Sadly true... Personally I do not like to do the 'tourist thing' but i do listen to locals who talk about areas they like and ask why? Most times it boils down to doing 'tourist things' rather than being something 'interesting' to me... But still I would love to hear what others think of other areas and why, especially if you plan to live there...
The seven cities mentioned mostly have heavy traffic, pollution, beggars, and higher costs in some of the nicer areas, making Dumaguete look like paradise found. IMO
Signed! Now you can send me the list to my PM please. One mistake many people do quite often, are selecting their living place only by aesthetic points of views. A nice looking place can have the drawbacks of long rides for even basic needs. Or they forgot to check the medical availabilities. What is if you have everytime to ride a ship or plane just to get some medicines or to see some specific doctors? What is in a case of emergency? Is there any help available in a very short time? Or what is with activities? When the only actitvity is to drink booze all the days because there are no other activities available, then something is going very odd. Edit: Forgot to add that it will be useful to check the public transport available in the area where someone lives. It can be that the car get broken down. Then it will be good to get a ride to a car mechanic or car store to get spare parts or assistance. Or your wife have to get something and can get on her own to pick it up.
Never have and never will live in Dumaguete. Every town/city has "basic needs" covered or humans simply wouldn't be able to survive in the town/city. Now I'll admit the older you get the more your "needs" will increase. Luckily I'm 34 and have no medical issues. If/When I develop any I will be sure to gtfo of the Philippines. If you moved to Dumaguete for medical availability you done messed up. The cities I had in mind have equal to, or much better, hospitals to Dumaguete....and are a shorter flight to Manila (one of the cities even has an international airport to get a direct flight to a real hospital and competent doctors...hint hint). All of the Philippines is pretty much the same when it comes to emergency services....they suck at it. This is a risk I have always accepted as part of living in the Philippines. Very few cities in the Philippines offer nightlife as the primary activity. The only one I can really think of is Angeles City....I really don't know what that cesspool has to offer except for the red light district and gonorrhea. Every other city with decent nightlife also has a beach or parks nearby and promotes nature tourism heavily. Olongapo (especially Barrio Barretto) comes close to the feel of AC, although on a much smaller scale, but it still feels like you could possibly find something to do other than drink yourself stupid and screw whores. There may be some cities in the NCR area that don't offer much of anything other than booze and women to an expat....but who the hell wants to live there? (Other than the person who wrote the article linked in the OP.)
@wyre83: Where is now your secret city list over PM? Activities does not just being booze, women or nightlife. There are also activities like sports, clubs and more to check. Example I like to play chess. Therefore I check if there is a chess club around. Or someone other like to play badminton. He will have to check if there is a possibility to play badminton. Even walking at a boulevard can be considered to be an activity.
