⌛ Need info fast on Dumaguete city, currently in Cebu

Hi guys,
I have browsed the forums as best I can from this little netbook im on on lousy internet. I know the answers are all here and have been discussed before, I just cant search right now and need some answers quickly please. Apologies for my bad form. I am after yes/no answers, shortish replies, I dont want to leech of you guys without even introducing myself.

Background - Aussie guy and girl in Cebu City, sold up everything at home to come here, live a cleaner lifestyle, cheap, simple, just train, work a little (I am a web developer) and enjoy life. Also want some adventure, and see some of SEAsia. We are not big on nightlife requirements.

Cebu city is a bit of a hole, its harsh, I expected that, but its just to polluted, scared to breath in deeply. I am currently up north on the island, hired a scooter to do some exploring to find a better place, its nice up here but still not what we are after. Searching the Living in Cebu forums for alternatives and found this forum. DGTE looks like it might be what we are after.

Our requirements
Short term apartment rental, have seen something on this forum and will contact the person seperately I guess, 2 bedrooms is fine. Furnished. Net, elec, cable etc. Budget around 15k max. Month by month ideal.
Clean/safe. I know this is a term used a lot, so im after more if there are no go areas in the city, like i wouldnt live in downtown cebu or manilla for instance.

Close to a beach or somewhere where we can jump in the water and go for a snorkel or a swim. I am not someone who requires postcard beaches, just a clean and natural coastline, no rubbish or sewerage. I understand there is some boat trips to awesmoe places, but it would be nice to be able to just jump in the water somewhere.

Gym. Nothing fancy, a pullup bar, free weights (olympic weights ideal but have not seen them anywhere in Cebu so doubt it) rowing machine is ideal. Not interested in a fancy fitness first style of gym. Not a deal breaker, can bring my own equipment by boat.

Martial arts training. Have a bit of a background in Krav Maga, want to learn something else whilst here, the local Escrima looks fun, or boxing, bjj, anything really.

Supermarket. To get deoderant, soaps etc, not really after brand name stuff just decent.
Chemist, in case we need stuff, or the girlfriend needs something.
Doctors/hospitals. In case we break something - otherwise we aer healthy so no need.
Market - I understand there is a decent market here for fresh fish/veg/meat etc. this is ideal for us, is it any good for westerners? Do we pay more because we are white?

Internet connection has to be semi reliable, i work online.

And things to do. Hikes, runs, exploring, bike rides (never gonna hop on a bike in cebu thats for sure) really into anything active.

Finally I have a team of workers in Iligan city, Mindanao. Is there an easy way to get there via ferry from DGTE?

Anyone have any opinions of Iligan or Mindanao? A lot of gov advisories against it but then you read about peoples experiences of these places and they all say they feel safer then at home.

OK 1 more thing is malaria or Dengue fever an issue here? What do people normally do?

Thanks for any advice you have. We plan on being in the PH for about 6 months.

 

Some Americans were just kidnapped in Mindinao this week. I warn people about going there, and they always reply how the family brothers etc will watch our for them.

FOURTEEN heavily armed kidnappers grabbed the Americans right out of the grasp of their protectors who could do nothing to prevent it.

 

dpt123, as an ol' well traveled hand here in the Phil, I'd say Dumaguete is where you're probably looking for.

 

dpt123, I second Manzanita, sounds like Dumaguete can cater your needs.

With reliable internet it comes down to what you need. Some run many websites and can do it from here, some need faster and more stabled connections for high quality phone-calls and have problems here.

Safety in Mindanao? Well, there are areas in Mindanao where you shouldn't go. But it more likely that you get sucker-punched by the Mayor of Davao than getting kidnapped in Iligan.

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Thanks very much for the responses, it certainly sounds like its worthwhile checking out and will be on the ferry from Cebu city hopefully tomorrow morning.
Thanks again, I can check it out now better, back online with decent net.

 

Ok so we are booking a ferry ride today, intent is to stay at Villa Tara tonight (waiting on a return email from them) and then tomorrow hopefully start looking around at some places to stay. If anyone has any knowledge of 2bed apartments similar to this, fully furnishes, elec, tv, internet etc all included at that price range, feel free to contact me via PM as 1 person already has. Its very helpful.
http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/...so/apartments-rent-bacong-dumaguete-8827.html (unfortunately just got told the last one has been rented out :( )

Great forum. thanks again.

 

Hi all,
I wanted to say a bit of a thankyou and put up some of my travels so far.

We landed in Dumaguete and stayed at Villa Tara and since then have not looked back. The VT owners were lovely, its a shame that place was sold. Nothing but praise for that hotel as im sure others will agree with.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Rhoody and Broadside one evening there. Good bunch of blokes and I received some solid no bullshit advice on surviving here. Rhoody told me about his 1 why question a day. He should trademark this, its the best bit of advice I have received. Essentially if your frustrated with say your brand new scooter breaking down 10k out of town, or you needing to get cash out but all the atms are broken, then you can only ask 1 "why is this happening" style of question for the day, and the rest you just roll with.

Awesome, a big thankyou to Rhoody otherwise some days, all we would be saying is why why why!!!

Since then, on the advice of this forum we bought a scooter and have had decent success with it.

I also had an epic day in the LTO as well, 6 hours of my life I will never get back, but this country has somehow seen fit to license me to drive and ride.

We have checked out as far as Siaton on the bike. Need to explore more.

We have found a place to stay for the next 12 months down at Zamboanguita as well.

Have also been doing Arnis at the Dumaguete Arnis Association with Grand Master Ike Villaflores. Loving it.

All in all, settled in very nicely, meeting some very nice people, running into now familiar faces around town, getting great advice from this forum.

We landed in Cebu and it was a disaster, this forum and community has helped us both discover Dumaguete, but also settle nicely.