GoDees
Australian expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
224
Contacts
9
About me
Australian
Lives in Cebu City, Central Visayas
Registration: 26 September 2018
Activity
Quality of customer service in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Customer service can say a lot about everyday life in the Philippines, and for many expats, it鈥檚 something that could take time to get used to. In order to help expats and soon-to-be expats to adjust to local expectations, ...
@Cheryl I don't think customer service is a "thing" here. Servers are paid paltry wages and do not care if the customer is happy. Few outlets treat their customers as real people. Read More
Quality of customer service in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Customer service can say a lot about everyday life in the Philippines, and for many expats, it鈥檚 something that could take time to get used to. In order to help expats and soon-to-be expats to adjust to local expectations, ...
I have found there is little to no customer service here, employees are not paid enough to care. Customer care creates issues that they are not paid for, then they have no interest. Read More
Presently living in South Florida, moving as soon as I am able by marcfladell
This is the first time I've tried researching the Philippines through an expat chat room.聽 I don't know what I don't know but I want to learn.聽 I would like to strike up a conversation with those similarly situated.
@marcfladell Hello marcfladell.First, have you ever been to the Philippines ?What are you looking for ?Which country are you coming from ?Like everywhere, there are some good points and some bad, it does depend on what you are after.Life can be ... Read More
Cost of living in the Philippines in 2026 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in the Philippines, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to the Philippines or ...
@bigpearl Hello bigpearl.I get by on P70k a month pension.No car, no petrol, no insurance, big saving. Only go out of Mactan rarely.regards Bruce Read More
Cost of living in the Philippines in 2026 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in the Philippines, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to the Philippines or ...
My reply to the questions you have asked but firstHave lived in Cebu for 7 years, married and own our own house.Own our house but the cost of being ripped off has gone up.Trike fares have increased by 5 pesos a trip locally, more if it is ... Read More
Road safety in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Navigating roads and experiencing traffic in the Philippines as an expat can be a learning experience. We invite you to share your insights in order to help other expats and soon-to-be expats stay safe on the road in the ...
@Enzyte Bob Sorry, they are TOO arrogant and entitled, All traffic has to make way for them. That is what I have found in Mactan.You are responsible for everyone else`s safety. Ant traffic altercations, the foreigner is to pay, right or wrong. Read More
Road safety in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Navigating roads and experiencing traffic in the Philippines as an expat can be a learning experience. We invite you to share your insights in order to help other expats and soon-to-be expats stay safe on the road in the ...
@Cheryl Hello Cheryl.I have been here for 6 years {Lapu Lapu}. Pretty much, drivers have NO respect for anyone else. Roads are crowed and best time to travel is 12.30pm, 1.30pm. The biggest wins, anyone with a fraction of an inch in front feels ... Read More
Most common scams in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in the Philippines as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it鈥檚 immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
One scam is taxis with a meter running fast. When you get in, check the time. As you travel, use your stopwatch function on your phone to check meter accuracy, one taxi was ticking over 1 minute in 35 seconds. Another showed the trip took 1 hour and ... Read More
Water tank size? by gwaps
I will get water tank and tower installed next year in cebu . Wondered what size to get on home 1200 sqare foot?( We have two bathrooms .)聽 Thanks :)
@danfinnHello, mine is NOT above the roof line but high enough to do all the things lited. Contact me if you want more details.regards Bruce Read More
Water tank size? by gwaps
I will get water tank and tower installed next year in cebu . Wondered what size to get on home 1200 sqare foot?( We have two bathrooms .)聽 Thanks :)
@RobertcounselorHello, I made my own watertank stand (625lt) and it gravity feeds into the house because we have so many water outages. It works well enough to finish the laundry, have a shower, wash the dishes and flush the toilet. Probably less ... Read More
Australian Pension by foddy777
I am an Australian Citizen receiving my pension.I want to retire in the Philippines and still receive my pension,Is this possible?Is there a requirement to revisit Australia to keep my pension active?I would appreciate some advice.
Hello @danfinnI get full age pension less power rebate. That ceases 6 weeks after you leave the country, government agencies are inter-connected. Your passport tells everyone when you have left the country.Hope this helpsregards Bruce Read More
Australian Pension by foddy777
I am an Australian Citizen receiving my pension.I want to retire in the Philippines and still receive my pension,Is this possible?Is there a requirement to revisit Australia to keep my pension active?I would appreciate some advice.
@foddy777HelloI have my Oz pension paid into my Australian bank account then then transfer it by internet banking to my account here. I have been here 5 years, married and am a resident here.Hope this helps. you could try private messenger on ... Read More
Filipino superstisions by coach53
I knew of Filipino wak-waks before. E g a Filipina wife said scared to her foreign husband, who was outside at their yard when it was close to get dark: -Hurry inside, so wak-wak can't take you! Now I got to know of some more ...
@danfinnHello again.I am here because I am married to a Filipina. Our plan was to go to Cambodia teaching but lots of problems cropped up then covid. It made more sense at the time to reside here and not pay tourist visa rates. Still hoping to get ... Read More
Filipino superstisions by coach53
I knew of Filipino wak-waks before. E g a Filipina wife said scared to her foreign husband, who was outside at their yard when it was close to get dark: -Hurry inside, so wak-wak can't take you! Now I got to know of some more ...
@danfinnHelloThankfully I came from Australia where superstitions are rare and religion is on the way out.regards Bruce Read More
Aussie guy relocating 2024 by Brojeslov
Hi I'm 54 yo frequent visitor to the Philippines and intending to relocate permanently in 2024
@AussieLUVPhillipinesHello BryanI am not into golf but believe there is a course here on Mactan. I know of one dentist that seems to have a good following among the ex-pat comunity, Jose Naravio though I have not needed his services. Message me for ... Read More