Anybody who has read this site for any amount of time will know that Feyma and I have had our heart set on moving to Samal Island. Feyma and I purchased some land there about 2 1/2 years ago, and we have been holding on to a dream to move there and live on Samal Island after the kids have finished school.
Samal Living
But, there is more to the story than you may know. I’ve discussed this with some readers that I have met in person, but I don’t think I’ve ever said anything here on the site. Feyma and I have been thinking that Samal might not be right for us! Wow! Are you shocked? I expect that a number of you are.
We didn’t come to this decision lightly, and we have not been thinking this way for very long. But, it is becoming obvious that Samal is trending toward becoming very commercial, very touristy. There are a number of large resorts and subdivisions under construction or soon to start construction on the Island. This is not necessarily what we were looking for when we originally purchased our land there. We were more looking for a peaceful place, rural, yet close to the City. This way, we could be somewhat secluded, yet close enough to the City that what we wanted and needed would still be at our disposal. It is starting to look like Samal will not fit our vision of our retired life.
The area where we own land appears to be right at the bulls eye of where a lot of development is happening. One major resort community is under construction just a stones throw from where our land is. We purchased land up on a fairly high hilltop overlooking Davao City, and the resort is being built right down at the bottom of the hill in front of where we are. It doesn’t obstruct the view or anything, but it is just awfully close to where we would be living, and thus we have to consider things like increased traffic (pedestrian and automobile), a “partying” crowd of people, that kind of thing. It just is not necessarily what we are looking for as we wind down to a quieter lifestyle.
Don’t take me wrong, I love Samal. There is nothing I enjoy more right now than just going over to the Island and spending a relaxing day. Even just sitting up on the hilltop looking out over the City of Davao with the Gulf of Davao in view… well, it’s almost heavenly. But, what will it be like 5 or 10 years from now.
So, as of now, we certainly have not decided that we won’t live on Samal, we still may. But, we are keeping an eye on the situation, and we are unsure at this point. There are other things that we could consider too. We could still live on the Island, but maybe go further south on the Island where it is less developed. Or, better yet, go to the other side of the island that is nearly totally undeveloped at this point, the side facing toward Davao Oriental. Of course, there is something nice of viewing the City from afar, though!
So, is Samal still in our future? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe we would choose not to live there, but to still have a getaway there. Maybe a rest house? Maybe we would sell our land and forget the whole idea? We just can’t say for now. Don’t take me wrong, I am not against Samal, I love it. I am just not quite sure that it fits the lifestyle that we are looking for.
About MindanaoBob
Hi Bob,
It’s interesting to see how quickly things can change. In March 08, when we were considering buying the land very close to yours, part of the due dilligence we carried out was to meet with the Planning Officer for IGACOS, who despite our asking specifically for details of development plans for the area, had little to report. Mind you, that individual was trying to put us off the spot, quoting pollution drift from the mainland as her main reason for not recommending the area. Of course, a “friend” just happened to be selling a much nicer beachfront property for a very reasonable price that we might be interested in…
You are right though, it is a very lovely spot, and the view over all those coconut trees is very attractive indeed. Well, I’m sure you will make the right decision. If your intended time frame is still eight years or so, there’s plenty of time to make a decision and come up with an alternative plan. I know there is land available near Eden nature reserve, another lovely place, which is one of the areas we are considering, as well as on the hillside at Kapatagan, (Digos) near the Camp Sabros. (Have you ever been there? Great day out for the family)!
Hi Bob – Progress? Don’t think so! The things you seek (outside of the views you’re used to) are the things that drive me to the “bucolic bliss” of the area where we’ll live.
Let me know if you’d like a copy of the blueprints for our house.
Hey Bob
Who knows this may be a blessing in disquise. If developers are putting big money into the resorts and subdivisions around your land your land will become worth alot more. If you do decide to sell it off you may make a killing on it.
My wife has a piece of property in Loreto Magaud that her distant relatives all live on and farm that we could offer to sell you, but the chis-mis recently was that portions of the land has been “Pawned” off.
The last time she was there to check on it was 1984
Maayong Buntag Bob
Have you every considered building a bed and breakfast on you property on Samal? During our last stay in the RP we rented an apartment in the city and loved it. Now we have had many friends asking us about the apartment so it seems this is becoming a very popular way to visit the RP. I realize there may be some issues with managing a place that far away but it also would be a nice week end getaway when you had or planned to have an open room.
Bob
With the way development and investements are taking place in the Philippines overall it will be extremely difficult for you to find that dream place you seek with total solitude. Even more so in the 10 years ahead you speak of and especially in areas like Samal. But I think you shouldn’t really be too concerned with Samal or any other tourist area for that matter. Most of these places are second and third homes for most people and traffic will not be an issue except perhaps on weekends. If you can live with that you should be fine.
My wife and I are in fact building a 5 story luxury overlooking condo building in Tagaytay and this is an example of a place that is booming with development even more so than Samal. A Robinson Supermarket was just completed and many $150 plus a night hotels are popping up. Nevertheless, it is still an amazingly tranquil place and except for weekends, and this probably won’t change there either.
Dumaguete, Bohol, Batangas, Bacolod and on and on are examples of resort places building built up. But again most are just for weekenders.
Just my two cents
Hi Bob, Unfortunately, oftentimes when we see land we can only picture the way that we visualise it meeting our needs and wants. The problem is that everyone wants in, and with a finite amount of land in choice areas, there comes the influx of people and development. Anyway it’s true that if Samal Island isn’t a fit for you in the future, your land will turn a good profit and allow you to buy another. We’ve always got our radar out looking for our next best spot!
Maajong odto Bob,
Sounds like Samal will be a little crowded in the future, at least around the land you purchased.
Well, at least you still have a few years to look and think over your options. The Philippines has over 7,000 islands to choose from, and you have plenty of places to visit over the next few years, till your youngest graduates school….get a map of Philippines, and a dart, and start throwing..it may help…lol.
Best of luck, ug salamat kaayo,
Danny
Hi! Bob,
Reading all the posters comments in any forum site i realized that most foreigners wants to live in a rural areas but also closed to the city for their daily needs so actually i have this place in mind that maybe can fit to foreigners dream to retire and relax , this is my parents hometown before they get married , it was a very secluded and very remote island w/ no modern technologies, but as i visited their wbsite, the people there used celllphone and computers nowadays. but i think their only source of livelihood is through fishing and farming, other than that i’m not sure what else they can offer. My parents moved to Batangas when they got married and raised their children there, they speak BISAYA (ASI) but we children didin’t… but i’m planning to visit their hometown when i retire and see the island, it looks so inviting and the beach is amazing: Another thing is the land is very cheap there, but the main city of Romblon,Romblon is an hr travel by boat ……i think the whole island is still untouchable, the beach is wonderful…..and it’s a good plce for diving , surfing, fishing and swimming but you need to bring all your equipment gears or something….
SIMARA ISLAND- CORCUERA ROMBLON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbPk2_CRK5U
Bob, i just found the whole clip and photos of simara island from friendster and wow!!!!!! it’s really a small paradise and can’t wait to visit it someday…
http://profiles.friendster.com/20059860
time to buy some more land on samal at choke points Bob!!! think future Robinson or Jollybee site !!!
Tactic used in the USA in developing areas is to get the right to purchase with minimal down but extend the closing 2-5 yrs down the road…gives the purchaser time to find a buyer at a higher price with a minimum at risk.
Hello,Bob.Its true more and more land is being sold on Samal.The price of my land has doubled in two years.Im fifty eight years old and i dont think i will live to see Samal a tourist magnet but maybe with more money coming to the island the level of education will improve and create jobs as many people from the island work in Davao.I plan to stick around and see and as for now its the best of both worlds.I grew up in florida and there is not a spot in the state that comes close to Samal Island.
I’m going to hang on. Samal will be my place to go scuba diving and relax. I grew up in New Jersey and have also lived in FLorida and I’ve seen some incredible booming development and very quickly too. Samal can’t develop that fast- it doesn’t have the infrastructure.
Samal doesn’t have many paved roads or a bridge to get there from Davao. So I think development will be slow but steady (by my measure) and that’s ok with me.
Bob, maybe you could just stay in Davao since you like it so much, and it’s somewhat close to Gen Sen so you can visit family. Then, make Samal a place to come visit. I’ll take you snorkeling. If it’s quiet, lets enjoy the quiet. If there are many people (tourists), I’ll find something to sell to them lol.
Bob,
Now that you are on the sibject of Samal. How is the progress of Ovean View coming? My hope is to be able to afford putting Imagine there during typhoon season. I check their website every couple of weeks, but as of 2 days ago there has been no update for several months.
Another though is what about the southern end of Samal? It not being acessible quickly would seem to keep prices down?……i2f……John
Sorry Bob,
I haven’t gone through yesterday’s writings. I looked here first. I will drop Ellen a line, and shee what she knows……i2f…..John
How are the plans for the bridge linking Samal Island to Davao coming along? I’d read in few places that the project was going forward.
hi, we have a property over looking the ocean in tayud consolation Cebu our neighbor is a monastery . we can view the planes landing at mactan island. it is so peaceful and we have another property 5 minutes walk from that one that overlooks the rolling hills and nothing but green country and goats and carabao grazing in the valley below us!thats where i plan to grow old at!
Greetings Bob!
I just read an article that the Philippines just cut interest rates by 1/4% to spur growth and investment while inflation is mild.
The government’s push for more growth along with more foreign dollars heading to the country could only mean a handful of things for your island paradise: Quiet retirees living the resort lifestyle or Daytona Beach-Far East.
Either way the tide turns, your investment appears to be a good one.
Junior
Bob,
Sorry. It was BusinessWeek and not Newsweek (LOL). You can ad this link or edit “Newsweek” above. Sorry for the confusion and double-post.
From BusinessWeek: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D99B1FUG0.htm
kamusta bob
wow i am so shocked at this article.hmmmmm how much you lookin to get for that land my friend.mabe we can work a deal huh.
salamat my friend
Hi Jim – Yes, plans change, that’s part of life, I guess. You are certainly right that there is still time to watch as things progress, see how they go and then decide. We intend to do that.
Hi Paul – You are the number one salesman for that area up north! Are you working for the Chamber of Commerce?
Hi Neal – Actually, the land where we purchased has already increased in value nicely, so that is a big plus. Unless something happens, if we do sell the land we should do well on it.
Hi Bob – If you do sell, make sure you sell it before some developer “grabs” it!
Hi Bob – Actually, I’d hope I would have the opposite effect – scare away anyone who thinks the boondocks is not a place they’d want to be. That way, I don’t have an excess puti problem!
NIMBY!
Hi Paul –
I don’t understand what you mean. Why would it be bad for a developer to get it?
Hi Paul – That’s what the others up there said, but then they found out that you were moving in!!
Hi Larry – Not specifically about the Samal property, but Feyma and I have discussed in the past about possibly buying a house that we could offer rental rooms in. Perhaps each bedroom could be a bed and breakfast style arrangement, with a common living area/kitchen. I think there could be great interest in something like that.
Hi bill – Yes, I hear you, and you are correct. Just in the past few days, Feyma has been expressing another concern about Samal – distance from good medical care. Well, for me, it is not a huge concern. There is a water ambulance, although I am not certain how operational that is these days, and if development happens, surely some better hospitals and clinics will follow. It’s all something to think about though.
Hi Queenie – How true! We spend our time running on the treadmill of trying to find that perfect place where we can settle down. Truth is that if we just got off the treadmill and got more into the settling down part, we’d probably do just fine!
A wise though, queenie!
Hi Danny – Ha ha… the old dart on the map trick! You may have something there!
Bob, here’s another clip when GMA KAPUSO visit the SIMARA ISLAND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu4VE6tCS5o
The GMA FOUNDATION donated funds to help build the elementary school there..
Hi wildcat – Thanks for sharing that! I’ll check it out.
Hi Kevin,You are right on about Florida and the land boom.If you are worth a few million you might get a lot across from the beach looking at a condo.I grew up on the beach in ST.Pete and have seen it transform over the last fifty years into something unreal.There are currently water restrictions no washing of cars,no pressure washing,water lawn once a week and so on.Also in order to go to the beach you must pay to park at the tune of a dollar an hour.I love Samal.James
Hi Kevin – I still have hopes for Samal. Davao, though… the City… is becoming unbearable for me. Traffic his hell in Davao. I love the place a lot, but I have gotten to the point that I rarely even go out of the house anymore, because the traffic is so bad. I hope it gets better.
For a look at what places are on our mind these days, tune in tomorrow!
Hi Brian – You are “da man” for real estate, so I believe you. It’s something to consider!
Hi James – The land that I bought about 2 1/2 years ago has tripled in price! That is the upside to the development that is going on.
Hi John – On my article yesterday you asked about Holiday Ocean View, and I replied to you there, maybe you didn’t go back and check? As I said there, I don’t have any fresh info on HOV, but if Ellen wishes, she can even write a guest article here about their plans, progress, etc. I would welcome that, if she has the desire/interest.
Accessibility to Southern Samal is indeed iffy, so I haven’t really considered looking at that area for possibly living.
Hi John – No problem. I try to reply to every comment, so it’s a good idea to check back on comment to see what the response is. But, really, any information Ellen could provide would be welcome here, as I feel it is a subject of interest. Have a good day, John.
Hi Bob – The “grabs” is as in “land-grabber” – they get the land via legal wrangling and all you get memories. When it comes to land ownership issues, there are all kinds of strange methods of acquisition that those with money and heritage know how to employ.
Also, make sure that you do have clear, clean deed to the property, and not just “rights” to the land. Plenty of places in the islands that afford natural beauty is, in reality, owned by some government unit and those who think they own it only own the “rights” to use it.
I have some property in Marivelles, Bataan that is in that category. Next door to me, an Englishman has build a beautiful beach house – it fills his property. We are looking to sell him “our property next door” so that he can have a yard to play in. Don’t know that I will mention that I’m selling the “rights” to the land and not clear, clean title to it. He should know his own property, and all property surrounding us, fall in this category.
Paul,
Good information. How will I know what is clean title…what is normally written down or what is not written down!
Paul B
So long as I’m the last!
Hi David – The plans seem to be dead for now. Last year, they were talking about getting started on the bridge right away. Since then… nothing. I hear from people that the project is on the back burner again, although others say it will go forward. Personally, i don’t think we will be seeing anything anytime soon.
Hi Paul – OK, I got you on that. Yes, you are very correct.
Another area where I have an interest, and is included in my new article today is Buda, or up around Bukidnon. The land up there is all Ancestral land which also cannot be directly owned, so I am indeed very familiar with that.
Hi Paul –
Hi Mike – Sounds wonderful!
Hi Junior – I am not 100% certain, but it is my understanding that the BSP has not yet cut interest rates, rather they announced that they are likely to do so when they meet next week. I could be wrong, though.
Hi RonW – Well, don’t speak too quickly… on my next article, I explain how Samal is still a possibility. It’s just not certain as it once seemed to be.