An Expat Talks about Moving to Guimaras, Philippines

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Guimaras

Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.

The things we wanted but could not get were relatively minor (ant powder, for example) and since we arrived three months ahead of the container, the second question is largely irrelevant.

CitizenM
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It's impossible to confuse citizenM with any other hotel. We don't look or sound like anyone else. Bold, vibrant, and artistic - that's us. Our rooms cater to modern travelers - enormous ultra-comfortable beds, unlimited free Wi-Fi and 24/7 food and drinks always waiting at canteenM. And best of all, our ambassadors are every guest's best friend.

CitizenM

It's impossible to confuse citizenM with any other hotel. We don't look or sound like anyone else. Bold, vibrant, and artistic - that's us. Our rooms cater to modern travelers - enormous ultra-comfortable beds, unlimited free Wi-Fi and 24/7 food and drinks always waiting at canteenM. And best of all, our ambassadors are every guest's best friend.
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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

Brace yourself for endemic poverty and filth, poor infrastructure and noise and humidity.

Personally, I would avoid most city environments except, perhaps, gated compounds.

What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?

Detached house perched over the sea. (Renovated by us on arrival)

Not many ex-pats on Guimaras. The few that are here tend to live in the kind of palatial circumstances (beach/ pools/ maids/ security guards, etc)that I can merely drool about.

How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?

Close to my parents-in-law and therefore my wife's home village

Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?

Much lower. Total cost of our house in Philippines in 2000 was 10,000 including all white goods and three months building work. (Really.) Similar property in the UK multiply by a factor of at least 10.