Philippines Forum

Cazwik
Joined 2018
Posts: 8

5 years ago

Advice on move to Davao

5 years ago

Hello friends . I posted before but the post never showed... I copied this from another expat forums that didn't get much response ... Hope you guys could help me out ..

Hello All,

I was hoping to get some advice on this big change of life my and my wife are planning. I recently got out of the Army with a small disability pension. Since then I have been working in the oil fields. I began to realize I left one job where I never saw my family to another job where I never see my family but make a lot more money. My wife is from Davao, which I love . Not to long ago we bought a Camella home in buhangin . At first it was a investment / vacation home... but as time goes on we decided we want a simple happy life back in Davao. .

Our plan right now is pay off the rest of our debt, rent the home we own in the US ( possibly sell ) and move to our home in the Philippines around 2021 or 2022. She tells me all the time my little bit of pension from the military is enough to live there if we go debt free.I get around 1500$ a month. I want to stack as much cash as possible while the oil is booming. She also wants to get a small franchise over there for something to do not really anything to get rich on. I on the other hand want to teach martial arts... not sure if there is a big calling for that in the area ( I specialize in Okinawan arts ) again its just something I want to do to keep me from always going to the beach and drinking myself to death. We also are looking into investing in land in Samal Island before the bridge goes up. While we have a drafted plan there are some things we are not sure on and would love your advice!

Some things we need advice on...
-How difficult is it to get our children in a PI school ? (around 8 and 9 by the time we move) How far ahead should we plan ? They are not fluent in bisaya but are learning more everyday.

-When moving vehicles , is it better to sell our vehicles here and buy new there ? ( Is it time to say bye to my Harley? lol ) I have a Charger I would love to take over... but understand getting services in the area may be impossible in the future?

-Is 1500$ enough for a family of 4 now adays in Davao if all our investments went sour? ( always plan for the worst)

-For those that already made the move... would you recommend leaving behind the furniture and taking the bare minimum.... or go ahead and get a overseas moving service? How much are we looking for a total move? ( i honestly just want to take the TVS and computers... the rest we can replace lol)

- Would it be better to send the wife and kids over first while I work for another year or 2 in the oil fields so she could settle in more comfortably? I am curious how others made the final step?

-As far as paperwork , visas , ect What would me and the kids need to live over there? My wife is still a PI citizen living here on a Green Card. She wants to become a US citizen before she leaves... is this wise?

Any advice you could give we surely appreciate.
God Bless
Chad and Jove

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