Ideal place where to buy lot in the Philippines?

[Freebie]

15 hours ago, BrettGC said:

Is this the one you're talking about?  

Yes thats the one. I too was turned away when I was just riding around first time. Found an agent and had a look and didnt really like. Well set up indeed and good security but there wasnt really much by way of infrastructure  around that area at all. Would be better for young families I think.

Took a road behind there and some very large houses, and then some very small one.. so there would be a large house right next to where a guy kept 20 plus chickens/roosers.. sari sari stall next to a 6 bedroom house.... Town planning, not around there lol

[OnMyWay]

On 7/25/2022 at 6:01 AM, Mike J said:

Welcome Crispy.   A reasonably large plot of land with that has the characteristics on your list is going to be in great demand and thus command a very high price.  That is just kind of true anywhere, not just in the Philippines.  You will have better luck if you can reduce the number of desirable items on the list.  Good luck.

Here is a good deal!  

  

 

[hk blues]

18 hours ago, BrettGC said:

Camella also has a large lot/house area, it caters for 1 bedroom townhouses up to 5 bedroom stand alone houses.  Grounds are nice and well kept, security was on the ball and wouldn't let us in without an agent he knew.  We were actually quite impressed with the entire setup.  

We're in a Camella property here in Iloilo.  Yes, the community is well looked after with gardeners and security mostly OK.  Looks better than many similar developments in the area. 

There are 2 locations in Iloilo, one with only town houses and the other with 5 separate phases with each catering to slightly different markets - one is high-end where properties start at 10m.  3 of the phases have swimming pools - we're luckily in one of them.  Pretty much all of the houses are 5 or 6 bedrooms whilst the town houses are 2 bed.  We actually rented one of the town houses for 3 months and it was OK(ish) but there are just rows and rows of identical units  (only 2 models) and, in all honesty, resembled an army barracks.  They have also just opened a 3rd location nearby ours which seems to be mainly single-level 2 bed units as far as I know.  

If you're looking for and expecting "Western" standards then you'll be disappointed but with a bit of time and money the basic solid unit can be brought up to standard.  It's taken us 7 years but we're almost there - I've literally just put the finishes touches to our son's bedroom this week and then we're done.

(Of course, we're not as It will be just about time to start over again!)

[Kingpin]

On 7/27/2022 at 10:08 AM, Crispy said:

It makes made me wonder, how Chinese have been able to gain a foothold in the Philippines when they have always been classed as Aliens, just like us?

Is it because they changed their Chinese names, or obtained citizenship?

Citizenship, for generations "Chinoy" are everywhere.

On 7/27/2022 at 10:08 AM, Crispy said:

As part of our Reirement Visa process i.e. local investment, are we still allowed to own property as part of those visa conditions?

Only condos, and if you ever sell it, the funds from the SRRV deposit return to the PRA bank.

[Crispy]

1 hour ago, hk blues said:

We're in a Camella property here in Iloilo.  Yes, the community is well looked after with gardeners and security mostly OK.  Looks better than many similar developments in the area. 

There are 2 locations in Iloilo, one with only town houses and the other with 5 separate phases with each catering to slightly different markets - one is high-end where properties start at 10m.  3 of the phases have swimming pools - we're luckily in one of them.  Pretty much all of the houses are 5 or 6 bedrooms whilst the town houses are 2 bed.  We actually rented one of the town houses for 3 months and it was OK(ish) but there are just rows and rows of identical units  (only 2 models) and, in all honesty, resembled an army barracks.  They have also just opened a 3rd location nearby ours which seems to be mainly single-level 2 bed units as far as I know.  

If you're looking for and expecting "Western" standards then you'll be disappointed but with a bit of time and money the basic solid unit can be brought up to standard.  It's taken us 7 years but we're almost there - I've literally just put the finishes touches to our son's bedroom this week and then we're done.

(Of course, we're not as It will be just about time to start over again!)

I first went to Iloilo City almost 40 years ago (my age is showing now) and I liked it a lot back then. I stayed in an unusual hotel/pension, which was a big old Spanish mansion with the rooms built in trees up and around the balcony on the upper floor. If I recall, they had a great BBQ and seafood eating area down by the wharf as well? I've seen pics online recently of the city and I have to say, it's one of the best well planned cities in the south. It's almost as if the city planners are doing their jobs correctly!

I had a Camella Homes in Mactan at the end of my street and sad to say it was in a sorry state, almost ghetto like and riddled with shabu and mangy dogs. I was seeing a girl living there and I dreaded going there at night with every sceond street light out of action. It was however a very old subdivision, probably 30 years plus old now, so the condition speaks for itself. I rented at BF Homes in one of those row townhouses you're talking about. Mine was a bit wider than most, I was working at the time during the day, so the noise next door and outside in the street didn't worry me much on week days and on weekends booze did the trick. I was at the end of a court, so through traffic wasn't a problem, but the security guys couldn't keep the stray dogs out from raiding our rubbish bins. Beggars used to come around asking for our scraps to feed pigs, making it questionable about where the scraps would end up.

How much do you think it would cost to buy two townhouses and knock out the wall inbetween? I was tempted to do that with an apartment in Manila some years ago.

I agree with you completely regarding western standard expectations. Years ago, when I built my house in Mactan, they had no PVC water pipes, only galvanised and a most of the affordable plumbing and tap fittings were of questionable standard. The only high quality house fittings and paint used were those I brought over in a container from Aus or expensive US and European imported products. I believe the standard of hardware has improved substantially to 20 years ago? It's a good thing you are there to supervise the tradesmen, or are you doing some work yourself, like I did? I'm currently renovating a retirement investment property here in Australia where tradesmen are just as expensive as doctors and lawyers.

 

[hk blues]

1 hour ago, Crispy said:

I first went to Iloilo City almost 40 years ago (my age is showing now) and I liked it a lot back then. I stayed in an unusual hotel/pension, which was a big old Spanish mansion with the rooms built in trees up and around the balcony on the upper floor. If I recall, they had a great BBQ and seafood eating area down by the wharf as well? I've seen pics online recently of the city and I have to say, it's one of the best well planned cities in the south. It's almost as if the city planners are doing their jobs correctly!

I had a Camella Homes in Mactan at the end of my street and sad to say it was in a sorry state, almost ghetto like and riddled with shabu and mangy dogs. I was seeing a girl living there and I dreaded going there at night with every sceond street light out of action. It was however a very old subdivision, probably 30 years plus old now, so the condition speaks for itself. I rented at BF Homes in one of those row townhouses you're talking about. Mine was a bit wider than most, I was working at the time during the day, so the noise next door and outside in the street didn't worry me much on week days and on weekends booze did the trick. I was at the end of a court, so through traffic wasn't a problem, but the security guys couldn't keep the stray dogs out from raiding our rubbish bins. Beggars used to come around asking for our scraps to feed pigs, making it questionable about where the scraps would end up.

How much do you think it would cost to buy two townhouses and knock out the wall inbetween? I was tempted to do that with an apartment in Manila some years ago.

I agree with you completely regarding western standard expectations. Years ago, when I built my house in Mactan, they had no PVC water pipes, only galvanised and a most of the affordable plumbing and tap fittings were of questionable standard. The only high quality house fittings and paint used were those I brought over in a container from Aus or expensive US and European imported products. I believe the standard of hardware has improved substantially to 20 years ago? It's a good thing you are there to supervise the tradesmen, or are you doing some work yourself, like I did? I'm currently renovating a retirement investment property here in Australia where tradesmen are just as expensive as doctors and lawyers.

 

The sub-division we are on is about 25 years old although our section is only 8 years old.  Currently the area is still looking well but the row townhouse section we rented in seemed dodgy but probably wasn't and we never witnessed anything untoward.

As for the build quality - most definitely acceptable but not up to maybe the standards we'd expect back home. Over time we've had to replace a lot of plumbing fittings but the PVC piping itself has stood up well. Honestly speaking, I'm not so sure there's a need to import the more basic hardware items nowadays but more specialised items you won't find easily.  Paint is absolutely fine if you stick to Boysen and Davies to name but 2.    As for getting work done, I take care of the basic stuff but I have (and know) my limits so bring in trusted guys to do the work.  I like to watch them work but not so much to supervise as to learn and also make sure nothing is lost in translation.  Of course, at 600php or so a day it's affordable compared to Aus etc.

As for Iloilo, for sure the place has developed even in the 7 years I've been here, with 3 or 4 nightlife hubs compared to 1 when I 1st came.  I'd recommend it for a family or couple but for a single guy not so much, nor for someone who likes an ex-pat community around him.  

[Crispy]

23 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Here is a good deal!  

  

 

I agree with whast you're saying about my wish/hit list, I'm currently whittling it down as we speak.

Some things on my list can be sacrificed and others modified to be more flexible.

For instance less 100 klms from a major city/airport.

Same with banks/chemist, big shopping centre etc. so I can make a monthly trip if need be.

I believe the medical/hospital one is the most important requirement as we're not getting any younger.

This year I had cholsetrol issues for the first time in my life and arthritis creeping in, which may be austioperosis my doc tells me.

Gees, those lot prices for Bulacan are astronomical! I've been looking at Palawan during the past few days and I've seen land prices

there that are mind blowing too. I guess Palawan is the flavour of the month right now as it's on every tourist radar. I tell you what

though, the beaches are to die for, if you're into that sort of thing? I wonder what the Exapt scene is like in and around Puerto Princessa?

 

 

[OnMyWay]

1 minute ago, Crispy said:

This year I had cholsetrol issues for the first time in my life and arthritis creeping in, which may be austioperosis my doc tells me.

Off topic.  Be wary of what your doctor tells you to do.

 

[Crispy]

14 hours ago, hk blues said:

As for Iloilo, for sure the place has developed even in the 7 years I've been here, with 3 or 4 nightlife hubs compared to 1 when I 1st came.  I'd recommend it for a family or couple but for a single guy not so much, nor for someone who likes an ex-pat community around him.  

So, there's not much of an Expat community around there in Iliilo City? I would go stir crazy if I couldn't talk to another western person for more than a month. Don't get me wrong, I had Filipino mates in Mactan, when I lived there, it's just that my Tagalog skills are beginer level and I feel uncomfortable when I'm at a place where everybody around you is speaking it, or Visaya. It even happens here in Aus at Filipino parties sometimes, but fortunately, my wife's group of barcadas converse mostly in English. 

Mactan was good for the Expat community thing. I was fortunate, I had a few close Aus, US, Canadian and Scandinavian mates whom I could call on for support. I can't say that heavy drinking every day was my cup of tea, but you can avoid that scene and limit it to once or twice a week. I know a few Expats in Mactan that have suffered badly from excessive drinking, one in fact passed away from it. When I retire over there long term, I plan to keep myself active doing some hydroponic gardening, snorkelling, bike riding (electric scooter not push bike) and lot's of travelling/blogging in other places. I have already travelled over 50% of the Philippines in my younger years, there's still plenty unexplored territory for me to see.

[Crispy]

23 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Here is a good deal!  

  

 

Are you in Subic now, if you don't mind me asking?

I have been to Olongapo, Subic and Bario Barretto.

In fact, when the US naval base was firing up there, I used to visit Ologapo from manila, just to see the live bands.

If you have a history of the place, one of my favourites was the Zeppelin Club and another one, but the name escapes me, but it was in a huge theatre right next door to the Playboy club.

I used to have a blast drinking Mojo on the upper deck of some bar on Magsaysay watching the scene below.

I went to Bario Baretto with my ex-wife, who wasn't really into the loud rock n roll bar scene, so unfortunately we only swam at the beach there one time.

I looked at land prices in Barretto and Zambales last week, it's rather expensive compared to the south, presumably due to its closeness to Clark and Manila?

The Expressway and international flights to Clark Airport has also made it much more accessible these days as well.