Switzerland is o.k. if you can stomach the high cost of living. However, if you then add to it wealth taxation + the -no longer low- income taxes (applicable to e.g. dividends/interest) you will probably think twice if it's the right place to be.
Oh, I'm very well aware what the alternative is...
Where did you read 6-8%? I know it is 10%
give it a read, about the Micro-company tax regime
How would you go around in the Philippines then? Unless you live in Metro Manila or Metro Cebu, you won't have car service and will rely on taxis which are notoriously overcharging and drivers often violent.
It's not black and white, there's gray zones. You can have some lax regulation while still having reasonable civility, Cyprus comes to mind.
I agree on the latter but not regarding to development. I'm curious how long you lived on the islands and what cities. I've spent 7+ years on Luzon in many different cities, bigger and smaller. The country with a few exceptions is poorly developed. Most cities and towns are just starting to see why sidewalks are a necessity. Never mind anything more advanced.
Metro Manila: A combination of Jeepney, LRT and MRT. Works great for me. When it's raining or I am too lazy I spend a bit more and take a taxi (either flagging it down or through a ride hailing app). The question of overcharging is easily solved: Once you enter the taxi, tell the driver to KINDLY TURN ON THE METER. Usually he will do it without discussion except you board at the Shangri-La or similar upmarket venues. If he refuses, just open the door when he stops and walk away. The next taxi is just behind and happy to transport you.
I do not recall any such situation.
Even though I agree that it is not all black & white, I would not put Cyprus in a "gray zone". To me Cyprus is a highly developed nation with tough regulations. "Gray zone" would be Malaysia, Turkey and perhaps Bulgaria.
Cagayan Valley for 12 years. During a time when neither Robinson nor SM where present up there. Not once did I use the plane from Manila to the North because back then it was too unreliable and overpriced. However, I was a good customer of Victory Liner and Florida Liner. It worked fine for me - I like bus travel. And for longer journeys southbound of Manila I relied on the good old SuperFerry (today Negros Navigation 2GO)
You have to compare like with like. Then the Philippines shines. Do not make the mistake to compare the Philippines with Thailand which is on a completely different level of development. The Philippines is much more like Cambodia or Vietnam.
Mud can be bothersome, Flip-Flops are ugly and I do not drink alcohol. Indeed, I expect close to nothing and lived there happily.
You're braver than me. Even though I've used both for years, they're beyond ridiculous. Jeepneys you will get a full dose of MM pollution, short-term meaning headaches and long-term lung cancer.
One time - and that was with one of the highly praised airport taxis. It got solved and was the ;last time I took that yellow thing. With the white taxis I never experienced any noteworthy trouble.
That is a relatively new phenomenon and started around 2015 when it became clear that nobody ever invested in proper maintenance, specifically of the MRT. They received the Czech (!) railcars in 1999 together with the opening of the MRT and did not do anything on them for more than 20 years. It's miracle that these Czech cars still run, even though completely worn out.
Sadly, I agree. Things have changed since the opening of SM City in Cauayan. It is still livable but when I am there on a visit I prefer to stay on the farm together with my friends. That is a small Barrio and nothing has changed over the years.
Hey jirapy can you help with the lawyer in Paraguay??
Hey Backpacker is the farm available for living?Is the internet good in the farm??
@fortunespeculator
