The main reason for wanting to get out of the Philippines, is the tropical sweltering climate makes it really difficult to work in the daytime in fresh air without airconditioning. Even with ceiling and floor standing fans, I am still sweating. I am well adjusted to the heat and can even jog in the midday heat, but this is not ideal for my concentration, athletics, and also I think it doesn't help me cure what ever chronic digestive tract infection I may have (fungal?).
Let's compare the climate of Davao:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davao_City#ClimateTo the airport of Hong Kong (which is next to Lantau Island):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Hong_Kong#StatisticsThe other reasons for wanting to leave the Philippines are the daily brownouts, frequent Internet connection problems, boredom with the lack of athletic and scenic outlets for leisure time activities, and the lack of international cuisine. Local cuisine is okay, but after 10 years I am tired of it.
Also the noise from neighbors (e.g. a piano played by kids loud enough that my earplugs aren't sufficient) and that for example the bathrooms and kitchens aren't well designed and appointed, e.g. the shower sprays onto the toilet and so after someone takes a shower I get to walk on a wet floor and sit on a wet toilet.
One thing that has kept me here other than not really having enough funds to move, is that I own a 2003 model diesel Isuzu SUV here.
I think Hong Kong is the most likely next destination for me, as soon as I can afford it. Looks like Mui Mo on Lantau Island is the best combination (for now, although massive development plans are promulgating now for community feedback) of rural environment, hiking/jogging trails, affordability, public transport access to Hong Kong island, quaint beach life, quaint restaurants with international cuisine, and modern apartments (with I assume reliable+fast Internet access).
http://defence.pk/threads/pictures-of-hongkong.46439/page-13I even see basketball courts (this is a small neighboring island):
https://bluebalu.com/2013/08/18/hiking-discovery-bay-to-mui-wo-and-back/I spend roughly $300 a month for my main house here in Davao in a nicer, walled security subdivision, and another $80 monthly for a crappy house up on the cooler hillsides, which I maintain so I have two Internet connections with the two major ISPs (Globe and Smart) in case one is offline then I can drive to the other. Ditto for the brownouts, since rarely brownout in both locations simultaneously. It is roughly a 15 - 20 min drive if no traffic (and I am often awake in the night for the cooler fresh and sleeping in day in aircon). That is not including the cost of my two Internet connections ($60), electricity for both locations ($80), water ($8), diesel ($50), and food ($300+).
For Mui Mo, I would need to spend roughly $1500 monthly to get something decent (although this might decrease by 2017 if the HKD peg breaks as Armstrong is predicting):
http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/search/?area=4;district=4;type=rent;layout=11;sort=pahttp://www.squarefoot.com.hk/property/21201623/http://www.squarefoot.com.hk/property/21011775/I am estimating my transportation and food would be at least double in Hong Kong.
So my base monthly expenses (not including other things such as $256 month child support in USA, credit card debt installments, Internet services such as Skype, $100 salary for my gf who does all the cooking & cleaning, etc) would increase from roughly $880 to $2250. And I'd probably keep the $80 or $300 rental in the Philippines to store my car and things. Overall I would increase my monthly expenditures from roughly $1400 to $2850. So roughly double my monthly expenses.
If the crowdfund is successful, I will probably make that upgrade to my environment by about October or November, as Hong Kong starts to cool off. The summers in Hong Kong are nearly as hot as here in Davao, so no advantage.
I tried to think of other places where I could relocate such that my filipina gf could likely attain a visa with minimum fuss and would be as convenient and affordable and I can't think of any. Any suggestions?
Note it is likely (according to Martin Armstrong's model which I ascribe to) for the USD to become very strong in 2017, so the increase in expenses would be mitigated if my funding is coming in US dollars. Hopefully the coming global economic contagion might slowdown the plans to transform Lantau island from 100,000 to 1 million population.
I am not looking at Hong Kong as a permanent destination. Perhaps 6 months to a year until the next stage of JAMBOX is achieved. Perhaps maintain an office in HK if turns out there are game developers or other reasons to have an office there ongoing.
Edit: ground beef (w/egg and Worcestershire sauce), mozarella cheese, tomato, lettuce, and (no high fructose corn syrup) Heinz ketchup sandwiches on whole wheat French bread again tonight! I am so tired of eating a monotonous strict diet of tuna soup, eggs, oatmeal, raw carrots, and steamed greens. No ill effects from eating this yesterday. If I can eat the food I like again, I can gain back some of my strength. I need that brain food.
After feeling strong yesterday and sleeping, I woke up with diarrhea. I've been high dosing with sublingual oregano oil since awakening roughly 4 hours ago. The oregano oil seems to be getting it under control although I still feel a bit under the weather (but not worse than a mild flu feeling). Actually my body feels strong with that food and I sleep very well.
So this is another confirmation that my 4 year chronic illness is an infectious agent impacting my digestive system, which makes sense given the chronic phase began 4 years ago after being hospitalized for an acute peptic ulcer and h.pylori infection.
I mentioned previously that the oregano oil seems to have greatly diminished the occurrences of the pimples on face or tongue that precede a chronic fatigue syndrome relapse in the past. As well cleared up the "70 year old" skin look on my shoulders and upper back. And my CFS episodes are much milder. And mostly I just need to sleep more whereas before so insomniac.
The oregano oil is working great. Diarrhea appears to have abated. I am really hoping I am underway to being cured. I feel very hopeful with the way I can handle food and basically reverse any bad symptoms quite rapidly with high doses of the oregano oil.
I think it is time to get out of this sweltering climate. Need a change.