You don't necessarily need loads of money to get going here. 120,000 pesos was what we started with. Locals dont have a bigger advantage than you once you learn how things are done here. If anything i would say foreigners have the advantage once they are fluent in the language. Can see your point as have watched many a foreigner come here and fail but most of the time it was there fault. Sometimes they think they no better than the locals. Big mistake!