New members of the Philippines forum, introduce yourselves here - 2020

aussiekiwi wrote:

Hello everyone, this could be dumb question, what does HOA`s mean is that some sort of American saying please explain .

HOA referes to Home Owners Association, which is an organization associated with a particular subdivision or housing development that codifies and enforces rules pertinent to that place. Like parking, noise, maybe even color choices. They may also provide services.

Both my US homes have an HOA. In one case (very expensive) they maintain everything up to and including the exterior and roof of the home (it is a townhouse). I rent that home out, and it means I have very little to worry about except maybe an appliance failure. In the other one where I maintain my primary home, they only maintain the roads and landscaping, the pool and tennis courts, etc. They also provide trash and recycling services. Rules prevent parking on the narrow streets, etc.

If done well, it makes sense, keeps property values up, and keeps neighbors from having squabbles with each other (just check the rules). Critical to find a home in a well-run HOA. I always look at the numbers they are required to publish as to their financial reserves, track record, etc. Basically I have no issue with either HOA. Some more independent minded people might not like the rules.

pnwcyclist wrote:

aussiekiwi wrote:

Hello everyone, this could be dumb question, what does HOA`s mean is that some sort of American saying please explain .

HOA referes to Home Owners Association, which is an organization associated with a particular subdivision or housing development that codifies and enforces rules pertinent to that place. Like parking, noise, maybe even color choices. They may also provide services.

Both my US homes have an HOA. In one case (very expensive) they maintain everything up to and including the exterior and roof of the home (it is a townhouse). I rent that home out, and it means I have very little to worry about except maybe an appliance failure. In the other one where I maintain my primary home, they only maintain the roads and landscaping, the pool and tennis courts, etc. They also provide trash and recycling services. Rules prevent parking on the narrow streets, etc.

If done well, it makes sense, keeps property values up, and keeps neighbors from having squabbles with each other (just check the rules). Critical to find a home in a well-run HOA. I always look at the numbers they are required to publish as to their financial reserves, track record, etc. Basically I have no issue with either HOA. Some more independent minded people might not like the rules.

We have the a similar setup in Singapore known as the "HDB".
In short its like living an over inflated balloon...zero interest rates plays a huge part in keeping this party going, thats until (Avengers : Thanos) comes along.

Richard Yan wrote:

HDB is well run. They have power.

Agreed...so does Thanos & Singapore does not have an 'Iron Man' anymore.

wolfe5047 wrote:

Hello glad to have found this group. Currently living in the USA with my wife. We have a 12 year old daughter and a home that we built in AC in 2019. My wife wanted someplace to stay when she visited that we could call home when visited. Her sister lives in the house with her family taking care of the house while my wife is here in the USA. My wife would like to move there but I have some health issues that might make that difficult. So researching health care options and costs of living there. My daughter is also a concern do I want to take her from everything she has known and move to a new house and country. She was born in the Philippines but after 3 years of age all she has known is the USA except for 3 trips back with my wife to visit her family. I am 57 and disabled so collecting my social security and have some additional savings that I don't think money will be a problem. But if I can't get the medical treatment I need it makes a permanent move difficult. So maybe the best option is extended visits that last 2 or 3 months every year until my daughter is older and she can decide for herself where she would like to live.  I have been in the Philippines probably 10 times in the past for vacations. On my 3rd trip in 2005 I met my wife and we chatted for a year before we met again and spent my whole vacation together. I brought her to the USA in 2011 and we married. I know Angeles City is changing but really don't mind that the bars are not as prevalent as back when I first visited lol. Could be my age and being happily married. Or that I have a 12 year old daughter that I don't want to disappoint her with my old lifestyle. That she may find out about if we move there. I never did anything I am ashamed of but I wasn't a choir boy either.  Anyway Thanks for letting me join the group.

Welcome, hope we can help you get information to determine your future.  Probably would be  best for your daughter to complete her education in the USA.  Don't know what your specific medical needs are, but some hospitals in the large cities are quite good while others in the province are much more hit and miss.  Cannot imagine your past will haunt you 15 years later unless they posted wanted posters.  No shame,no problem.  If your wife is a dual citizen you can stay a year as long as you enter the country with her.  Good luck!!!!

wolfe5047 wrote:

My wife is still just a Philippine citizen she had thought about becoming a dual citizen but since her heart is set on returning home she never applied. I am a type 2 diabetic that takes Insulin to treat it. The diabetes is causing my eyes to have problems that require injections in both eyes about every 6 to 7 weeks. And also a Right Below knee amputee at 54 from an accident at work. So will need to find someone that can treat all of these there before I can make a permanent move.  Thanks

See what you mean about needing specialized medical attention.  This is our first winter in PA since 2016-17, wish we were in the Philippines.  Dual citizenship would mean your wife would have to pay income tax to the USA on her world wide income.  Hope you get to the Philippines soon, we are looking at 2022.

wolfe5047 wrote:

My wife is still just a Philippine citizen she had thought about becoming a dual citizen but since her heart is set on returning home she never applied. I am a type 2 diabetic that takes Insulin to treat it. The diabetes is causing my eyes to have problems that require injections in both eyes about every 6 to 7 weeks. And also a Right Below knee amputee at 54 from an accident at work. So will need to find someone that can treat all of these there before I can make a permanent move.  Thanks

I have no "insider information" of qualities but
/I know Americans living in USA go to Phils to do some surgeries. For many Americans that's cheaper they say. Some have went to Cebu.
/St Thomas in Metro Manila do some complicated surgeries, but I don't know quality.
/Some years ago there were plans to build special for mainly retired Americans and Fil-Ams to move to a concept in Taytay north of Bacolod, with own health care so the retired can stay  there when geting older and get in bad shape.  But I don't know what happened with these plans, if it's done.

wolfe5047 wrote:

I have no "insider information" of qualities but
/I know Americans living in USA go to Phils to do some surgeries. For many Americans that's cheaper they say. Some have went to Cebu.
/St Thomas in Metro Manila do some complicated surgeries, but I don't know quality.
/Some years ago there were plans to build special for mainly retired Americans and Fil-Ams to move to a concept in Taytay north of Bacolod, with own health care so the retired can stay  there when geting older and get in bad shape.  But I don't know what happened with these plans, if it's done.

With all the medical problems the Wolf5047 has, it would be from the frying pan to the fire moving here. Him being in the states he is covered by SSDI or maybe under his wife's medical plan if she has one.

I know some medical programs offer free or low cost transportation for doctor hospital visits and visiting nurses and rehab programs in the states.

With the Wolf5047's medical problems they may get worse, I think traveling or living to/in  the Philippines is really pushing it.

Medical procedures are cheaper in the Philippines but if you're covered by SSDI maybe a small copay. (in the states).

I myself had cataract surgery in the Philippines, the cost about $2500 USD, if done in the states with no insurance would be about $7,000 USD.

Benbrand wrote:

Good evening
My name is Ben and would like to move to Baguio City. I am a pensioner and waiting for lock down to end. From South Africa.
I am emeritus pastor and my retired medical doctor. However, we are still active in our professions.

Welcome to the forum Ben, enjoy. We are on the coast in La Union and get to Baguio from time to time but find it always busy,,,,,, like most big centres in PH. Hope the lock downs end soon so you can achieve your wishes.

Cheers, Steve.

Zeke1 wrote:

That's a nice town...spent my honeymoon there on the beach

Sweet, where abouts? We are Tammoclao on the beach, very quiet area. Bacnotan now has a new Jollybee franchised opened a month ago so looks like a growth town but we are happy to be away from the traffic and enforcers.

Cheers, Steve.

jnb913 wrote:

Hello fellow expats,

I'm Joel Barretto from California USA. I migrated to the US in 1987 and moved back to the Philippines in 2015. Looking forward to meeting other expats here. I have been a financial planner in Irvine CA since 1991 and now a Cross Border Financial Planner helping expats in the Eastern Hemisphere with cross border financial planning issues on tax savings, estate, retirement and investment planning.  Please join me for a free awareness webinar on the "6 Costly Investment Mistakes US Expats Should Avoid."  Message me for an invitation to register in the new year.

Jeeze an offer like that in the states include a free meal.

Enzyte Bob wrote:

Jeeze an offer like that in the states include a free meal.

Due to covid restrictions, it'll have to be take out.
More seriously, I'm a shade concerned about the advert being posted after at least one intervention by a moderator. However, as it's new year and I've just got a sack of cash for doing a little work for a large company, I'll do a Nelson job on this occasion.
Others may not.

Fred wrote:

Enzyte Bob wrote:

Jeeze an offer like that in the states include a free meal.

Due to covid restrictions, it'll have to be take out.
More seriously, I'm a shade concerned about the advert being posted after at least one intervention by a moderator. However, as it's new year and I've just got a sack of cash for doing a little work for a large company, I'll do a Nelson job on this occasion.
Others may not.

A sack of pesos (I could be mistaken) won't get anyone very far...ahem
Btw Happy new year 2021.

manwonder wrote:

Fred wrote:

Enzyte Bob wrote:

Jeeze an offer like that in the states include a free meal.

Due to covid restrictions, it'll have to be take out.
More seriously, I'm a shade concerned about the advert being posted after at least one intervention by a moderator. However, as it's new year and I've just got a sack of cash for doing a little work for a large company, I'll do a Nelson job on this occasion.
Others may not.

A sack of pesos (I could be mistaken) won't get anyone very far...ahem
Btw Happy new year 2021.

He is in West Java, doubt he gets paid in PHP.

Enzyte Bob wrote:

Jeeze an offer like that in the states include a free meal.

What's on the menu?