Best Posts in Thread: Advise...

Agree too! Driving for years in Thailand was a lot tougher than here. At least from what I have seen so far. I feel there more risk takers in Thailand, people that make a turn before they look or think. The crossings is also working a lot better here, eye contact works great while it does not in Thailand. I paid 300 peso/day for 2 days (Yamaha Mio 125cc Scooter), cheap compared to Thailand.

 

Have to say I don't agree with this. Compared to most countries in the region, I find Filipino drivers to be relatively courteous, law abiding and considerate. I feel much safer riding a motorbike here than in a lot of other Asian countries I have ridden in (e.g. China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar). Sure, it's not as safe as, say Switzerland, but as long as you have your wits about you and don't drive too fast, I think it's pretty safe to ride here.

I'll let you know once I've had my first accident and changed my mind

 

And you need help with packing?

 

I just moved out of Valencia where I have lived for the past year... here is what I experienced both good and bad but your experience may vary

The bad...
1. Noise levels ... lived on Gomez 3 blocks from Gym and the noise level made my windows rattle... same for the loud mufflers (not enforced here) going up and down the street at all hours especially at 6 am on weekdays
2. Houses on all sides burned regularly.. as in 2 to 3 times a week
3. Rents are higher here

The good..
1. Temperatures are usually much cooler than down in the city and you can really do without Air Con if you wish.
2. Nice city vibe with a great Sunday market
3. Neva's (my personal choice for sandwiches etc) and they deliver

 

I have a myriad of personal reasons but I'll keep it simple - Food, infrastructure, accommodations, barking dogs, roosters, and "out of stock". Purely subjective but I always get a much better vibe in Thailand.

 

Agree with the dude, tourist visa for a year until you decide to stay. And with the SRRV, if you're over 50 ("aging"), and have a DD214 (military service), your "deposit" is only $1500, and PRA didn't mention the age 50, but then i look 110, so maybe they guessed. Also SRRV is now good for 3 years..

Also never lived in Thailand (and NOOO decent thai food in Negros), but 90% of the people, including service and store personnel, speak pretty good english...

Definitely rent a furnished place, and if you buy a car here, if it's spotless, ask when the oil and oil filter were last changed, if ever. Check all the brake and tail and headlights. If any are out and oil is black as night, might mean serious lack of maintenance.

 

It is cheaper to buy a car in Cebu than in Duma....but buy in the same region number to avoid paperwork hassles.
Cebu is in region 7 same as Dumaguete... whereas Mindanao for example is a different region number.

Agree with the earlier advice though ...use public transport and rent furnished until you know this is the right place for you.

Good luck!

 

Dumaguete, too much traffic, Bacong soon to be overun with traffic also with new relief road...Sibulan again in city...my advise come and see for yourself, it's not Thailand by any stretch of ones imagination.