Yes, I said it all in the title, didn’t I? For me, Barangay Limao, on Samal Island is heaven! Limao is where Feyma and I purchased some land last year, and where we intend to live in the coming years. Neither one of us can wait to get there! But, it will have to be a few years down the road, after our kids finish school.
We do go and visit our place regularly, though, just to keep up with what is going on in the area, and keep showing an interest in our land there. We wouldn’t want squatters to come and take over the place!
Last week, Feyma and I went and did a little exploring there, walking some paths in the area and seeing areas that we had not scene before. It was a lot of fun, and we learned more about the area that we will be living in!
Why don’t you come along for a bit of a tour of the area? Just watch the video below!
In the comments, Rick asked where Limao is located on Samal. I am putting a map below to show all of Samal Island. I put a big red dot and the words “Martin Place” where our land is. Just click on the map below to see a bigger image.
maayongbuntag bob
i have also been to samal many times.i have friends that own beach front property just north of paradise island resort.i really like the video you made.how many meters to a lot there?when i retire i would be most happy on samal.the island here where i live is about the same size as samal.i felt right at home there.the more i see samal videos the more homesick i become for philippines.
thanks for the great video my friend
Hi Ron W. — I'm happy that you enjoy the video, although I'm sorry to make you homesick! I'm very familiar with that area of Samal that you're talking about near Paradise Island, I generally go through there a few times a week.
The lots in the area where we have land are generally around 150 to 200 m² each. In our case we purchased seven lots, and it totals up to around 1000 m². That is almost equivalent to one quarter acre.
Looks nice Bob. There must be a built-in gene in westerners that attracts them to tropical areas. We all like the appearance of the luxurious growth and warmth. (I won't mention the bugs that can come with it, of course)! The blocks of land certainly are small aren't they? The standard in Australia used to be 1/4 acre although they are shrinking here now too (yet the houses are getting bigger)!
Hi AussieLee – Yes based on Western standards of lots are very small, that's why most people are buying three, four maybe five of them at a time. But the sizes are pretty common here.
You to why us westerners are attracted to tropical type settings? You know the old saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side." 😆
Hi Bob. Good Video. It looks like a very peaceful place.
You mention your concern about squatters. Is there a zoning body in your part of the island or the whole island itself?
Also, are you going to run for barangay captain in Limao?
It will help me decide whether to buy a lot or two 😉 .
great video bob! one thing i noticed about the clip is the background sounds coming from such rich and diverse flora and fauna! i hope that even when this area becomes developed the biodiversity of the island will not be compromised. cheers!
Hi Bob
I too really like Samal and your plot looks great, how is the ferry access to and from Limao, not sure where that is……..sure you are not wishing your life away but i can see how much you are looking forward to living there. Yes as well as ferries, where actually on Samal is Limao?
Hi Dr. Long – Firstly, I am not a citizen of the Philippines, so that could be a problem.. as I announced a couple weeks ago, that is something that I am considering, though. Even then, I doubt I'd have a lot of interest in getting involved in politics! 😆
Hi mia – I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Like you, I hope that Samal keeps it's beauty, natural setting, etc. in the future!
Hi rick b – I just added a map of Samal, and I made a marking where our land is, which is in the northern part of the island, maybe it would be called "north central" or something like that. Just click on the map for a larger view.
One of these days, when you are not busy, let's go over and spend a day over there! I know that you have some busy times ahead, though! 😆
Hi Bob – thanks for the video. A little of that looked familiar, though it's kind of hard to tell one spot from the next.
I was surprised to hear that there are 20 lots left. I didn't think there were that many when I had left, but I checked my site map and see that there where spots around the road.
You've got a great location, with a good size lot. Nice view, too. Don't think we'll have to worry about flooding on the hill.
And to anyone that's interested in the land, Feyma was extremely helpful!! I can't thank her enough.
Hi Randy C. — thank you very much for your kind words there. Yes, I think we're in a be safe from water up on the hill there! You're right, with the vegetation growing so much, it's hard to differentiate the lots now. But we know how to find ours anyway! And yours, since it's right next door!
Hello Bob,
Yes it looks very nice there.
How many minutes total commute from the lot to davao including the ferry ride, waiting for it, etc.?
Are there other lots near your property in the subdivision that also offer great overlooking views?
Hi khaye – I would say that to get to Limao from the area where we live in Davao is usually about 30 to 40 minutes. It varies, depending on how long you need to wait for the ferry.
Sorry to say, but the properties remaining are not really having too much of a view, because those sold first. You can still find some with a bit of a view, but not like what was available originally.
Hello Bob. My wife of 20 yrs. is from Davao and we plan on retiring in the Philippines in about 8 years from now. Davao is definitely the first and foremost location that we have in mind.Just like you ,we are just waiting for the kids to finish up their education so can start to contemplate our next move. We are both Fil-Am , and I hope that our eventual transition to a new life there will be as challenging as yours.I have been away for 40 years. Anyway, the video is definitely nice . Of all things ,I love how everything is all green. I imagine you can probably smell the ocean from your future homesite.I currently reside in Phoenix ,AZ so island life is definitely something I can look forward to. Anyway, thanks for the wonderful video. Samal Island ,well I will definitely think about that.
Hi Julius M. Yap – It sounds like you have some nice dreams ahead of you, Julius. I wish you the best of luck in achieving the things that you look forward to.
Bob
Nice video indeed, seems very peaceful and so far no Roosters that I can hear.
I must say that even though I haven't met you Bob, I am finding myself pissed off at you. It is driven by my jealousy of you and your piece of paridise. 😆 Boysit!!
Its very tough to pull the trigger on buying property in RP as I am still here in RI. To buy property blindly would be a mistake for sure.
Keep your eye out for a Squatter, he may be 5ft 7 mid 40's, balding American looking.
Hi Neal in RI – Oh, boy… I just realized, I should not have put that map up! I may end up with a whole bunch of foreign squatters on the property! 😯
Hi Bob
Thanks very much for the map of the site, yes now i know the location very well, fantastic thats all i can say
hey Bob, i love maps and struggle here for decent ones (national book store SM hasn't had a map of Davao every time i have asked over the last 4 months….) but the one you post of Samal looks the best i have seen, where can i get a copy Bob.
and yes, i would love to visit with you, why is it sometimes kids get in the way, in my case now, even before they are born, we love them though don't we Bob
Hi rick b – I'm glad that you liked that map. I got it online, iit's published by the Island Garden City of Samal.
You are right, getting decent maps of the Philippines is very difficult. I have a good roadmap of the Philippines, but it is about 10 years old, and I've used it so heavily in my travels, that it is practically falling apart now.
You're right about kids… yes, they can cause extra work, or interfere with plans sometimes, but I would never want to be without them! 😆
As far as the 'build to operate' concept for the bridge, it could be a very good idea. That's how we have such a nice road now for the North Luzon Expressway. I don't mind paying the toll at all since good value is received.
However I'd question the wisdom of a bridge undertaking like you mention. I don't think the trafic would be there.. and as you point out, to keep the channel open to shipping requires a huge project, especially since the land is essentially flat on both shores. You also can't build a bridge like youy can build a toll road, a few lanes at a time .. the structure has to be in place at the beginning … but hey, more power to them if they can do it … frankly one of the appeals of Samal to me is the ferry service and the fact that it's not as easy to get to .. get enugh people there and Samal will be the same as Manila … you know that less than 30 years ago Manila itself was a beautiful, pollution free green city … concentrations of folks and nice places to live are opposing forces.
I had to laugh at the 1/4 acre 'standard' comment. 55 years ago that was considered a 'generous' building lot in the US. Our lot here in Marilao is 12 x 15 meters. In high priced subdivisons farther from Manila 20×30 seems to be a common norm .. at around 5 to 7 million for theimproved lot, house optional.
Hi Dave Starr – Hey, that's not fair! You commented on two columns in one single comment! Ha ha… 😆
Yeah, I know what you mean on lot sizes. Here in Davao, a lot about the same size as you quote for your lot in Marilao is pretty standard and common too. When you get more rural like going to Samal, though, a little bit larger place is probably the norm.
Hi Bob, about the price… 2500 per square meter is a high price to pay for undeveloped land.
Not that 2500 is not fair or the going price in that area but I have seen and bought land about two years ago like yours for between 75 – 275 pesos per square meter on other islands.
Cheers,
Jim
I liked hearing all the birds. I'll bet it would be a birdwatchers paradise for tropical birdwatchers.
Hi James – Thanks for your comment. I have a few points:
1. I don't recall ever saying that the land is cheap.
2. This is not undeveloped land, it is part of a subdivision that will include roads, parks, and other facilities for the land owners.
3. A very large, new resort is under construction very near the property, which has really increased the price.
4. About 200+ lots here have already been sold, so apparently others feel that it is a good deal, enough that they put out money for it.
I know plenty of sources for land in the P75 and up range. Titles are cloudy, you will have plenty of problems if you buy land at that price.
Good luck to you.
Hi Joe Parisi – I think you are right on that!
You do have to really be careful when buying cheap land in the Philippines. We are already having problems with the land we bought in Bicol, Albay. THe survey and the title say we bought 13,200 square meters, but the deed says 12,100 square meters. We paid for 13,100 square meters. We just recently went to the town get a new deed, but because of the difference there has to be a "hearing" with all the surrounding landowners. We are in the U.S. so my wife's sister is handling the transaction. I have no idea how this is going to turn out.
Hi Joe Parisi – I wish you all the best with that! I know how difficult such things can be, and especially from a distance! I hope it all works out in your favor!
Hi Bob,
We are considering buying some beach front land in Liamo. Is it a problem with squatters even if we have the Land title? Also is it safe for an English man to live there? I hear conflicting views about this.
Thanks,
Cliff
Hi Bob,
Do you have an offline shop to get your 49 ways to make a living book in paperback? I have tried online but there is a $10 charge for delivery and I am already in Davao City. Also do you have any seminars coming up soon in Davao?
Thanks,
Cliff,
Hi Bob I too once live in Tagum area, But would like to know more limao and how much per lot and sq/ft. about 3bedroom 2bath capacity
Hi Bob
Wonder if you could help. I'm overseas at the moment and my wife, from Babak Samal is having trouble speaking to her family. Is there anyway you could get the email address of the – internet cafe – in Babak. Her mother is not too good on the internet and I would like to ask them to help.
Thanks Esmond
Hi Esmond – I haven't been to Samal for a few months or so, I don't go there every day. I don't know when I will be going there next – it could be next week, or it could be 6 months from now, just whenever I have a need or desire. Perhaps somebody else reading here who actually lives on Samal could stop by the cafe and see if there is an e-mail address that you could contact.
bob,
hello there! we just got married in davao this year feb.16,2010. i m wondering if we can purchase property land there lots? IM not looking to spend big money. however, if you got a web site or informaitn on lots lands please forward any information to my email. My husband joe is Canadian is returning back to davao soon end of this year or January 2011.
Sincerely
mitchiko
bob : Re: Limao area in Samal
The lots are amazing on your video here. Please please forward any info to me or email or phone me: Cookie:
Cookie is typing…
Cookie: 0917-692-7522 that s my number. Plus, we need serious prices and decent lots size. I think you open our minds up to purchase land there. We both had our honeymoon back in Feb. 2010. Joe is in Toronto now working and saving up cash. Im in matina apalaya area in davao city. We love babak area and bat caves saw the whole island. Please send me any info and ur cell and along with your web sites enlist prices,phone numbers,and names of contactof business there thank you.
Mitchio de lara barbosa
Hi Bob, this is in reply to Esmond. I’m Gladys, originally from Davao but I’m currently in Manila. I’ll be going to Samal with my friend on Thursday, Sept 16. So, if he can give me the family’s contact number, maybe I can help them out when I’m there, or I can ask them to meet with my friend who’s working at the City Hall for assistance.
Hello Bob,
We are hoping that you may be able to assist us.
We are Australian pensioners who are interested in buying a property on Samal Island
We are presently in negotiations to purchase a property, but as we live in Australia it is difficult for us to get information on what is happening about the development of Samal; especially the circumference road. The property we are interested in is not in a gated subdivision but is on the circumference road at Camudmud.
Buddy
Hello Peter – there is lots of development going on over on Samal, that’s for sure. It’s been a few months since I have been on the island, but last time I was there, there really had been no further development of the circumference road.
Hi Bob, my fiancé is filipina and her family lives in davao. We purchased a lot in limao almost right across the road from the a white House. Our area is just sold out I believe so we are excited for the roads to be put in and to have easier access. One expat already built a very nice place on the corner right down the street. I’m a Texan by the way, but working in Dubai at the present time