Post: #376

Thanks calwinston for posting about the davaoproperties.com! I'd also be very interested to see what you find in Davao as I'm heading there soon. I'm open to sharing a nice house with someone from here if by pooling our resources we can get a dope place I'm all in for it. Plus being with a like minded guy is awesome.

Post: #377

No problem
Here you go
http://www.davaorealestate.com.ph/
http://www.clickdavao.com/realestate/
http://www.davaoestate.com/
http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/classi...eal+Estate
http://www.ayosdito.ph/Davao-Region/Hous...-sale-2040
http://davaorealestate.net/

Post: #378

Good info, calwinston. I'm liking the prices on davaoproperties.com, wish they had more concrete location information though. The two condos on that page 5 you linked to have bad to very bad logistics and the rest on the page don't have anything listed.

A live-in maid will run you around $100 or less here based on the people I've talked to.

Post: #379

(03-03-2014 11:27 PM)Enigma Wrote:  Good info, calwinston. I'm liking the prices on davaoproperties.com, wish they had more concrete location information though. The two condos on that page 5 you linked to have bad to very bad logistics and the rest on the page don't have anything listed.

A live-in maid will run you around $100 or less here based on the people I've talked to.

Wow a live in maid for $100 is amazing.

I think emailing them is the best option to get a good idea of the type of area most guys on here prefer. Which is central, close to amenities, bars, restaurants, and malls.
Ill do that today and see what they email back to me.

Post: #380

$100 sounds a bit optimistic?

I am sure the prices are much cheaper in Davao then here in Manila but that sounds really cheap! I would have guessed it was closer to 8,000 - 10,000 pesos per month +accommodation +food.

If things are that cheap in Davao what the hell am I doing here in Manila?!?

Post: #381

(03-03-2014 11:48 PM)calwinston Wrote:  

(03-03-2014 11:27 PM)Enigma Wrote:  Good info, calwinston. I'm liking the prices on davaoproperties.com, wish they had more concrete location information though. The two condos on that page 5 you linked to have bad to very bad logistics and the rest on the page don't have anything listed.

A live-in maid will run you around $100 or less here based on the people I've talked to.

Wow a live in maid for $100 is amazing.

I think emailing them is the best option to get a good idea of the type of area most guys on here prefer. Which is central, close to amenities, bars, restaurants, and malls.
Ill do that today and see what they email back to me.

I'm already living here so I have a decent idea of the area already.

I was just curious whether I could find something bigger with the same amenities and location for the same or cheaper.

Just to give guys a general idea, pull up Google maps and find the Poblacion and Agdao districts. That's going to put you close to the nicer malls and gyms, plenty of restaurants, bars, immigrations, etc. Also pretty close to the ferry to Samal Island for beach trips. That's where I live and I rarely have to leave the general area other than when I want to explore.

You can go a little further left or right and not be too bad off.

Post: #382

(03-03-2014 11:55 PM)DirectDanger Wrote:  $100 sounds a bit optimistic?

I am sure the prices are much cheaper in Davao then here in Manila but that sounds really cheap! I would have guessed it was closer to 8,000 - 10,000 pesos per month +accommodation +food.

If things are that cheap in Davao what the hell am I doing here in Manila?!?

Well, I think you mentioned you were quoted 4000 a month for a gym? The nicest gym I've found here is 4000 for 4 months...that's with an indoor track, swimming pool, boxing ring, new equipment, etc. It's pretty damn cheap here.

The chick I asked about the maid actually said her sister asked to work for me at the price she quoted but we both agreed it was a bad idea. I haven't really looked into it much since then as I'm only in a studio, I was just looking for someone to come by once or twice a week and tidy up. I wouldn't take my info to the bank but most of what that girl has told me in the past has been pretty accurate.

Post: #383

Enigma,
How about the Jacinto and Ateneo de Davao areas?
My main girl there is telling me these are the places to stay at. She also mentioned that Agdao is near a market and its dirty with shady people. Did you notice any of that too?

Post: #384

(03-04-2014 12:27 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Enigma,
How about the Jacinto and Ateneo de Davao areas?
My main girl there is telling me these are the places to stay at. She also mentioned that Agdao is near a market and its dirty with shady people. Did you notice any of that too?

I should have been more clear, I'm just talking about that general area around and encompassing those two districts when you look at the city on Google maps just to give guys an idea of where the action is. I actually stay somewhere in the middle, which is why I used those two areas as reference.

The area you're talking about is right there in/near Poblacion. I was just over there yesterday and I wasn't thinking "wow, what a nice area" haha. The whole city is a little dirty, to be honest. It's all pretty safe though and you're just walking to the street to catch a cab if you have a decent location.

Post: #385

(03-03-2014 11:27 PM)Enigma Wrote:  Good info, calwinston. I'm liking the prices on davaoproperties.com, wish they had more concrete location information though. The two condos on that page 5 you linked to have bad to very bad logistics and the rest on the page don't have anything listed.

A live-in maid will run you around $100 or less here based on the people I've talked to.

Back in the late 90's my folks paid our live-in maids 1000 Php a month. We had three of them, and we were only a middle class family.

Most of them come from the provinces and try to save up some money while in the big cities. They also tend to network well, and one will always have family or friends that are looking to find employment as maids, drivers, gardeners. Some are even married, with the husband as a driver/bodyguard and the wife as a maid/cook. Their kids grow up in servitude to the family.

To the West, it may seem like new age slavery. But to the locals, it's just a way of life. Mutual trust is built over time and master-servant bonds grow strong. My Mom, to this day, sends a hundred dollars or so every month for her aging maid, Leonor, living out in the province. Leonor took care of 3 generations of my family starting with my grandparents through WWII, when she hid my Grandma in the jungles to avoid the Japanese.

Of course, there are others, like the father of one of my fraternity brothers. He was (still is) a notorious drunkard. He'd have one of his more cute maids wake him claiming that he needed to get up by a certain time. The maid would walk in and find him snoring... sprawled naked... and reluctantly awaken him. If she does, he would "sleepily" grab her and start kissing. There's hangover-maid game for ya. -_-

Post: #386

(03-03-2014 11:27 PM)Enigma Wrote:  Good info, calwinston. I'm liking the prices on davaoproperties.com, wish they had more concrete location information though. The two condos on that page 5 you linked to have bad to very bad logistics and the rest on the page don't have anything listed.

A live-in maid will run you around $100 or less here based on the people I've talked to.

http://www.davaoproperties.com/house-for-rent/hfr-270

This might be better a brand new 4 bedroom, 1 maid room, 3 bathroom townhome by the malls for 27,000ph

Post: #387

(03-04-2014 07:12 AM)calwinston Wrote:  http://www.davaoproperties.com/house-for-rent/hfr-270

This might be better a brand new 4 bedroom, 1 maid room, 3 bathroom townhome by the malls for 27,000ph

There are malls and schools everywhere. Like 7 malls and at least 5-10 universities in a 20-30 minute radius. Saying "near the malls and private schools" is pretty vague.

Does seem like a good deal, though it doesn't appear to be furnished. There are definitely some nice places at good prices on that site.

I was actually wrong about one of the condos I mentioned, Magallanes Residences, it has a pretty good location and the price isn't bad for a 2 bed/1 bath. I'm a sucker for a basketball court though and it's one of the few properties that doesn't have one.

Post: #388

VP, you have to go there and look - I don't think you can rely on photos on the 'net and google maps. Its not like anything there is going to cost much while you're looking, and you cannot really bargain long distance if you're inclined to do that. You're a month out, turn up, get a broker, look around while staying in a hotel (if you can dislodge yourself from sexing it up after your long stay in Canada) and I've no doubt you'll find something soon. Even better, get a place for two or three weeks or a month, and let the chips fall, get to know the city a little bit, see how things move along with your "friend" and with developing your business, and then make an informed decision before committing to a spot. You don't even know what you don't know, yet.

Post: #389

Had myself a bleeder all over the comforter last night.....

Should I say something to the hotel or just pretend like its no big deal?

Post: #390

I'm curious - has anyone tried the "Gold" vs "Platinum" membership on Filipino Cupid? The Platinum gets twice the space, but personally for me I have a bit of banner blindness towards it. But I don't think that's the case for filipino girls. Just wondering if anyone has tried both and seen significant differences in results one way or another.

Does the girls who message you matter, or is most of it from you messaging girls?

To illustrate the difference, platinum gets the full page width while gold gets half:

Post: #391

I've never had an asian hotel chain care (thats limited to China/Philippines). They just bleach the hell out of the sheets anyway. Its not a big deal there.

(03-04-2014 10:52 PM)Teddykgb Wrote:  Had myself a bleeder all over the comforter last night.....

Should I say something to the hotel or just pretend like its no big deal?

Post: #392

(03-04-2014 10:52 PM)Teddykgb Wrote:  Had myself a bleeder all over the comforter last night.....

Should I say something to the hotel or just pretend like its no big deal?

When I was in Davao I nicked my balls shaving and ended up bleeding all over my undies. When I took my laundry to the women at the apartell they were cool. (the undies where in the bottom of the pile) When I went to pick it up they all looked at me with big eyes and didnt say anything haha. They prally thought I had some mutant STD. They saw me bringing back girls everyday. Plus I broke the bed 4 times and had to have maintenance come and fix it. They knew the deal.

Post: #393

(03-05-2014 03:03 AM)G_global Wrote:  I've never had an asian hotel chain care (thats limited to China/Philippines). They just bleach the hell out of the sheets anyway. Its not a big deal there.

(03-04-2014 10:52 PM)Teddykgb Wrote:  Had myself a bleeder all over the comforter last night.....

Should I say something to the hotel or just pretend like its no big deal?

Yep I got back to my room after my day out to find my sheets all nice and new.

After staying here a week I only had one towel they would leave me. Just happened that they decided to leave me two today. I think they were sending me a message to put the towel underneath if shes on her period.

They probably think I'm crazy because two days ago I had another bleeder but I at least was smart enough to put a towel under her.

2 bleeders in 3 days notch achieved.

Post: #394

For future reference, hydrogen peroxide gets blood stains out instantaneously, especially if fresh.

Post: #395

I really like hanging out with the call center girls that work for U.S. companies. She always has to start work at 1am so I dont even have to kick her out to be able to sleep alone.

Do any of you know if call center girls make good money? She has a Samsung Note II and had to pay almost 500 pesos to see me today and never asked for money.

Either she makes decent money at her job or shes got some sugar daddies.

Post: #396

I'd say call centre agents there make about 10-20k depending on experience per month which by local standards is quiet good.

Post: #397

Quick taxi note on arrivals in Manila

DONT take a cab from ANYONE WHO TALKS TO YOU.

When arriving from a domestic flight at least, go to the RIGHT bout 40 meters from exit.

There you can get a metered (if you know your route) or a fixed written fare from a big chart in a govt regulated taxi .

There's an acronym designating the official airport taxis, NAIA. Or something like that. The "white" or gypsy cabs or "free market " cabs lol are crooks and tried to charge me about three times the govt cab price.

But wait,that's soshulism isn't it? When the gubmint messes thing up?

Post: #398

(03-07-2014 04:42 PM)iknowexactly Wrote:  Quick taxi note on arrivals in Manila

DONT take a cab from ANYONE WHO TALKS TO YOU.

When arriving from a domestic flight at least, go to the RIGHT bout 40 meters from exit.

There you can get a metered (if you know your route) or a fixed written fare from a big chart in a govt regulated taxi .

There's an acronym designating the official airport taxis, NAIA. Or something like that. The "white" or gypsy cabs or "free market " cabs lol are crooks and tried to charge me about three times the govt cab price.

But wait,that's soshulism isn't it? When the gubmint messes thing up?

Someone earlier said to go to departures, wait for an incoming taxi and take that taxi instead. Is the government regulated taxi price about the same as metered? I'd definitely prefer to take a fixed price taxi, as I don't know the route, unless it's going to be a lot more than a metered.

Post: #399

When leaving the airport the last time they started the meter at 70 pesos instead of 40 pesos. As long as I'm not getting totally raped I dont mind spending an extra dollar or so.

The other day I went to Tagaytay to visit the volcanoes. Since it was mid week prices were cheaper the boat ride. I agreed to pay 1,000 pesos for the boat ride to Taal volcano and back. Before the boat ride even started the guy is pestering me saying things like "You are going to give me a good tip at the end right?" This turned me off a little bit from even giving a tip but I still planned on doing so.

The guy didn't even give us a tour at all. He just rode over on the boat with us and once we got to other side was trying to hustle me into renting a horse when I didn't want to.

Once we got back to the other side after we were done hiking around the volcano the guy presents me with a bill for 1,300 when we clearly agreed on 1,000. This guy was trying to add his tip into the price of the boat ride with some sneaky tactics. This must've worked before for him but after he pulled some shit like that I left him 0 for a tip. He even had the balls to ask for a ride in our car back to the spot where he was earlier trying to hustle people on his boat rides.

Overall Taal volcano was really fun and interesting. It was about a 2 hour drive in a car from Manila depending on traffic. I got to see the smallest volcano in the world supposedly and they have touts at the top of the volcano that rent you a golf club and balls to hit into the lake. They started the price off at 1 ball for 100 pesos but they quickly were offering 3 balls for 100 pesos with a little negotiating.

Post: #400

Here's what I had previously posted on Danger's Living in Manila thread (which is why we need to unify the threads somehow).
/thread-29738.html

When you come out of immigration/customs, walk past all the hawkers and turn left after crossing the first roadway. Head toward the island between the outer and inner roadway, outside exit 14. There is a taxi dispatcher station with posted prices per neighborhood. Tell him where you're going, he gives you a slip, voila. The furthest metro manila locations may cost around 600 pesos (USD-Peso 1USD-44pesos). Makati is far less. If you're going to Makati and the driver wants to take the skyway, its 20 pesos more, just give him the money if you have it.

Also, just out of immigration on the right against the wall of the terminal is an ATM. The fee for withdrawal with a foreign card is 5USD, I think, so I usually take out the max, which is around 200USD. Changing money may be a better option - when I was in Cebu airport, I got 44 pesos/dollar and no exchange fee for a hundred dollar bill.