⌛ Dumaguete vs Tagbilaran

I have shortlisted Tagbilaran and Dumaguete as possible places to live in a few months time. Dumaguete seems to be larger (pop 120,000 vs Tag pop 90,000) but there are no malls there and I do want some modern amenities. Looking at YouTube videos Tagbilaran seems less congested from a traffic point of view too. Are there any taxis there? I am a big guy and getting in and out of trikes is a struggle

The proximity to gorgeous beaches is another big plus for Tagbilaran too - but what is the nightlife like in the town itself? I guess there are no go-go bars Is there much in the way of restaurants? Dumaguete does seem to have an active nightlife, maybe Tagbilaran is too small and sleepy?

Presumably the cost of living will be very similar in both places - but I wonder about the availability of decent fully furnished accommodation? I just need a 2 bed place with aircon - have budgeted for up to 15K a month for rent. Is that realistic ... is fully furnished even an option?

Any input gratefully received.

Thanks
Adrian

 

plenty of taxes in Tagbilaran, don't know much about night life or restaurants.

Why don't you try both City's first, rent short lease, then pick your favorite
City.

My wife's from Bohol but I prefer Dumaguete, shhh don't let her know that.:D

 

Thanks for the news on taxis in Tag, that's good to know. I just wonder if it's a bit small for long term living. It does have the ICM mall which is a bonus, I know one day they'll finish Robinson's Mall in Duma, hopefully they'll find firms willing to pay their proposed rental rates!

What is it about Duma that you prefer over Tag? I promise I'll not tell your wife!

Cheers
Adrian

 

Are you looking for an active night life or are you looking for "go-go" bars?

I guess you could call Whynot and Hayahay being packed with people a couple days out of the week (besides the Filipino bars) a nightlife. That's pretty much it (Coryotes, your bar is great but it has yet to take off like Whynot or Hayahay.)

If you are looking for go-go bars and cabs then you should probably go to either Manila or Cebu. There are a couple of small bikini bars in Sibulan if you have a fetish for ugly girls.

I have never been to Tagbilaran, I suggest living at both and making your choice from there.

 

Nothing in Tag i like, unless I'm missing something, few girlie bars, not into them,

hence married.lol Pangloa's great for sandy beeches, dive resorts, not into them either, so I prefer Dumaguete bars,restaurants,cold beers yes please. then stagger home.

 

Yes, Tagbilaran is very quiet. Pretty conservative city....and the locals like to keep it that way. It's nice enough but it is definitely smaller than Dumaguete. Lots of trikes on CPG ave but anything more than a block from the ave and things get much more quiet. Besides Island City mall there is another mall in town - the BQ mall on CPG ave. Medium size place with Maca's (big Jollibee across the street), reasonable department store, decent hardware store, cinema, and a supermarket that's surprisingly good for such a small town.

You very rarely see the taxis plying the downtown area - so better off booking. The trikes come in different sizes anyway....I'm 6'3" so I just look for one of the bigger ones...no problem..

No nightlife to speak of....some el cheapo bars around the place and you almost never see foreigners in them....and disco at the MetroCentre hotel. Great food at Bohol Tropics....MetroCentre's good too. Few other restaurants around the town...BQ mall has a couple as well...some are ok but the food and entertainment is miles better in Dumaguete...

At that price you'd get a very decent house....but you'd struggle to find one furnished I think. Maybe something on Panglao but likely pay more...

Bohol is a great place but you essentially have to entertain yourself. There are expats sprinkled all over the island.....and the Boholanos are very friendly and accommodating - even by Filipino standards. My wife likes the place as much as I do...but I think rock fever sets in fast....

 

Active night life and go-go bars? try Bacolod City, they have more of those and many taxis too.
Tag is too quiet, maybe try both Dumaguete and Bacolod and check Tagbilaran if you want o see it yourself.

Good Luck!

 

active nightlife in one sentence with Tag AND Duma is a kind of oxymoron.

 

Well, for me they are all part of the same thing.

I can find cabs and go-go bars in Bacolod and Iloilo - and beautiful girls in abundance in both cities. I am coming to the conclusion I need a place a good bit bigger than either Duma or Tag - without having to endure the metropolis of Cebu or Manila.

We are all different and so are our needs. These forums have been of extraordinary help in adding 'flesh' to the bones and helping me filter out locations that just won't do for me. It has saved me a huge amount of time (and money) so I am very grateful. That's not to say there's anything wrong with Duma or Tag, I just need a bigger place with more modern amenities and more active nightlife.

Cheers
Adrian

 

Thanks for that insight Charles - I have come to the conclusion that neither Duma nor Tag will suit my needs. Top of my ever-shortening list now is Bacolod and Iloilo, those are a good bit bigger and I think will suit me better. I will take a look at Davao and Tagum too, though the former is probably just TOO big.

Cheers
Adrian