Thank you everyone! Ivy and I really appreciate all your comments and words of advice.

We took the jeepney today to Dauin to get a sense of the area. We were able to meet some expats living on the beach who invited us to look around. While the Dauin beach is not white sand, it is not rocky, and actually it is quite nice. Yea, I would love the white, fine sand beach, but 'you can't have it all' on a budget. I guess if I have enough time on my hands, I could paint the beach white rather than the town red. I especially liked that the marine sanctuary was right in front. The jeepney ride was about 35 min from the downtown terminal, but maybe only 25 min from Robinson. I find this tolerable as we have no need or desire to go into Duma every day. I am a little concerned about internet as I heard that Smart can be slow and intermittent.

Met a nice Belgium on the return jeepney who knows of a few places around Dauin. Hopefully he too can point us to some other possible rentals. All in all, I am optimistic based on our experience today. Thinking of hiring a tricycle for tomorrow to explorer Valencia (no beach but closer to town), wish us luck please!

Oh, by the way, heard that the area near Robinson Place (down toward the water) is a nice area. I believe it is called Calindagan. Does anyone have any knowledge or advise for this area?

And on a lighter note, how is golfing at Ang Tay? Is it private or will they let any hack play? Clubs still stateside as i could not get my backpack to close with them in there. US airport security probably would have made me check them anyway. Any good neighborhoods up by the golf course? I could possibly trade a white sand beach for a white sand bunker...would I get arrested for laying out on the white sand bunker?

Cheers,

Dan & Ivy

 

I have to agree with Firefly. It sounds like what your looking for is a bit much compared to what you can get in Dumaguete and on a budget that won't cover what you want. Finding a cheap place with what you want and all utilities included is very rare especially month to month. No white sand but other brown sand beaches that aren't bad but nothing high end. I'd guess that you don't have much experience in the Philippines yet and as such often starting off in the big cities usually works a bit better but if your willing to cut back on a lot of things their are some places around but just need to drive around and find them.

There are local "finders" available to assist in finding places for rent among other things but their fee is usually 10% and for an apartment/house its usually full first months rent fee to the landlord which they won't do without a year contract.

Do remember to make sure where you look at is in a secure enough area especially as new comers. I know some parts of Bacong for instance that look fine during the day but at night tend to get a bit dangerous and rough from poor people with poor men drinking looking for a quick buck.

 

firefly gives great advice, dumaguete has many great foreigner friends, ignore the beggars and act like a resident, not a tourist. find rudy's on fridays for lunch to meet new expats and great meal. welcome and expect less and appreciate the flowers and sunshine to bring the smiles. would love to be friends with you two, we are an oddity, an american couple retired at 52 and been here many years and around many islands. trust only yourself and always be aware of being taken advantage of. Hugs, Patty

 

Hello Dan & Ivy

I will be their soon myself with my good lady, with any luck once my house has been sold, I will be looking along the same lines as you, I will need resonalby cheap accomidation short term, if you have any left overs please feel free to throw them my way. internet con is a must.
BTW welcome & have fun

Brian

 

ah no sand required and dont need furnished

 

a belated Welcome to Dan & Ivy -- how is your quest going so-far, 12 days later, post-storm? -- have you found a nice temporary place from which to start getting oriented & organized? Did the storm affect you? Welcome also to Brian...

 

Also wondering where in the USA you're from? myself originated in the Detroit area but have called East Asia home for exactly half my life now...

 

Welcome to the forum and Merry Christmas. Regarding Calindagan, although there are a number of low cost rentals on Santo Nino Road and there is a decent beach at the end, it is allegedly a center for drug distribution and sadly the beach has young dudes hanging around every day doing nothing. I am not an expert to say there are "high" but I don't think I would lose money on a bet. I rented a house there a half kilometer from the beach while my house was being built and the noise from the motorbikes and pedicabs was terrible. The other part of Calindagan entering from town is even worse for drug busts and noise, and is one of the poorest sections of Dumaguete. As a fellow American, I would suggest staying clear of Calindagan. There are plenty of rentals available in more decent locations.
Your question on where Americans hangout. McDonalds has a very large morning breakfast crowd and at lunch and in the evening along the blvd you will find plenty of company. Best of luck to you.

 

Hi Ivy and Dan

Our Sibulan Holiday Beach Cottage is available for rent..it's on the beach, good for swimming and good neighbors..close to Duma and all amenities..with a reasonable monthly rent....If interested pls...email...manaiahills@slingshot .co.nz....mobile...+64210354653.