Probably one of the most important things you need to consider before you make a move to the Philippines is this – where will you live? There are a number of large cities, there are mid sized cities, and then again, you can live in the provinces where life is simpler. How will you choose?
One thing that is a prime consideration is this – where do you have ties in the country? In my case, I am married to a lady who is from General Santos City. Natrually, our choice was to live in General Santos. I had visited GenSan many times, and I liked it there! I never had a problem there in all of my visits, so we didn’t even think about it, we moved straight to General Santos. After living in General Santos for two years, we finally came to the conclusion that it was not the right place for us. We had a couple reasons that caused us to reach this realization. First, living so close to my wife’s family lead to a lack of privacy. In the USA where I grew up, people tend to enjoy a degree of privacy. Here, if you live close by, you will have cousins, aunts, uncles, not to mention parents and siblings at your house at all hours of the day. There was never a time when it was just my wife, kids and I at the house. It got old. My wife had lived in the States long enough that even she was not comfortable with having people at the house all the time. Second consideration for us was that there was not much to do in a small city like General Santos. I was bored. So, we decided to move to Davao. We have lived in Davao for more than 4 years now, and we love it. Could not imagine moving away from here. Plenty of things to do. Still close enough where in-laws can visit, but far enough away that they are not here all the time. Perfect.
Another consideration – if you are from a western country is the availability of the type of goods that you will want to buy. Western foods and such. When we lived in General Santos, there were times we could not buy butter or cheese and had to drive to Davao (2 1/2 hours) to get such things. In major cities, you will find the things that you want or need (most of them anyway). Now, which are the “major cities”? I would say that would include Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro. Perhaps a few others, but those would be the major cities. Now, for me, I would not want to live in Manila – it is crowded, polluted and expensive! So, I would limit my choices to Cebu, Davao or CdO.
Of course, for many, living out of the bigger cities is the attraction. Maybe that’s for you, and you can just buy the things you need in bulk when you visit the larger cities.
All in all, it’s your choice! And, the country offers enough variation that anybody can find the place that’s right for them. Good luck to you in your search!
Hi Bob,
I'm afraid I am one of those that are heading for Manila, as I have mentioned previously I am visiting there for 7 months from Sept to see whether I like it or not, I've lived in big cities all my life, mainly in London.
I'm hoping that I may find somewhere else smaller in the Phils during my travels where I may feel more comfortable. I have no ties in the country so I am a blank sheet regarding that.
I would like a place that is big enough to have the facilities that I require to keep me in my comfort zone, things like decent shopping malls, good and varied restaurants and most importantly lots of sports centres.
Gerry
Davao city for me, then I can eat at the international buffet in the Marco Polo every day … mmmmmm [ drools like Homer Simpson ] !!
Scott 😉
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental for me Bob, as I know it well, my house is there, and I can eat at Apollo's hmmmmmm clams, crabs, oysters, King Prawns in Sweet and Sour sauce, I can drink sosyal coffee at Cafe Bobs, and Vienna Kafee House, I can Sushi at the yo sushi bar, Mambukal mountain resort just 20 minutes drive, and I can go in the Volcanic dipping pool, 30 minutes away, is Jomabo beach resort, where I can snorkel and kick back on the beach with a few San Migs, Palmas Del Mar day resort where I CAN SWIM, jacuzzi, and get p….in the bar at night, and if i get bored, i can always take a flight south to meet up with Scott and Rhodora at the International buffet at the Marco Polo ! Ive got it made havent I ?
hehehehehehe
If all esle fails, its back to p…y cold and wet, politically correct, extortionate Browns standard Britain.
Hi Gerry – Argh! Manila! Not my favorite place! Look around the country and see what you can find. If Manila suits you, though – go for it! We all have different tastes and different comfort zones.
Hi Scott – Save a place for me! Are you paying, by the way? 😉
Hi Pete – You are always welcome in Davao! It sounds like you have your daily routine all planned out!
What about the old US Naval Base area? Olongapo City + Barrio Baretta etc. (I'm retired Navy) Things there have changed so much, I feel for the better in the last 10 years, since the bases closed. The Old Base department store (exchange as we called it) now a duty free shop and had just about everything I was looking for when we visited last December, and that was just 1 store. I feel that it also has a large western influence with many retirees in the area. The stigma of 20 years ago, I think is nearly gone (Navy Base fun city). I was stationed there for about 4 years in the early 80's and would not be going back if it were still the same. I feel its a good area for general safety. as there is realy only one or two ways in or out of the area, limiting the terroist type activity, it's kind of like a thumb by itself. The old naval base hospital (where my oldest was born) is now one of the top medical facilities in the area. The Retired Activity Office, offers a ride and can get us to our free medical support at the Veterans Clinic in Manila. Weather wise, being on the west side of the country I remember it blocking some of the big storms that come in from the east. Beautiful beaches, and many resturants still dot the area. In general, this is an area that is familar with westerners. Not sure yet on the cost of living compair to other places, but it should not be like Manila. Large city, lots to do 🙂
Love the blog, its the first site I check every time I go on line Take call all.
Mitch
Hi Bob , as my wife,s family lives in iligan , later we allso plann to live there.
As they live near the mountains , it,s not so close to the city, were i want to stay.
I allso not want to live in a sub-division. only foreigners there.
I think about BarangayTibang , because they bilding a new big Gaisano there right now.
Can i do my own shopping, and it,s not far from the city.
And i will drive my car to CDO in 1,5 a 2 hours if we want.
Hi Anton – I have mentioned before, I like Iligan a lot, and I think you will indeed be happy there. I know a number of Europeans living in Iligan! You should feel right at home!
hi bob–my gf teaches school in davao but lives in digos city–i am coming over in december and hope to stay 2 or 3 months–while there i would like to come over and join your cafe group just to meet and chat–i will haved a lot of questions after i start to learn the area–my bigest one right now –is safety for americans in digos and the surrounding area–thanks bubba
Hi Bubba – No worries, Davao and Digos are both very safe. You can live in either city, and travel between them without concerns. 🙂 Hope to see you after your arrival!