This pretty much captures the sentiment underlying my move to the Philippines:
I’ve sacrificed enough of my future lamenting the mistakes of the past, don’t you think?
One giant step forward is reaching a decision on where I’ll be laying my weary head in the future. And so I have.
The approach…
The view from the street…
The front entrance…
The “other” side of the house…
The back side features a dirty kitchen/maid’s quarters on the bottom, a balcony on the first floor living area, and a balcony off the master bedroom…
But this view is what ultimately sealed the deal for me. Even better from inside the house. Every day I will wake up and be reminded of why I came to the Philippines…
So, the house is not perfect. It’s been vacant for over a year and needs some serious maintenance. The landlord promised to get right on that and said it should be move in ready in two weeks. I’ll be responsible for providing two a/c units for the upstairs bedrooms, a refrigerator, and a stove. I’m sure I’ll need to fill out the existing spartan furnishings as well.
The rent is 45,000 pesos a month ($900.). That’s at the top end of what I had budgeted for housing. I can afford it but obviously, every dollar spent on housing is one less available for other things, like travel. Anyway, I’ve got sufficient savings as well, so I’m not going to have to curtail any of my retirement dreams in order to live large in this large house. And besides, did you see that view! It’s worth it to me and that’s what matters most.
Stopped in at a local pharmacy this morning to get something for my LBM (liquid bowel movement). I thought it would run its course, but last night was as bad as ever. Anyway, the pharmacy gave me a one week regimen of antibiotics (without a prescription!) and some other pills to take after every poop. Here’s hoping that firms shit up.
My own personal pharmacy. Hey, as long as it keeps me on my feet and active, I’ll be happy.
Fitbit has indicted me for collusion with the Russians. Apparently.
This badge represents a lifetime distance of 5,772 miles—the same length as the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia! With an achievement this big, it looks like you’re en route to destination fitness.
Ah well, I’ll continue on being a self-satisfied smug bastard. Thank you very much!
Interesting! The house even comes with a pergola (which looks as though it might need some painting)! How deliciously pretentious! You’ll be hosting tweedy, frou-frou wine-and-cheese parties for the neighbors soon, I’m sure. Ha!
As for “a dirty kitchen/maid’s quarters,” I think I’d rather have a sexy, dirty maid than a dirty kitchen.
How big is your plot of land? A quarter acre? Half an acre? And still no fence, I see…
Yes. I’m going to have a small fenced in portion built as a dog run. Lot size is tough to figure. 4 houses seem to share a common area, including a non functioning fountain. Gonna pass on the dirty maid. If I hire a helper it’s gonna be strictly hands off. Lesson learned and all that.
Yeah John…never settle for less…u deserve a big house… a clean housemaid than a dirty kitchen,and this would turn your dirty kitchen into a fantastic one…hmmm
I’m concerned why it was vacant for a year.
He showed me 3 long term vacancies. This one, the house next door, and the one I posted the other day. My guess is he has priced them above market value.
Good luck! Looks like a nice place. You may have mentioned it in another post, but curious as to why you decided to go with a house as opposed to a condo that would have a pool(?), gym(?), etc on site. Assuming you don’t want/need any of those things right at your doorstep? What type of condo could you get for $900/month?
Utilities included? Electric pretty reasonable as I would think that A/C would be needed year round.
Sorry for the questions but looking at the future. LOL Leaning towards Thailand as I have been working in and out of Thailand for a number of years, but the Philippines is a possible alternative.
Brian, honestly the main attraction is the view from the house and that it is in a relatively secure subdivision. The nearest condos like you describe are on the old Navy base, and I’ve decided I want to live here in Barrio Barretto. My lack of flexibility has definitely limited my housing options. $900 is very pricey for this part of the Philippines. More than a few folks have questioned my wisdom in spending so much. But bottom line, I can afford it so why not live the life I choose?
Utilities are not included and electricity here can get expensive. It’s one of those things that cost more than in the USA. It has a split con unit downstairs and individual bedroom units upstairs. I also utilize fans to the maximum, so I hope keeping the place comfortable won’t be overly expensive.
I never really considered Thailand. Enjoyed my one visit there for the most part, but factors against it for me were that it is not as visa friendly, the language barrier, and that vaping is illegal. It does have better infrastructure and seemed for the most part cleaner.
Good luck in finding your piece of paradise!
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