Check this site out: http://www.livingincebuforums.comOriginally Posted by johnwboy
It's for expats who have retired in Cebu. Very informative site.
I think most people who have been to Davao would agree with you.
I've spent quite a lot of time in Cebu and it's not as good as it's made out to be. Cebu city is just another run-down, dirty city. Outside the city is a bit better but lacking in facilities.
Thanks Tony for the link. Will check it out.
Davao is a good choice! My ex wife is from Samal Island just a 20 minute ferry ride from DC. I have spent alot of time on Samal Island and Davao City. I spent a month in Cebu last year and just didn't like it as much as Davao. I felt like Cebu was a smaller version of Manila with pollution. JMHO.
I love to go up to Jacks Ridge and have a meal over looking Davao.
My current gf is in Zamboanga City. It is okay don't really care for it that much. I always felt like there were people watching me in a bad way not like Davao where it is really friendly.
I kinda got those same dirty looks from women all over Zambo while walking with my 26 y.o. girlfriend.
I was 54 at the time, but saw only smiles in Davao the next weekend shopping with my new 24 y.o. girlfriend there.
5280bj
Incountry every October & November
Now, if only we could somehow wrangle non-stops between Davao and Clark 3 times a week.
I am actually planning on bringing over a private seaplane when I settle in Davao, so that I won't have to hassle with the commercial air terminals there. Definitely worth spending a few extra bucks to avoid that nonsense.
Situated Happily Atop Mons Venus
Don't forget your "friends" when you do thatNow, if only we could somehow wrangle non-stops between Davao and Clark 3 times a week
I am actually planning on bringing over a private seaplane when I settle in Davao, so that I won't have to hassle with the commercial air terminals there. Definitely worth spending a few extra bucks to avoid that nonsense.
Hey; I believe Davao is the best city in PI. Still, if you research you will see bombings there. Not at a church or government office but just public bombings. You can be strolling along looking to choose the perfect durian and then BLAMMMMM!!!
You just don't get that on Luzon. I'm likely to choose Bataan or Pangasinan.
gatorbob
Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Funny, I've lived here 7 years and I've yet to hear of a bombing in Davao; yet to hear of a foreigner being attacked on the street and yet to hear of anyone who was kidnapped. Maybe you're thinking of another city? Or a city within driving distance from Davao.
As to "not getting that" in Luzon, perhaps you weren't around when a large area of a department store in central Metro Manila simply exploded a couple of years ago. It's still a great mystery to the general public what caused it, but most think it was likely a bomb covered up under the aegis of a leak of some kind.
I don't write much on this board any more, but I could not help but respond to this. The fact is, having lived and/or worked in more than 50 countries, I can honestly say that this is the safest place I've ever lived.
GE
I think the last "major" bombing incident was down in General Santos City...Right? I haven't heard of anything in Davao either and I've been doing a lot of research into a place to live/retire in the Philippines.
There was a major bombing at the Davao airport in 2003, but I still agree with all the posts, Davao is a great city to meet "normal" girls and is as safe as you can get in the Philippines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis...tional_Airport
By the way Tony, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on a good city to live/retire? I've been in the same hunt and completely ruled out Luzon/Manila. Really between Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao. Security and modern conveniences are most important to me. Need to have good hospitals, malls, and resto's. Girls are easy they're everywhere.
Happy to share my thoughts with you and anyone else who's interested.By the way Tony, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on a good city to live/retire? I've been in the same hunt and completely ruled out Luzon/Manila. Really between Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao. Security and modern conveniences are most important to me. Need to have good hospitals, malls, and resto's. Girls are easy they're everywhere.
I think it comes down to one major point - Do you already have a girl or not? If you don't, then you can retire anywhere (but you'll need a place where you can meet lots of girls - like Cebu or Manila). If you already have a girl then you're probably going to have to live in her town or very close to it.
Some of the best places I've come across (for standard/quality of living) are: Cebu (city and province), Davao and Dumaguete. I tend to check out the expat forums in each place to get a picture of what it's like to live there:
Duma - http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/
Cebu - http://www.livingincebuforums.com
Davao - I haven't found a good one yet.
I haven't made up my mind yet but my GF is from Mindanao so I'm leaning toward Davao.
BTW, I've heard good things about CDO but I haven't been there yet. It's an option and I'd be really interested in hearing your opinion on it.
Cebu and Davao are probably your best bets for hospitals and restaurants.By the way Tony, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on a good city to live/retire? I've been in the same hunt and completely ruled out Luzon/Manila. Really between Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao. Security and modern conveniences are most important to me. Need to have good hospitals, malls, and resto's. Girls are easy they're everywhere.
I like CDO, it has good restaurants, but probably not hospitals.
Others have mentioned Dumaguete, but despite it being a university town it can be harder to meet girls there, and the pro's are more expensive. Resto' s and hospital care would probably be lacking also. It has been a few years since I have visited Duma, but I would not live there because it would be too boring for me.
Life is too short for bad food or bitchy women.
I'm leaning toward staying in Cebu, but will give it another year before I decide to start growing roots. The traffic and polution are the most frustrating thing for me. It's really getting more and more like a smaller version of Manila traffic wise, but the people here are still friendlier, so overall enjoying it.
It may be better for you to stay away from Davao for exactly the same reason, your GF's family lives there. I've found having some water between you and your GF's family is a good thing, the bus ride is just to easy for the "drop by's" that end up being "live in's" for months.
Some interesting advice on Duma, I haven't been yet, but i'll have to stop and take a look for myself.
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