Where do Canadian expats live in the Philippines?

Where in the Philippines does your gf reside ? If your more on city living ,you can choose Cebu ,Manila or Davao or stay where your gf live .😊

My gf lives in Metro Manila but not a place I'd like to settle, just too busy.  I'd like something not quite as busy and congested but still with good restaurants, shopping and medical. How would Cebu and Davao compare to Manila?

I would suggest consider living in Laguna, Batangas or Cavite. It's just outside Metro Manila travelling from one place to another wouldn't be much of a problem because of the expressways.

Dude, you cant be serious thinking  to move to a foreign country just to live around fellow Canadians? Really....lol   

I live in Leyte and never even seen a Canadian. (Of course I have never seen Richard or Lucy either) I know many Filipinos who live and work in Canada, but never seen a moosehead in person.

Here we have Germans, Austrians, Swiss, Brits, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Saudis, Pakistanis, Indians, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Malays, Aussies and Kiwis and a bunch of yanks, but no Canucks that I have ever met. But that does not mean its not a nice place to live, as long as you like living in the third world of a third world country! (that is a joke on living outside Manila, or the provinces)

My advice to everyone is, come to the Philippines and look around. You may decide, like I did, that the Philippines is just not where you want to live and raise a family. Take your time, look around, dont make ANY babies!! lol Then go home and think it over.

Dondee31, curious to know why you didn't like it in the Philippines and where are you living now?

BTW, not necessarily looking to be around other Canucks; but interested in getting information on the process, issues they went through to move there (re pension, etc.) and get some ideas on best areas to live.

Hey, I was just kidding you. Canadians are known to have a great sense of humor. 

I just am too nice to live here. People here (in general) consider anyone who wants to help them for free either stupid or insane. All my efforts in improving the quality of life for people have gone no where. Every effort I have undertaken, child care, battered women, hospice care, elderly care, emergency preparedness has ended up with the same response...which foreigners are going to pay for it.

What I just mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg. But, what can I say. Its a cheap place to live, lots of female company....what more do most foreigners want??

But I will say again, my worst day in the US was better than any day (except 2) that I have spent in the Philippines. I have been criticized by racist Filipinos for saying that, but its true. There is a pall covering this country and it just doesn't wash off. Like so many others, foreigners and rich Filipinos, I cannot ignore the poverty and suffering here. But I have been totally unable to improve life for any one. (and boy have I tried).

MaroBautista, can you tell me why you recommend looking at Laguna, Batangas or Cavite? 

Anyone else have thoughts on these locations?

We have a Canadian friend lives in Lobo Batangas and also Peter and Rhoda who have a home here in San Pablo but go back and forward to Canada, both retired.

Thanks for all the input on this post.  I now a have a lengthy list of places to check out, lol.  I'm going to be in Marikina (Metro Manila) in mid-April and taking a short side trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Wondering if there are any expats in either of these 2 areas that I could potentially meet up with to discuss your experiences living in the Philippines.

Thanks again.

I am recommending these places because I have lived in these provinces and it was a good experience for me.

I will draw the attention of my Canadian friends to this forum so keep checking it please.

We had a home on a beautiful subdivision called Leisure Farms but we found the well off  Filipinos difficult to socialize with. Most of them came up at the weekends with families but kept to themselves. Our beach little house in San Luis was fine for a couple of years whilst I built some marine ply sail boats but apart from the immediate neighbour all the locals just stared at me? Mila my wife got to know everyone but I couldn't put up with the isolation. Social habits of the local people weren't particularly very pleasant and were all round us. A nice setting but couldn't retire amongst the people, even just during the weekends it affected me.

Hi, my wife and I live part time in San Pablo City Laguna, have been going back and forth for seven years. It has good hospitals, easy access and cheap to go to Manila. When I first went I was told, they are not worse off or better off than us it's just different, so if you can accept a different style you will be okay. I find the Filipinos willing to accept me, we have some good restaurants. If you are going to visit Palawan you must do the underground river trip. Don't try to change their life style just accept it.

How did you manage to get your girlfriend over here for a visit? I'm having a hard time just to get my wife over here. LOL

I was wondering the same thing. How did you manage to get your girlfriend over here for a visit?

She applied for a Canadian multi-visit visa.  I had to provide a letter of introduction for her.  She went to the office in Manila that processes Canadian visas.  It's not the embassy.  They've outsourced it to another company.  They do visas for several countries.  The visa is valid until her PHP passport expires (which is 2018) and she can visit as many times as she wants, with each visit being a max. of 6 months.
First time she applied she was denied.  They don't give a reason for denying.  Second time she applied she was accepted.  There was no difference in the information provided.  It's completely arbitrary and I think that's just a cash grab t

She's been here twice; 4 mths first time, 5 mths second time.

Had she travelled outside the country before that?

In our village in Cavite we have peaceful and friendly community, yet high end establishments are just within 10mins drive. Manila and international airport is also very accessible via expressways.

A lot of foreigners hang out at Mall of Asia, and Tagaytay which is very accessible as well.

nosredna

i suggest Clark Pampanga or Subic where most of Americans and Canadians live it is a lovely place no traffic, near from the airport lots of bars, resto 's and hotel and casino's ..in which part of the Philippines does your girlfriend live ? for any inquiries you can send me a private message

Regards
Bryan

At the Malls or the better Malls.  There you will see European & Canadian & such.  It is best to just ask if you can join them for a coffee or such as they are often setting at the little coffee shops & such. Then ask.

We live in San Pablo city part time which is approx 2 hours by bus from Manila, bus fare is approx $3 then we take either the lot or mrt and jeepneys. We have quite a large group of friends in this area, English,American, Danish  all who live here permanently married to Filipinas. Although San Pablo seems to be 50 years behind our style of living the slower pace is so much better. We have some good restaurants and the air is a lot cleaner than Manila.
Peter and Rhoda

Davao you would like. Big safe good shopping many places to pick from to live. Lots to do there.  The Drifters English Pub.  British place.  But once there play some pool talk & you would find out were to find the Canadians is best I could do for you.

Once again, thanks for all your suggestions.  I'm gathering a rather long list of places to check out now, lol.  Looking forward to taking my time and exploring the islands.

Cheers!

u can rent a place here in cebu for short time and try to observe the place if you like...a piece of advice do not stay in place  near the family of your gf..

Check these sites out, http://lifebeyondthesea.com/ or http://myphilippinedreams.com/ They're a couple of guys that have been there a few years now. They're not Canadian, but they give you a good idea what it is like there. Me and the wife have a place in MoalBoal, Cebu.

Live anywhere you like, but best to stay far away from her family or province. Will constantly have visitors looking for lodging, food and money.

Family relatives do have their benefits if not too far away such as looking after your home when you go on tours.   However once you say no to financial demands they don't speak to you anyway!

Let them know you can help in small doses.....best to scratch each others back.

My wife has a house in San Pedro Laguna. It is a nice place to live, She lived here with me in Canada for 8 yrs. She just went back to the Philippines and i am planing to move there too. I have been to the Philippines 5 times so i know a few thing's.

I am here in Quezon City

I'm in PULA TALAVERA ANY EXPATS NEAR HERE

Puerto Princesa, Palawan is where I retired 2 yrs ago from Canada