What's up here?

[DanAndChed]

So, did everyone move to the Philippines?  Still lots of new guys looking for miss right?

As for moving to the Philippines, I'd love to hear any experiences.  This year I turn 50 and Ched is already looking for a place for us to live.  She wants a condo in Manila and I want a pool in Cebu, with a house.  Life in Northern Virginia is just to hectic.

Any ideas on homes, schools, and work would be appreciated.

Dan

[Jeff S]

I think both Jimbo and Stephen have bought places in the PI recently. Stephen and Tess drop in occasionally but we haven't heard from Jimbo of late.

- Jeff

[tessbrittain]

Hello.  It's been quite a while since I posted here.  I'm using Tess' account.  Frankly, I just gave up on getting my password to work.  It just wasn't worth the hastle anymore to get into my account.

Below is the link to some photos of our home in the Phils.

We just moved in last December, 2006.  We still have a lot of things to do, but it's livable.

It is located in General Trias, Cavite.  That is south of Manila on the way to Tagaytay City and 1 hour to Batangas.

Tess found the place and bought it.  It took a while to get built.  It is in a gated community.  I didn't want to live next to pigs and chickens.

It is right next to the new SM Mall and Robinson's Mall in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

We paid 1.7 million pesos ($30,000); now this same plan is selling for 2.5 million pesos.

It is  not a fancy home with a pool.  But the community will have a pool.  Also, the value will continue to increase as Manila grow to the South.

Take care and best wishes.

Stephen & Tess
http://tessbrittain.slide.com/p/5/untitled-1147017582

[Jeff S]

Beautiful place in the Philippines there! Congrats guys.

- Jeff

[DanAndChed]

Thanks.  Nice place!  You look pretty relaxed.  My wife I know was looking around Tagaytay and a bunch of other places, I wish I'd gone with her, cause I can't keep them all straight.

The place Ched likes now has a Krispy Kreme on the block.  She is so American.

Did you go the Special Resident Retirement Visa route?  I'm curious, cause that is what I'm thinking on doing?

Dan

[Bear]

Very Nice!.  I am so jealous!  Even decorated in my favorite color.

When I went to Tagaytay I looked back toward Manila from the old presidential mansion and there was a comunity on the right by a golf course - looked very American.  Is that the place you are showing here?

The Bear Family

[DanAndChed]

Just got off the phone with Ched.  The place she likes is a condo in Fort Benifeidu. 

She admits being 100% American after this trip and says this place was the most like the America she knows.  Me I want beach, palm trees nice weather, good food and the company of my beautiful filipina wife.  Nothing else matters.

She comes home tomorrow.  Yea! 

Dan

[tessbrittain]

Dan,

This is the model house of our home...After I am done with all the furnishings and the fence it should  look like this. We purchased our home from a company called Suntrust. They have an ad at the Philippine Daily Inquirer online..Check it out...

http://www.suntrust.com.ph/homefinder/details.asp?hid=26

Goodluck.

Tess

[Jeff S]

Seems very reasonable, Tess. Is that area near the beach? How far to the city? Can you walk to any town areas?

- Jeff

[Stephen Brittain]

I think what I will do is to keep my humble $30,000 home in the Philippines.

But one week a month tess and I will visit Hum in Davao.

Then another week a month we will visit with Ray in Cumigan Island.

Stephen

[Jeff S]

Hey Stephen, I see now that you moved out to the home of Roy Rogers you've returned to you roots. Love the hat, but shouldn't a lawyer be wearing a black hat?

[joemc58]

HeyJeff,
             I would  like to borrow Stephen's stetson and Dave's purple thong, so I can and walk the beaches of
             Batangus. I can see it now me blowing gas on the beach like the crooning rooster and  getting a
             sunburn to boot
             I think Stephen and Tess got a steal for that house in Cavite.  I was real impress in 04 when I was
             back in that area. Cavite, Laguna,and Taygaytay.

                                                                                 joemc
             

[Humabdos]

HI stephen


That's a nice place for $30,000! Looks like the perfect place for retirement for the Manila area.
Sallie and I are hoping to get a lot in the next year in Davao. The subdivision we are looking at is expensive but the location is excellent. I can be over at paradise beach resort in 20 min. I have lots of photos if I can ever find the time to post them. Good to hear from you guys hope someday we can all meet up in the PI.

Take care, Hum & Sallie

[Ray]

Hum,

Post those photos when you get a chance.

I've seen some good deals on new subdivisions but you have to be careful. Make sure it isn't in a flood plain or a possible slide area, and that the sewers, water, electric, and phone lines are in.

I would also invest a few pesos to have an experienced real-estate attorney look at everything. You can't own property as a foreigner, but you can inherit property from your spouse if she pre-deceases you and has a will. There are some other legal safeguards you may be able to have put in place to protect your interests.

[Stephen Brittain]

Hey Hum...

I have consistently heard great things about Davao.  I hear it is a much cleaner city than Manila and that the weather is much nicer than other places in the PHilippines.  And they say the people are very friendly.

I would love to visit Davao and see the area for myself.

Tess and I have often talked about taking a road trip up the coast all the way to Washington.  If we pass through Oregon we would like to stop and have a meal with you and Sallie.

My email is sdbrittain@yahoo.com.

Take care.

Stephen

[Humabdos]

Hi Stephen

For a big city Davao is hard to beat. The mayor has things under control. Davao just got traffic signals and already has 911 system in place. Theirs no trash in the streets and a smoking ban in public places is strictly enforced. Taxi drivers won't over charge or they will lose their job. Drug dealers and criminals are taken care of by the Davao death squad. ( something we badly need in the states)
I've talked to a lot of foreigners living there for years and they love it. The availability of fresh fish, vegtables and fruit is unbelievable! The economy seems to be doing very well.  Their are beach resorts near by with great diving. Most of Sallie's relatives live near Davao so that's a big part of my choice. Thankfully I really like Sallie's relatives none of them have ever caused us any problems at all.  

If you guys come through Oregon you are more than welcome lots to see and do near us! We have a guest bedroom so your welcome to stay.

Hum & Sallie