Topper in Bacolod

[TheRealKW]

[Topper]

It's really nice, KW. I'm enjoying it immensely!

[panama hat]

[cyrille]

30/10/2020 Yesterday we moved into our new apartment. It's a nice, fully furnished place with internet access and a genset.
I was bitching about how long it takes to get internet service here...in Bangkok, you make a phone call and the tech is out there the next day. Here, it's at least a month if not more.

24/02/2021 Got my internet installed yesterday

So, Topper, has the whole process taken nearly four months?

[Topper]

So, Topper, has the whole process taken nearly four months?

Yep, 4 months + incentive bonus for the guy that got it done, from start to finish, he was able to get us internet in a week.

The co-working space I was working at has had an application in since November as well to get a second provider (the same ISP as myself) in for backup purposes. Even businesses can't get service unless they know someone.

As always, money greases the wheels...

[armstrong]

Sounds more third world than Thailand.

[hallelujah]

Sounds more third world than Thailand.

It is. Some great beaches and scenery, but the towns, cities and many of the rural areas are absolute shitholes with some of the worst poverty I've seen anywhere.

And then there's the food and those fucking accents.

[panama hat]

It is. Some great beaches and scenery, but the towns, cities and many of the rural areas are absolute shitholes with some of the worst poverty I've seen anywhere.

And then there's the food and those fucking accents.

Perfectly sums up the Philippines

[Latindancer]

^^ What is thee matter, sorrrr ? Wouldn't you like som nice pork crackling to go weeth yorr greasy bacon and baloot ?

[Topper]

Sounds more third world than Thailand.

Yep it is....while I can't argue with the comments above too much, it is like living in a village. Sure, everyone is poor, but they're making the best of it, finding happiness where they can.

A sign a saw today....

[katie23]

^lol. Yes, lots of signs with wrong spelling or grammar in PI. But to be fair, English is a 2nd language.

Re: topper's place, Bacolod - it's a city in a small island. In many ways, it's still very provincial. I'm sure there have been many changes since my last visit years ago, but from topper's description, it's still very laid back. I would liken it to maybe Khon Kaen or Udon Thani in TH (but I think UT is bigger & more progressive - I've visited UT). When you go around the province & smaller towns, it's farmlands then small town center, then farmlands again.

I think there are also more brownouts (power outage) because the electricity supply in the islands isn't enough. The electricity situation is better in Luzon since there are more power sources. I've visited a petrol-based company & a solar farm, which both supply power to the grid.

Re: cost of living, I have seen several expat vids wherein they ask: can I live on 1,000 usd per month? (usually from American expats or expat wanna-bes) Answer: yes, but it depends on location & lifestyle. In the provinces, you can rent a small apartment (no a/c) for 2-3k pesos (40-60 $), or you can rent a condo unit in the Manila area for 50k pesos (1k $) or higher. For food, you can eat local produce & eat cheaply, or you can eat Western style & splurge.

That $1,000 budget won't last long if you get ill or become involved in an accident, though. In PI private hospitals, no money = no treatment.

One also has to factor in the visa renewal fees, transportation options, slow Internet in many areas, power outs, storms, earthquakes, covid restrictions (face masks & shields, travel pass), etc.