About Andyfarquar

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Philippines: How much are you really living on?:

I have friends who survive on extremely small incomes but I would say to be comfortable, you need at least $2,000 per month. I live with my girlfriend in my own home but if I was renting it, the rent would be $350, the water is around $22 and the electric is $85. I spend around $100 per month on gasoline, my tv & internet (such as it is) costs another $35. We spend around $300 on eating out, cinema and ktv, which is our chosen pastime. Add in the cellphone costs, personal care and groceries will put another $400 on the bill. Car servicing, flights to visit my son in the south, replacement costs for appliances and household repairs brings the whole thing up to around $2,000 but that doesn't include annual international travel, insurances, emergencies etc.

Philippines: Life Insuirance in the Philippines:

Acordant, if you bought the house as a married couple, you have 50% ownership of the house & land title through your conjugal rights. The common belief that foreigners can't own property is actually wrong, as stated by the supreme court. The problem foreigners face is that we can't legally transfer a property into our sole name because it is not allowed by the 1986 constitution. This part is important... If your wife transferred the house into her name after you were married, it is a legal requirement that you sign the transfer, indicating your conjugal permission. Without it, the transfer is open to be challenged in court as a criminal offence (estafa) may have been committed. Further, if your wife pre-deceases you, Filipino law allows for you to inherit the property and it can legally be transferred into your sole name. There are many many precedents for this. As for the insurance policy, I agree with LRod50 you may find it cheaper to insure your life in the US, with your spouse as your beneficiary. I just did a similar thing in the UK with London Victoria Assurance - £100k (P7.1m) of cover for 20 years at under £33 (P2,350) per month. I don't agree however, that being a sole provider is an American Trait..... except in America of course.

Philippines: What island in the Philippines, has the least disasters, and is the best or one of the best places to live, and Why?:

I lived in Davao for a number of years and found it friendly, very low crime rate compared to other places in the north. Costs are generally lower except for property which is surprisingly expensive, especially in the nicer subdivisions. The city is sheltered by Samal Island so almost never gets hit by a typhoon. Beaches are not so attractive around Davao because of the grey, volcanic sand. They are much better on Samal, with white sand and organised entertainment, clean swimming areas. With the new malls arriving in recent years, shopping is excellent in Davao and the traffic is not so bad as Manila, 20 times better than Cebu. The streets are clean too, people seem to care more and smokers are strictly restricted to dedicated smoking areas, not tolerated in public areas, even in the street. The mayor is a real disciplinarian and keeps the criminal elements at bay. Having said all that, Davao is too far from our family connections and I am looking towards Bacolod. I need space and greenery, my wife & daughter need shopping and a school plus access to family. We all need a cinema within easy reach. The best compromise I can see is the slopes above Bacolod along Alijis Road near the Coca Cola bottling plant. Bacolod has an international airport, ferry terminal to Iloilo & Manila and is the mid point of the 'Trans Philippines Eco Tourism Route'. Bacolod is sheltered from typhoons by the mountain range behind. There are hot springs at Mambukal (and a vampire bat sanctuary), so I guess that means the area is still active from a volcanology perspective.... Doesn't put me off though.

Date Joined:

6/25/2015

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