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Welcome to the forum Sam Doe, this is an expat site for the Philippine and not a doomsday bunker site for the ill informed.

Your bunch of zombies as you label them are here living a happy and productive life and find no need for tin foil hats nor extremist philosophies to have an enjoyable existence.

OMO but try another site that maybe amenable and sympathetic to your asks.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

zombies

like long term crisis prep, or even just politics or history or law or anything intellectual at all.

I'm bored!

. My mind needs stimulus desperately! - @Sam Doe

You are less likely to form new friendships when you start your quest by insulting a bunch of people.

There are Ex Pat's in CDO and there is a blogger/vlogger (whatever you call them) who puts out regular videos from there, so check his site out. I  have visited CDO 3 times and there always seemed to be a few foreigners hanging out at Starbucks by the SM Mall.

@Cherryann01

I stayed at the Seda Centrio hotel within the Centrio mall. I was there for a few days. I was at the Centrio Mall Starbucks every day but never saw a foreigner there. I did visit the SM too which was about 500 metres across the street but cannot recall seeing any westerners.

@Cherryann01
I stayed at the Seda Centrio hotel within the Centrio mall. I was there for a few days. I was at the Centrio Mall Starbucks every day but never saw a foreigner there. I did visit the SM too which was about 500 metres across the street but cannot recall seeing any westerners. - @Lotus Eater

It was about 2 and a half years ago since I was there and the westerners I saw could have been touristsm ,aybe there for the White Water Rafting and other adventure sports.

@bigpearl

I just see people trashing their own country and environment. At the river I spoke to my 2 lady dates and asked them why people still burn their plastic? Even knowing that it is destroying their environment and earth as well. They answered, "We just don't care about stuff like that.". That's what I call a zombie.

I see that parents in my neighborhood allow their kids to simply run around and destroy property. When approached and asked if they could please stop they simply shrug their shoulders and don't care. That, to me, is a zombie.

So far since I came, with all the love, respect and hopes anyone could ever have. I've been greeted with discrimination, abuse, violence, robbery and constantly just try to avoid EVERYONE. I wanted so much more out of this endeavor. I simply cannot find it. So, Steve, when the words come out a little harshly there's obviously a reason. And if you are an expat, you shouldn't be insulted about what I say about indiginous residents, because I am simply trying to find EXPATS. Not Filipinos to associate with.

Try not to be insulted by anything others say. It's not against you. I've tried so hard to help people here and be the decent guy but simply get my hand bitten. I hope you see this. I'm still in hopes that I can find what I need to be comfortable here. But being without alliances of my own kind makes for a really dull existence.

@Fred

I don't care to know anyone here where I am located. I've seen enough. Everyone I talk to agrees that Mindanao is not a good place compared to northern provinces for expats. I started another thread about finding a cool place to resettle.

@Lotus Eater

That's a really nice place. Too steep for price in my budget. I need to find a place that's quiet, but clise enough to civilization to obtain monthly supplies. I searched google for, where to find solitude in the Philippines. It came up with 4 places. The reason I put PREPPERS in my title is not a doomsday thing nor is it a means to change the venue here. It's simply because I think a little different because I am poor, and although educated just want to be around people who still believe in standing up for things. Just like if someone was passionate about baseball they'd want to find others, etc.

I've met a couple foreigners here and spent some time with them. They are on different paths because they have the financial freedom to do so. I'm more of the nomadic, carry my house with me type of person. Just can't find safety here where I am.

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@Sam Doe

I initially gave you a response but from additional comments you made, your issues with the Philippines are extensive and involve more than the topic of "prepping". I have no idea what exactly it is that you want to discuss; apparently everything here bothers you. That's a bit too big for me to address to I will just exit stage right. C'ya

@Sam Doe

I can tell from your prose that you are an educated individual who understandably has become frustrated with the Filipino mindset. Most Filipinos are on a different frequency not only compared to western nations but other asian countries too in many respects. I could not live in the country long term. If I did I'd probably lose my sense of identity. It's uncanny that you use the adjective zombie. I have often used that word to describe the mall mentality of herds of uneducated Filipinos being 'processed' to satisfy the family elites who run the country. In a previous thread I recently used the analogy of the Mall of Asia in Pasay as akin to something out of a sci-fi movie.

Thousands of expats to this country arrive with rose tinted glasses and are immediately hit with an initial sugar coated adrenaline high. But for many this soon wears off and most leave. If they stay its because they cannot afford to leave.  Throw in the dysfunctional infrastructure, noise, garbage, and petit scams and it starts to grate. I suspect you chose the Philippines given your minimal income and if you are the parsimonious type it will suit you in that respect. But you need mental stimulation too. You might get that in Manila but the place is expensive and frankly a polluted overcrowded expensive megalopolis. You won't get it in the provinces, not a bookstore in sight.

You remind me a little of another occasional contributor to this forum who manages to succinctly cover the salient points of life in the Philippines particularly the 'cerebral chasm' as I refer to it. Check out 'thedfords' posting of 22 August 2022. Post 103. Pros and Cons of Retiring/Living in the Philippines.

@danfinn

Wow. This word Preppers really triggers some emotions. Didn't know everyone was so sensitive to it? As far as my other problems in the Philippines, I wouldnt know because I have only seen CDO. I speak of my area specifically. Thought that was clear but I guess not. I don't want to believe that this small area reflects the whole country. Lot's of people tell me all the time places that are better suited. I was just feeling out where other expats are and it seems that the first post I put has caused so much opinionated response mixed with presumption of me as a person. What am I to say? Haven't any of you ever been attacked, burglarized, discriminated and harrassed here? Because if not, then obviously you aren't here. I'd just like to meet other expats is all. And finding a place to settle is on the venue, as well as more travel. I like to Eco Travel, so a lot of amenities aren't exactly necessary all the time, but safety and connections are. So, I hope that explains a little of what I am looking for. Non judgemental, not overly sensetive people who want to connect and share stories, etc.

@bigpearl
I just see people trashing their own country and environment. At the river I spoke to my 2 lady dates and asked them why people still burn their plastic? Even knowing that it is destroying their environment and earth as well. They answered, "We just don't care about stuff like that.". That's what I call a zombie.
I see that parents in my neighborhood allow their kids to simply run around and destroy property. When approached and asked if they could please stop they simply shrug their shoulders and don't care. That, to me, is a zombie.
So far since I came, with all the love, respect and hopes anyone could ever have. I've been greeted with discrimination, abuse, violence, robbery and constantly just try to avoid EVERYONE. I wanted so much more out of this endeavor. I simply cannot find it. So, Steve, when the words come out a little harshly there's obviously a reason. And if you are an expat, you shouldn't be insulted about what I say about indiginous residents, because I am simply trying to find EXPATS. Not Filipinos to associate with.
Try not to be insulted by anything others say. It's not against you. I've tried so hard to help people here and be the decent guy but simply get my hand bitten. I hope you see this. I'm still in hopes that I can find what I need to be comfortable here. But being without alliances of my own kind makes for a really dull existence. - @Sam Doe

So when are you leaving?

@Lotus Eater

Wow! Thanks, man. That's the kind of thing I am looking for here. (Sigh of relief). I am brand new to this forum. I posted another thread about rafthouse. I had an idea to build a raft and moor it somewhere but maybe that's just laughable.

To be honest, I feel a little lost of direction. I really don't know what my next move should be? With my wife leaving, I will be totally solo, and that's kind of scary to me.

I'm 51, and disabled. I had to retire early so my SS check is small. Not even close enough to live in the US. I really can't afford to go far, since all my savings went into this house. I was seeking preppers because I am having a hard time finding certain items to be off grid here. One particular is HEIRLOOM seeds. Not much luck there. I found some MRE for sale, so that if I decide to walk up the mountain for solitude, I will have however many days of food I can carry.

That's why I mentioned preppers. They are the only kind of people I can think of that would really know?

Thanks again. I will read that thread.

Check out Dumaguerte on YouTube. Lots of vloggers all over the Philippines on there. Dumaguerte has a large expat community, low rent/cost of living. Initially I thought thats where I would like to retire to. But honestly, I want to immerse myself in the Filipino culture. Davao on Mindanao island was very enjoyable, as well as Samal island that I visited last year.  After a lot of research and talking to many Filipino ex co-workers (health care) here in Canada, they agree with me that CDO would be a great place to retire. Obviously Im not bound to staying in one place but it will be my starting point.

Iloilo, Palawan, Cavite, General Santos are all on my radar as well. One day at a time, and I'll see where this new adventure leads me.

I hope you can find the stimulus you seek and enjoy a more fulfilling life with friendships made. All the best to you.

Steve

Thanks!

I would agree that Dumaguete would probably be a good choice if the O/P wanted to meet lots of ExPats although I do not think it would be my choice. I spent about 3 weeks in Davao a few years back and it is actually my favourite city in the Philippines so far and lots to do with Samal Island just a short hop across the sea by boat. I found Davao to be clean, safe and friendly and think it would make a good retirement spot. Davao also comes top or near the top on most lists for cleanliness and safety in the Philippines.

I understand the O/P's point about rubbish in CDP as I have seen it for myself in the river, on the streets and even some of the resorts near there are full of litter on the beach, in the sea and on the road leading to the resort. The Apple Tree resort where I stayed once was like this.

One thing I would say though regarding rubbish is that parts of my home country are not much better. The city centres get cleaned in the early hours of the morning but you only have to walk about a half mile outside the centre to notice all the crap because outside the centre, there is a weekly, maybe even two weekly now rota system for street cleaning.

More money will get you a better location with less litter around so I think you get what you pay for and living a more secluded life out in the sticks, brings it's own set of problems.

I hope you manage to find the right balance for you.

Thanks! I haven't been to Davao. I will try to explore there at some point, but it'll probably be after my wife leaves.

Try Clark, Dumaguete Davao cleaner environment, more foreigners and less authentic Filipino lifestyle. I wouldn’t live in some of the expat heavy areas but that is just me.  I like the authentic Philippines ( take the good with the bad)