Review Dumaguete is not the best place to retire.

cabb · Feb 13, 2019

Sedona said: ↑

Most of the OP comments I agree with, some don't represent my experience. How Dumaguete ever got to be ranked the #5 place in the world to retire is beyond me. If I was to make a list, it would not make my top 20. It definitely takes a certain kind of person to be able to be happy here. If you come here thinking it's a low-cost alternative to retiring in Hawaii, boy are you going to be disappointed. But, having said that, I've been here for a year and a half and I have found a way to be happy here. The comments about the people and service is not what I have experienced. I usually get water at restaurants, and if not, when I ask it comes quickly and with a smile. Prices do seem to be up, but still are very good compared to what I was used to living in the States so I wouldn't complain. I agree the driving is a serious issue. When you first start you don't realize that things you thought nobody would ever do, they are going to do all the time. I am always aware if there is a motor cycle on my right side because you never know when a Ceres bus going the other way is going to suddenly pull into your lane driving high speed straight at you blinking their lights expecting you to pull over to the edge to get out of their way; or when a tricycle going the other way will see someone walking on your side of the road and suddenly pull a U-turn right in front of you and put on their brakes to pick them up. So getting used to driving here is one of the biggest challenges. It's amazing how if you encounter these people in person they are gentle smiling friendly people, but put them in a vehicle and they drive like aggressive psychopaths. It is an interesting phenomenon.
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I'm curious what your number #1 is and why you aren't there? Thanks.

Sedona · Feb 13, 2019

cabb said: ↑

I'm curious what your number #1 is and why you aren't there? Thanks.
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Spain would be nice, but I love tropical locations so maybe Hawaii or Panama would be near the top if budget was not a factor. I am here because my wife is from Sequijor and has lots of family in the area, and also for affordability reasons. We saved up enough to purchase a very nice house to live in, and so now owning our house and having no monthly housing expense we can easily more than accommodate our monthly living expenses with my social security. There are other places in the world where that same plan would work, but family brings us here.

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Review Dumaguete is not the best place to retire.

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