moving to the philippines

What do you think will one need to rent a small 1-2 room apartment with A/C near Puerto Galera or close to its beaches?

ADVICE yes. leave your money in the US. Best advice you will get here!

unless you are Filipino you cannot own property - the usual way around this is to set up a company where you own 40% and filipinos 60% of the shares.
You will not get the answers to your questions by going on line but there is an active expat community with many mixed race families in Puerto galera so turn up and talk !!
I have sent you a private message with some more specific points

My suggestion would be to rent a place and spend a year there before committing to anything. You'll have a much better idea of what you want to do and how you want to go about doing it.

It seems that you don't have a clear idea what you want...yet.
I would follow the Pikayaker advice (spend some time there before)!

TH

This is the kind of thread I was looking for.

I'm married to a Filipina and been to the Philippines several times already. Last time took a larger trip exploring much more of Luzon, Visayas, Palawan and even Mindinao.

I plan to get back down there again in Winter.. and look a lot more into a few of the places again a second time and a few others for the first time.

Interesting with Puerto Galera.. it might deserve another look.. I'm also interested in a return to Bohol and Palawan. Boracay would be great, but too expensive. Curious about a city like Kalibo as its somewhat nearby to Boracay yet would have a bit more of a small city feel.

A city that I missed was Cagayan de Oro.. heard Divisario is great on weekends.. they close down the traffic and put out tables and chairs and such. It is on my list for cities.

Puerto Princesa is another.. I like the restaurants there. Might run out of things to do.. a bit far from everywhere. No movie theater (that I remember) or shopping malls.

Bantayan might be real interesting for island life.. heard some foreigners live there and make it home. Maybe much like Puerto Galera area? Perhaps?

Well.. hope there is a lot more activity on this thread.. I still have a few more trips to make.. a lot of time away from the Philippines to research online.. but actively thinking about it as well.

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<hr>Boracay would be great, but too expensive<hr></blockquote>
Plenty of people live here, and we are not all wealthy. Expensive compared to what? It is dirt cheap compared to where I am from.

We "retired" here over two years ago.

Make the move in "steps". Come here and live for a few months before you decide to move everything. That way, if you change your minds, you won't go through an extra expensive move back. (Yes, we moved everything). Rent a place in the area you are thinking of living in. You can always move to another area and try it out as well.

You can own land/condo/house here. The land area can be up to a certain size.

You have to be very careful. Never buy anything that you can't see, for example "not built yet" places. Today's Philippine Daily Enquirer had a front page article titled "Housing scams victimizing OFW's probed". The article applies to foreigners also. You really don't have any protections in dealing with the large builders and real estate companies.

A "clear title" is the most important thing. Don't think that a statement "This is a clear title" means anything. I have asked many times, but I can't find "title insurance" here. It is normal in the U.S.

Find out who, in your wife's extended family can be trusted and not. Who is friendly just for the money? No one will believe that you don't have a lot of extra money to give them when they ask. Unfortunately, many of your relatives will try to take advantage of you. You will be able to count on a few. Find out who they are and stick with them. Better yet, live far from everyone. (My wife and I learned the hard way, of course).

There is good news. Our children are getting a good education in schools that would cost a fortune in the U.S. We know which relatives will look out for us and not expect anything in return. yes, we do help them in return. We also know which ones wouldn't give us "the time of day" if they had money and we didn't.

Never lend money, never. If you are thinking of lending, just make it a gift. That way, they'll still be talking to you a month later.

There is a lot more information. You can Email me directly if you have any specific questions. I am just lightly touching some key areas above. Just try not to be "romantic" about the move. There is a 12% VAT tax on everything, since you have last been here. (No, you can't see any improvements from the tax). The dollar is worth a lot less, etc.

Mind you, I am still here, so the "pluses" outweigh the "minuses" for us.

Very sound advice John.