Best Posts in Thread: Seeking general info on life in Dumaguete

I have not noticed any difference between the Silly Season and the rest of the year here quite frankly, regarding erratic driving -

 

I am not sure any driving is safe here at night, even though I do it many nights of the week. Since i live in Bacong, I totally am familiar with the lack of lights on motorcycles (about 10 % no lights, another 25% with no rear light, and then the trikes with no lights also).
The key is not to drive as you drove in your mother country. I drive a motorcycle exclusive because of the maneuverability in avoiding things like 4 or 5 people walking abreast on the pavement in their darkest attire at night. The Bacong to Valencia road is full of those type of situations, while on the national hiway the number of people seem to be limited to one or two. Maybe the bigger lines of people were walking abreast have been picked off already by the car drivers who can not avoid them as easy as motorcyclist can.
The easiest way to stay safe is to drive with your eyes wide open as if you mother-in-law was out to get you or maybe you GF's husband. Focus on everything because if a motorist does not get you a dog will drive you off the road.
There really is no safe place to drive at night here except your driveway. I was once coming home to Bacong at about 2:30 AM with almost no cars on the road, to come upon two cars that had run head on while on the national hiway. My first thought it was a suicide assassination attempt, or a drunk. Turn outs the rumor was one driver had fallen asleep but the possibility of two cars running head on to each other on a almost empty hiway is amazing to me.

Watch the cars and motorcycles around you and notice erratic driving that may indicate a drunk driver. There will be a lot of drunks on the road in the coming "merry" season. Just drive as if you are in a demolition derby and you want to win by avoidance.

 

Mark, if you are going to buy 2 + hectares of land, you can consider checking out Bacong. Land is cheaper than most places and lots available up the hill. Going to Dumaguete from the south is arguably faster and less hassle than from the north. One of the downsides, however, is night time driving. Too many bikes and vehicles without lights.

 

I have seen one excellent driver here, a woman on a motorcycle who was in control of her vehicle at all times, unfailingly kept her distance, constantly was aware of her surroundings, gave signals every time they were called for. I would have put her out of my consideration entirely if she had not been so good looking. If she were an axe murderer, l would vote to set her free, after all, we all have slight character flaws but good driversare rare here.

 

We looked for a long time and hit gold 2 klm from rob.mall , we found a good stand alone house at the end of dead end 300 meter long rough road no bikes no peddy cabs good people around us (not a long nose in sight) yes there is fighting cocks but not close , the thingo i have that stops barking dogs fixed the small problem we had there. M8 take your time go back at night if you can and ask around you will soon get some idea how things are aroundthe sight. Yes come and jpin the 10 thousnd of us allready here , room for one more lol GOOD LUCK
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Sibulan seems to be more quiet, it's where l am living at the moment. The drive to Dumaguete is short in distance but long in aggravation if you are going at the wrong time of day. Pick your poison.

 

Suggest you rent for at least 6 months, and when you find a house you want to buy then start by checking with the neighbors about noise issues in the hood. Then start checking by the proposed property at night to get a better feel for what happens after dinner and towards sleep time.

There is an eleven pm bylaw for noise but is ignored by all. Choose your new place carefully, there are gated communities that do police noise issues themselves, look around and you will find a peaceful area....

 

Just as another anecdote, my own home is delightfully quiet both day & night these days -- in Bacacay, southern Dumaguete, probably quite near Alex who posted back at the beginning of this thread. Some dog yapping, but currently no roosters (temporary i'm sure), few motors, never a music-blaster as you describe except perhaps on holidays. In all probability this is just only my (current) good-fortune, however; I can't imagine that it has ANYTHING to do with laws or my neighbors obeying them. I "knock on wood" as i write this... someone might buy such a system as you depict any day now, tho i truly don't know why....