AboutBill and Lorna Collings Expertise Feel FREE to ask us about traveling, living, relocating, retiring and investing in the Philippines. Guests from 83 countries make our place in Manila an incredible meeting place for world travelers who exchange travel stories and information. We understand both the joys and the hardships of living and traveling in the Philippines.
Experience I arrived in the Philippines in January 1980 to travel for 2 months; I stayed 4 months before reluctantly leaving. I met my Filipina wife, Lorna. an incredible stellar, "one in a million" individual in 1983 in Seoul and we moved to the Philippines in 1986 and opened our 3BR house to world travelers on a budget. After welcoming thousands of guests from 83 nations our place has grown to 30 bedrooms but will never lose its "Home away from Home" atmosphere. Almost everyday at The Townhouse Hotel there's a party-like social scene with vibrant, almost magical energetic conversations between our guests who have the pleasure to meet each other and share their life's many experiences. Sometimes. three groups with conversations in different langauges are going on at the same time.
So we've been exposed to every kind of person from all over the world and shared their experiences.
Publications Suite101.com, eDreams.com, expertcentral.com ( who asked me to apply with allexperts.com since About.com has bought both companies and are in the process of integrating them)
Education/Credentials some college 2-1/2 years - no degree - I've been traveling since I was 18, almost 30 years.
Awards and Honors Luckily, my wife and I have been semi-retired since we were 30 years old, more than 15 years.
Question Mabuhay Bill and Lorna,
I am intrigued with the idea of relocating to the Philippines but somewhat skeptical about chances for success. I define success as having a comfortable standard of living for a family of 4 operating a business. I am currently engaged to a beautiful filipina whom I adore and who has good business sense.
I plan to visit there(my third trip)in Dumaguete this Easter and sponsor a small business seminar where local business people will speak about the various aspects of operating a small business there in the city.
I am curious as to how much money would be necessary for start-up(I know it depends on type of business, but maybe some examples), how much reserve(1year of expenses?),What are the attitudes of the locals for such a venture, Can i expect reasonable ROI, etc...I have a million questions obviously and would appreciate any insights. The more honest the asessment the better because I want to go in(if at all) with eyes wide open. Salamat & God Bless
Answer Hi John, I'll forward you a half a dozen email answers that have answered similiar questions as yours if you will email me at: bill_lorna@yahoo.com
We have never thought too highly of "business seminars" and believe that small business opportunities need to be assessed by each entrepreneur orgainizing a new business. We know many foreigners in the Philippines who started small businesses for small investments of from U$5000 to U$25,000. We have noticed a tendency among those foreigners who were more successful in their home countries, think their time is too valuable and invested up to U$250,000 that they judge the Philippines and do business here the same way they did at home; THEY GO FLAT BROKE IN ABOUT 5 YEARS. And we've noticed that foreigners who start out with smaller investment like under U$50,000, admit not "knowing it all" but learn as they go along tend to succeed in the Philippines and enjoy consistent growth.
BUT one consideration is your kids; most guys we know didn\t move here with them but slowly raised kids after hooking up with a Filipina. Education for your children, ( ages? ) and a good environment for children are the MOST important issues. I can't advise unless I know the ages of your kids,
