Today’s Guest Post is from Alan Cline, an American expat who currently resides in Cagayan de Oro City, in Northern Mindanao. Alan has his own blog, and has also written guest posts here on LiP in the past.
The title sounds kind of like some country western song from the US I guess but you will notice it’s in the form of a question rather than a statement . That’s because my wife and I have been giving some serious consideration to re-locating here within the Philippines . We currently live in Cagayan De Oro and we have known for a while now that we would need to move from our present location so the question has not been if we move but where do we move to.
So , what is the big deal about moving ? In reality not much if you are just moving to another neighborhood within the same city but much more if you are considering re-location to another city as I have been considering . I had a long discussion with my wife last night about the possibilities and to my surprise she was much more open to the idea of moving to another city rather than just across town than I thought she might be as she has family in this area and I only have friends.
So I told her I had two possible locations in mind and even before I could get the names out of my mouth she said she would only consider Cebu or Davao . Cebu City because we have both spent time there and also because we have friends there as well . Davao City because my wife has spent time there in the past and was impressed with what she saw though I don’t believe she has visited within the past two years . But her preference is Davao.
Which leads to the basic thrust of this article being an attempt to form some on – line acquaintances with those living in the Davao City area and hopefully gaining some insights into why specific people have chosen Davao as their home . I have been researching the area on – line for some time now but there’s only so much you can learn about a place on – line . Official websites are a good place to start as are Real Estate Brokers and Expat Blogs but in the end I always find personal contacts to be the best sources of information.
Bob has been gracious enough to allow me to do this post within LIP in the hope there will be feedback in the form of comments and personal contact . So , if you live in the Davao City area I would really appreciate your feedback and especially your thoughts on why you chose that location . I realize not any place is perfect so please feel free to enumerate your insights from both the positive and negative view (if you have any).
I know how Bob feels and he should probably be made some sort of official host/greeter by the local tourism department and I have also had the pleasure of hooking up with Bruce via his blog . My wife and I would both very much like to here from as many others as possible . I apologize for not having a photo of us available for posting at the moment but since our computer crashed we don’t have one and in addition I am currently waiting for a new digital camera to arrive from the states . As soon as we get that we will update .
I'd be interested to know some of the reasons why you are leaving CDO. Is the quality of life/living not what you expected? Costs? Boredom? It would be helpful for those contemplating various places to live. I'm sure there may be unspoken personal reasons (family problems, etc.), and if so they certainly don't need to be revealed.
Hi Alan,
I'm biased for CDO.
So… My advice is: Don't do it.
CDO is a small city and will be for a while. It's nice
to visit other places in the Philippines but it's better
to have your base at CDO…peaceful, quiet and boring…all
the characteristics of a an excellent place to live.
Spencer
Good questions all and in reality our reasons are a combination of many factors . I see Davao as offering some things CDO can not based on what i /we perceive as Davao being a more dynamic community in terms of it's potential for growth. My wife is an independent business woman and also sees that area as having more growth opportunity in regards to her interests . And in truth there are some personal reasons that i won't detail for obvious reasons .
DR Long
You are correct about CDO being a tad to the quite and boring side but that's not so much a consideration for us as some other things are . In many ways CDO is very " small town " despite it's population and that can be good or bad as everyone here seems to know you whether you know them or not . I will just leave it at that . 🙂
Alan there is not a "Spooks" in Davao. I have a feeling though based on your comments that might be a good thing as far as your concerned. Good luck. Ron
Ron
You are right about there only being one " Spooks " but maybe the owner could have an occasional " alumnus meet ". 🙂
Hi Alan – We are in a small town just outside of CdeO and prefer it that way visiting the city when we choose and returning to the boonies for the peace and quiet.
I have only been in Davao once but liked what I saw and regards being a business opportunity centre I would agree.
I have only been to Cebu twice and it was too big for my liking.
Whatever you both decide all the very best in your quest.
Regards.
Jim & Marilou in Talakag,Bukidnon.
Thanks Jim
I can relate to what you are saying but i am also thinking that as big as Davao is you can probably live within the city and still be a ways from the inner city . 🙂
Hi Alan – Well, I figure that I should leave a comment here for you! However, I also think that as you have kind of pointed out in your article, my feelings are pretty known on the issue.
I won't hide it or apologize for it, I love Davao. I've lived in the City for 7 years now, and there is little that I can complain about when it comes to Davao City. There is a lot to do here, and also, IMHO, there are many opportunities here as well.
On the other hand, I visited Cebu just last week, and I found the place to be nice also. I had temptations of moving there myself during my visit, but in the end, I have to come down with Davao to fit my personal lifestyle. If you are looking for a place where you actually feel like you are back in the States, Cebu is the place (in certain parts of town). If you are looking for a more laid back lifestyle, Davao is better. Shopping? Cebu. Expat life? Davao. General livability? Davao. Less polluted? Davao. More potential in the future? Davao. There are many ways to judge a place, and the ways that I choose to judge it, I choose Davao. Now, maybe in 10 or 15 years I will be looking for something different and Cebu will suit me, I can't say.
Come down to Davao for a visit, Alan. Feyma and I will be happy to give you some pointers and spend some time with you to show you what we like about the City.
Go to Davao ..Get away from it all …You have friends there …Phil n Jess
Hi Alan, my wife and I have lived here for over a year now and she was the one that picked Davao for our life to start. She is originally from Malita which is So. of Davao but had been in the Cebu area for the past 15yrs. Since I have arrived here I tend to agree with what Bob has said about Davao. Health care is good, Dentists, etc. Many shopping Malls to choose from and more coming. Traffic has its moments but seems to keep moving slowly at times but as long as you can weave through the tricycles peddled or motorized, 10 wheelers, Jeepneys, cabs, people (forget the crosswalks), traffic signs and lights working or not Davao will be an enjoyable place. It will also depend on where you will be living weather or not your in a Gated sub-division or the neighborhoods, they both have good and bad things. If you have kids there is a great selection private and public. Lots of Resturants too. Bob has made a great list of favorite places to eat. Internet service is available in most places with choices and TV cable or Satelite. There are several newspapers also sold along the roadsides and malls. So anyways hope this brings some light to you. I am retired 58yrs old and never bored here. Also many expat friends, not as much as Cebu but we are here. Good luck
Phil n Jess
Well , perhaps we are in the process of making friends and we look foward to meeting some in the near future .
Keith
We can relate to the traffic issues here as well as i suspect it's like that everywhere in the Philippines but just more of it some places than others .
I know that Davao is rapidly expanding but one thing i like is the fact that Davao has more room in which to expand .
General Comment
Two things i am having a hard time locating in regards to Davao is an E-Z fold out map as they seem to have disappeared from here in CDO and an on – line site that might have a good map of the city from the Baranguay level perspective . The latter can sometimes be found on Real Estate sites but i have not run into one yet .
Any help in these two areas very appreciated .
Thanks
Alan
Hi Alan – It is difficult to find decent maps of Davao. The EZ maps are not really up to snuff, if you ask me. My recommendation would be to look at Google Earth. They have some nice satellite views of the city, and they go fairly close on the zoom too.
hi allen, im with jim on this one mostley. we have a couple places now but my favorite place is about 20 pesos from digos city. when i visit there it is so peaceful , although once in a whyle at nite when the dogs go wild i wish i was a little closer to davao. good luck.
maybe try google earth allen. you can see all the roads in the philippines pretty well.
Hi Jerry
You are right as is Bob about Google but i was just trying to locate an overview map . I have used E-Z for Cebu often and especially like the fact that they list local landmarks , etc .
By the way that Crimson wouldn't be Alabama Crimson Tide would it ? 🙂 I happen to be a North Carolina boy . Y'all come when ya can !