First Time Renting In Cebu City

[Renee]

Hi guys,

I've just arrived in the Philippines and wanting to pursue a dream of teaching English here for a few months while getting to know family and travelling around (I'm Filipino-Australian). I'm in Maasin City at the moment but I'm starting to get nervous about finding a place to rent in Cebu City. I've found a few places through online searches that look suitable and contacted a few agents, but it's so hard to organise when you're not physically there. I'm just trying to find my feet.
 

My Maasin City family is not that well off and I feel bad asking them to escort me around all the way in Cebu City; I feel bad even staying at their place as I feel like a burden and am keen to be independent.

 

My main priority for the next few days is finding a temporary base in Cebu City from which I can physically house-hunt. My budget allows for 20, 000php per month on accommodation (allowing for deposits/fees/living expenses etc) until I begin employment, but obviously I would like to find a bargain. 

Some of my options for a temporary base in Cebu City while looking for my own place are:

1. To ask if I can rent a room with a cousin who lives in Tisa. Pros: family/friends to guide me. Cons: have not met this person before; may not have space/time for me. 

2. To find a cheap short-term rental while looking for a something long-term, such as a hostel. Pros: Convenience and independence. Cons: may not be secure or safe. 

3. Find a share house with fellow expats. Pros: guidance from fellow expats; make connections. Cons: I don't know if there are such places or how to go about finding them; could be security/safety issues. 

I'm very scared and overwhelmed about doing this alone, am wondering if there are any services/guides that can help me. As I'm a single foreign female I'm also worried about getting ripped off and general safety.

Can anyone please help me out with advice? 

[MikeB]

If the p20k includes living expenses like food, transportation, etc I think you're going to find it difficult to find a clean, safe place up to western standards or anything close. You're going to need to get into the city and network a little. A lot of the best deals are word of mouth. If the Tisa (had to look on the map) place doesn't work out there are a lot of pension houses between the Capital and Fuente Circle, I've heard Casa Rosario is ok, get a weekly or monthly rate and look. But most are geared to foreign tourists so they're not that cheap. As you indicated, safety is the primary concern and there's a cost with that. Good luck.

[Jollygoodfellow]

My main priority for the next few days is finding a temporary base in Cebu City from which I can physically house-hunt. My budget allows for 20, 000php per month on accommodation (allowing for deposits/fees/living expenses etc) until I begin employment, but obviously I would like to find a bargain. 

 

Is your employment going to cover your costs once and if you find that dream?

[Ynot]

it would be great to find out what happened.  Im luckier in that it is some time before i need to worry about this, but i would be interested in any short term accommodation up to 4 weeks without having to pay hotel rates but almost hotel standards if you know what i mean.  Am i dreaming

[Dave Hounddriver]

i would be interested in any short term accommodation up to 4 weeks without having to pay hotel rates but almost hotel standards if you know what i mean.  Am i dreaming

 

Not only are you dreaming, but when you look around at what people ask for their houses/condos/apartments/room for rents you will see they often ask more than a hotel charges.  They are also dreaming.  Its why you will eventually settle for a hotel by the week or month.  Such is my prediction.

 

As to the opening poster, it is not practical to find a long term rental from a distance (in Cebu on your budget) if you are at all particular.  Reason is, there is absolutely no truth in advertising.  You will see pics that are 20 years old when booking and find there is no longer any similarity to the reality when you show up to move in.  You will agree on a price and when you get here find out that the place is already rented out or that there has been a 'price increase'.  In Cebu you find it, agree to a price, pay the rent, and move in.  And you need to do it quickly because if its a good deal and you go for a coffee to think about it then it will be gone when you get back.  Or if its not a good deal then you did not want it anyway.  Unless, of course, you are one of those rich foreigners who pay 30K pesos or more  for a rental.  Always some of those around.

[i am bob]

Would you consider looking at a private room in a boarding house?  That should fit your budget.

[Renee]

Hi everyone and thank you for your responses. It's been a while since I could update.

To fill you in: what I ended up doing was booking a one-week stay at a reasonably-priced hotel with a central location (The Diplomat, F Ramos St if you want to check it out Ynot). From there I established a "base" from which I could house-hunt; compiling lists of ads by night, going to inspections by day. As others have said, I didn't want to commit to anything when I was at a distance, I much preferred to inspect properties/neighbourhoods and talk to estate agents on the spot. Anyone can post stuff on the internet (as my ramblings prove)!

My situation differs somewhat in that I had relatives to help me. In typical Filo style, my cousins in Leyte sent out a bat-signal to everyone they knew in Cebu and before I knew it I had an army of friends/old roommates/in-laws/cousins-of-cousins who were willing to accompany me to inspections or let me know of any vacancies. 

In the end, I settled for a room in a Pension House (boarding house) near Colon, as I am Bob suggested, and am very happy. It is very reasonably priced: 13,500php monthly including all bills. Sure, it's not the Hilton, but I'm not here for tiny soaps. And without doing my beautiful family a disservice, I learned to cope without Western amenities while staying with them, and it didn't kill me. The landlady and her family has made a point of befriending me so I feel safe, and there are common areas in the building in which I could meet some students and hopefully make friends. I am not locked into a contract, therefore if my circumstances change I will be free to move on at the end of the month.

So pretty happy with how it worked out. 

:)

[Dave Hounddriver]

I think you have found a reasonable place.

 

I was surprised when in Colon on Thursday to see a dozen 21 - 25 year old white Canadian girls (and some guys) more than I have seen in the Philippines in years.  They were having supper at 'Our Place' which you can probably find.  A quick chat informed me they are nursing students from Vancouver so keep an eye out in that spot if you are looking for similar age foreigners.  Our place is a great multi cultural hangout and the food is great for expat tastes.

 

Just a suggestion for old guys like me reading this, ask for the Bauer Special (its on the menu).  A FULL plate of veal, egg, potatoes and veggies for only 220 pesos.  I have never been able to eat it all but I can come close.

[Renee]

Thanks Dave! That is within walking/jeepney distance to me, will definitely check it out. :)