Is DGT overrated?

Rating is simply someone's opinion, I can agree with that. My opinion is that some expat in Dumaguete overrate their importance for life in Dumaguete

 

Absolutely Correct!
And I dont know, where the unfriendly people should be!
My experiences are: If you are friendly to them they are the same - but a lot of foreigners are very arrogant & ignorant to the Filipinos - especially when I monitoring them on the "Boulevard"!
I am not sad about anybody of them might leave Dumaguete - would make the City cleaner and the Athmosphere much better!

 

You think Thailand is better? You can have it. For one, it is hard to find a beach that is suitable for swimming unless you go to one of the islands. Pattaya is a cesspool and I would never swim in the ocean there. Immigration is a nightmare for most. An American has to put roughly $26,000. in a Thai bank and leave it there. You can use some of it, but that is a long story. Just remember, it must be put back 3 months prior to your next extension. Oh yes, you are required to extend your stay every year and must report to immigration every 90 days just to basically let them know you still live where you say you do. Thailand is the second most dangerous place to drive in the world. Don't let Thailands progress fool you. It is basically a military regime and is only good for the Thai elite.
How do I know all this? I live here in Thailand and can't wait to leave. The Philippines is looking pretty good right about now.
By the way, air pollution in most of Thailand is unbearable right now. It will only get worse next year and worse the year after that.

 

I have to agree with not swimming at Pattaya beaches. I can think of a number of places in the Philippines where I wouldn't want to take a dip either.

*As for immigration my understanding is that you can get a Thai retirement visa with a pension of 65,000 baht (~$2,000) per month in lieu of a cash deposit.

Just for fun I checked the current AQI in Manila and Bangkok. 99 in Manila and 78 in Bangkok. Sure, there are places in the Philippines with better air quality than Manila just as there is better air in places in Thailand other than Bangkok.

If you decide to make the move you'll love the exquisite cuisine and blazing fast internet in the Philippines.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2018/04/06/philippines-boracay-closed-sewage/
https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/thai-visas-americans/

 

EX 231
While I partially agree with what you state.
The 65,000 baht must be deposited into a Thai bank account every month for 12 months in order to be eligible for an extension. The days of getting a letter from the embassy are long over. The deposits must show proof of being a foreign transaction. That is to prevent anyone from withdrawing money from the ATM and depositing it into their account. Also, no buddy systems. (two people transferring funds on each other's behalf to meet eligibility)
Comparing Manila Air Quality to Bangkok is kind of a stretch. But, if you look at an Air Quality Map of Thailand you will see that almost 80% of it is below standards. Standards in the north are actually rated as dangerous by the World Health Organization.
As far a food goes. The best Thai food I have ever had was in a Thai Restaraunt in the states. Having lived in Thailand off and on since 1972, I have never figured out why people say the food is so good. Most of it isn't as far as I'm concerned. But to each his own.
I totally agree with you as far as the internet goes. Thailand has great internet if you are willing to pay for it. The low-cost internet is probably no better than the Philippines. The internet in Thailand doesn't go out that often, but the power does. So, hey............................ I lived in the Philippines before. Really enjoyed it. But, at the time I thought Thailand was the better option and for a while I was right. But, since the coup and the government takeover and the ridiculous immigration rules I no longer feel that way. They are pretty much showing they no longer need or want expats.

 

You don't like deep fried chicken, burgers and pork chops?

What about a torrent of 2gb that takes only 2 hours to download?

 

The income certification letter does not pertain to U.S. or U.K. citizens. There is another one. I believe it is Australia. That is no longer an option.