| After ten years of living in the Philippines, Puerto Rican expat Carlos doesn't have any regrets. Cebu City is his home now, and he shares some of the things he appreciates about living there. |
 Carlos Ruiz |
-Where were you born?
Puerto Rico, USA
-In which country and city are you living now?
Cebu City, Philippines
-Are you living alone or with your family?
Wife and 3-year-old son
-How long have you been living in the Philippines?
Four years. I have a Permanent Resident Visa.
-What is your age?
57
-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Philippines?
1997. Past visits to the Philippines and Filipino friends for 16 years.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No
-How do you make your living in the Philippines? Do you have any type of income generated?
I am retired.
-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
No, most Filipinos speak English.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
NO!
-Do you have other plans for the future?
I will start some type of business here within the next four years.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I am presently renting and also building a house. Rents for a middle-class home or condo will be around USD$600.00
You can purchase a reasonable house for USD $75000.00 to $110,000.00 Although there are houses here that sell for USD$800.000
-What is the cost of living in the Philippines?
Reasonable, I pay USD $5 for water, $15 cable TV, $15 basic telephone, $400 3 BR / 3 Bath Townhouse.
-What do you think about the Filipinos?
Very nice and friendly. I prefer to deal with one culture than a melting pot of cultures in other countries like the USA.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Philippines?
The Philippines is a 3rd world country, but Cebu City has mountains and beaches within a 25-minute drive, international restaurants, casinos, 9 Universities and 29 Colleges and about 12 malls. It all depends where you live here, where you go to, to see if the poverty in certain areas affects you. Some complain of the air quality, I have been in the Philippines for the last 7 years and have never had any respiratory problems
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Philippines?
If you plan to retire in the Philippines, and want a cosmopolitan lifestyle for a third world country, then I would suggest Cebu City. It also depends though whose eyes you see Cebu with. I have seen more of Cebu, than most Filipino's. When I ask expats and locals if they have been to the Cebu Yacht Club, they reply, "Huh ????"
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Philippines?
Reply to Carlos' information
I have to take disagree with a couple of things Carlos posted, above. Here are two of the questions, with his replies, then my thoughts under his replies.
Question: Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
Carlos' Reply: No, most Filipinos speak English.
Paul's Reply: I disagree with what Carlos stated. Yes, I speak Cebuano/Bisaya. Why? Because it is very important to have enough respect for the people of the country you reside in, to learn to speak their language, even if only a small amount. Once you see how much Filipinos smile when you speak even a simple word or phrase, then you will begin to learn more about the people.
Question: What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Carlos' Reply: I am presently renting and also building a house. Rents for a middle-class home or condo will be around USD$600.00 You can purchase a reasonable house for USD $75000.00 to $110,000.00 Although there are houses here that sell for USD$800.000
Paul's Reply: I rent a home here for Php 12,000 (currently equal to $292 USD) that is second to few in this province, certainly while still in an upper middle class area. You can see more of it here:
http://www.livingincebuforums.com/ipb/index.php?showtopic=3848
This is a far cry from the $600 USD Carlos stated. I won't get into the fact that you can also purchase a home for much less than $75,000 USD. But, I assure you, you can do that as well.
In the future, please offer visitors to these sites more accurate information, as well as factual costs, regarding living in the Philippines, certainly in Cebu.
Good sites for information regarding the Philippines:
http://www.thephils.com/forums - General information on the Philippines
http://www.livingincebu.com - General information on Cebu
http://www.livingincebuforums.com/ipb - General discussions on Living In Cebu