KEY Thread Best Posts in Thread: If not Dumaguete then where?

I guess that I am different from most expats. I love nature and the quiet life. Two years ago I applied for the Visa for my wife to join me in the USA. Her Visa was approved in 2014. However, while we were waiting to get it approved, we discussed the future and where would be the happiest. The more that we talked about where we wanted to live, the more I could see that she would be the happiest staying in the Philippines. Closer to her family.
One day I asked her if she would like staying in the Philippines, and making it our home. She replied "Hun, I will be happy anywhere you want to live, as long as I am with you!" But, as she answered me, I could see a smile come upon her face. A smile that spoke volumes, without saying a word.
I started searching information about the different Islands, and what they had to offer. I read an article in International Living magazine that rated Dumaguete very high as the best place to retire. So, I concentrated my search around Dumaguete.
I found an ad for a house for sale, placed by an American man and his wife that were moving to the USA. The house sat in 4,400 sq meters of land, and was only 1 year old, overlooking the ocean and Cebu Island. AND, the price was something that I could afford.
I showed the ad to my wife, and asked her if she liked it. I told her that we could buy something like this, and live there for 1 or 2 years while we traveled in search for the perfect location to live permanently.
She thought that it was a good idea.
I contacted the owner, and made arrangements for me to fly from the USA to see, and possibly buy the house. I flew to Manila, and met my wife there. We came to Dumaguete, and hired a small van to take us to Bindoy ( about 1.5 hours North of Dumaguete).
We bought the house! Then I went back to the USA and spent the next 4 months selling my house there, and all other items that I owned.
We have now been living here for more that 1 year. Bought a jeep type 4WD, bought an ATV, Planted a vegetable garden, Papaya trees, Passion Fruit plant, Orange trees, lemon trees, 50 Dwarf coconut trees, Many Cavendish Banana trees ( the kind you buy from the supermarket in the USA), and my wife's beautiful flowers. I have also built a nice Gazabo, where we can eat our breakfast, as we look out to the ocean (we have a beautiful view).
Yesterday I asked her where she wanted to live, should something to me. She said "This is my home, and I want to always live here."
It is very peaceful here. The neighbors are great, and we already know most of the people in town, even though we live in the Province. We come to Dumaguete every 2 weeks, just to fight the traffic. haha
We love it here!

 

Very good analysis. This city has a very inefficient traffic flow pattern, with streets too narrow and minimal parking. It will only get worst as more cars are incorporated into the city. I have not driven a car in this city since I moved here over 4 years ago, and most likely may not in the future. You just can not move quickly through the city in a car most of the time. Motorcycles rule the road here, but not in a benevolent way. A period of time ago this city took a path toward encouraging calls center to locate here. It was an effective program, and brought call centers and gave the English speaking youth very good paying jobs. That brought in a lot of motorcycles with young owners who stayed here. Now Dumaguete is trying to become a tourist and retirement community also, however there is not much of a growth plan... just a lot of "fun" slogans, and denial of reality of the problems that do exist. It is not a bad city, but like most over sized cities it does have growth and particularly transportation problems. Some expats like the trikes and that eliminates a lot of problem for them. So you have choices, but be ready to determine your own destiny with the traffic here... the city does not seem to have the ability, or the power to implement a good traffic program... however they are grasping the concept there is a problem that needs to be fixed.

So why am I still here? Dumaguete really has everything I need, but most likely only one of them in the whole town. It is an adventure to find what you need, but fun as you meet many friendly people. If you see something you like... buy it because tomorrow it may be gone and will not be back in stock" until next month,.... MAYBE" . This is not a first world city or county and probably never will be, so you have to accept what it has. The good part it really has about everything... yes it can be dirty in the city with horrible motorcycle traffic, but it can also be green and calm by moving out of the city in the right direction for a short ride of 10 plus minutes... if you go east in the wrong direction toward Siqulor you will be all wet, as you are in the ocean. Go north, west or south, in that order. Look at Valencia or Bacong, as they are both out of the "urban" sprawl areas. They offer green, Valencia more than Bacong, and a safe area to live if you research out the neighborhood you plan to move into. I can not emphasis enough the need to research the area you chose to live, spending nights, and weekends... discovering where the resto-bars and Karoke bars spring up on the weekend. Locate the Rooster ranches, and try to deter what will influence you stay. Never rent an house or apartment with out spending a weekend night in the area of you intended rental.

I think Dumaguete still has some good years ahead, but not particularly in the City itself. However the close outskirts has a lot of good areas left. Remember most time you can be in the City for the nightlife, or the Boulevard in less than 15 minutes, while living in a green environment during the day. Everything has good points and bad, you just have to decide what issues ring you chimes favorable, and what issues just ring your bell.

 

secret tip - I recommend Toledo City in the west of Cebu, if you are one of the more adventurous characters. city is not too big, some restaurants, a small mall, some not so impressive beaches nearby and most of all; an amazing bunch of young women looking for a foreigner. why? because there are no foreigners. why? this is a pristine rough place, if you like the real life in the philippines without any conveniences for the expats - some like that - adventures guaranteed :-)

 

As an older expat and 8 year resident, I would beg to disagree with you, Midniterider. Strongly. Only problem is, I’m not sure I can. Are you being too harsh? Maybe. The medical facilities here may not be as bad as you imply, but if I were to contract any major illness, I’d get myself back to the States, pronto if I could. As for the rest of your points, there’s definitely something to be said for all of them. I still like living here, a lot – otherwise I wouldn’t be here, but I think your post is worthy of consideration for anyone planning on relocating to these parts. The remedy, I believe, is to take it slowly, step by step. Forget burning your bridges back home, sending a dozen balikbayan boxes of stuff you may not need or be able to use, obtaining a permanent resident visa – just be here awhile, rent, don’t buy anything you don’t have to buy – then see how you like it, and decide for yourself whether or not you agree with Midniterider.

 

I agree with Wrye. When someone tells me their phone was stolen and it wasn't a snatch, strongarm or at weaponpoint hold up, I presume it was just lost. I have heard three or four times people say they had their pocket picked in an easyride. The thing is that I have seen people's phone fall out of their pockets about that many times from climbing into an easyride. The seats are low also and if you have long legs, change and everything else can fall out of your pockets while you are riding inside. Get some clothes with zipper, Velcro or button down pockets and you won't lose near as much stuff. Not saying there are not pickpockets out there but they are not everywhere.

 

It's funny you mentioned Belize and Nicaragua as those are two of my countries of choice where I will eventually relocate to (full-time, then part-time) to develop my crazy dream of planting a tropical tree farm.

Yes. I'm a US Vet, military retired, female and now a widow with an adult Vet Son who is married and on his own. At this stage in my life, I get the luxury of being able to call all the shots in my life now, and do so without having to factor in everyone else plus "The Employer" into the equation -- which is a first!

I'm looking forward to my move to Dumaguete, which should happen Jan-Mar 2017. I'll be utilizing my Post 9/11 GI Bill and be learning about tropical agriculture, tropical forestry, and maybe add some agri-business into this mix.

By far, my research has told me that based on where I am right now and what I bring to the table, and, based on what I want to do and where I want to be in five years, the Philippines offers the best "deal" of the VISA offers that are currently out there in the world that I can choose from.

Cost of VISA, cost of living, being able to plug in to an expat community, educational requirements, language - these are factors that weighed heavily in my decision-making process.

Yes. I fully expect to be "shocked and amazed" by what I will discover in my living on a daily basis in the Philippines.

Yes. I fully expect to have a degree of discomfort in adapting to another part of the world which can/will be very different than what I have experienced in my lifetime and in my day-to-day living lifestyle.

But you know what? I'm not scared of this. I actually welcome this! I'm living life in the here and now -- no matter where I get to hang my hat -- and feel d*mn lucky I get to hang my hat in a few more places than most folks will ever have a chance to do in their lifetimes.

And I get to choose how to make the most it, too. I get to choose much of the hows, whens, and whys now.

So I say enjoy where you are, and be thankful for what you have and what you can pass along to others. Keep your head, heart, and hands working together and not at cross-purposes and at the end of the day, you and everyone and everything you will have touched that day will be the better for it.

ps... I tell myself quite regularly to "look at the donut - not at the hole". What is not there does not drive me so much as what is there. I could be full of S*** with this attitude, but so far, I have been able to keep my sanity and my wits about me for all the challenges I've had to face.

V/R,
nwlivewire

 

Hi BillyBob,
Have you tried other places? I suggest you do some research into Iloilo, which is not far from Dumaguete. From what I can see, it is not so crowded and the streets are quite wide and the town well laid out. Lots of malls etc. and the beaches in some areas are ok, certainly be ok for what you want them for (about the same as me). Living is reasonable and seems to have a bit going for it.
A word on the qualities you are looking for in a woman - are you really that vain, when all you want is a 'pretty woman'. The saying 'beauty is only skin deep' is so true in Asia, whether it be Thailand or Phils or where ever. I found out the hard way here in Thailand, so I sat down and thought what I wanted to find in a woman:
1. Mature woman, no kids
2. Educated (university level)
3. Not a bar girl, or similar
4. Working
5. Caring & considerate, not an ATM

My wife is an average looking person but an absolute stunner from within. She is a teacher and has solely put her children through higher University education with no regard for the loss of personal secrity ie. pension etc in Phils.
She cares for me like I have never experienced in my life, I am very lucky. If you want the right woman, may I suggest you look a bit deeper than 'pretty'. there are other areas outside Visayas that may suit you, start researching for one that attracts your attention. Good luck.

 

I like Valencia alot. Easy to get to Dumaguete or to Bacong or going North if you want to go to Tanjay etc. The air is cooler and traffic is not an issue. I have traveled around Cebu, CDO,Iligan city, Makati, Manila,bohol and another dozen places or so and none of the places were for me on a permanent basis. The biggest problem for me is the lack of Bisaya I have and my lack of patience. I think once I learn the language better and i can gear down to Phil speed...i should be fairly happy living in Valencia. I will miss alot about the USA but overall my main reason for the USA is work related only. Good luck finding your home.

 

I live 4 years in Bohol, 3 of them in Panglao. I moved to Dumaguete last year in juli. People are different, thanks god, some like city other countryside. Couple of reasons I move here to Negros. Panglao is a touristplace, now international airport will open december 2017, at least that the plan. Much more tourist on the way, and there already a lot, more and more koreans to, prices goes up, already not a cheap place to live, when you compere to other areas in Philippines. All tourist areas attrac scammers/criminels, its here the money are. I started out living in Tawala, few hundred meters from Alona beach, restaurants, bars and diving shops side by side, nice place for party, thats for sure. After playing tourist 8 months, rent hotel appartment, I moved to north of Panglao, near Mommo beach, more peaceful, and still only 10-15 min on bike to Alona. I need malls like you Billybob, not to hang around, but for shopping, want some imported stuff, cinema, bank, postoffice, maybe hospital, dentist with out travelling far away each time. I had good time in Panglao, but main reason lo leave, I don't want live in really crowed tourist area, With all the negativ sides it brings. Why Negros/Dumaguete ? I visit here many times and find people here more friendly, same say my friens from Bohol who visit here.From Dumaguete, like Tagbilaran, easy to reach other places in Philippines by plane or ferry. Important to me is optiens to do what I like to do, hobbys. I like go around on bike see new places, meet locals, yes you can do that every where, but Negros are new to me and bigger than Bohol, with a big city Bacolod near by. After 1 month in hotel appartment in Dumaguete and nearly 2 months in resort south of Dumaguete, roming around to find permanent place, I feel lucky find appartment in Bacong 20-30 meter from sea, water here is clean.Fishing is one of my hobbys, bought small boat of a member in this site, design for fishing, fishfinder, steeringwheel, 10 hp Kohler engine, really nice playtoy, if any members have same interest, your welcome to contact me and we can go fishing togheter. Already visit Panglao in boat even its only 5 meter/15 feets long, exciting trip.
Sorry for my lack of english, sure there are some grammer and spelling mistake, Im danish, hope you bear over with me

 

Quezon City may be safest if you don't breathe the air. I put on a new shirt and went for a two hour walk and hand washed it after returning to the hotel and the water turned black. The shirt was a very light grey.

Even in the US one must consider the number of crimes committed can be under reported. If you really don't expect a crime to be solved, would you waste your time making a police report? I wouldn't, I would just close the gap in my precautions against crime, providing I wasn't murdered.