Or as we say in the Philippines “Tagay!”
While I was enjoying my solitary breakfast this morning at Arizona resort it occurred to me that it feels like I’m still on vacation. I was wondering how long that feeling might last, and then I thought “Hell, wouldn’t it be great if everyday for the rest of my fucking life felt like a vacation day?” Here’s to hoping that’s the case.
Ten days into this new life now and in some ways it’s starting to feel like home. I’ve got my regular hangouts where I’m always greeted with a hearty “welcome back, Sir John!”. Yeah, they’re bar staff and they work for tips, but still. Actually, I had a pleasant chat with Jerry, the manager of Treasure Island where I spend quite a bit of my “bar time”. And Barretto being the small town that it is, I’m also on a first name basis with a few of the local expats. So that’s nice. I’m sure with time I’ll integrate myself more fully into our happy little community here.
Anyway, the house search continues apace. The one across the street that I posted yesterday is a no go. The owner responded to my email yesterday saying she had decided that she only wants to sell, not rent or lease. And sure enough this morning I see the sign has been modified crossing out rent and lease.
The beachfront house viewing has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning. I did a walk-by yesterday and I’m not too hopeful that it will meet my needs. As I said it is very pricey and from what I saw, not worth it. Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised, but I’m not counting on it.
Tomorrow afternoon I’m meeting with the owner of some houses in the coveted Alta Vista subdivision. My understanding is he has three. And if I got the right information from the security guard, this is one of them:
The front.
The back.
The long view.
I walked by this morning and took a closer look without actually trespassing. It does not appear to have an occupant, although there is furniture inside. Both are good signs if I’m correct in my assumption. I like the location in that it is the first house once you come through the security gate, so that makes for easy access. Whether it is high enough up the hill to afford the views I’m hoping for remains to be seen, but I’m thinking at least from the upstairs I should have bay and mountain views.
One downside is that it has a smallish yard and it is not fenced. That raises some security concerns (although the house is within view of the guard shack) and also makes my dog plans more complicated. I’ll ask the owner about fencing at least part of the yard. Otherwise, I really like the place and can picture myself living there for the long term.
So that’s today’s update. Yeah, how about that. Daily blogging here at LTG. Well, after all, I do have more hours to fill these days. Now I can bore you loyal readers to tears more often.
Cheers!
Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
Wait, so that property has a security gate but no fence? How does that work?
Well the security gate is for traffic into and out of the subdivision. Most of the houses have fences around the perimeter of their property. “Mine” does not. And yes, while access by vehicle is controlled the actual subdivision is not fenced.
Yeah I don’t like it either without a fence…I can not go out the door directly to the road..lol…building a screen fence would be easy and quick…house look nice tho’…
Interesting. While it might be nice to have a fence if you have dogs, I see plenty of dog videos on YouTube showing dog owners who live in suburban housing with no fences. It’s just a question of watchfulness, training, and discipline, and maybe a question of what kind of dog you want. If you go for the overly clever, escape-artist type, you’re in for a lot of work because such a dog sees a fence as a challenge. Might be better to go for a breed that’s more passive, less apt to escape on a moment’s notice, and very loyal to its owner.
Or, hey, just get a fence built. Heh.
Gotta say, though, it’s a nice-looking little house. With two balconies, no less! Am curious to see the interior. As for cost: $900/mo does seem steep, especially for the Philippines (that foreigner’s tax again). $700 might be more reasonable. Would you have to pay a huge deposit of some sort, like in Korea? Or would you just start paying rent after giving over a smallish deposit?
re: smallish yard
You may come to appreciate a small yard once you realize how little mowing/weeding you have to do!
Kev, normally first and last month’s rent + a security deposit equal to one month’s rent.
I’m bringing Gem up to handle the negotiations so hopefully the foreigner tax can be minimized. Of course, I’ll post the interior should the property actually become mine.
Small yard, small maint. Something terribly wrong. No cars double/triple parked, on sidewalk, etc.
Yes, that’s one of the benefits to living in a gated subdivision….
The windows look unsecured.. gated community doesn’t have the same level of security in the phils. I would look for something with fencing.