Post: #451

Its mostly a difference in standards. To me, my age, my demo, my income, the apartment you posted looks kinda shitty. I imagine you may not be buying drinks for friends, but you'll definitely be buying roach killer. Also, tends to be that if you live in a tenement style building in Asia, you need to prepare yourself for (in addition to insects) smells and noise, both from your neighbors and the street. Look at the ad - they're saying no more than 4 people per room. Guess what that means about the other units in your building? Its, again, just about what you need vs. what you want to pay.

I had no safety issues in QC though often around a major mall its going to be crowded and sometimes difficult to actually walk across the street. I'm trying to remember if SM North was one of the malls I visited in QC - it may have been, and if it was, its very good for day game (not that is hard to find in the Phils).

I'd suggest though that if you ask for advice, take the advice or leave it, but probably you don't need to be hostile towards those who took the time to answer your question with their opinion. Its just that, and no need to get all worked up about it. Best bet might be to get there with some short term plan, see what YOU need, and then make appropriate adjustments for the longer term.

(07-16-2014 05:48 AM)Hamsterchoker Wrote:  $1000 - $350 (rent) - $100 (electricity) - $300 (food) = $250 left for whatever. How is that not a good budget unless you are buying shots for everyone 5 nights a week

Post: #452

Far from me to tell other people how to spend their money of course, I'm just surprised at the idea that such a budget would result in something poor or low-quality.

For example, if I can rent a new, clean and fully furnished 1 bedroom apartment 10 mins of walking away from the center here for $350, it certainly stands to reason that in the Philippines I could get such an apartment that includes some cleaning services or pool access, or maybe 2 bedrooms and a big balcony instead. The very idea that the same amount of money buys less in a vastly less developed country doesn't make sense to me.

Exact comparisons will have to wait until I actually visit Philippines, but I suspect that after I post a data-sheet I will be publicly stoned for not spending enough to live a "good life"

Post: #453

(07-16-2014 06:20 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  Far from me to tell other people how to spend their money of course, I'm just surprised at the idea that such a budget would result in something poor or low-quality.

For example, if I can rent a new, clean and fully furnished 1 bedroom apartment 10 mins of walking away from the center here for $350, it certainly stands to reason that in the Philippines I could get such an apartment that includes some cleaning services or pool access, or maybe 2 bedrooms and a big balcony instead. The very idea that the same amount of money buys less in a vastly less developed country doesn't make sense to me.

Exact comparisons will have to wait until I actually visit Philippines, but I suspect that after I post a data-sheet I will be publicly stoned for not spending enough to live a "good life"

Not so sure about your reference to a vastly less developed country.

Consider that Metro Manila is 3 or 4 times the population of the whole of Croatia.

The Philippine economy is expanding strongly whereas I haven't had that feeling about most economies I've visited in the FSU or former Soviet satellite states.

Post: #454

There's another issue, which is the have-have not situation in a place like Manila. They're isn't so much of a middle class looking to rent places in Manila, so you end up with two groups. (1) Transplants from other parts of the Philippines and locals who can't afford to buy their own homes in Manila (though they may own a "house" somewhere in the provinces) (the wealthy Filipinos own their homes) and (2) expats from other countries. The budget ranges of these two groups have little similarity. The 250-350USD per month is the rent for a month for an entire typical Filipino family in most parts of Manila, and for some of us, thats an expensive meal for two at a restaurant. These apartments don't cater to those who want to spend more on extras - they cater to people who are interested in subsistence, not swimming pools.

I'm not sure but I imagine the situation in Croatia is quite different, with more in the middle between rich and poor.

Post: #455

Not to sound hostile, but just proving my point that $1000 a month is more than enough to survive and have a decent life in QC, anything more than that goes toward luxury. I just don't see why one would "need" a $2000 or $3000 budget until someone breaks down that number for me. As I am trying to work out a budget right now, and if I don't have that budget, then I can't go. $1000 a month sounds good, but $2000 is definitely pushing it for me. Yeah, I am dirt poor, heh.

Post: #456

(07-16-2014 07:22 AM)G_global Wrote:  They're isn't so much of a middle class looking to rent places in Manila, so you end up with two groups.

I'm not sure but I imagine the situation in Croatia is quite different, with more in the middle between rich and poor.

I think th is guy has hit it spot on.. Unlike Croatia, most of the country is either rich or poor.

If ur keen on risking it then yeah go ahead

Post: #457

@Hamsterchoker

If your budget is $1,000 USD per month then your life will be much better in Chiang Mai Thailand where you get value for the money. Manila is not really a great value.

Post: #458

I'm also on 1k or less budget. I've stayed in Chiang Mai and I agree it you get a better (great) value, mostly on housing. I haven't been to Manila, but I predict that the dating experience is vastly different between these two places, especially if you rely on online game. I guess that's obvious, but yeah, worth considering in determining which place will lead to more happiness.

For me, I would like to visit Manila for a month and do it right with a decent place from AirBnB in Makati, and choose somewhere else for living longer term. And if I were going to sacrifice to keep costs down, I would rather cut the food budget rather than be in a bad location.

Also, that room that hamsterchoker linked to required 6 months. I would be very hesitant to lock in 6 months at place that might end making me miserable.

Post: #459

Hamsterchoker,
One of the main reason people relocate to other locations around the world is take advantage of geo arbitrage, where your money goes way further than where you currently may be. Nobody in their right mind would relocate to say Manila or the Philippines and to slum it up it living like a local. You go there to get a major or at least a noticeable boost in your quality of life. Not to lower it.

While it is true that the Philippines are a developing 3rd world country, the infrastructures are simply not there. That's why places like Croatia or Thailand, with better infrastructures and a higher social class, do have more to offer and at attractive rates compared to the Philippines.

If your budget is 1k/month and you're set on the PI, then MNL is not the place for you. You'd be better off in a 2nd tier city in the provinces like Davao, Cebu or if you prefer a quieter and even cheaper place, Dumaguete may be what you're looking for.

As others have mentioned, if you want much better value and higher quality for within your 1k/month budget, then Chiang Mai in Thailand or even Saigon in Vietnam may be your best options. At least until you can up your bankroll and then do MNL in style to get the most of it.

Hope this helps.

Post: #460

Ya it seems the infrastructure is just not there.

Whats shocking to me is the rent of decent apartmens. I live in a very expensive part of a western european country.

And from what I see whats available online... Id have to pay about the same rent to get something decent in Manila or Cebu.

On the other hand in Chiang Mai I can get a nice apartment for $300 no problemo.

I havent been to the phils yet but on paper the only thing this country really got going for itself is the sheer abundance of easy pussy. Everything else seems pretty underwhelming. Frankly it seems like a complete third world shithole lol. Thats cool if you can shell out the money for a top shelf apartment and kinda live in your own bubble I guess. But if youre on a tighter budget and want to work on your income it doesnt seem like a good option.



Guess I just have to check it out and see what its like but right now it only seems good for a vacation and not for living there for multiple months.

Those smaller places like Dumaguete that were mentioned here seem like a decent option if youre ona tighter budget. Not sure if I would like it there too the places look pretty boring.

Post: #461

Good quality apartments are quite expensive in Manila, because it is a huge powerful capital city, of a country that after all has resources/assets, and a rich History (therefore, with many families having money dating from Colonial times). So, there's money around... there are many rich, wealthy people in Manila: not in percentages/ratio, but in sheer numbers.

I mean, only 1 or 0.8 percent of the people are wealthy in Manila, but, it is enough to fill in/use up all the (few) good apartments in this city.

So, you compete for a rare commodity (good apartments in safe condos), with tens of thousands of well-off heirs/managers/expats/oil executives/politicians etc... They drive the rental prices up, unfortunately for us.

But anyway : there are plenty of sweet, sexy, and often shy-cum-cute women to meet and "seduce", in the Phils, so..... it is still a great place to be! ... (For how long, God only knows! One day it will be spoiled by tourists, but not tomorrow and not anytime soon! )

Post: #462

Guys,

Personally, I am reading the Philippines threads because I understand pinays are most likely to be happy in a relationship with an older man, but I noticed that when talking about budget you suggested that with a low budget you are better off in Chiang Mai. Since I may be able to get a temporary job both in Manila and in Bkk, but perhaps not in Chiang Mai, I would like to ask whether Bkk is cheaper than manila? The remarkable thing is that if I get that job in Bkk, the salary is going to be higher, so if it is cheaper than Manila it becomes a consideration. Any comments, especially from those of you who know both countries, will be appreciated.

Post: #463

ZZ,
While MNL has a couple pockets of nice areas, BKK blows it out of the water in every single category. Infinitely better infrastructures, bigger variety of things to do during the day to keep you busy. Faster and much more reliable Internet which can be crucial if you're working online. Food is also infinitely better in BKK. Girls are much hotter in BKK but not as easy as in MNL. You can still land a super hot girl in BKK if you have your shit together, speak Thai, have a strong local social circle comprised of upper class Thais, but it would be much easier to infiltrate those higher social circles and get access to these prime women in MNL than in BKK.

Easiness of girls may be the only category where MNL may have the upper hand on BKK. However, girls are also sweet and eager in BKK too, but not as overly eager as say in MNL.

All in all, BKK is by far not only the better city but also offers a much higher and better ROI on your money than MNL.

As a buddy of mine summed it up very nicely:

"BKK is a 1st world city at 3rd world prices while MNL is a 3world city at 1st world prices. "

Or if you want a mix of both places, get a very hot girl from MNL and bring her with you to BKK.

That's actually one thing I'm looking at doing since I love the much more advanced infrastructures of BKK, it's amazing food and incredible 24/7 vibe to combine that with having a very hot and sweet pinay that speaks excellent English and bring her to stay with me in BKK or elsewhere in LOS.

Has anyone done something like this? If yes, I'd love to hear about your experience on that!

Post: #464

If you can eat Pinoy food, you can live on $1,000 a month because you'll be spending $3 a day to eat. (Like the locals do)

I can't enjoy Pinoy food so my food budget ends up costing more than my rent payment.

When I come back here for another year, I will strongly consider having a cook available more frequently.

My main girl has a professional cook in the family that I hired once a week - her instructions were clear, don't cook any Pinoy food. ^_^

I would probably save money by having her over more often than once a week instead of eating out at the mall nearly every day.


$1,000 is EASILY doable if you spend $500 on rent and utilities, eat Pinoy food for $90-100 a month, ride local transportation for $30 a month, and save or use the rest on misc stuff.

For me, the food is the dealbreaker in living a cheap life here. I don't mind riding jeeps, drinking in the local bars, etc - but I can't fuckin' eat this food.

Post: #465

(07-17-2014 01:52 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  ZZ,
While MNL has a couple pockets of nice areas, BKK blows it out of the water in every single category. Infinitely better infrastructures, bigger variety of things to do during the day to keep you busy. Faster and much more reliable Internet which can be crucial if you're working online. Food is also infinitely better in BKK. Girls are much hotter in BKK but not as easy as in MNL. You can still land a super hot girl in BKK if you have your shit together, speak Thai, have a strong local social circle comprised of upper class Thais, but it would be much easier to infiltrate those higher social circles and get access to these prime women in MNL than in BKK.

Easiness of girls may be the only category where MNL may have the upper hand on BKK. However, girls are also sweet and eager in BKK too, but not as overly eager as say in MNL.

All in all, BKK is by far not only the better city but also offers a much higher and better ROI on your money than MNL.

As a buddy of mine summed it up very nicely:

"BKK is a 1st world city at 3rd world prices while MNL is a 3world city at 1st world prices. "

Or if you want a mix of both places, get a very hot girl from MNL and bring her with you to BKK.

That's actually one thing I'm looking at doing since I love the much more advanced infrastructures of BKK, it's amazing food and incredible 24/7 vibe to combine that with having a very hot and sweet pinay that speaks excellent English and bring her to stay with me in BKK or elsewhere in LOS.

Has anyone done something like this? If yes, I'd love to hear about your experience on that!

Thanks for that, VP

To import a willing pinay to BKK sounds like a brilliant idea. I am going to shoot for it. So, I should make the temporary position in MNL happen, sample the talent there while looking for the best medium to long term keeper, and during the same period arrange a new position in BKK. Don't hold your breath, because it is not going to be a quick process, but if successful I will report here.

Post: #466

Is everyone safe from the typhoon Rammasan (typhoon Glenda)? Is the power out everywhere? I hear that Manila was battered pretty bad, although not worse than with some historical super-typhoons.

Post: #467

The weather seems to be rolling into Shenzhen now - getting quite windy here. Maybe the rain overnight or tomorrow.

Post: #468

(07-17-2014 05:36 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  Is everyone safe from the typhoon Rammasan (typhoon Glenda)? Is the power out everywhere? I hear that Manila was battered pretty bad, although not worse than with some historical super-typhoons.

Blackout for more than 12 hours but is back now.

This is some of the damage in the lobby of our building.

Post: #469

For all those suggesting BKK and Chiang Mai over Manila, you seem to forget the biggest advantage of Manila: English speaking locals! More importantly, all girls speak English. In Thailand, I will only have access to Thais who speak English, but in Manila, it's pussy buffet! And like I reiterated before, I want to know if staying in Quezon City instead of Makati or the Fort will cut my living expense down by as much as three times. Unlike most of you who look for more extravagant lifestyle, I am perfectly content to just go to the mall everyday, do some work at the coffee shop, and meet girls at night from online dating site, at least just for a few months to get by.

Post: #470

(07-16-2014 11:06 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  @Hamsterchoker

If your budget is $1,000 USD per month then your life will be much better in Chiang Mai Thailand where you get value for the money. Manila is not really a great value.

But what about the freaking visa problems...isn't it just an endless battle?
I REALLY hate having to leave a country every 30-90 days... so disruptive and tiring when you're older...

Post: #471

(07-18-2014 12:25 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:  

(07-16-2014 11:06 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  @Hamsterchoker

If your budget is $1,000 USD per month then your life will be much better in Chiang Mai Thailand where you get value for the money. Manila is not really a great value.

But what about the freaking visa problems...isn't it just an endless battle?
I REALLY hate having to leave a country every 30-90 days... so disruptive and tiring when you're older...

IKE, as far as I know, Thailand has retirement visa's for distinguished gentlemen such as yourself. I think you qualify at the age of 50+ and modest income levels which I'm sure won't be a problem for you.

You shouldn't need to run to the border every 90 days.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/tha...icans.html

Post: #472

Has someone been in Bacolod City? I read good things about that city.

Post: #473

For those saying $1000 will only get me a shitty life in Manila, have you lived in Quezon City and compared its living cost to Makati and the Fort? I am really curious.

Post: #474

(07-17-2014 05:36 AM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  Is everyone safe from the typhoon Rammasan (typhoon Glenda)? Is the power out everywhere? I hear that Manila was battered pretty bad, although not worse than with some historical super-typhoons.

I was up on the mountain ridge in Tagaytay outside Manila during the typhoon. The 4-star hotel I stayed at was damaged really bad. Went past the amusement park in the area the morning after as well and it was completely demolished.

The Fort didn't seem to have taken a hit that bad. Fallen trees and bushes etc but no serious damage to any buildings or flooding from what Ive seen.

Post: #475

Here in Makati, hardly aware of the Typhoon as I was inside the apartment through most of it. Just seemed like heavy rain and wind.
But when I went out for a walk around on Thursday afternoon, saw a lot of damaged trees.
Have not seen any building damage as the buildings around here are mostly modern and substantial. Seems to be relatively high ground as there are no signs of flooding either.
We still have rolling power outages for 3-4 hours each day. The massive back up generators in the building around here are noisy.