I'm looking to visit the Phillipines this year, and have considered living abroad for a season. Can anyone provide input on their experiences, pros and cons, places to go or stay, etc? Much appreciated!
Then why go? Petty crime is rampant. Shopping is great. You can get everything really cheap, but you can do the same in most Asian countries. What are your plans? Just jump off the grid for a year? Or are do you have specific goals? The Air Force used to have a base there. Clark Air Base. It was destroyed by a volcano. At the time, the US and PI were in negotiations to extend agreement and PI was playing hard ball, so when the base was destroyed, the Air Force just left and has no intention of going back. Hurt their economy pretty bad. A very low ranking Airman was making more than a Philippine high ranking official. Here is the standard explanation prior to any Clark AB story: "Whatever you heard, it's true." Trust me, some crazy stories of the X rated variety.
With my work, I can work from anywhere right now. I've taken a major beating financially from my divorce because I was overly generous for reasons previously disclosed, so in casual conversation with someone recently, the cost of living abroad came up. It got my attention. I guess watching a few YouTube videos from ex-patriots living abroad indicate you could live comfortably on $1200 a month over there. Same is true in other countries elsewhere, but this happens to be the first one I'm researching. Low overhead, lots of Laker fans, and Filapina women happen to like white guys Just for fun I posted on a dating site over there, and received a response unlike I've experienced before. Some are fraudulent, and some are Ladyboys? :Randallconfused: But, lots of responses from attractive ladies. Some of the videos I watched explain the cultural fascination with lighter skin, and how visitors might be high in demand trophy types lol. I'm into very curvy types, so that eliminates most locals that are slightly built, but a few options were quite intriguing. Looks like a very beautiful and scenic place with lots of outdoor activity available. I'm really needing to make some huge changes from a mental and physical health perspective. It's a very new whimsical thought, but exploring the idea. Not a lot holding me where I'm at right now, and it could coincide with financial recovery. The interesting thing about being 13 hours ahead is that I could be available beginning and end of the US workday CST, and work some in what is overnight here in peace. After the game of course.
Beware culture shock. I jumped in and just moved to Jamaica, and the culture shock was too much for me. I'd recommend visiting and scouting out a few areas before making a decision if you can afford it because once you're there, if you decide you don't like it, it's hard to move again.
Omg please let us in on the dating site exploits. Gotta be gold. We need to see this stuff! Pics, convos....
that reminds me of a "social experiment" I did once on Tinder. Thread worthy lol. I did something similar there, but with my own pictures. Content of profile: 75, but can't change my age. 5'11", but 6'2" in heels. Neutered but Love kids. Especially with BBQ sauce. Have a few extra lbs, but hey, I had 4 kids Love the Lakers and God I'm not wearing makeup in any of my 10 yr old pics SoCal native (Don't judge) just moved to Atlanta after 10 yrs in TX Must have a bigger chest than me, but smaller balls #ballsnotnegotiable Funny, capable, passionate, spontaneous, affectionate, grounded Christian looking for similar but better looking. Y'right! All I can say is it worked.
I have only had a couple of conversations because I've been working, and they are all PG content. Most I unmatched quickly because there was no way to talk to everyone. Just fun knowing the options I guess. This one is a mountaineer and chef This one recently decided to become self employed and sells stuff on the internet. I'm not even sure I want to be close to the capital in Manila, so not much purpose in talking that much. Just too busy. Those are their best pictures, and some of the others aren't as flattering. Some were supermodel types, but very lean/skinny. Looks like not a ton of plastic surgery over there for most women, which I like. I hear they have close knit families, and that sounds awesome. I figure if I go, I'm better off looking after I get settled. But putting the toe in the water was a bit of an ego boost. I did send the d*** pics I referenced in another thread to one of them, and they had no idea who d*** Clark, Chaney, or Van Dyke were lol
Hello buddy I worked and lived for twenty (20) years in Manila but returned last year to my province in Negros Occ. The traffic jams in Metro Manila are stuff of legends so I would not recommend staying there for even a minute. I live about 90 kilometers from this place...if you are into this kind of thing
If you want the usual touristy stuff you can go to Boracay, El Nido Palawan and Panglao Bohol. But obviously a bit pricier than my province. Here in my province I can promise copious amounts of alcohol, local beer or imported brandy for free, each time we meet
That looks like a beautiful area, wow! Yes I heard Manila is overcrowded, so that didn't sound attractive. Not looking for stress, trying to reduce it. I'd like to find an area that is very scenic like you've shown, but still has the major services like good high speed internet, restaurants, misc shopping, and the possibility of meeting lots of people. I don't think I would get a car while there, so being in range of stuff in a pretty safe region is important. When you say touristy stuff, what does that include in your mind? Just want to make sure I understand. Is Tagalog difficult to learn? And I'd like to host Laker parties !!!
?????? What are you referring to exactly? There does seem to be a more noticeable population of "ladyboys" than where I am in the US on dating sites. I was surprised by that, and hopefully someone would disclose that up front if you were interested in them. That wouldn't be a pleasant surprise at all. Yikes!
Ok internet speed is iffy anywhere in this country but I'll say I can stream tv series with decent speed in my nick of the woods. Shopping malls and good restaurants will be miles away from the good beaches and vice versa so you'll have to choose what you'll prioritize. Negros Occidental is one of the safest and cleanest places in the country. Touristy means the number of foreigners visiting will overwhelm the place. Boracay, Palawan, Bohol are these type of places so it becomes much more expensive than it should be. Most people here will understand you better in english than tagalog because every region has a different dialect.