Angeles City
Things I wish I had brought.... an American mattress, my car and a good electrical generator. What might I left at home? Nothing I can think of to be honest, everything I brought, I used.
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There have been some tremendous price increases in real estate over the past few years. The old Clark Air Force base is a busy international airport, growing in flights annually. You can still find some real bargains to both rent and purchase. Most of the people I know rent and few pay more than $150 a month for a somewhat worn but still comfortable American type home with 3 bedrooms and a single bath. People who pay much more than this are really overpaying. You can hire labor for about $4 a day so doing a little fix up work is really quite inexpensive. If you can't own it yourself you are better off renting. Do not trust your Filipina girl friend or even wife. I've seen several guys purchase homes in their wifes name and once the paperwork is completed the wife's attitude changes and the fellow is left outside with nothing. If you rent it's amazing how loyal a Filipina remains.
A previous poster stated that the schools there were not too good. I would strongly disagree. For about $800 a year I send my daughter to a very good private school there and after her first year she spoke and could read and write English almost as good as I. I was truly amazed at how well she was educated. Six years old and she could read almost anything. Her writing lags behind her reading somewhat but she certainly can read quickly and her pronunciation is excellent. It's mostly at university level where the schools tend to fall off. Also there was a comment about the girls in the bars wearing numbers? I've been in AC for 15 years and a lot of that time I was in bars, never have I seen a girl wearing a "number" they do wear a government issued ID that shows they are at least 18 years of age and can legally work in the establishment. The numbers thing is in Thailand, not Angeles City, Philippines.
The Philippines is a very poor country to you have to be streetwise and on your guard but it's not unlike living in most older US neighborhoods. Given the oportunity the filipinos will try to take advantage, as they themselves say "It's our culture".
I like it there and where else in the world can you live quite comfortably on $300 a week and get by speaking English?
Mine is typical but larger than most in the neighborhood. 6 bedrooms, 4 baths and truly huge living and dining rooms. It's the standard concrete block/stucco home and I was fortunate enough to also buy the lot behind my home so I now have a huge yard with one of the best possible views in the city.
I reasearced a bit, found a reputable real estate person and found a great home near one of the gates to Clark. It was former US military housing and actually fairly nice.
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I had a filipina wife so we purchased our home about 10 years ago. Homes were extremely inexpensive back then due to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. I bought everything for under $30,000 US and spent maybe $5000 more on improving the bathrooms and kitchen. Additionally I bought a few window type air conditioners as it does get rather hot there. One thing to be aware of, electricty is not cheap there and running a single air conditiong unit can increase your electric bill by $100.
My wife died a few years later and I now own the property myself. Be aware, that is the only way a "foreigner" can actually own land in the Philippines.
An Expat Shares What it's Like Retiring in Angeles City, Philippines
An expat in the Philippines talks about choosing to retire in Angeles City for the lower cost of living. He appreciates the Filipino people, lower crime rate and lifestyle.
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Expats moving to the Philippines join others that have moved there for work or a lower cost of living during retirement. It's critical to understand what the realities of living there are, but those that successfully make the adjustment believe it is a good place to live.
I am a 47yr old Australian women who has recently returned from a business trip from Angeles City with the intention of moving there. I decided not to be ignorant to the night life and spent several nights looking around the streets and visiting the bars (with my husband). And sorry to say yes in some bars the girls do where numbers. However unlike Australia where the industry is unregulated it is what I would consider tame compared to the strip clubs I have seen here.
shgetovritYou provided a great information on your move to the Philippines. I am planning on retiring initially to Boracay Island. Not the most cost effective place, but has many amenities (gated apartment, lots of activities, good restaurants, security etc.) to make the overseas transition easy. Good perspective on being wise about how attitudes can change. Any lessons learned would be greatly appreciated. Rick
AloisBajgarCrime in Angeles city.We have been living in this area now for 6 months(Mabalacat area).We dont drive,so we dependet on tricycles and jeepnys for our transportation.We have been target for crime 3 times.The jeepnys from Checkpoint( Astro park)to Angeles are infested with thieves and robers.Robers work in group of 3.They hold big brown envelopes with ice picks.They usually do their crime by Abacan bridge.(right past Robinsons).The police do nothing.Other unsafe area is in Dau.(Marina,Jenra,bus station).This area is full of drug addicts and thieves.According to our relatives,who live around this area,even the police is connected with the criminals.Becouse of extensive crime in this area,we advise tourist to stay away from this area and go to safer area (like Davao city),where the goverment does something about crime.Here in Pampanga ,they do nothing.Upset retiree.
ronreconLove to know about living in Cebu city. a nice apartment of condo, with security, pool, very nice location and walking distance to certain conveniences I must live there because I am U S marine vet with minor disabilities because of Chong Hu Hospital..
guestI spent quite a few months in Angeles City in 2014 and 2015. I began living in a 3 bed townhouse for 30k per month, but was told there were plenty cheaper, so I did look around for something else. Unfortunately i didn't find anything really suitable, but ended up finding something nicer. It was the same size, 80sqm, but only 1 bedroom, but cost 37k per month. There were many options at about 20k but all very small and cramped with little privacy. These are prices for furnished accommodation western style with hot water etc. I met some locals paying 6k ($140) per month for a tiny single room, about 16sqm, with bathroom. If I could find a decent size house for that price, I would be very interested. As far as the bars are concerned, some of them do have girls with numbers (the larger bars) but some do not, mainly the smaller ones.
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An Expat Talks about Culture Shock & Living in Batangas City, Philippines
A retired US Naval Officer and his Filipina wife moved to Batangas City. He shares how he has adapted to live in the Philippines, what he appreciates most about the Filipino culture and more.
An Expat Discusses Living in Davao, Philippines
An expat who has lived in Davao, Philippines for 10 years says that life in Davao revolves around socializing, eating, drinking and living a nice and happy life -- in and surrounded by nature. Although there is some work to be found in Davao, he explains that it's best to have remote Internet-based work from outside the country.
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The Philippines attracts the interest of expats from all over the world - truly has a lot to offer for a variety of different people. However, it's also important to understand the pitfalls that can be avoided with appropriate homework and preparation.
Moving to the Philippines: 7 Things to Know Before You Move to the Philippines
Expats moving to the Philippines join others that have moved there for work or a lower cost of living during retirement. It's critical to understand what the realities of living there are, but those that successfully make the adjustment believe it is a good place to live.
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