Why do expats love Dumaguete?

I think its the matter of convienence. There are much more stores and places to get things done in Dumaguete, eat-out options, grocery locations, etc. I lived in Dumaguete for around 3 years and found that I rarely left with the exception of vacationing or touring other islands. I now live in Bais for the past 2 years and although it is much less crowded and relaxing, my wife and I find ourselves making a weekly trip (sometimes more, especially if medical is needed or dentistry work) - into Dumaguete for grocery shopping, appliance, clothes, or whatever else may be needed that we can't find available here in Bais.

 

For me, it's the local dialect which I'm comfortable with that's why I only choose to live in Central Visayas. Of course some places in Mindanao speak the same but I only want to go to those places you mentioned as a tourist.

 

That sounds a little like asking what are the advantages of a steak dinner vs a pork dinner or a chicken dinner. Its all about your personal taste. You have to try them all and see what works for you OR do what most of us did and find a place you like (Dumaguete) and don't even bother to go and try living in all those other cities.

If you asked someone living in Tacloban what the advantage of living there vs Dumaguete is, what do you think they would say if they had never lived in Dumaguete?

I have been in Philippines for 9 and a half years. I have visited several of the places you mention, but I have only actually "lived in" (like for a period of more than a year) 3 different areas. The city of Cebu is too congested, spread out and expensive. The city of Naval, Biliran is too quiet without enough conveniences for me. The city of Dumaguete is right in the middle and just right, for me.

 

Bayawan is too far from BI office, airport and ferry ports to and from Cebu or Manila which I understand you might not be going to in a weekly basis. What's on top of your priority list?

 

Bayawan and Tanjay landed on my list because these are very clean cities not too crowded but with (hopefully) working utilities like working waste collection system, well equipped hospitals for most non serious issues, enough shopping possibilities so that is probably needed to go only once per week to a bigger city for shopping some more special items. But even in very crowded cities like Manila and Cebu is it possible to find quiet places.
My top favorite is currently Davao City. But I have still an eye on Tanjay, Valencia, Bayawan, Dumaguete and Bais on Negros. Sibulan is an alternative to Dumaguete.
My primary factors are to live in a quiet place with reliable utilities and public transport. Also if a drug store and a decent point of shopping is available will be a plus point.

 

Yes, as for Bais there is a decent hospital, mercury drug, a downtown area and market, a novo (kind of like unitop) several small grocery outlets, an lbc, western unioin, garbage truck weekly, plenty of shopping for basic items, and located right on the Ceres Bus Route so public transportation is very handy. (Dont think Im trying to sell you on Bais lol, since Ive lived here for years I can speak from experience. In fact tends to be my expereince that the less foreingers, the better ) In Bais as well as most of the cities in central visayas area speak the same language/dialect as in Dumaguete, which of course is Visaya/Bisaya. I would imagine Tanjay/Amlan/San Jose/Sibulan to be similar if not better than Bais area. Ive been to Tanjay and Sibulan many times and have friends in each..so it ultimately goes with what DaveHounddriver said, it all comes down to what is the right fit for you.

 

We stayed in Tanjay during my bf's second visit to Dumaguete. We love the place and you're right about still finding quiet places. We even found a land at 850 php/sqm not far from downtown. There was just one problem: He accidentally cut his ba**s with his finger nail (believe me, not mine) and he couldn't stop the bleeding so we went to a medical outpost. The doctor and nurses were very warm and attentive but we can't call the facility as "well equipped". Until now, this is how he describes the place:

 

A better question might be, "what are the sacrifices for living in the cities you mentioned".
So much depends on one's background and their criteria for being comfortable.

 

It is not only about sacrifices but also what does the city benefits for me or my needs.
Many people choose their places only how nice / beautiful it looks and not what it is really offering. This results quite often in foreigners (and also pinoys) whose daily activities are only watching TV and getting drunk. One case I know was a foreigner dying because he did not checked the point "available and quality of hospitals" in the nearer area of his living. They had to rush him into a better quality hospital 2 hours away by boat. But at arrival in that hospital he was dead. A sort of horrible sacrifice.

 

Like most folks have said, everyone has different needs/wants in a place. We picked Tanjay for a few reasons; the most obvious is that the wife is from there which does make things convenient as the family is close if we need anything, I personally like the smaller towns and we are known around town so no issues with prices if I am out shopping by myself or with the lovely wife out of view. Shopping is enough unless you are making a major purchase. With having a house there and folks we know I really enjoy life.

Bais is also close by and has a nice seafood market and things to do. We usually will go to Dumaguete 2-6 times a month on average for shopping, movie theater, restaurants and/or to meet up with folks we know. Dumaguete is a bit more than I would want full time but enjoy the times when we do go there.

One place in the Philippines we really enjoyed (only 5 days or so) was Bohol. I think there is a lot to do there and the area was nice. Of the places we have visited outside of Negros this is one we will visit again. For someone looking at places to settle/visit I think Bohol is worth checking out as well.

We've been to quite a number of cool places/areas in Negros but have barely scratched the surface and think it would take years just to really explore this one island.

What a cool adventure living overseas...

Shawn