Hello all - I'll be making my second trip to the Phils this October to scout possible places to live. From what I have read so far, Dumaguete is high on my list. On this trip, I'll visit Olongapo / Subic, Cebu and Dumaguete. First step will be just to find a home base from which to explore. Any recommendations on neighborhoods, your favorite bars or restaurants or reasonably priced hotels will be appreciated. Any bluegrass musicians out there? Best - Mike
Hotel Palwa is a nice but affordable Hotel to stay (around 900-1000 pesos a night). Overall Dumaguete is a good place to live. I would recommend you check out Valencia, which is up the hill from Dumaguete. I prefer living up there over Dumaguete. You won't have any problems finding food and nightlife in Dumaguete.
Welcome Mike, My wife and I generally stay @ the Check-Inn Pension House. We have always found it to be clean and safe. Also check out the thread Where to eat for some of the Restos & Bars . Check Inn Pension ? Dumaguete City Dumaguete, Philippines: Agoda.com
Welcome Mike. As a fellow Oregonian, I think you will find Valencia much to your liking. As for bars/resto, our favorites are; in order of preference; La Fiesta Hayahay Garcias Gabby's Kamalig Larry
Thanks all. I've spent a fair amount of time in Central and South America, but for the most have found Latinos very standoffish towards gringos. No importa que hablo bien. Also the violence all over Latin America is just unacceptable. I'm really looking forward to this trip. Mike
Please give us more specifics of what you are looking for in your dreamland Welcome, Dumaguete if a nice area to retire to. I live in Bacong, about 7 meter south of Dumaguete, same distance I think about the same distance for Valenica but a little different type of living between the two. I have less noise, and everyone one is related around me. Treat one of them good, and they will all responded. The Philippines will never be like the US in many ways, just learn to accept that fact, and and avoid negative thoughts. As so well pointed out in another post here, it does not cost as much here either. What I like about Dumaguete is it does seem to offer one of everything, but maybe not two. It is small so in 10 minutes you can be out of the city if you want a more relaxed atmosphere like you are probably use to in Oregon. The enclosed Robinson Mall acts a refuge during the brownouts (not often) when there is no a/c at home, and is as modern as anything you can find in the Philippines, but of coarse smaller than Cebu or Manila by a long shot. You can be in wall to wall concrete or wall to wall green growth within the 10 minute travel time in. My statements are general because you have not really stated what you are looking for? Is it active "cock fighting" (do not be disappointed when you find out they are using roosters)? Tranquil hikes, scuba or snorkeling? Are you primarily interest in ogling woman through blood shot eyes? Like I said I think everything is available her, except prostitutes because as you know prostitution is illegal in the Philippines..... (yeah right... like cocaine is illegal in New York) Tell us a little more of what you are desiring and I am sure you will get very targeted information from the group. Read as much on the Philippines culture as you can, if you have not done so already, but be ready to face some surprises and as reading is not good enough compared to the real "boots on the ground experience" of being in the Philippines. I would not be worried about your own safety here unless you plan to run for Barangay Captain (or any political office), planning to become the Shabu (meth) kingpin of the month or think you have the right of way when driving down the street. Foreigners can not have guns here but we can carry pepper spray. It is usually found in the barbecue section of the hardware store (no lie) as the Filipinos are not that familiar with it. Personally find I have found it safe here in the Philippines (but do carry pepper spray in higher danger locations), however I still look forward to being killed by a 20 year old irate husband's bullet in the back as I climb out of his bedroom window, it really does not matter what country that is... If you can not laugh at yourself and the many situations you find yourself in here it can be more difficult to adjust to the culture. ( you may or may not get use to my tongue in cheek humor as part of my posts over time O-|)
