Is the Grass Really Greener Stateside? Honestly.

nrswnabee · Jul 3, 2006

that's what I initially thought...so was surprised at the estimated gas money.
actually it's not funny when you're still driving here...a lot of near accidents. have you seen the plague of scooters lately??? they weave in & out of traffic, they cut into your lane at high speed, they overtake you with an inch or two to spare! and when they hit you, they're gonna get up & verbally abuse you for not giving them the "right of way."
horrendous situation lately. add the tricycles and pedicabs in Quezon Avenue, the people who walk in the middle of the road, especially at night, the pedicabs & tricycles who go counterflow & play chicken with you... personally I think it's a Health Hazard to drive here in Manila!
but yeah, it's kinda funny when you don't have to drive here anymore and just look at things from another FARTHER perspective...

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oh, save your stress...there are whackos on highways around here, too. at speeds averaging 70-80mph (about 110kph to 130 kph), you'll only be too happy to arrive where your going in one piece. but of course, this wouldn't be too hard for you as you've had a lot of "practice" already.

did i mention that food is affordable but clothes and services aren't? if she likes dining out, i'm not surprised why salonika's budget had $1000 for a month. but if you do your own groceries and cook on your own, $200-250/month will be okay. easy on the ice cream....you'll be surprised how many brands are available and alternating on sale almost every week. clothes are darn expensive forget buying on regular retail, let alone name brands. old navy, guess, gap simple t-shirts go "on sale" $12-15 a piece and some are "made in the philippines." unless you're getting decent winter wear, i find it a luxury buying clothes regularly.

if you are a handyman, you'll be saving a lot more when something gets broken. a plumber charges $150 for service plus materials. help to move things costs usd10/hour (that's easily $100 for long day's job). tipping is about 15-20% otherwise the wait staff you'll give you the look. my sister had this mechanic tweak a few knobs and what not of her car and was charged $80.....she asked for a quote to repair a small dent at the back of her car--- $800??? no way.

Lone Stranger · Jul 4, 2006

Just curious.. Is having a car really impt.?? ?

I would think the car is important. I was there Christmas and the distances between everywhere was vast by Philippine standards. Standing at a bus stop on a cold day with only the leafless tree branches, the granite sky, and the crows to keep you company will almost certainly make you want to hop aboard the soonest flight back to good ol' Pinas. One lonely lil bus per hour, and that ends at 7 in the evening. No more joy after that. I been there and I would definitely work in the cost of a car. (Besides, the gut-felt rumble of a V8 is such a turn-on ).

Lone Stranger · Jul 4, 2006

to answer lone stranger: grass is indeed greener in the u.s. many pinoy nurses have improved their lives (as well as their folks back in the phils.) upon setting foot in the u.s. .

thank you, fellas! your feedback is helping me (and i'm certain to cascade the info to my second courser classmates) answer the tough questions of life. i know it's a calculated move and that there are no easy answers. the important thing tho was finding out whether there was enough leeway in terms of saving up. this is important in view of the major (major!) lifestyle changes that come with taking up nursing. besides it's getting late in the day for some of us (ok, ok, i'll speak for myself if there'

s no show of kindred hands! ) and i'm one of those looking forward to knocking off while there's still time and energy to have fun.

Lone Stranger · Jul 4, 2006

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easy on the ice cream.....

ouch! i was not above wandering out of walgreens at 1 a.m. in a wet and blustery night on the streets of san fran happily digging into a pint of butter pecan... even the sales lady had to smile when i turned down her offer to bag it and asked instead for a spoon.

cooking? ah, i'm a mean cook and saved myself a packet by buying bulk, cooking it up, popping it in the fridge, and reheating. that's what i like about the u.s. the appliances are there just waiting for you. oh, oh, oh, not to forget: hot water! hot water straight out of the tap! (will wonders never cease?)

plumbing? yep, got that in the bag too. i've had the distinct pleasure of asking for things that not even the shop assistants knew existed. ok, two years and counting...

Lone Stranger · Jul 4, 2006

hmmm.
gonna have a word with a student.
she told me she couldn't buy a book quote]
whoa there, fella. i wouldn't be too hard on her. this book buying business is not easy especially for first coursers. most of the latest edition books sell in the neighborhood of p1000 (19 us$) and that's not cheap. takes time to scare up the money.

worse, students sometimes have to second guess their teachers as to the textbook/s they actually need because the teachers source from more than one textbook. i found out my teacher in anatomy and physio used three sources when he swore he only sourced from one (marieb, and marieb has the nasty habit of posing questions that are either not discussed or too subtly hidden in the text). because of the ridiculously large number of nursing students and the competition that poses, many students want to get that extra 'edge' by acquiring more than just one sourcebook. end result: no more moolah.

have a heart. thanks, i know you will.

a

lawrence01 · Jul 4, 2006

I would think the car is important. I was there Christmas and the distances between everywhere was vast by Philippine standards. Standing at a bus stop on a cold day with only the leafless tree branches, the granite sky, and the crows to keep you company will almost certainly make you want to hop aboard the soonest flight back to good ol' Pinas. One lonely lil bus per hour, and that ends at 7 in the evening. No more joy after that. I been there and I would definitely work in the cost of a car. (Besides, the gut-felt rumble of a V8 is such a turn-on ).

What City/State is this? How about in San Francisco or NY or any place w/c has a large selection of nearby apartments? Would it be better to invest on an apartment very near your work place (even though it may be a little bit more expensive) than investing in a car and paying a monthly lease and gas money?

Which route will give you more monthly savings? 1) Paying extra for a nearby apartment or 2) go to an affordable place but would entail you to use a car for work.

Just curious on w/c one actually gives you more savings in the long run?

pinoy_guy · Jul 4, 2006

whoa there, fella. i wouldn't be too hard on her. this book buying business is not easy especially for first coursers. most of the latest edition books sell in the neighborhood of p1000 (19 us$) and that's not cheap. takes time to scare up the money.

no, it's not about the money.

it's about her saying that she could not buy the book because c&e recto was closed last june 24, 2006.

she said it was a holiday.

if i can't trust her word, then how can i trust her to carry out verbal or phone orders?

jooycee · Jul 5, 2006

Hi, I want to know if we can bring to US the saunders book reprint from C & E in recto? it cost 798php.The original is 1,500something with cd.It has copywrite.feedback pls

bloodytom · Jul 5, 2006

no, it's not about the money.
it's about her saying that she could not buy the book because c&e recto was closed last june 24, 2006.
she said it was a holiday.
if i can't trust her word, then how can i trust her to carry out verbal or phone orders?

i think there are two brances of c&e in recto. one near the natl bookstore and another one near ue theatre. im not sure if the one near natl bookstore is already closed but maybe your source visited the other branch and his visited the other.

it's really no big deal...

nrswnabee · Jul 5, 2006

What City/State is this? How about in San Francisco or NY or any place w/c has a large selection of nearby apartments? Would it be better to invest on an apartment very near your work place (even though it may be a little bit more expensive) than investing in a car and paying a monthly lease and gas money?
Which route will give you more monthly savings? 1) Paying extra for a nearby apartment or 2) go to an affordable place but would entail you to use a car for work.
Just curious on w/c one actually gives you more savings in the long run?

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hey, l! you're asking very good questions and the right ones, too. however, there aren't any straight answers until you've finally settled where you're gonna work. after this, everything else (apartment, car vs. bus/train) will fall into place. also, there are things you can't just put a price tag on (e.g. being able to de-stress after toxic workdays or being close by your "support group" a.k.a. friends/relatives).

if it's of help, nyc is a very expensive city and much too hurried, at least for me. 1-bedroom apartments cost about $1800-2000/month (west side). if you decide to live away (say, 45 minutes), the train would cost you $12.00, peak (although you can avail of discounts up to 50% if you'll be commuting daily), one-way and a 1-bedroom apartment can be had for $1200/month....(not many people want to drive to nyc bec. it's simply not worth the pain...)

lots_of_luv · Jul 6, 2006

let's take a look at you expenses:

apartment - $ 1,000

food - 1,000

car amortization - $ 400

gas - $ 300

tax - $ 800

miscellaneous - $ 300

total monthly expense - $ 3,800.00

savings - $ 200

i don't agree that you have to spend $1,000 on food every month on your own. or have to pay $1,000 on rent. i've lived in the states for 8 years...it should be less, depends on the person ofcourse. also compared to the working conditions of a nurse in the philippines and for those working abroad, it's so much better abroad.

remrimsgems · Jul 7, 2006

Is the Grass Really Greener Stateside?
I totally agree....I wish we have more "grass" in the Philippines so that we could work go back and work there and get the salary that we deserve as nurses.....
The fight for progress has been tried for over a half a century ---> PI needs serious overhaul (a revolution?)......