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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 07/09/2010 : 06:23:55 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by bngbuck
Mooner.....
I was bemused and fascinated by your announcement that you were moving to the Phillipines. I greatly admire your sense of adventure, we all could use more of that!
I understand that the primary motivation was economic. In terms of purchasing power, about how much leverage do your US dollars give you against the dollar's value in northern California today? It must be spectacular.
Understanding your low-key but thorough analysis of most matters that is evident in your postings, I would guess that you did extensive research on various possible relocation sites before settling on the land of 7000 islands. Aside from the obvious financial leverage factor, what would you list as the next four or five important attractions that Pilipinas offered you as inducement to relocate half way around the world?
I have heard that some areas of Central America (Costa Rica and Belize, specifically), offer attractive regions for expat relocation, (or at least a second home)--but the Phillipines does seem, uumm, unusual. However, after an appreciative glance at your possible paramour and your statement that 1k/month will buy high luxury in housing, I do understand some of your thinking.
If my current contrarian investment strategy holds up, I may be able to consider some southward movement in a couple of years. CDA is a summer heaven on earth, but the winters are dreary! Your brave, ballsy endeavor is really interesting and really admirable! Any details of your experience that you care to share will certainly be appreciated here!
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Thanks for your kind words of support, Bill! I'm afraid, though, that I must fail to repay you for them, in the sense that I don't have many answers for your questions.
I have no idea how far the buck goes here vs. coastal California. I do recall that for me, the buck pretty much stopped at my $950.00-a-month, one-bedroom apartment in Union City. I have more space here, and only pay 10,000 pesos ($200) a month for rent. On the other hand, my digs here are more primitive.
I considered Mexico and Costa Rica as alternatives, but decided that the near universality of English in the Philippines, added to my existing liking of the place, made it more attractive to me. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 07/10/2010 20:39:59 |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2010 : 06:26:48 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Chippewa
You're not all that far North of Mt. Pinatubo - might make for an interesting overnight trip if volcanoes are an interest. If you're into WWII history, lots of relics, US and Japanese abandoned airplanes (aluminum doesn't rust) old (rusted) tanks, sunken ships, etc., and many battles fought in the Philippines.
The people are wonderful though like anywhere else there are also thugs and criminal gangs and bandit areas in city and countryside you might want to avoid. The usual precautions in any city. Lonely Planet publishes a pretty good guidebook to the Philippines that covers a lot of stuff. Your local friends will help you out too I'm sure.
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Thanks! I want to try all of that! And yes, people here are great about helping me avoid the very dangerous human hazards. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2010 : 06:30:22 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by sailingsoul
Your hot water shower is no surprise to me. On a global standard it's top notch, while horrific looking to Americans. At least the ones who understand that your shower head, is also a 220 volt hot water heater and that wire is sliced and taped outside its enclosure, inches from your soapy head and flowing water. That can be exciting, as in buzzz, crackle, poop, lights out. I would bring that up to American safety standards in short order. It could be done quite easily and at reasonable costs. It should at least be GFCI protected. I could give you suggestions on how to easily correct that if you need. SS
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Great suggestion! I'll get that monster replaced as soon as possible, by a qualified technician, and insist upon ground fault detection protection, too. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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ThorGoLucky
Snuggle Wolf
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2010 : 17:17:49 [Permalink]
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Thanks for sharing your adventures, Mooner. I'm with bngbuck, as I too am bemused and fascinated. If pressed hard, I could do such a thing but not in the tropics because it's too darn hot & humid for my Norse blood.
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2010 : 20:38:31 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by ThorGoLucky
Thanks for sharing your adventures, Mooner. I'm with bngbuck, as I too am bemused and fascinated. If pressed hard, I could do such a thing but not in the tropics because it's too darn hot & humid for my Norse blood. |
I'm cursed with the same northern genetic adaptations, through Norman ancestry. But Baguio's a lot cooler than the tropical lowlands. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Settling in Baguio
