Living in the Philippines

[Beavis]

Any device that has 110 v 60 hz motors will have their life cut short if used with step down transformers, (110 v with 50 hz). The devices that transfort 60 hz to 50 hz are very expensive and you are better off buying new.

Things that run on battery are much easier, its just a case of converting AC to DC. And DC has no hz problems.

Philippines is 220/60 HZ not 50 HZ like Europe.

[BroScientist]

Several houses have 110 volt power but not all. Otherwise stepdown transformers are the only way I know of unless you have an electrician wire the house with a single 110 feed.

Any device that has 110 v 60 hz motors will have their life cut short if used with step down transformers, (110 v with 50 hz). The devices that transfort 60 hz to 50 hz are very expensive and you are better off buying new.

Things that run on battery are much easier, its just a case of converting AC to DC. And DC has no hz problems.

[GoodEnough]

Several houses have 110 volt power but not all. Otherwise stepdown transformers are the only way I know of unless you have an electrician wire the house with a single 110 feed.

I think most of us who have lived here for a while have 220 V appliances and electronics so it's no issue.

GE.

[Beavis]

For those of you that have moved to PI and have valuable electronics, how have you dealt with this problem outside of just rinky dink stepdown transformers and underpowering equipment designed for 120 v 60 hz? Is it possible to get 120 v power at 60 hz? Maybe in the industrial districts?

Several houses have 110 volt power but not all. Otherwise stepdown transformers are the only way I know of unless you have an electrician wire the house with a single 110 feed.

[Elmer Fuddness]

For those of you that have moved to PI and have valuable electronics, how have you dealt with this problem outside of just rinky dink stepdown transformers and underpowering equipment designed for 120 v 60 hz? Is it possible to get 120 v power at 60 hz? Maybe in the industrial districts?

[Datiao]

Seems to me that is up to the retired persons wishes and desires. I agree with you but many people won't. Real Estate is like never ending rent but some people have a stronger sense of security knowing that they own their domicile or in the case of the PH they own a lease that will someday revert their purchase back to the government. To each his own but the Philippine government has yet to come up with any type of foreign owned real estate program that will attract sound investors.

If a person is staying long term in a particular philipines city, I feel its definitely better to buy than rent as long the price is not overly speculated and my guideline is ROI through rental must be less than 20 years.

I plan to have that as my base and make a short 2 week trip out to other countries maybe once in 2-3 months.

Philipines condos are freehold and not leasehold.

For purely investment wise, there are monthly fees and other taxes which are not cheap, so I would not consider that.

All I can say is individual needs and perspective are different, so to each his own.

My purchase is confirmed anyway and looking forward to move in a few weeks from now.

[Beavis]

Exactly. A retired mf has no business buying shit. That is a young person' s game. When you are retired you are supposed to be free and flexible, not bogged down. And you have to remember that you may like the view of the place, then along comes another building next door blocking your view out.

Actually happened to my apartment in Thailand where the owner built another building. Used to be I could go out and fuck on the balcony and just generally enjoy the night sky. When he built that other building it stays lit up all night. I had to black my windows out to keep the light out at night. If I had bought, I would be pissed. I still live there and can move out at any time though.

A buddy of mine that is retired bought a condo in Pattaya. Well a Russian disco that would blast music all night moved in next door and he could not get any sleep. Luckily he was able to unload it on another sucker.

Just like this Corona stuff is going down now. If something more serious happened where I had to get out of here tomorrow and not look back, then I could do that. I am not going to cry over a TV, some clothes, and a motorbike. If I had X amount invested in some property then I would definitely cry if I had to leave it behind.

And like PP said, those shits get run down quick in these tropics. Dare I mention the elevator situation in those Manila condos. You better live on the 2nd floor so you can take the stairs.

Seems to me that is up to the retired persons wishes and desires. I agree with you but many people won't. Real Estate is like never ending rent but some people have a stronger sense of security knowing that they own their domicile or in the case of the PH they own a lease that will someday revert their purchase back to the government. To each his own but the Philippine government has yet to come up with any type of foreign owned real estate program that will attract sound investors.

[Datiao]

Exactly. A retired mf has no business buying shit. That is a young person' s game. When you are retired you are supposed to be free and flexible, not bogged down. And you have to remember that you may like the view of the place, then along comes another building next door blocking your view out.

Actually happened to my apartment in Thailand where the owner built another building. Used to be I could go out and fuck on the balcony and just generally enjoy the night sky. When he built that other building it stays lit up all night. I had to black my windows out to keep the light out at night. If I had bought, I would be pissed. I still live there and can move out at any time though.

A buddy of mine that is retired bought a condo in Pattaya. Well a Russian disco that would blast music all night moved in next door and he could not get any sleep. Luckily he was able to unload it on another sucker.

Just like this Corona stuff is going down now. If something more serious happened where I had to get out of here tomorrow and not look back, then I could do that. I am not going to cry over a TV, some clothes, and a motorbike. If I had X amount invested in some property then I would definitely cry if I had to leave it behind.

And like PP said, those shits get run down quick in these tropics. Dare I mention the elevator situation in those Manila condos. You better live on the 2nd floor so you can take the stairs.

I have stayed many years in hotels in the philipines and decided to based there after serious consideration.

Being an Asian who travels mainly in Asia is why the flexibility to leave is not a big issue for me.

View blockage by new building, noise by disco music are things that could Happened in your hometown house too.

I m sure coronavirus is also in 100 over countries now.

Most of these condo developers are pino / Chinese partnership, so building quality is definitely better than those built 15 years ago.

Now I m just considering whether to buy a presell which can arrange up to 48 installments or a move in ready Unit which have to pay in full within a month.

[Datiao]

Today, go and look at a Manila condo that is 15 years old. You will see a major depreciation in the quality of that uni and a corresponding decrease in the resale price.

If you are serious to buy, buy a unit that is a few years old already.

I meant the investment amt could be returned in about 15 years non stop renting out.

Definitely buying newly completed units.

Now w the virus effects, many projects are giving discounts.

[Mr Enternational]

Living in Asia is TOTALLY different to visiting, even if visiting frequently over many years.

I'd recommend renting for at least 2 years before buying so that you can choose wisely what and where you want to buy.

Personally, I would rent forever to maintain flexibility

Exactly. A retired mf has no business buying shit. That is a young person' s game. When you are retired you are supposed to be free and flexible, not bogged down. And you have to remember that you may like the view of the place, then along comes another building next door blocking your view out.

Actually happened to my apartment in Thailand where the owner built another building. Used to be I could go out and fuck on the balcony and just generally enjoy the night sky. When he built that other building it stays lit up all night. I had to black my windows out to keep the light out at night. If I had bought, I would be pissed. I still live there and can move out at any time though.

A buddy of mine that is retired bought a condo in Pattaya. Well a Russian disco that would blast music all night moved in next door and he could not get any sleep. Luckily he was able to unload it on another sucker.

Just like this Corona stuff is going down now. If something more serious happened where I had to get out of here tomorrow and not look back, then I could do that. I am not going to cry over a TV, some clothes, and a motorbike. If I had X amount invested in some property then I would definitely cry if I had to leave it behind.

And like PP said, those shits get run down quick in these tropics. Dare I mention the elevator situation in those Manila condos. You better live on the 2nd floor so you can take the stairs.

[PilotPaul]

15 years I would have recoup my investment.

Today, go and look at a Manila condo that is 15 years old. You will see a major depreciation in the quality of that uni and a corresponding decrease in the resale price.

If you are serious to buy, buy a unit that is a few years old already.

[Datiao]

I'm clearly on the rental side just to be more flexible and most of my money stays outside of the Philippines.

Also just with buying a condo it isn't over, it continues with monthly payments for building insurance, tax, maintenance, security and all that.

I m looking at a studio 22 sq m costs about 3 mil w a pool in the city near ammenities, building management fee about 2 k a month. Property tax yet to find out.

Living in Asia is TOTALLY different to visiting, even if visiting frequently over many years.

I'd recommend renting for at least 2 years before buying so that you can choose wisely what and where you want to buy.

Personally, I would rent forever to maintain flexibility but if you do decide to buy vs rent allow for the below:

30% changes in FX rates.

30% increase in living costs.

Becoming disatified with where you bought and you now want to move to another province.

Becoming dissatisfied with PI and you now want to return home.

Significant acute or chronic illness.

Visa regs change making Residence approval more difficult to get or more expensive.

Ms Right goes psycho.

All of the above have happened to many residents and become serious problems for them.

All the best, G.

PS. Obviously, any money you bring into country should be considered gone.

Most of the problems you wrote affect both renting n purchase

Thks G. i hv live in philipines hotels for few years ,travel mainly w jeepneys, so m quite familiar w the city.
I could always sell so not an issue that's why it needs to be in a good location for ease of letting go.More worried about Ms right goes psycho. Haha.

Do lot's of research on the particular unit before buying and read every detail of the contract. Lawyers are cheap in the Philippines so definitely consult with one before proceeding. One advantage of renting is the ability to just up and move, lot's to see and do in the PH. On the other hand having a base that is yours is also an advantage so whatever works for you is all that is important. At the current exchange my monthly rent is $254 USD for a good sized 2 BR house.

Agreed on the up and go flexiibility of renting being the main Advantage of renting.

Yes I want to have a base, location and convenience for ammenities, transport, grocery, shopping is important.

I m looking at a pool studio condo just enough for 2 person stay in a good location in the city.

Your rental of 250 usd is really cheap for a 2 bedroom.

But I don't think it's can be had for a condo in the city center.

The universal truth is that living space is an expense. The oft quoted saying "rent is throwing your money away" is just ridiculous. It cost money for living space, food, clothes etc. One way to consider your question is to ask yourself; Would I buy this as an investment if I wasn't going to live here?

Investment related I have done a rough calculation, 3 million total costs include furnishing and appliances and if I were to rent the Unit out for 20 k a month net profit non stop, 15 years I would have recoup my investment.

A similar airbnb unit rate is about 1. 5 k a night in the area.

But that's secondary. I m buying for staying long term.

Of course I factor out the bank interest I could have earned but that I think is negligible.



Besides the condo price which is still relatively not overly speculated in my opinion compared w other SEA countries, my monthly expenses for the house will be 2k management fee , utilities bill abt 3k n property tax yet to be determined.
I get to live in a good location condo w pool n ammenities nearby.
That really attract me to purchase over renting.
It's abt individual perspective i guess.

Thank you all for your views.

[Ekspat]

I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.

There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.

I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.

Please share your thoughts.

I'm clearly on the rental side just to be more flexible and most of my money stays outside of the Philippines.

Also just with buying a condo it isn't over, it continues with monthly payments for building insurance, tax, maintenance, security and all that.

[Goferring]

I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.

There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.

I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.

Please share your thoughts.

Living in Asia is TOTALLY different to visiting, even if visiting frequently over many years.

I'd recommend renting for at least 2 years before buying so that you can choose wisely what and where you want to buy.

Personally, I would rent forever to maintain flexibility but if you do decide to buy vs rent allow for the below:

30% changes in FX rates.

30% increase in living costs.

Becoming disatified with where you bought and you now want to move to another province.

Becoming dissatisfied with PI and you now want to return home.

Significant acute or chronic illness.

Visa regs change making Residence approval more difficult to get or more expensive.

Ms Right goes psycho.

All of the above have happened to many residents and become serious problems for them.

All the best, G.

PS. Obviously, any money you bring into country should be considered gone.

[Beavis]

I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.

There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.

I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.

Please share your thoughts.

Do lot's of research on the particular unit before buying and read every detail of the contract. Lawyers are cheap in the Philippines so definitely consult with one before proceeding. One advantage of renting is the ability to just up and move, lot's to see and do in the PH. On the other hand having a base that is yours is also an advantage so whatever works for you is all that is important. At the current exchange my monthly rent is $254 USD for a good sized 2 BR house.