⌛ Wanting to relocate back to Dumaguete

I have lived in the Philippines for 17 years total and the last almost 2 years in Dumaguete. I have not been the victim of violent crime since arriving in Dumaguete nor have I ever felt threatened. Petty theft is everywhere but mostly it is family or "friends". We had an incident here a while ago where an expat got stabbed resisting a mugging, but he was walking to the bus terminal at 3AM. I don't know why but almost anywhere you go the bus terminal is located in the crappiest most dangerous area of the city. The police are useless so it is fortunate that we don't often have the need to call them.

I don't feel the need for a weapon in the house. I have a Labrador Retriever who makes a lot of noise if she wakes up. We have had no break in attempts or problems of that sort. We have a good fence but no window grills and we don't live in a gated community.

We didn't use an agent to find a rental. Signs are posted all over with phone numbers to call for rentals. If you go to the area you are interested in and ask at the sari sari store or any business you will be inundated with offers. Tiger Lily mentioned that they used Island Properties. It seems that they handle some of the more expensive rentals but when, on my own, I came on one of the properties they listed. It was exactly as described and the same price they listed.

Puerto Princesa is lovely also. I haven't been there in a while but I have fond memories. The two things that made me decide on Dumaguete over Puerto was access to schools for my granddaughter and that it is Cebuano speaking for my wife. She can of course speak Tagalog and English but is just easier for her to speak her native language.

Where you choose to live will determine what cable is available and what internet service. Where I live cable is Phil Products, great service 300 or 400 per month about 60 channels mostly English. Internet Is Smart Bro. 999 a month for what laughingly passes for broadband service here.

Everyone's perception and experience is different. I think a lot depends on where you have lived before.

I sure hope that some of the negative responses on here haven't discouraged anyone from paying us a visit.

Kenny

 

@ jellyfish. So you are in Zambo and have no problems there. Great to know. We would love to hear from anyone in Valencia and on Siquijor too if possible. Or if anyone on the Forum knows anyone in these areas? But we are DEFINITELY coming back to Dumaguete. Just got to make up our minds where. The only reference we have to go by at the moment is the Negros Chronicle. Just read Sunday 4th April newspaper and it does not seem THAT bad as a few months ago. I keep telling my hubby, good news does not make the headlines, and reporters can skew the news for sensation. But then maybe that's just me, desperate to get back there ;-D

 

Thank you Jellyfish. I can say the same about Austin, Texas. There are places that I would not live or frequent. I have pretty good radar about bad situations so I think your suggestion about come and see is best. Rhody was also pretty blunt about the situation. Directness is appreciated.
Regards,
Tom

 

@ Kenny. Thanks for the info re the internet. Is that for 24\7 internet connection? Is it just a slow connection or what problems do you have with it? I only need it to communicate with my children and grandchildren back here once we are in Dumaguete.
Thanks so much for all the help everyone. I can't wait to get back there!! Think we will settle in Valencia, as it is nice and cool up there in summer. We are dying for a bananaque!!!
Best regards
Elaine & Danny

 

The internet is 24/7 except every once in a while it will disappear for a couple hours. I use it to keep in touch with my daughters in the States also to bank on line and occasionally shop. It also lets me stay current with the news. It is more than adequate for these purposes. Bit slow for steaming video and although some people have successfully used for web based business it is not optimal.

 

Thanks Kenny. The internet I have at the moment is also slow for streaming video, but I am not interested in that anyway. As with you I just want to be able to contact the family back home, keep up to date with the news and have webcam.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Best regards
Elaine

 

Hi Danny, here in philippines we dont have Lions that will eat you, Elephants that will step on you, No hepupotamos that will run over you, no crocodile that will chew you.. So basically is safer than where you are.. So dont worry, If a lot of xpat still here, youl just be fine.. Just drink a lot of SM and forget your fears away...

 

Yeah...nothing more than a few drug deprived Pinoys with guns looking for $$ so they can buy their next fix, or some drunk who'll shoot you for stepping on his toe or looked at him the wrong way....Yeah there's no wild animals here.....you're safe, LOL.

 

At least you can reason with this people, unless you ack like some BIG sh*t, then youre asking for it....

 

@gmcvandura. LOL None of those animals where we live!! We do have a bit of racial tension in SA at the moment - but nothing that the rest of us civilized folks of ALL colours can't handle. We certainly will not let a few hot heads destroy our country! But we do need to feel safe walking around Dumaguete and the surrounding areas in daylight, like we could in 2004! I notice your location is Ontario, Canada? Or have you just not changed it? Where exactly are you?
@atlargex. You don't say where you live? Are you in Dumaguete? Are you expat or local? Would be interesting to get your perspective on the situation. Have you personally had a bad experience there?
We are still not put off by any of the remarks - good or bad - about coming back. But it pays to know and be aware. We are also trying to get the e-mail address of New Panorama Resort, if anyone can help - or a telephone number. I think it is out Sibulan way? The owner in 2005 was Lorrie Schmidt? We would really like to contact her.
Have a great and peaceful day
Elaine