Thinking of relocating within Phils. Opinions please

[Gene and Viol]

Angeles is a good place to run the bars/girls but nothing else to do really unless married and settled down. Subic on the other hand is more quiet but lots to do and enjoy there. The old US Navy base has many good restaurants and grills as well as good, modern hotels, shopping mall, and great yacht club. Also, Subic is just 30 to 40 minutes away from Angeles. It is in my opinion worth looking at...

[jon1]

Subic has as much or little to do as you want. If you have the need (for the bars/girls) you can always run up to Angeles or down the street to Barrio Barretto. It is quite idyllic here, especially sitting seaside at sunset having some ice cold ones.. If you are into riding a bicycle there are decent roads with little traffic thru the jungle forested hills (towards Zoobic/Ocean Adventure). There is the yacht club like Gene said, lots of restaurants, a few hotels, a hospital with emergency care and 75% open new Mall within Subic Freeport.

Up in Cubi Point (away from the main part of the freeport nestled in the hills between Binictican and Ocean Adventure), there are apartments for rent/lease. Not sure what the going rate is (they were only $200/mo in 2007) but it can't be more than $350 now and is quiet up there too. I think they are around 50sqm (renovated old US Barracks 4 stories tall). There is a local laundry shop within walking distance (costs about $5 for a good amount of laundry).

[jon1]

Subic is quite big. There is public transport available (Mits L300s called Winstar) that roll thru every 30m. If you are big into freedom, I would recommend getting at least a car (especially during rainy season).

[Gene and Viol]

Many places for rent in and around the old Subic base. On base housing is more expensive but nice. Water is drinkable on base and nowhere else. Apartments on base at "Crown Peak" are not bad but no idea on pricing. Areas close to the base like Brgy Barretto are nice but better to have a car to get around that area. company is most anywhere...
Best to just spend a few days there and have a look.

[jon1]

Here is a link to Crown Peak (across the street from what I was talking about but same area) OFFICIAL | WEBPAGE | Subic Bay - Crown Peak Garden Hotels @ low low| Corporate Rates | Direct Reservation the place that Gene was talking about

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by jon1

Here is a link to Crown Peak (across the street from what I was talking about but same area) OFFICIAL | WEBPAGE | Subic Bay - Crown Peak Garden Hotels @ low low| Corporate Rates | Direct Reservation the place that Gene was talking about

Thanks for finding and adding that link. Not a bad place as I myself stayed in one about 4 years ago for a short time. Not as nice as the photos but better than off base.

Gene

[jon1]

Rent is for sub-lessees (short term, usually yearly leases). What you can buy is long term lease rights. Nobody (not even filipinos) is allowed to own the properties. Look at it as being able to lock your rent (usually at least half the monthly rate of what a short term lease costs) in long term (up to 50 years paid up front) so other than the 5% sales tax to SBMA upon lease signing, 1000p/mo SBMA fees (for police, 911, guard, garbage services) not really sure if they apply to apartments, your only adjustable cost is utilities (water, electric, phone, internet, food). The good thing is that you could always sell the remaining years of your lease rights if you decide to move on or sub-let for an income/return on the investment.

[jon1]

Originally Posted by Devo1982

Ok to summarise you all live within the old base area and nothing is for sale, lease only?,

I've seen apartments for sale in or near Zoobic?, is this right, is it a good area,

If i came up on a fact finding trip i just head for the freeport area?.

I am 99% sure that the "for sale" = lease rights for sale. The Freeport is very safe and quiet. I would try to get a place not so close to the perimeter (sometime burglars come in over the remote fences).

Yes just drive around the place and look. I would start with staying at Crown Peak and work away from there.

Jon

[jon1]

Originally Posted by Devo1982

Having done nothing but research subic bay area for a few days i've come to the conclusion that it's nothing like the philippines so i really want to live there hehe,

I have a very young daughter so is schooling expensive by comparison?, just wondered how much income i would need to have a reasonable standard of living.

There is an international school in Binictican (Brent International) about 5-10 minutes drive from Crown Peak. It is expensive (you would have to check with them for prices). The other option is public school in Olangapo (about 15-20 minutes drive from Crown Peak).

Aside from rent here are some costs;
Internet 1000, 2000 or 3000 per month
landline 600 (have to get for DSL)
cable 650
water 500
electric 4-6000 per month (probably half or less for an apt)
food 16000 (I am feeding 3 adults 1 teen & 2 dogs).
fuel; diesel 35p, unleaded 40p, premium unleaded 45p per liter

jon

[jon1]

Shoot me an IM when you think you are coming up here. I also will be travelling a little bit the next few weeks (within the Phil), still trying to nail down a schedule for that.

Not sure what the legal parameters are but that everything is lease only (I believe it has to do with the property being in a "Freeport" status). Here is the SBMA official website Official Website of SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (SBMA)

There are some other minor costs of living here;
SBMA ID - 200p/person
SBMA Vehicle sticker - 200p/car or truck, 100p/motorcycle
SBMA Monthly Maintenance fee - 1000p/mo (covers 911, Police, Fire, Guards and Garbage), not sure if this applies to apartments

Some other pluses of owning the lease rights;
Renovations can be made
Houses can be extended up to 5M (not onto the property line)
They have a permit system in place for construction
Lists of approved licensed construction outfits