Well IMPO the food here is worse than Thailand and so are the accommodations but the women are much, much nicer. A very fair trade IMPO!
I agree with all you say. Have been to the P.I. many times, even to Dumaguete before. I plan to maintain somewhat of a residence in both countries for a while.
I often wonder what the outcome of all this would be if Thailand spoke English more as in the PI. I could see the PI being a Forgotten Country Just saying. Jack
I would likely make the move to Thailand if they spoke better English. Much better infrastructure, food and culture. However, Thailand is not a place for all the loud foreigners with bully attitudes that like to come to the Philippines. Fighting is part of Thai culture and while I was there I saw several foreigners getting their butts, rightfully, whooped by both male and female locals. Good entertainment to watch those a-holes get what is coming to them by a guy or girl half their size.
There are many good safe locations within Dumaguete, much depends on your requirements and budget. Daro, Bantayan are 2 very quiet locations only a short distance from everything.
Thanks Michael B. Cost of living in Thailand is low and most things (food, housing, transportation, women, etc.) I really like. It is a violent culture. In a fight, friends always attack together whether against another Thai or a foreigner. If the person being attacked is a foreigner, The Thais attacking him may not even know each other, but will join in the attack on a foreigner. But conflicts are easy to avoid, unless drunk. My issues mostly revolve around the poor English speaking ability here. Too difficult to do anything without a Thai person with you. To live permanently, Thailand would be my first preference, as long as I can afford to leave the country every 4/5 months for a while. I plan to maintain my residence in Thailand while in the Philippines a few months at a time.
Pretty much agree with everything you say but the monarchy is also question mark? What happens when Kink passes and what will military Junta do? Me thinks not democracy... Plus lack of English is a major problem for many people.