Hi everyone. I am recently retired and looking to live in Dumaguete in the near future. I just joined to get information about what it is like from an expat point of view and to see about accommodation and things.
Good morning, providing you with all kind of relevant information shouldn't be a problem at all. Many very experienced people around. This forum is a true treasure when jt comes to information about live in Dumaguete. It really is. It would be helpful if you could provide bit more background information of yourself. Things like you visited Philippines before already or it will be your first time, expected life style for instance you want to live in the city or country side. You got married ? You got already informed by your wife and her family ? Dumaguete will be your final destination or first base to travel around and see more nice places in the Philippines. Let us know a bit about what you are planning and what kind if experience you got already. Then it would be easier and more efficient to help you. Take care, good luck.
Hi Stefan, thanks for your reply and advice. A bit about me. I am 60 years old from northern Australia so used to hot and humid climates. I have been single for about 4 years after splitting with my partner. I have been to Manila and Angeles a few times about 10 years ago. Really disliked both places. I am not sure about whether Dumaguete will be a place I will stay but wanted to spend up to 6 months there to see if I liked the city. I am planning to live in Australia 6 months and overseas 6 months every year. I certainly want to use Dumaguete eventually as a base to explore other places in the Philippines. Reasons I selected Dumaguete are; in no order: It appears a safe, small city which I like, It has an expat population to mix with, It has facilities like restaurants, few chill bars, cinemas, hospital, airport, beaches and forests, It has gyms (I like to exercise most days), People speak english and seem friendly, and It is affordable. I don’t know anyone there or much about the city other than what I read or see from various vloggers. My lifestyle is generally a quiet one and I like to be in the city or close. I rarely drink and go to the gym most days. I like to relax a few nights a week going out to eat, listening to a band in a bar or going to see a movie. I have previously lived in Thailand and have spent time in Cambodia and Vietnam as well as Philippines. My initial plan is to find somewhere for a month within walking distance of a gym etc and just explore and see if I like the place and can see myself fitting in there.
Howdy, Any timeframe set up for when you are coming? Looking to move full time or just an extended vacation?
Hi Looking at flying out of Australia in October to escape the summer here. My plan is up to 6 months initially. I am looking to move full time overseas into SEA next few years if I find a place I like. I am a firm believer it takes 3 to 6 months to know whether a place suits you.
Hi Daryl, sounds like a plan I fully agree with you that places like Manila and AC are fun to visit fir a short period if time, but certainly not the place you want to live. At least not me. Dumaguete in my opinion is a good place. Not to big, not to snall, it offers a lot of amenities as well as all the dark sides you can expect by living in the Philippines. Here is a nice and huge Australian community. You will find a lot of company. A gym you will certainly find but I cannot help you with detailed information about it. Accommodation you will find easily. It's affordable and not a problem at all. It starts around 250 Dollar and for 400 Dollar you will find something really nice. Just come over. Book yourself the first 3 weeks a hotel or resort and look around to find a nice apartment that suits you. Any further questions, I would be more than happy to assist. Take care.
Hi Stefan, thanks for the info. Sounds like it is a really nice place. I will definitely take your advice and book a place for 3 to 4 weeks and look around for an apartment. Hopefully can catch up with you and buy you a coffee to say thank you when I am there. Thanks again, take care
Everyone is different, different things drive each of us nuts (like the US or Aust..) Best part of your plan is to visit for 6 months (we did one month, a year in advance in 2015, been here 6 yrs now). We rented an apt (not hotel) like MarPas in Valencia and rented a car for the month, we decided not to try a motorcycle as slightly more than your age (traffic is slightly dangerous).. When we got ready to move and found an apt in duma with contacts from first visit, then found a nice spot to buy and move to in '23, a couple miles from Valencia, the nicest suburb, and a few more years of renting than originally intended. Some new condos too, esp if you are not here half the year.. Best sources are this site and also the farcebook group, "Dumaguete Expat Group (active )," if you can put up with FB.
I've based myself out of Basay, which is 30 minutes away without tricycles and scooters, 2 hours away with them present. I am acquiring land in Dumaguete soon to facilitate sending family to school there and have been there many times.