficulty of owning land and property as a foreigner. So I can see that it takes a shed load more planning to achieve. I don't really fancy complete retirement so I visited their Oncology provision at Davao Doctors' with a view to related business projects. Lovely people but few and basic resources and patient volumes have been reducing (ability to pay?) which made me think about our own access to good healthcare if we happen to need it. What does one do? That traffic!! it really is a Full Contact sport, somewhat like motorbike racing here. I like the idea of being on the first Ducati in the city or a big BMW traillie, if one can import used vehicles, but something tells me they make it really difficult and expensive. Anyway I will keep an eye on your blog from now on. Hello Bruce, I just returned from two weeks in Davao and read your blog with interest. My Partner here in the UK is Filipino though she left a long time ago. She had a house built in Toril some years ago though (being a Civil Engineer). This was my first trip to Asia so it was Culture Shock to the fore. Do they all have noisy dogs and cockerels? I fantasised about mass murder of the neighbours every night ;o)

I guess we are thinking of selling up and early retirement back to Davao and looked at places like Villa Mercedes and Royal Pines for a QUIET life then I spoke with an Attorney and unearthed the difficulty of owning land and property as a foreigner. So I can see that it takes a shed load more planning to achieve.

I don’t really fancy complete retirement so I visited their Oncology provision at Davao Doctors’ with a view to related business projects. Lovely people but few and basic resources and patient volumes have been reducing (ability to pay?) which made me think about our own access to good healthcare if we happen to need it. What does one do?

That traffic!! it really is a Full Contact sport, somewhat like motorbike racing here. I like the idea of being on the first Ducati in the city or a big BMW traillie, if one can import used vehicles, but something tells me they make it really difficult and expensive.

Anyway I will keep an eye on your blog from now on.

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