Expat Community > Philippines

pdxeric
Joined 2014
Posts: 21

4 months

10 years ago

Hello everyone,

Here in Portland, Oregon, I have been reading blogs and posts in various sites about the PH for a few months. This will be my first post anywhere. It is said people are quick to point out faults in others and slow to praise them, so I want to begin this with praise of this particular forum. All others are sprinkled with insults and bashing over disagreements. You all "agree to disagree" at an amazing rate. So kudos to the regular contributors here for your awesome civility.

I'm moving to the PH 4 months from today. I've been in SE Asia before and am choosing the PH due to it having much better visa rules than most SEA Countries for long-term living and the VA has the strongest presence there.

Let's say you had a delorean and could travel back in time. You are now moving to there for the first time, knowing what you know now. How would you do it? Here's my plan and I welcome feedback:

I plan to invest in a nice backpack and dispose of my other belongings (as a minimalist, I don't have a lot). I have 12 places I think I should live in for 1 month at a time. In no particular order:
Laguna, Leyte island, Ormoc, Batanyan island, Isibel, Dasol, Cavite, Palompon, Tagayte, NW Samar island, Tagbilaran & Batangas.

I'm 48 & single. Though I have a healthy budget, I don't like to spend it and enjoy simplicity. I'm thinking $1,500/month for this as short-term rentals cost more. I love the ocean but mountains as well (it seems there, one can enjoy both of those worlds!!). And I would be open to others in my shoes to join me on this journey (cheaper on rent, strength in numbers, etc.). I'm humble by nature, will accept it is their world and their rules, and use a lot of common sense. I don't like traffic and the big city and would like to meet a gal there someday.

And after reading a hundred or so posts on this site, would love to meet many of you on this journey. But, I still have questions. Should I buy a scooter when I get there and take it with me from town to town via ferries? With monsoon season and dry season, which towns are best for each particular months??

I know I have a lot to learn as I live there and adjust. I know I might not like it and so it would be. Now, you just stepped out of that delorean...what would you do? Thanks

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