Given The Choice Again Where Would You Live & Why

[Singers]

We live about 3 houses away from Aprils parents with most of our neighbours being related in some way. Its a secure area simply due to the way people are even if you arrive at 3am you will often find people napping outside on balconies etc. because its cooler so someone always watching. On top of that we have developed businesses in the area which are run by different family members and we have NEVER had to give remittances everyone here has worked for what we have. The first few months of each business people are working for NOTHING financially but building on a future. A lot of people get caught in the remittance game and I wasn't one of them if people are able bodied they are able to work. If they choose not to its simply not our problem there are things within the family where other members were expecting a free ride but there has been some shock changes (not relating to us but no doubt the way we operate has brought it to the surface). I have enough free loaders in the UK when im there they are called the Unemployed and its collected by tax im not being taxed twice!Regarding where I would live to be honest I don't know if I would want to live in a sub-division. The ones I have seen and been to are packed in like sardines with reduced airflows and virtually no garden. The other question I would ask after a few problems some of the expat's I know have had are you locking the criminals out or locking them in with you?Geographically I think we are well positioned because its not so busy here in Minglanilla. Cebu city is 30mins ride away via SRP, hills/mountains are 5-10mins if we head inland and beaches are 15mins+ away. Why we dont live nearer the beach is simply I can't see the point as we rarely go anyway I would rather have the 2 resorts nearby with pools. I dont like being too remote as I still like to get "Reliable" goods and some imported goods all of which is near to hand here.Would I live on another island? after being here a couple of years I would say no as a lot of the paperwork etc. associated with business is a headache and being in a family area makes it all a lot easier same with construction permits etc.Would I buy a house here? Answer would be yes but not for its "resale value" because the chances of selling are pretty slim and slow. We are here long term and at worst would just become a rental. I wouldn't spend more than P2.5m on a house because simply we don't need it. If anything extra capital will be going into buying other properties. There are too many people who arrive in the Philippines that build big houses and later regret the fact. Whatever you decide I would just take on a rental and move around until happy..

Most of my "post" evaparated??Tom

Tom,Which post would that be & what part 'evaporated'?Gis us a clue mate :th_thimage_265775:UZI

TYPO. Me thinks???Dear UZI 1Thanks,Tom

[Mr Lee]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, It is enlightening to hear how family issues have affected each and the varying ways in which this topic has been dealt with.We have been married for 15 years, I met my wife when we were both working in Hong Kong, she was there in order to support her 3 young children who had been abondoned by their father who has given not one peso to their upkeep in almost 20 years. I also had split from my 1st wife and had children back in the UK who I was supporting financially. Against this background we got married and she followed me around the world from one posting to another, always finding work no matter how menial and sending money home, primarily to cater for her children and her parents who looked after them. She had a number of brothers and sisters who were OFW in well paid employment, therefore there should have been a good stream of money going home, however there really is very little if anything to show for it nowadays. Fortunately we were able to put all the kids through university and ended up with 3 professionally trained and sought after individuals in the medical field who are coming to a point in life where they can soon look after themselves. I think my wife has done a fantastic job in providing for them to the extent she has and she had to make some difficult financial choices with the rest of her family to ensure her children's future was secured.Now we approach retirement we both feel it should be about us. Her parents are ageing and certainly wouldn't want to move and there is no real desire for us to live cloe to them for a variety of reasons, hence why we are looking around. No matter where that will be we still feel there will be some pressure applied from her ageing parents for us to loook after the extended family, thats just the way it is. Everyone is under the misaprehension that we are wealthy; this is so far from the truth, whilst we have a home in the UK paying for it has been a constant struggle and each month was a hand to mouth existance. It is this home, any savings we can accrue between now and then and a government pension which will fund our retirement. We will not be frittering this on people who sould have made better use of the undoubted oportunities which did come their way. It is unfortunate for my wife that she thinks distancing herself from the family is the easiest way to deal with this, fortunately seeing the success her children have become makes that easier.In so far as where, well that remains to be seen. Cebu sounds like a great place to live and we may well drop by there for a few days in May to have another look, it's been 16 years since we last went and that was a bad experience. I do like the advice provided by many that we travel around and rent until happy, that seems sensible in light of the fact resale would be difficult. Last year we came very close to buying a plot of land on Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Cavite, and have not discounted this. The area provides much of what we want, is close to where the children are currently based and therefore a possibility. Tropicalpenpal mentioned the mistake people made of buying big, well I dont have money for that but certainly am looking to spend a few million on land and substantially more to put a 4 bed house on it, is this tyical of the mistake you talk of, or do you mean mansions being built because they could as opposed to needed one. genuinely interested in your thoughts.

Hello again VinonYour family story is basically the same in the family area that I hear over and over, and you should really think long and hard about wanting to be anywhere near them since they obviously squandered all the money that they must have had coming in in the past, so will be seeking more to squander. I feel that should be a sign as to how your future might be with family. As for her parents, that will be a hard decision but if they have other support then your wife can contribute small amounts but parents are still parents and I am sure she will at least wish to visit them from time to time and aging parents will always have medical issues so put that into your plans as to where you wish to live and how easy transportation might be to take a trip to visit but also being on a different island might be a wise thing to think about.The flooding issue has already been brought up so be sure to put that into your plans as well.As for everyone thinking you are rich, that is just how it is and nothing will ever change that. My wifes family will always think we are rich and I guess compared to most Filipinos who have never been out of the Philippines, those of us who have a retirement income are rich when compared to many here, but is it enough for us to live the lifestyle we wish to live and also for us to support out extended families and that is going to be an issue you will surely have to deal with as most of us do, so just set the parameters up front.Now you mentioned a 4 bedroom house and while it is none of my business what you do, I think you would be setting yourself up for a problem so I do have to ask you why you would want such a large and expensive house? Have you really thought that out? If you have 4 bedrooms then you will surely be considered very rich and also someone is bound to wish to fill them for you and come and stay for extended periods of time. In the Philippines it is common for family to just drop in and stay and since you will be considered not only rich but very rich to be able to own such a home, it may very well happen to you and that is why my wife and I only bought 2 small studio one bedroom condos and made them into a 2/2 which is more than enough room for us and an occasional guest but not for anyone to move in with us for any length of time. Everyone will have choices but one thing I feel that should be figured into your retirement is going to be the cost to upkeep your future home and the future cost to upkeep it should we pass on before our wife, and then there will also be the ability to sell issue and the more it cost, the less people will be able to afford to buy it from you should you decide to sell or your wife if she needs to sell it if you should pass before her. The bigger the home the more taxes, electric to cool it, the maintenance to keep it looking good and keep it in order and of course other related issues such as servants needed, so IMO think long and hard if you wish to build a large expensive home or if you wish to do as tropicalpenpals has as already suggested and I am suggesting, to stay in the lower price range of homes. Of course the choice is your but we who come from other countries often do not think about some of the issues that I have just brought up and in the Philippines we really need to think about them or we may end up living an uncomfortable retirement life.

[UZI]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, It is enlightening to hear how family issues have affected each and the varying ways in which this topic has been dealt with.We have been married for 15 years, I met my wife when we were both working in Hong Kong, she was there in order to support her 3 young children who had been abondoned by their father who has given not one peso to their upkeep in almost 20 years. I also had split from my 1st wife and had children back in the UK who I was supporting financially. Against this background we got married and she followed me around the world from one posting to another, always finding work no matter how menial and sending money home, primarily to cater for her children and her parents who looked after them. She had a number of brothers and sisters who were OFW in well paid employment, therefore there should have been a good stream of money going home, however there really is very little if anything to show for it nowadays. Fortunately we were able to put all the kids through university and ended up with 3 professionally trained and sought after individuals in the medical field who are coming to a point in life where they can soon look after themselves. I think my wife has done a fantastic job in providing for them to the extent she has and she had to make some difficult financial choices with the rest of her family to ensure her children's future was secured.Now we approach retirement we both feel it should be about us. Her parents are ageing and certainly wouldn't want to move and there is no real desire for us to live cloe to them for a variety of reasons, hence why we are looking around. No matter where that will be we still feel there will be some pressure applied from her ageing parents for us to loook after the extended family, thats just the way it is. Everyone is under the misaprehension that we are wealthy; this is so far from the truth, whilst we have a home in the UK paying for it has been a constant struggle and each month was a hand to mouth existance. It is this home, any savings we can accrue between now and then and a government pension which will fund our retirement. We will not be frittering this on people who sould have made better use of the undoubted oportunities which did come their way. It is unfortunate for my wife that she thinks distancing herself from the family is the easiest way to deal with this, fortunately seeing the success her children have become makes that easier.In so far as where, well that remains to be seen. Cebu sounds like a great place to live and we may well drop by there for a few days in May to have another look, it's been 16 years since we last went and that was a bad experience. I do like the advice provided by many that we travel around and rent until happy, that seems sensible in light of the fact resale would be difficult. Last year we came very close to buying a plot of land on Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Cavite, and have not discounted this. The area provides much of what we want, is close to where the children are currently based and therefore a possibility. Tropicalpenpal mentioned the mistake people made of buying big, well I dont have money for that but certainly am looking to spend a few million on land and substantially more to put a 4 bed house on it, is this tyical of the mistake you talk of, or do you mean mansions being built because they could as opposed to needed one. genuinely interested in your thoughts.

Hello again VinonYour family story is basically the same in the family area that I hear over and over, and you should really think long and hard about wanting to be anywhere near them since they obviously squandered all the money that they must have had coming in in the past, so will be seeking more to squander. I feel that should be a sign as to how your future might be with family. As for her parents, that will be a hard decision but if they have other support then your wife can contribute small amounts but parents are still parents and I am sure she will at least wish to visit them from time to time and aging parents will always have medical issues so put that into your plans as to where you wish to live and how easy transportation might be to take a trip to visit but also being on a different island might be a wise thing to think about.The flooding issue has already been brought up so be sure to put that into your plans as well.As for everyone thinking you are rich, that is just how it is and nothing will ever change that. My wifes family will always think we are rich and I guess compared to most Filipinos who have never been out of the Philippines, those of us who have a retirement income are rich when compared to many here, but is it enough for us to live the lifestyle we wish to live and also for us to support out extended families and that is going to be an issue you will surely have to deal with as most of us do, so just set the parameters up front.Now you mentioned a 4 bedroom house and while it is none of my business what you do, I think you would be setting yourself up for a problem so I do have to ask you why you would want such a large and expensive house? Have you really thought that out? If you have 4 bedrooms then you will surely be considered very rich and also someone is bound to wish to fill them for you and come and stay for extended periods of time. In the Philippines it is common for family to just drop in and stay and since you will be considered not only rich but very rich to be able to own such a home, it may very well happen to you and that is why my wife and I only bought 2 small studio one bedroom condos and made them into a 2/2 which is more than enough room for us and an occasional guest but not for anyone to move in with us for any length of time. Everyone will have choices but one thing I feel that should be figured into your retirement is going to be the cost to upkeep your future home and the future cost to upkeep it should we pass on before our wife, and then there will also be the ability to sell issue and the more it cost, the less people will be able to afford to buy it from you should you decide to sell or your wife if she needs to sell it if you should pass before her. The bigger the home the more taxes, electric to cool it, the maintenance to keep it looking good and keep it in order and of course other related issues such as servants needed, so IMO think long and hard if you wish to build a large expensive home or if you wish to do as tropicalpenpals has as already suggested and I am suggesting, to stay in the lower price range of homes. Of course the choice is your but we who come from other countries often do not think about some of the issues that I have just brought up and in the Philippines we really need to think about them or we may end up living an uncomfortable retirement life.

Hi Vinon,You are getting some excellent advise here but perhaps some clarification is needed from both sides on your 'Mansion'. Stating you will build a 4 bedroom house means nothing here. I have seen many new houses that are 3 or 4 bedroom with 2 bathroom/CR upstairs and the house is less than 100sqM on a lot of less than 150sqM. The bedrooms being so small you couldn't get much more than the bed in. I see you are Scottish & as a Sassenach we both know of such small houses being built in the UK. I have lived in Kuwait & we also know what a Mansion looks like in Saudi.So, the real questions are:1. What size lot are you looking at? (around 150 - 300sqM is normal in sub divisions) Ours is !91 sqM2. What size house are you looking to build. Ours is 115sqM plenty big enough for the 2 of us & has a typical large master bed, std guest room plus small (sgl bed) spare room plus bathroom with full size bath. (see picture). 3. Why a 4 bedroom? Does that include maids room?Lee is spot on with his comment on family filling up spare room but that isn't restricted to how many spare rooms you have. Filipinos will happily sleep 'sardinas' & have no problem sleeping on the floor as long as there is space :17403:So, what are your plans on that? When we have a better idea on size of lot & house we can better advise you. Maybe you want to start a new thread if it is to become a discussion on what type of house, construction etc & put in a link back to this thread.:cheersty:UZI

[Singers]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, It is enlightening to hear how family issues have affected each and the varying ways in which this topic has been dealt with.We have been married for 15 years, I met my wife when we were both working in Hong Kong, she was there in order to support her 3 young children who had been abondoned by their father who has given not one peso to their upkeep in almost 20 years. I also had split from my 1st wife and had children back in the UK who I was supporting financially. Against this background we got married and she followed me around the world from one posting to another, always finding work no matter how menial and sending money home, primarily to cater for her children and her parents who looked after them. She had a number of brothers and sisters who were OFW in well paid employment, therefore there should have been a good stream of money going home, however there really is very little if anything to show for it nowadays. Fortunately we were able to put all the kids through university and ended up with 3 professionally trained and sought after individuals in the medical field who are coming to a point in life where they can soon look after themselves. I think my wife has done a fantastic job in providing for them to the extent she has and she had to make some difficult financial choices with the rest of her family to ensure her children's future was secured.Now we approach retirement we both feel it should be about us. Her parents are ageing and certainly wouldn't want to move and there is no real desire for us to live cloe to them for a variety of reasons, hence why we are looking around. No matter where that will be we still feel there will be some pressure applied from her ageing parents for us to loook after the extended family, thats just the way it is. Everyone is under the misaprehension that we are wealthy; this is so far from the truth, whilst we have a home in the UK paying for it has been a constant struggle and each month was a hand to mouth existance. It is this home, any savings we can accrue between now and then and a government pension which will fund our retirement. We will not be frittering this on people who sould have made better use of the undoubted oportunities which did come their way. It is unfortunate for my wife that she thinks distancing herself from the family is the easiest way to deal with this, fortunately seeing the success her children have become makes that easier.In so far as where, well that remains to be seen. Cebu sounds like a great place to live and we may well drop by there for a few days in May to have another look, it's been 16 years since we last went and that was a bad experience. I do like the advice provided by many that we travel around and rent until happy, that seems sensible in light of the fact resale would be difficult. Last year we came very close to buying a plot of land on Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Cavite, and have not discounted this. The area provides much of what we want, is close to where the children are currently based and therefore a possibility. Tropicalpenpal mentioned the mistake people made of buying big, well I dont have money for that but certainly am looking to spend a few million on land and substantially more to put a 4 bed house on it, is this tyical of the mistake you talk of, or do you mean mansions being built because they could as opposed to needed one. genuinely interested in your thoughts.

Hello again VinonYour family story is basically the same in the family area that I hear over and over, and you should really think long and hard about wanting to be anywhere near them since they obviously squandered all the money that they must have had coming in in the past, so will be seeking more to squander. I feel that should be a sign as to how your future might be with family. As for her parents, that will be a hard decision but if they have other support then your wife can contribute small amounts but parents are still parents and I am sure she will at least wish to visit them from time to time and aging parents will always have medical issues so put that into your plans as to where you wish to live and how easy transportation might be to take a trip to visit but also being on a different island might be a wise thing to think about.The flooding issue has already been brought up so be sure to put that into your plans as well.As for everyone thinking you are rich, that is just how it is and nothing will ever change that. My wifes family will always think we are rich and I guess compared to most Filipinos who have never been out of the Philippines, those of us who have a retirement income are rich when compared to many here, but is it enough for us to live the lifestyle we wish to live and also for us to support out extended families and that is going to be an issue you will surely have to deal with as most of us do, so just set the parameters up front.Now you mentioned a 4 bedroom house and while it is none of my business what you do, I think you would be setting yourself up for a problem so I do have to ask you why you would want such a large and expensive house? Have you really thought that out? If you have 4 bedrooms then you will surely be considered very rich and also someone is bound to wish to fill them for you and come and stay for extended periods of time. In the Philippines it is common for family to just drop in and stay and since you will be considered not only rich but very rich to be able to own such a home, it may very well happen to you and that is why my wife and I only bought 2 small studio one bedroom condos and made them into a 2/2 which is more than enough room for us and an occasional guest but not for anyone to move in with us for any length of time. Everyone will have choices but one thing I feel that should be figured into your retirement is going to be the cost to upkeep your future home and the future cost to upkeep it should we pass on before our wife, and then there will also be the ability to sell issue and the more it cost, the less people will be able to afford to buy it from you should you decide to sell or your wife if she needs to sell it if you should pass before her. The bigger the home the more taxes, electric to cool it, the maintenance to keep it looking good and keep it in order and of course other related issues such as servants needed, so IMO think long and hard if you wish to build a large expensive home or if you wish to do as tropicalpenpals has as already suggested and I am suggesting, to stay in the lower price range of homes. Of course the choice is your but we who come from other countries often do not think about some of the issues that I have just brought up and in the Philippines we really need to think about them or we may end up living an uncomfortable retirement life.

Hi Vinon,You are getting some excellent advise here but perhaps some clarification is needed from both sides on your 'Mansion'. Stating you will build a 4 bedroom house means nothing here. I have seen many new houses that are 3 or 4 bedroom with 2 bathroom/CR upstairs and the house is less than 100sqM on a lot of less than 150sqM. The bedrooms being so small you couldn't get much more than the bed in. I see you are Scottish & as a Sassenach we both know of such small houses being built in the UK. I have lived in Kuwait & we also know what a Mansion looks like in Saudi.So, the real questions are:1. What size lot are you looking at? (around 150 - 300sqM is normal in sub divisions) Ours is !91 sqM2. What size house are you looking to build. Ours is 115sqM plenty big enough for the 2 of us & has a typical large master bed, std guest room plus small (sgl bed) spare room plus bathroom with full size bath. (see picture). 3. Why a 4 bedroom? Does that include maids room?Lee is spot on with his comment on family filling up spare room but that isn't restricted to how many spare rooms you have. Filipinos will happily sleep 'sardinas' & have no problem sleeping on the floor as long as there is space :17403:So, what are your plans on that? When we have a better idea on size of lot & house we can better advise you. Maybe you want to start a new thread if it is to become a discussion on what type of house, construction etc & put in a link back to this thread.:cheersty:UZI

Small is best! A BIG house to Pinoy is 3 bed.2 bed is enough for a couple with no Kid's. Or even Children.Tom Edited February 20, 2010 by Mr. Lee
to remove non relative info

[Mr Lee]

Lets try to keep this thread on topic and I made a topic HERE to discuss houses and sizes of houses we would like to have or do have and why.

[vinon]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, It is enlightening to hear how family issues have affected each and the varying ways in which this topic has been dealt with.We have been married for 15 years, I met my wife when we were both working in Hong Kong, she was there in order to support her 3 young children who had been abondoned by their father who has given not one peso to their upkeep in almost 20 years. I also had split from my 1st wife and had children back in the UK who I was supporting financially. Against this background we got married and she followed me around the world from one posting to another, always finding work no matter how menial and sending money home, primarily to cater for her children and her parents who looked after them. She had a number of brothers and sisters who were OFW in well paid employment, therefore there should have been a good stream of money going home, however there really is very little if anything to show for it nowadays. Fortunately we were able to put all the kids through university and ended up with 3 professionally trained and sought after individuals in the medical field who are coming to a point in life where they can soon look after themselves. I think my wife has done a fantastic job in providing for them to the extent she has and she had to make some difficult financial choices with the rest of her family to ensure her children's future was secured.Now we approach retirement we both feel it should be about us. Her parents are ageing and certainly wouldn't want to move and there is no real desire for us to live cloe to them for a variety of reasons, hence why we are looking around. No matter where that will be we still feel there will be some pressure applied from her ageing parents for us to loook after the extended family, thats just the way it is. Everyone is under the misaprehension that we are wealthy; this is so far from the truth, whilst we have a home in the UK paying for it has been a constant struggle and each month was a hand to mouth existance. It is this home, any savings we can accrue between now and then and a government pension which will fund our retirement. We will not be frittering this on people who sould have made better use of the undoubted oportunities which did come their way. It is unfortunate for my wife that she thinks distancing herself from the family is the easiest way to deal with this, fortunately seeing the success her children have become makes that easier.In so far as where, well that remains to be seen. Cebu sounds like a great place to live and we may well drop by there for a few days in May to have another look, it's been 16 years since we last went and that was a bad experience. I do like the advice provided by many that we travel around and rent until happy, that seems sensible in light of the fact resale would be difficult. Last year we came very close to buying a plot of land on Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Cavite, and have not discounted this. The area provides much of what we want, is close to where the children are currently based and therefore a possibility. Tropicalpenpal mentioned the mistake people made of buying big, well I dont have money for that but certainly am looking to spend a few million on land and substantially more to put a 4 bed house on it, is this tyical of the mistake you talk of, or do you mean mansions being built because they could as opposed to needed one. genuinely interested in your thoughts.

Hello again VinonYour family story is basically the same in the family area that I hear over and over, and you should really think long and hard about wanting to be anywhere near them since they obviously squandered all the money that they must have had coming in in the past, so will be seeking more to squander. I feel that should be a sign as to how your future might be with family. As for her parents, that will be a hard decision but if they have other support then your wife can contribute small amounts but parents are still parents and I am sure she will at least wish to visit them from time to time and aging parents will always have medical issues so put that into your plans as to where you wish to live and how easy transportation might be to take a trip to visit but also being on a different island might be a wise thing to think about.The flooding issue has already been brought up so be sure to put that into your plans as well.As for everyone thinking you are rich, that is just how it is and nothing will ever change that. My wifes family will always think we are rich and I guess compared to most Filipinos who have never been out of the Philippines, those of us who have a retirement income are rich when compared to many here, but is it enough for us to live the lifestyle we wish to live and also for us to support out extended families and that is going to be an issue you will surely have to deal with as most of us do, so just set the parameters up front.Now you mentioned a 4 bedroom house and while it is none of my business what you do, I think you would be setting yourself up for a problem so I do have to ask you why you would want such a large and expensive house? Have you really thought that out? If you have 4 bedrooms then you will surely be considered very rich and also someone is bound to wish to fill them for you and come and stay for extended periods of time. In the Philippines it is common for family to just drop in and stay and since you will be considered not only rich but very rich to be able to own such a home, it may very well happen to you and that is why my wife and I only bought 2 small studio one bedroom condos and made them into a 2/2 which is more than enough room for us and an occasional guest but not for anyone to move in with us for any length of time. Everyone will have choices but one thing I feel that should be figured into your retirement is going to be the cost to upkeep your future home and the future cost to upkeep it should we pass on before our wife, and then there will also be the ability to sell issue and the more it cost, the less people will be able to afford to buy it from you should you decide to sell or your wife if she needs to sell it if you should pass before her. The bigger the home the more taxes, electric to cool it, the maintenance to keep it looking good and keep it in order and of course other related issues such as servants needed, so IMO think long and hard if you wish to build a large expensive home or if you wish to do as tropicalpenpals has as already suggested and I am suggesting, to stay in the lower price range of homes. Of course the choice is your but we who come from other countries often do not think about some of the issues that I have just brought up and in the Philippines we really need to think about them or we may end up living an uncomfortable retirement life.

Hi Vinon,You are getting some excellent advise here but perhaps some clarification is needed from both sides on your 'Mansion'. Stating you will build a 4 bedroom house means nothing here. I have seen many new houses that are 3 or 4 bedroom with 2 bathroom/CR upstairs and the house is less than 100sqM on a lot of less than 150sqM. The bedrooms being so small you couldn't get much more than the bed in. I see you are Scottish & as a Sassenach we both know of such small houses being built in the UK. I have lived in Kuwait & we also know what a Mansion looks like in Saudi.So, the real questions are:1. What size lot are you looking at? (around 150 - 300sqM is normal in sub divisions) Ours is !91 sqM2. What size house are you looking to build. Ours is 115sqM plenty big enough for the 2 of us & has a typical large master bed, std guest room plus small (sgl bed) spare room plus bathroom with full size bath. (see picture). 3. Why a 4 bedroom? Does that include maids room?Lee is spot on with his comment on family filling up spare room but that isn't restricted to how many spare rooms you have. Filipinos will happily sleep 'sardinas' & have no problem sleeping on the floor as long as there is space So, what are your plans on that? When we have a better idea on size of lot & house we can better advise you. Maybe you want to start a new thread if it is to become a discussion on what type of house, construction etc & put in a link back to this thread.UZI

Hi Uzi/Mr Lee,I am fortunate in that my wife will be provide for by a widows pension scheme aligned to my pension and an old age pension fro the UK Govt, which should keep the wolves from the door. In so far as maintenance, upkeep, heating, ac etc etc, unless I have got things drastically wrong this will be much cheaper than anything I would have to pay in the UK for our current small home.I have no firm plans, only ideas based on what I don't want, which is small house with smal rooms. Our house in UK is typical of mass produced new build houses and we both find our UK bedrooms to be claustrophobic, fall out the bed and bang your head on the wall. This has been brought home to us in our current house which is provided to me by my employers, and way way much bigger than what we need but we are finding we love the space; two of us in a 3 bed, 3 bath home with separate office and huge kitchen is ridiculous but is very easy to contend with when we don't have to pay for it, I would love to replicate that space if it is within our budget and I think PI allows for that and still leaves enough to maintaine a very small bolt hole in the UK should it all go drastically wrong. To put it in context I can sell my UK home which is in a cheap town in England, buy a small apartment in a cheaper location in Scotland, realise capital enough to buy a dream home in PI and live totally mortgage free. If the dream goes wrong we return to Scotland, pay the monthly bills but in a smaller home, but at least we would have tried to live the dream we thought we wanted.I have only really looked at one place in the PI with any real interest and that was a golf course where plots were from 400m2 to 1200m2, having had an idea of the house we wanted (2,500 to 3,000ft2) some outdoor living space and maybe even a pool, we thought we would need a plot about 500-600m2. Why do I want so big?, well we have 3 children in the PI and 1 grandchild, 2 kids in UK as well as a big family who will want to visit, but more importantly I suppose is because we can afford to do it. Will any of them live with us full time? I really hope not but the ability to cope with extended visits without cluttering up floor space is attractive to us. (I am no neat freak but falling over bodies on the floor would probably frustrate me).I've also had enough of paying a very large percentage of my income for a tiny house which hardly served our needs. So all in all it's probably a bit of a dream and maybe even a wee bit OTT but it is about affordability. Having said all that I am extremely thankful for all the advice here, after all many of you will have made mistakes or seen them made by others and understanding them will better inform my decisions.As Lee has created another thread on houses, I can ask many more questions about this issue there but wanted to resond to those kind enough to offer their opinions. Edited February 20, 2010 by vinon

[vinon]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, It is enlightening to hear how family issues have affected each and the varying ways in which this topic has been dealt with.We have been married for 15 years, I met my wife when we were both working in Hong Kong, she was there in order to support her 3 young children who had been abondoned by their father who has given not one peso to their upkeep in almost 20 years. I also had split from my 1st wife and had children back in the UK who I was supporting financially. Against this background we got married and she followed me around the world from one posting to another, always finding work no matter how menial and sending money home, primarily to cater for her children and her parents who looked after them. She had a number of brothers and sisters who were OFW in well paid employment, therefore there should have been a good stream of money going home, however there really is very little if anything to show for it nowadays. Fortunately we were able to put all the kids through university and ended up with 3 professionally trained and sought after individuals in the medical field who are coming to a point in life where they can soon look after themselves. I think my wife has done a fantastic job in providing for them to the extent she has and she had to make some difficult financial choices with the rest of her family to ensure her children's future was secured.Now we approach retirement we both feel it should be about us. Her parents are ageing and certainly wouldn't want to move and there is no real desire for us to live cloe to them for a variety of reasons, hence why we are looking around. No matter where that will be we still feel there will be some pressure applied from her ageing parents for us to loook after the extended family, thats just the way it is. Everyone is under the misaprehension that we are wealthy; this is so far from the truth, whilst we have a home in the UK paying for it has been a constant struggle and each month was a hand to mouth existance. It is this home, any savings we can accrue between now and then and a government pension which will fund our retirement. We will not be frittering this on people who sould have made better use of the undoubted oportunities which did come their way. It is unfortunate for my wife that she thinks distancing herself from the family is the easiest way to deal with this, fortunately seeing the success her children have become makes that easier.In so far as where, well that remains to be seen. Cebu sounds like a great place to live and we may well drop by there for a few days in May to have another look, it's been 16 years since we last went and that was a bad experience. I do like the advice provided by many that we travel around and rent until happy, that seems sensible in light of the fact resale would be difficult. Last year we came very close to buying a plot of land on Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Cavite, and have not discounted this. The area provides much of what we want, is close to where the children are currently based and therefore a possibility. Tropicalpenpal mentioned the mistake people made of buying big, well I dont have money for that but certainly am looking to spend a few million on land and substantially more to put a 4 bed house on it, is this tyical of the mistake you talk of, or do you mean mansions being built because they could as opposed to needed one. genuinely interested in your thoughts.

To put it simply: First of all, what will be you and your wife's immigration status coming into the Philippines? Balikbayan or 13a residential permanent visa? Where do you plan to stay upon your arrival in the Philippines? Once you have a place to stay temporarily, take an extended vacation around the Philippines to determine where you want to settle down! Set up an Itinerary the places you plan on visiting, including transportation, food and lodging etc. 1. Travel light, so you don't end up dragging dead weight all over the place! 2. Always determine if your valuables will be safe weather you take them with you or leave them in your place of stay where ever that may be. 3. Make sure you always have easy access to your money from anywhere you are at and have ample cash available for emergencies. 4. Have a good cellphone or mini laptop with you that works anywhere. 5. Know where the Embassies or BI main or satellite offices are at every place you visit. If all else doesn't pan out from your arrival, stay close to your wife's adult children in Cavite and look around there for an apartment, house or condo to rent and look around to see if it may be your future retirement area, since her adult kids will know the area pretty well! Your wife may change her mind and just stay close to her kids and not look elsewhere to buy your retirement home! Good luck!

Hello Vinon,No matter what your profession might be, I really admire your analytic planning by researching and learning from this wonderful forum. Based on my own mistakes as a Filipino, I'm also conducting research to facilitate my return a few years from now.Some things to think about: (list is not all inclusive, maybe some items trivial)At your future residence, any chronic insect or rodent infestation; any evidence of past flooding or sewage backup due to drainage problems in home or street; (Most of Cavite City is flood zone area)Neighbors drinking session and playing loud karaoke late at night or roosters crooning "My Way" early in the morningIf willing to purchase house/lot/condo, are the titles clean???Noise and environmental pollution to consider just outside your sub-division, such as a pack of dogs barking and running a gauntlet around their fresh droppings; improper disposal of trash; nearby bars and nightclubs activities in regards to children being traumatizedAccess to public transportation to international schools, hospitals, markets, shopping malls, immigration offices for visa renewal; airports.Peace and order situation in your immediate and regional areaNearest consulate or embassy of your nationality in order to seek out a safe haven CONTROL OF UNINVITED VISITORSGranted not all items can be satisfied according to my/your preference -- probably need to compromise depending on tolerance levelRespectfully -- Jake

Hi Jake,Your thoughts made me smile, all the points re neighbourhood you post above I see outside the in laws home, I certainly don't think them trivial and are the type of thing which could send the uninitiated over the edge.