FAO Walesrob

[walesrob]

Walesrob

I've read in one of the other posts ("Where would you live" I think) And I see you've got a place at Tacloban. My wife is from near there, Western Samar to be precise about 40min from the city. I was looking at houses on the Island paradise website though things seem to be getting expensive there. How do you find the place? From the limited time I've spent there the doesn't seem to much in the way of expats or resturants / bars etc. I know its only a small town which is a nice factor for me being a country boy. JUst wondering if you can shead some light on the place for me.

Cheers

Hi Subseastu,

We've got our place at a new sub-division a few miles outside of Tacloban not far from San Juanico bridge. I've also noticed prices are on the up in the immediate Tacloban area, and even more so now that Robinsons have started building a new mall and hotel in nearby Marasbaras, and there's rumours of the airport will become an International rather than just domestic. They've just finished building a new bus station in Abucay as well.

Property is cheap once you leave Tacloban - Palo is a good place, Dulag and Tanuan as well, I'm not sure about Samar, but I do know there are some nice beaches around Marabut. I'm not sure what your budget is for buying property, but check this site http://www.islandsproperties.com/properties/leyte.htm for some pointers. The best deals I think are at the sub-divisions, I've seen brand-new 1 bedroom homes for about £2500, they are small with a decent sized lot, so there's room for expansion (we are building a garage at our place). There's always a new sub-division springing up in different places, and most are not advertised on the internet, so its a case of asking or seeking out these places, which is how we found our place.

I found Tacloban is ok in small doses, but I don't think I could live there, the noise, the fumes, the traffic, which is why I would recommend some place nearby. Tacloban is a small place, but it has everything you need, and once the Mall is finished, even better. I feel quite safe when I'm there, but like anywhere in Philippines, caution advised at all times.

Most expats in Tacloban are Americans, but I know there are a few Brits living in Dulag and Palo area, but I haven't as yet made contact with them. Restaurants in Tacloban: Giuseppe's Italian is nice, Stephanie's as well. Alejandros Hotel Cafe is a pleasant place to have a meal. An American guy has a good little website about Tacloban http://www.marasbaras.com/ with some useful bits of info about places to eat.

Hope this helps!

[subseastu]

Walesrob

Cheers for the super fast informative reply. Can't believe the house prices are that low!! £2500 for a one bed house is amazing. I think you're right in that sub-divisions are the way to go. I was getting put off by some of the prices on that island paradise website, obviously large expat built houses that cost more than my place in the UK! Don't think I could stand being too close to Tacloban aswell, too many jeepneys, tricylces and what not. I don't think there are many clean cities in the phils, could be the lack of mot's and car servicing.

If there is a mall going up there aswell that would be really good news as one of my main concerns there is a lack of choice of goods, epsecially electrical stuff.

I think the wife wants to go back next year so we'll have to try to find a hire car place and do some local exploring. To be honest I've not heard of the places you mentioned but I think towards the bridge area would be about the best as its the other side of town from the airport. Best to start looking now if these developments do go in prices will soar.

I'll have a shuffty at that website you mentioned to. Anyway thanks for the quick reply again mate and look forward to any future correspondance with your self.

[Marasbaras]

We've got our place at a new sub-division a few miles outside of Tacloban not far from San Juanico bridge.

Technically that's still Tacloban (it goes out quite a ways), but nobody really considers it such.

Robinsons have started building a new mall and hotel in nearby Marasbaras

The dust is horrid. And, land prices are at P3000 per square meter now. We live about a half kilometer from the site.

An American guy has a good little website about Tacloban http://www.marasbaras.com/ with some useful bits of info about places to eat.

I would be that American guy ... if you're looking for what's around Tacloban, I'd recommend my OTHER site ... http://www.mytacloban.com. It's a Google maps mashup with pictures, icons, and a nifty map.

James

[walesrob]

Hi James,

Welcome to the forum, maybe one day we can meet up in sunny, dusty Tacloban!