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I need a suggestion from those mates who know Davao, the Philippines and the scene of every single place well.

I will spend 2 months in the Philippines. I have already booked a comfortable apartment in Avida Towers for a month via AirBnb, because I managed to find a good price. Then thinking that there is also the great University nearby, all this enticed me to book. But after a few days of booking and after speaking with the owner of the apartment, I had my first doubts.

In Avida Towers it is not possible to have a place for a scooter, it is not possible to have a place for a bicycle. Avida Towers is located on a major main road where there is chaos. As soon as you leave you are besieged by the chaos of traffic and noise. My flight will arrive at 6 am and check in is after 3 pm, although I can self check in, but only if the room is available.

Then there is also the fact that if I get tired of staying in that area, I will necessarily have to stay there because I have already paid for the entire month.

Since I can still cancel the reservation without incurring penalties, I would like your advice.

I also looked for other apartments in that area but they are almost all located in Avida Towers. I can also move to other places a little further south and book for 2 weeks and then see if everything goes well, but the apartments are not as interesting as those in Avida Towers and cost more.

What would you do? However I will not consider a hotel because I like to cook. Thanks for some dispassionate advice!

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3048821]Being with a Filipina for many days is often boring. You can't laugh, you can't joke, you can't do or say what you think, otherwise he gets angry. In fact, almost no Filipina can understand how much you are joking. It takes everything as true. So you have to change your way of being and this annoys me a lot. [/QUOTE]Good call. That was the Pea's exact point.

Newbs beware, when meeting regular girls, you are often dealing with people who speak a limited amount of English. They speak with an accent (ox-cent); mix up the letters V and B -- "Look my phone, its bivrate"; and F and P -- "I want to fregnint"; they say 'she' when they mean 'he', and say 'he' when they mean 'she'; and she won't understand your humor while you won't understand hers. It can be a bit maddening. Then you get laid with a pretty girl who bangs you dry. Its an acquired taste. Welcome to it.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3048821]I met a girl from near Davao who understood me immediately. But it only happened once. She was a 25 year old girl who was so passionate about me that she longed to meet me again. I remember that once I was in Cagayan de Oro and I sent her a greeting. She was drooling just to see me on cam even for just 5 minutes. When I opened the camera she was almost teary-eyed with happiness. But then I had a girl who was more beautiful than her, even if much less sweet. Eheheheheh.[/QUOTE]So you met a pretty girl who was into YOU, then you dropped her for a prettier girl who was less into you. And they say men are dogs.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049004]I need a suggestion from those mates who know Davao, the Philippines and the scene of every single place well.

I will spend 2 months in the Philippines. I have already booked a comfortable apartment in Avida Towers for a month via AirBnb, because I managed to find a good price. Then thinking that there is also the great University nearby, all this enticed me to book. But after a few days of booking and after speaking with the owner of the apartment, I had my first doubts.

In Avida Towers it is not possible to have a place for a scooter, it is not possible to have a place for a bicycle. Avida Towers is located on a major main road where there is chaos. As soon as you leave you are besieged by the chaos of traffic and noise. My flight will arrive at 6 am and check in is after 3 pm, although I can self check in, but only if the room is available.

Then there is also the fact that if I get tired of staying in that area, I will necessarily have to stay there because I have already paid for the entire month.

Since I can still cancel the reservation without incurring penalties, I would like your advice.

I also looked for other apartments in that area but they are almost all located in Avida Towers. I can also move to other places a little further south and book for 2 weeks and then see if everything goes well, but the apartments are not as interesting as those in Avida Towers and cost more.

What would you do? However I will not consider a hotel because I like to cook. Thanks for some dispassionate advice![/QUOTE]You left out the worst part. Avida has [B]VERY[/B] strict guest and curfew rules for Airbnb's. And they are enforced. No guests after 10 pm. Only guests registered at check-in. No additions or change outs. You won't be having random girls joining you throughout your stay.

I booked a week and walked away after one night. Fuck Avida and fuck AirBnB.

The road is busy but I wouldn't describe it as crazy. There are numerous apartment blocks further down, closer to Gaisano. I don't know if / where they are advertised. Maybe book somewhere in the area for a night or two and ask in person. Poblacion is a handy area to stay in: good transport options; easy for girls to get to; lots of eating and shopping; numerous universities and medical colleges nearby.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2947349]Just arrived in Davao and let me tell you Daddy is home!!

An epic rant in how fucked up staying at Avida is. I thought a nice place, in a good location, impress the good girls. Played it safe booking double occupancy. WRONG!! No visitors allowed. None! Not only after 10 pm. Never! Only people included on the Guest Register are allowed. Forget any 11th hour hookups online. Ain't going to happen. Only one Guest Register. Can't add strays. Special rules for Airbnb.

I'm walking away from my booking and checking out tomorrow morning. Fuck Airbnb and fuck Avida.

Enjoy. G.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Goferring;3049100]You left out the worst part. Avida has [B]VERY[/B] strict guest and curfew rules for Airbnb's. And they are enforced. No guests after 10 pm. Only guests registered at check-in. No additions or change outs. You won't be having random girls joining you throughout your stay.I booked a week and walked away after one night. Fuck Avida and fuck AirBnB.[/QUOTE]You couldn't give me more precious news than this. In two days I will cancel my reservation and go somewhere else, but first I have to figure out where. You told me Poblacion. But Poblacion, but Poblacion area is very large. I need to think well before canceling my reservation at Avida Towers.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049004]In Avida Towers it is not possible to have a place for a scooter, it is not possible to have a place for a bicycle. Avida Towers is located on a major main road where there is chaos. As soon as you leave you are besieged by the chaos of traffic and noise. My flight will arrive at 6 am and check in is after 3 pm, although I can self check in, but only if the room is available.
[/QUOTE]Condo residences either sell or rent their limited parking slots to its residents. You will need to contact your owner / host and ask if their slot is available (if they have one). Alternately you can wait until you are there and ask Admin if they can rent you one that is not being used. I've never been in a condo where they allow anyone to park in their lot who hasn't paid for a slot. Its not an open parking garage, like at a mall (its a money-maker amenity). Someone else weigh in. Almost every time I've asked an owner / host if I can use their slot, they reply that they don't own one. However one owner was chatting me in the unit when I checked in, and when I asked him if I could rent a motorcycle and use his parking slot, he said that he owns one but does not allow his guests to use the slot. "Usually I just tell tenants that I don't have one". He said that he needs the slot open for himself when he comes to the building, as parking on the street in the area was limited.

And alternately, you can call Avida's admin before you arrive and ask about the parking situation.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049108]You couldn't give me more precious news than this. In two days I will cancel my reservation and go somewhere else, but first I have to figure out where. You told me Poblacion. But Poblacion, but Poblacion area is very large. I need to think well before canceling my reservation at Avida Towers.[/QUOTE]Finding a suitable condo etc will be much easier when you are physically in town. You will be able to check location, fitout, security issues etc in person vs online promises.

As I said previously, book a night or two accommodation anywhere in the area. Use that time to drive or walk around and do inspections in person. There are many condos in Poblacion, some of which are not listed on Airbnb etc.

G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;3049158]Finding a suitable condo etc will be much easier when you are physically in town. You will be able to check location, fitout, security issues etc in person vs online promises.

As I said previously, book a night or two accommodation anywhere in the area. Use that time to drive or walk around and do inspections in person. There are many condos in Poblacion, some of which are not listed on Airbnb etc.[/QUOTE]I used AirBnB again to find another apartment / Studio. I fould not far from Gaisano in Poblacion. It is in Ivory Residences.

I asked the owner: "Can I bring guests without problems? I mean 1 at a time. Or are there strict rules?" he responded like this: "You may bring 1 guest at a time. But must log in at the reception".

I don't know if the guest policy is as restrictive everywhere as that in Avida Towers.

Anyway, you told me to check in person once I'm there, but who should I ask? Do I have to go to a Real Estate Agency?

You don't specify where I should go and who to ask. I don't think it's easy in a big city, what you're telling me.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049177]I asked the owner: "Can I bring guests without problems? I mean 1 at a time. Or are there strict rules?" he responded like this: "You may bring 1 guest at a time. But must log in at the reception. I don't know if the guest policy is as restrictive everywhere as that in Avida Towers".[/QUOTE]That's not restrictive, its as good as it gets. The owner is saying you can bring your girlie guest in. Just register her at the reception desk. It would appear that you are ready to go.

I asked 3-4 condo owners of large buildings and they all gave me the same answer.

This thing bothers me a lot, not because I don't want to register my guests, but because there is mistrust about me. This bothers me.

If anyone can tell me what I can do to go to apartments or condos without registering guests, I would be happy, otherwise I get anxious.

Maybe I'll have to stay on the outskirts. Hahahaha.

However Davao is pissing me off!

This is their reply:

"If the visitors are not registered, they may not be allowed to enter the building otherwise not. This is part of the building's strict security policy.

These protocols are standard for most Airbnb units and hotels in Davao lately, especially following a recent incident involving an Airbnb unit in another building not in Messa tierra that's someone killed. As a result, building management has implemented stricter security measures to ensure the safety of all guests and residents.

This is a firm rule throughout Davao. At this point I don't know whether to cancel the Avida Towers reservation."

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049177]I don't know if the guest policy is as restrictive everywhere as that in Avida Towers.

Anyway, you told me to check in person once I'm there, but who should I ask? Do I have to go to a Real Estate Agency?

You don't specify where I should go and who to ask. I don't think it's easy in a big city, what you're telling me.[/QUOTE]Ayala is one of the nicest condo towers in town so it's no surprise that it also has the highest security. There might be some buildings where you can just walk in and up to your room unrestricted but they will be the oldest buildings with the worst features. Security is seen and marketed as a positive so the better the building the stricter it will be. Westie is correct in that guests (especially those of questionable intention) signing in upon entry is the default standard. To be honest, do you really want strangers to be able to enter and roam around the building unquestioned?

Just walk in the front door and there will be a reception desk where you can ask if there are any apartments available for monthly rent. It's that simple. I've never used a RE Agency.

Good Luck. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;3049249]To be honest, do you really want strangers to be able to enter and roam around the building unquestioned?[/QUOTE]But if a guest enter with me what is the problem?

[QUOTE=Goferring;3049249]Just walk in the front door and there will be a reception desk where you can ask if there are any apartments available for monthly rent. It's that simple. I've never used a RE Agency.[/QUOTE]Right but I was looking for something simpler not big buildings line Ayala or Avida. Skyscrapers have guest problems. For this reason it is not easy to find a condo.

[QUOTE=Goferring;3049100]I booked a week and walked away after one night. Fuck Avida and fuck AirBnB.[/QUOTE]I found another condo at the same price by AirBnb. It's in "Mesatierra Garden Residence".

Do you think it is better than Avida when it comes to guest restrictions and other restrictions? I am able to cancel the reservation at Avida and book this condo at "Mesatierra Garden Residence".

I like Avida Towers because it's next to Peopl'es Park, but I think Mesatierra is also very well located.

What would you do?

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049236]This thing bothers me a lot, not because I don't want to register my guests, but because there is mistrust about me. This bothers me.[/QUOTE]He can't talk to girls in public, and he doesn't trust his guests? There must be a language issue here.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049236]If anyone can tell me what I can do to go to apartments or condos without registering guests, I would be happy, otherwise I get anxious.[/QUOTE]Holy bajesus, it would be remiss of me to tell you what place you can not register your guest so that you can get robbed and / or drugged by some girl. There will be short time places nearby where you can take your girl and you won't need to register her.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049254]But if a guest enter with me what is the problem?[/QUOTE]No problem. Just sign her in with the guard or front desk.

Many condos are even ok with your girl entering alone (while you are in your unit). She registers at the guard or front desk, the guard or front desk calls your room to ask you if its ok for miss Jennifer to come up. You say yes and you avoid the walk of shame. She can depart the same way. Are you trying to avoid the walk of shame?

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049254]Skyscrapers have guest problems. For this reason it is not easy to find a condo.[/QUOTE]What guest problems? Getting above floor 10 will get you away from a lot of street noise (cars, chickens, etc).

[QUOTE=JonesLover;3049271]I found another condo at the same price by AirBnb. It's in "Mesatierra Garden Residence".

Do you think it is better than Avida when it comes to guest restrictions and other restrictions? I am able to cancel the reservation at Avida and book this condo at "Mesatierra Garden Residence".

I like Avida Towers because it's next to Peopl'es Park, but I think Mesatierra is also very well located.

What would you do?[/QUOTE]He's going to question us to death on this. "What do you fellas think about Knightsbridge? Girl friendly"? Then: "What do you guys think about Milano"? And so on.

Jones, we don't look at 'strict' = guest registration. We see strict as not allowing any guest to enter.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;3049290]He can't talk to girls in public, and he doesn't trust his guests? There must be a language issue here.

Holy bajesus, it would be remiss of me to tell you what place you can not register your guest so that you can get robbed and / or drugged by some girl. There will be short time places nearby where you can take your girl and you won't need to register her.

No problem. Just sign her in with the guard or front desk.

Many condos are even ok with your girl entering alone (while you are in your unit). She registers at the guard or front desk, the guard or front desk calls your room to ask you if its ok for miss Jennifer to come up. You say yes and you avoid the walk of shame. She can depart the same way. Are you trying to avoid the walk of shame?

What guest problems? Getting above floor 10 will get you away from a lot of street noise (cars, chickens, etc).

He's going to question us to death on this. "What do you fellas think about Knightsbridge? Girl friendly"? Then: "What do you guys think about Milano"? And so on.

Jones, we don't look at 'strict' = guest registration. We see strict as not allowing any guest to enter.[/QUOTE]Unless his plans involves the girl never leaving...

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;3049296]Unless his plans involves the girl never leaving...[/QUOTE]To next question will be about apartments with big freezers or refrigerators.

G.