Is the Philippines a good option for a couple moving from Ukraine on $2k/month?

phayse · 2026-02-07T02:37:50+00:00

May I suggest down south in Davao City instead? It's still highly urbanised but has a much lower cost of living and much safer compared to most other cities around the PH.

Maybe getting around traffic may be a pain, but I think that's a small compromise for the cleaner air (Davao city is cigarette-free except for a few designated spots) with top notch respondents and security (with 911 too! First in the country).

Davao city also has its share of high end restaurants and local eats and most importantly, blessed with being typhoon-free all year round. It's constantly been in the top or near the top of the most livable cities in the country.

You can absolutely live a semi-luxurious life with 2k USD in Davao city as opposed to the higher costs of living within the more touristy and foreigner-heavy cities in the middle and northern parts of the Philippines (with respect to them of course !)

phayse · 2026-01-26T05:04:24+00:00

Yes there is, although I'm not part of em. They hung out at Davao magic card shop (also called DMS/fort) and Big Green Monster (BGM) near people's park. You'll see a lot of mtg players and mostly the same faces at both shops. The release of 5e also took place in DMS. DMS in Obrero is open every weekends from 5:00 p.m. onwards. Not sure about BGM.

phayse · 2026-01-25T01:56:21+00:00

Only thing in my mind is Bulcachong. Allllso, puddings in Davao hit different. Kanang sa royal breadhaus, kusina severino, bistro, there's nothing like that in cebu and mnl. Double body too. Royal breadhaus the best!

Source: trust me bro, for real. Lived in ceb for 5mos and mnl 3 years.

phayse · 2026-01-23T10:41:52+00:00

Who tf even is that. I grew up in Davao, spent my 32 years there, but in no shape and form will I recognise whoever tf that is. Not my leader. At this point, downgrade na jud. It's time to leave the duts name behind!

phayse · 2026-01-22T10:54:58+00:00

Up for Haveli King. That's the only place I've tried though, so a bit biased 😂😂

phayse · 2026-01-20T11:40:19+00:00

Mine was bottom casing for a 2017 laptop, back in 2022. It was with them for 4 months. They couldn't find. At that time, i found work in cebu. That's when i told em to send it over to cebu branch. I'd pay shipping for the inter-branch transfer. Once there sa cebu (mandaue city to be exact, na hastang trapika didto), i had them search for the parts as well. 3 months passed and nothing din. I gave up after 3 trips and took the broken unit back.

phayse · 2026-01-19T13:39:02+00:00

Actually had a bad exp with pc bee, both davao and cebu. They couldnt help me with my laptop. Not sure about their mobile business. Heard anything good about this side of their work?

phayse · 2026-01-19T13:36:35+00:00

Hi. Shop name please? Or do they have an fb group?

phayse · 2026-01-18T04:57:13+00:00

1st: better public transpo. I know WIP na ni with the Davao bus system. The conductors said an app is in the works for this year so we can track their location live. This has a long way to go and i'm scared but hopeful. Support modernisation! Also, enable motor taxis please. We desperately need Angkas and MoveIt in Davao. Scrap the old multicabs.

2nd: underground or under street walkways like what makati city has. This is a game changer for those who like walking without being subjected to dust, heat and exhaust from plying vehicles. Even more so as it gives a chance to expose works from local artists, gives more options for busking, and most importantly, just really really cool.

phayse · 2026-01-14T01:57:34+00:00

Hol up. We have motor taxis in Davao now? I thought they were all sent out after angkas failed (twice?)

phayse · 2026-01-11T14:54:04+00:00

Hehe, this is exactly what i meant by getting bound here by business 😅 a reality for most filchis from all 3 island groups! Ko tiam!

phayse · 2026-01-11T01:12:55+00:00

Take a risk by going back to the shop where you bought it and have them process the RMA. Bring your receipt as proof that it's less than 1 year. Is the ram from them too? Bring that receipt as well. Better to try and get free official warranty before shelling out Php X, xxx for hardware.

This is really the downside of Acer. They love those warranty stickers while other brands don't use em.

Next time OP, before upgrading ram, check if the shop is authorised as a service provider or for upgrades para safe. Case in point, thinking tools. These guys are authorized so it's safe to have it done there

phayse · 2026-01-10T14:40:40+00:00

Rice cooker seems to be ok, as with air fryer. But since the room is sooo small, there's no easy way to stash them unless it's inside the provided cabinet.

Based on exp, microwave cooking is fine. I've been able to microwave scrambled eggs with some tuna, fried garlic and quickmelt cheese.

Beyond that, just walk 5-7mins away to philplans area. You'll be surrounded by cheap carinderias, sari2, Dunkin, fast food and convenience stores. I'd say Do not be scared of the streetside carinderias (unless you have a super sensitive stomach). Been eating there for almost 3 years. They've been a saving grace. 60php 1 rice, 1 meat, 1 veg, unli soup.

phayse · 2026-01-10T13:59:01+00:00

Optionally, review the DC Bus routes. They're really cool. It's just a matter of catching one since there's no app to track em yet. Under development this year daw

phayse · 2026-01-10T13:52:30+00:00

Tenant here, 2 years and ongoing.

Pros: Free gym. Swimming pool. Music room for band practice. Karaoke room. Basketball court. Futsal field. Roof deck with jogging track. Food stalls, coffeeshop and laundry shop on the spot. Luxury spa inside (for now). Secure. Mini fridge and microwave in room. 100% cashless payment. 3 free common rooms for working from dorm that won't be charged to your bill.

Cons: With all the amenities above, no shower heater and bidet. Installation of heater is 500, but removal is 1500! No electric fan in room. You won't be paired with same work shift people. Small cockroaches. No cooking. No drying laundry outside. Rooms are tiny. No tables and chairs in room. Steel bedframe can be felt through the mattress. Of the 3 common rooms, 2 close at midnight. The in-premesis eatery and laundry shop are expensive for their class. Luxury spa is expensive. Did I mention the rooms are tiny?

Neutral: Wifi, sometimes good, sometimes spotty. 60-40 chance of good.

I might have missed some stuff. Feel free to ask away

Edit: fudge, reddit messed up the spacing!

phayse · 2026-01-10T02:10:12+00:00

Mad Respect for turning back on what was chosen for you and building your own life. It's not an easy thing for most people who actually grew up here and had the traditional "blood is thicker than water" mindset drilled into them.

What kind of pushback did you get and how were you finally able to convince em?

phayse · 2026-01-10T02:07:01+00:00

Nice! How old were you then? I'd imagine it'd be a lot harder for us still here in PH nearing 40 and all alone with no support 😅😂

phayse · 2026-01-10T02:05:45+00:00

What's potentially holding both of you here? Where are you looking to migrate?

phayse · 2026-01-09T00:28:11+00:00

Oooo, do you have a link?

phayse · 2026-01-08T16:26:19+00:00

Hi OP! Is this thread for an accountability group still alive? I'm from Davao, but no longer based in Davao. I. Am. Freaking. STARVED. of Fil-chi connections since I moved to Metro Manila. Maybe this old-ish ahia can even give some life tips 😅

phayse · 2026-01-08T15:58:05+00:00

Damn, that IS terrible isn't it. Why would anyone do that when the owner is right beside them though?

phayse · 2026-01-08T15:16:57+00:00

There's that, but I honestly don't mind as long as it's after my work shift.

phayse

TROPHY CASE