Family With Very Complex Needs Seeks Home In Philippines

[Markham]

Welcome to the Forum, Mamadavid,

 

In addition to Subic and Cebu, I would recommend to pay a visit to Davao in the south of Mindanao. It is (probably) the cleanest and safest city in the whole country and costs generally are a little less than elsewhere. It is also the only city with a fully-functioning 911 service which, one hopes, you'll never need but it is reassuring that it's there, just in case. There are direct daily flights to Singapore, Cebu, Manila and Clark and we should also be having daily flights to Hong Kong once Dragonair (Cathay subsidiary) gets the slots it wants. There are a few beaches at the southern end of the city but most Davaoenos take the 10 minute vehicular ferry link to Samal Island where there are a number of day resorts with good beaches and safe swimming. There are several very good hospitals within the city.

 

A word of warning: with the possible exception of Davao, nowhere here caters for the disabled such as those tied to a wheelchair.

 

There are several universities including the Ateneo de Davao but, sad to say, in common with most universities in the country they are not up to western standards and often unkindly referred to as "diploma mills". There are international schools in Cebu, Subic/Olongapo and Manila but they are very expensive. The only one whose curriculum is British is (I believe) Brent School (Olongapo and Manila). Alternatively and for about the same cost, your daughter could attend Bromsgrove International School in Thailand which is the sister school to a British Public (means 'private' in this context) school by the same name in Worcestershire, UK., and take her A Levels there.

[mamadavid]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. 

 

OnMyWay, could you give me an idea of rental prices for a 4 bedroom apartment / house in Subic Freeport Zone?  You say it's up in the hills -- what would it be like pushing a wheelchair around the area? 

 

Markham, Davao also looks very attractive, especially if Cathay begins serving it.  How is internet service?  Also, what are rental prices like?  

 

We need quite a bit of space because our son needs a room to set up and use all his equipment (mobile hoist, physiotherapy table, mats, exercise bike, enough unencumbered space to walk around with his walker).  There will be five of us, a large dog (need some kind of garden or immediate access to somewhere he can run) and possibly another nurse or physiotherapist living in.  Need a pool that's accessible and not crowded.  

 

I imagine two alternatives: live somewhere with everything at our doorstep (not cheap I imagine) or find accommodation without all the extras and have a car and driver to to take us where we need to go (our son is able to transfer from his wheelchair into a regular car so no need for an adapted vehicle).  Whatever the case we would want to live somewhere quiet, safe and pleasant, as getting out is always a major undertaking.  Would like to be close to some cafés / bars / restaurants -- somewhere both our kids could meet people and socialise. Our daughter is a musician (plays bass guitar and is learning banjo and keyboard) and would like to be able to get instruction and also to perform / join a band. 

 

Are we asking the impossible? 

 

As always, your advice is appreciated. 

[Markham]

Markham, Davao also looks very attractive, especially if Cathay begins serving it.  How is internet service?  Also, what are rental prices like?

The best internet service here is provided by Sky Cable but it is only available in two sub-divisions currently; that service is up to 10 megabit. Rental prices here are a little more reasonable than Cebu or Manila although you can pay Php150,000 a month for a luxury property.

 

We need quite a bit of space because our son needs a room to set up and use all his equipment (mobile hoist, physiotherapy table, mats, exercise bike, enough unencumbered space to walk around with his walker).  There will be five of us, a large dog (need some kind of garden or immediate access to somewhere he can run) and possibly another nurse or physiotherapist living in.  Need a pool that's accessible and not crowded.

To be honest, I rather doubt you will find a suitable property in Davao. It's not the number of rooms that's the problem, it's the room sizes that you'll have a problem with - and almost nowhere has large gardens. I really think your best options will be "Maria Luisa" in Cebu or one of the former US military houses in Subic. If you choose "Maria Luisa", you will almost certainly require a car (and driver); it is a large, sprawling sub-division in the hills at the northwest end of the city.

 

[Geoff Thomas]

Thank you Geoff.  We will definitely get in touch before we come.  Some of the properties on your site look really nice.  When you're living in a sub-division or condo, how much are the management fees (as a percentage of rent or per square meter for example)? 

Subdivision association fees are minimal as are water costs in subdivisions here eg: Paradise Village City centre 24 hour guards were we live cost 1500 peso per month water max 500 peso per month. 

Condominiums average about 60 to 70 peso per sq/mtr for the Condo dues so much more expensive 

[joeatmanila]

According to your needs Subic or Clark are the best places. You can rent a big house with pool plus close distance to all the amenities you mentioned. Just give the search to a few agents and they will find the best that suits your needs.

Usually none of the expats is looking for housing through an agent but in your case, you do need to utilize one so to assist your search. Sorry i do not know any agent.

 

Good luck and all the best.

[OnMyWay]

Sorry for the late reply.

 

 

OnMyWay, could you give me an idea of rental prices for a 4 bedroom apartment / house in Subic Freeport Zone?

 

 

A large house will probably that would meet all of your requirements will probably be 30,000 to 60,000 pesos a month.

 

 

You say it's up in the hills -- what would it be like pushing a wheelchair around the area? 

 

 

There are not any businesses in the residential areas, so the only reason to take the wheelchair out would be to get some exercise.  It is hilly but most of the small streets have a flat area.  Our cul-de-sac street is fairly flat for about 1/16 of a mile.  You do need a car if you live in the Freeport Zone.

 

 

We need quite a bit of space because our son needs a room to set up and use all his equipment (mobile hoist, physiotherapy table, mats, exercise bike, enough unencumbered space to walk around with his walker).

 

 

The bedrooms and other rooms are usually very big here.  I would guess that 70% are 2 story but there are 1 story too.

 

 

need some kind of garden or immediate access to somewhere he can run)

 

Many of the houses have good sized gardens but less have a good fenced in area.  I happen to know of a 4 bedroom duplex with a huge yard available for around 35-40k.  The yard was too big for us and you would need gardener to spend a lot of time taking care of it.  The yard would be gorgeous after it is fixed up.  If has a gazebo and a small basketball court and a fence.

 

 

possibly another nurse or physiotherapist living in.

 

 

Many of the houses have maid's quarters.

 

 

Need a pool that's accessible and not crowded.

 

 

The pool in our neighborhood that I mentioned should meet those needs.

 

live somewhere with everything at our doorstep (not cheap I imagine)

 

 

That is not really available here.  Probably the way to get that would be to rent a big condo in a big city.

 

 

or find accommodation without all the extras and have a car and driver to to take us where we need to go (our son is able to transfer from his wheelchair into a regular car so no need for an adapted vehicle).

 

 

As I said above, you will need a car here.  If you can drive, you may not need a driver if you are going to stay around the Freeport.  Driving is easy here.

 

 

Whatever the case we would want to live somewhere quiet, safe and pleasant, as getting out is always a major undertaking.

 

 

Our neighborhood is very quiet and safe, and beautiful.  If you want to send me a personal message with your e-mail, I can send you some pictures.

 

 

Would like to be close to some cafés / bars / restaurants -- somewhere both our kids could meet people and socialise.

 

 

Have you been to the Philippines before?  Would I be correct in assuming one of the key attractions is the low cost of caregivers?  The Subic Bay Freeport Zone is quite different from most areas of the Philippines, but it is relatively small.  There is a nice new mall and the main downtown area is undergoing a constant upgrading.  The mall is the main attraction in the Freeport and there are quite a few bars and restaurants in the area.

 

I know a nice agent who could help you if you decide to look at places.  She is low/no pressure and we did not rent our house from her, but she showed us some nice places that were within our budget.

 

Good luck with your search!