Pesos Lot
What A Expatriate Might Need For The Kitchen
Thousands of expatriates leave the U. S. Every year to relocate to another country. While some will choose to bring all their household goods with them, most will leave the old stuff behind and begin anew. Many foreigners are currently relocating to the Philippine Islands. Here’s the reason.
One key factor drawing retired Americans to the Philippines is the low cost of living. A Social Security or disability check that can hardly make ends meet in the U. S. Can afford a comfortable living standard in the islands. How about a nice, 2-bedroom, 2-story house in a gated residential subdivision for about a hundred fifty dollars a month? Or a ten dollar a month water bill, $20 electric bill and less than $30 a month for high-speed internet and premium cable TV combination?
That same house would sell for the equivalent of about $30,000. That is, if you could buy it. National laws prevent any foreigner from owning real estate (except condos). If you’re married to a Filipina, she can buy the house but you’ll never own it… Not even after she dies. There are few exceptions.
Consequently, homes rentals, especially furnished units are common to expatriates. This allows them to step in and set up house with a minimum of your own ‘stuff’. You may need to buy a few things, though. For example, a tiger rice cooker, found in nearly every household in the country (Filipinos eat rice three times a day), is a must have.
A countertop microwave is also something tough to live without, and even if you brought your own it probably won’t work here without a voltage converter. Buying a converter is almost as expensive as buying a new over, so you can make that choice. American (110 volts) won’t work in the Philippines (220) without a converter.
Tropical fresh fruits and fruit juices are abundant in the islands and a necessity in any well-equipped kitchen is a hand blender for use in whipping up smoothies and other liquid concoctions. They’re handy for lots of mixing jobs besides drinks, too. Available models are simple to use and easy to maintain.
Of course, the blender will also have to be 220. The only appliances that typically work from one country (110 volts) to another (220 volts) are electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players. Most laptops automatically adjust to the different voltage and desktop computers will usually have a switch on the back of the unit where you can choose the correct setting. Keep that in mind when you’re deciding which stuff to transport with you on the move.
Cuba Money, currency and pesos