Canadian Living In Cagayan De Oro

@Cyberfool

The blunt truth is most expats are not pleasant people. So,  many expats won't bother with others, there are two types I have found, those like me who come here to get away from their country and enjoy pH, and those who want to be in pH but still want everything in their country here and congregate in expat enclaves, I avoid them at all costs

There is a lot of truth in what you say Agg,  I too avoid socialising with the local expats and we have plenty around our area, a simple wave or a 2 minute chat and drive on. We have met a few nice down to earth expats over the last 15 years but sadly many have left for the pearly gates.

I have no problem with the locals and in fact find them far more genuine.

To the OP could I suggest you search FB groups or the meetup group in your area and see what you find, good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

From what I've heard from my Filipina GF, a few members of her family, and a bank manager in Mati City, many foreigners can be very rude individuals - especially to the native people.  I suppose a major reason is they feel they are "above" them because they may feel financially (/intellectually?) superior.  My GF was inquiring about a loan in a local BDO branch in Mati and had to step away and I was talking to the bank manager.  He mentioned that I was a pleasant foreigner to talk to as most come in the bank with a huge ego, and are extremely hard to deal with.  I've heard from vloggers to steer away from most expats, unless you vet them really good as a lot are worse scammers than some of the Filipinos.

Wow great replies. I am OK with just a nod and keep right on going. I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow from England a long while after I made my post. I was having lunch with my wife at a local establishment we were just about finished our meal when he walked in and happen to sit in the table next to ours.

Everything started off pleasant enough, however as we moved forward in the conversation it became apparent this gentlemen was not at all what he portrayed himself as. I began to feel uncomfortable and uneasy with is body language and shifting story lines about his situation that did not seem to add up I just bid him well and we left. I have no idea if he is a local or just happen to be in the neighborhood because it was difficult to get straight answer from him.   

I agree BigPearl, the locals are far more genuine and kind. Too bad, it would have been nice to find a down to earth community where people could easily become friends and create a support network, tell stories of their life's experience, etc. I am not complaining, mind you, I have a huge Filipino family that keeps life interesting.

I guess I was just sharing first impressions with my post.

I wish you all the best,

Sad but can be true Cyberfool and personally? The countries matter little. If one craves their own countrymen then stay at home, for me/us the expats we have met are mostly judgemental, self opinionated, pretentious and many suffer small man syndrome, who needs that crap? Maybe I'm lucky as my better half is fluent in English and our live in worker has come along way too with his English skills in the last few years. Filipinos to me are the opposite of many expats we have met and far easier to get along with. Never ask our business and treat us as equals.

We retired here for my partner to be close to family as many expats do but some can't assimilate.

This is home and we are very happy.

Cheers, Steve.