Where is the Best Place to Live in Philippines?

@rainmark (4302)
July 3, 2009 7:48am CST
In five years time, i and my hubby will be retiring in Philippines and we are saving for it now. My province is Sarangani and Gensan is the nearest city to us but i am looking a better place like, place with good university for my kids, good place for business and employment but not too polluted and crowded city. I am thinking of Davao, what do you think? Any idea? Please share. Cheers.
4 people like this
16 responses
@zearah (5381)
• Philippines
3 Jul 09
Yeah! That's a very good idea. I am from Davao City. Here you could have the life you desired. A peaceful, progressive city which life is so simple with ethnicity but full of modernization. In terms of modern technologies and science. Very accessible from your home to school. Here is you could imagine a complete life of modern and early era. The buildings, hotels and restaurants, malls and everything are signifies new life but people Davaoneo are still traditional and full of ethnicity. You'll be progressive here as you have the will to. Try to visit here, I guess you'd done already!
1 person likes this
@rainmark (4302)
3 Jul 09
Hi Zea, been to davao but only at the malls and samal island never had a chance to tour around Davao. Do you think it's cheap to live there? How much do you think will be the cost for education a year? ANd how much the houses? Cheers.
2 people like this
@zearah (5381)
• Philippines
3 Jul 09
Samal Island or the Island Garden City of Davao, here I live and the rests of my family and relatives. If you'd been in Pearl farm, or Paradise Beach these are some of places and views you would love and miss, and it's here we used to live though we are currently staying in the city of Davao in front of this Island, ours is in the port of ferry boat to Samal Island. Here I could estimate as 10,000 pesos for a most expensive course is more than enough! And the house is unpredictable the price 'coz that would be based as to what type of house you want to. Only I could give you an idea that middle class family is living with an income of 20,000 pesos a month with at maximum of 3 child high school or primary. Well there are lots- residential are still for sale located in Samal Island, and the price is so affordable- you would spend of not more than 3,000 pesos a month, payable for 36 months. Ooooops the rest would be on our next meet!
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
That's great information zea, i will going to visit smal one day if i have a vacation in phils to look for a property. I like the idea of low cost living, thnx.
@24Champ (465)
3 Jul 09
If you like to stay in Mindanao, then Davao is most likely the place for you. There is a University of the Philippines in Davao. My friend is actually the Vice Chancellor there. If you like to settle in Luzon, then I recommend Los BaƱos, Laguna. It is not as populated as other towns but has all the ammenities of a modern city with an ambiance of a typical "province" (natural springs, mountains, rice fields, etc.) It hosts the UPLB, which holds the same distinction or prestige as UP Diliman.
1 person likes this
@rainmark (4302)
3 Jul 09
Hi Im more likely choose Davao, close to my family provinces. Thnx i maybe enroll my son In UP de Davao, coz i heard it's a good university, how much it cost for 1 year in UP? cheers
1 person likes this
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Thnx for the info Champ, it helps me how much im going to save monthly for my childs education in university. cheers.
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
3 Jul 09
how about Cebu City? i think Cebu is also a nice option, a first class city, with lots of good universities, good place for business and there are also many places that are not so crowded and polluted... but i think, if you still want to be in Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro and Davao will be a good choice...
1 person likes this
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
I heard nice comments about Cebu, my friends sisters family were living there. But we will see if we can find a cheap property there. cheers.
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
oh okay! i believe there's some or maybe a lot of cheap but nice properties here...i saw many agents on the mall offering nice offers for house and lot and the villages their offering is nice...as what i saw on their displays... i hope you can find the best place for you and your family! but i think as long as you are with each other...no matter where you are, it will always be the best! cheers and blessings for you and your family!
@mimiang (3760)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
try Boracay or Tagaytay.You can live happily here anywhere actually
1 person likes this
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Im sure we will be happy and hoping stress free too. cheers.
@mimiang (3760)
• Philippines
10 Jul 09
yes, may be.
@khayshenz (1384)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Wow - you're getting great responses. Which in turn benefits me as well! Heheheh... I'm filipino, though I'm far from retirement (VERY far), I would love to visit every so often. The bf and I are planning to go to Cambodia and Thailand next year - and I'm hoping that we can find some time for the Philippines, because I want him to see! I've never been to Los Banos - heard a lot of good things though. Anyone have any pictures or live in the area? Talk about it some more, please. Maybe I'll invest in some kind of farming or something - that will help in my retirement. Hehehe...
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Yeah that's good idea, investing in farming or something really great for retirement, were thinking of that too. Thanks
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
Cebu I think is a good one. Manila is quite congested for these things, albeit it has the good universities of the country. Cebu is near the beaches and other resources. It also has good infrastructure, business districts, and other government centers which can be of your interest.
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Yeah i do prefer cebu rather than manila. Thnx
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
Dumaguete, Negros Oriental is one of the best plac - It would be good to check out other places as well, but Dumaguete is one place to consider. It's a good place to raise a family, retire and have an easy and peaceful life...
I'd understand why Davao is a good choice since it's still a part of Mindanao. Try to check out Dumaguete City. It's called a university town because of the presence of good colleges and universities. It's not polluted, it's virtually traffic-free, and you could also check out a good business for you. Of course I also admire Davao for its peace and relatively easy life. The bottom-line is: you scout around, so you can decide. Well, I'm biased for Dumaguete because it's my hometown up to now. Here's wishing you the best....
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
I try to check Dumaguete too, i heard nice comment on that place. Cheers.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
3 Jul 09
I'm not a filippino though, but based on what i have read above, all of them are actually recommending Davao?? Is it really that good?? hehe ^_^ Though i have not even visited philippines before, but i believe recommendations by fellow countrymen cant be wrong right?? hehe ^_^ Philippines is so big and u actually have some other choices too ^_^ Manila is not bad too, just that cost of living there might be slightly higher as compared to other parts.. hehe ^_^
1 person likes this
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Oh i don't like living in manila, too expensive, too much stress and it's so crowded heheeh. cheers
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
I suggest you go to Puerto Pincesa, Palawan its a very nice place . Mura lahat bilihin dun especially the seafoods.
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Palawan, i heard news before there's a kidnapping happened there before lolz. Cheers.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
As far as I know the place to go is in part of Visayans and in part of Mindanao. Because people I talk about the place. Living standard is not much greater compare for the living standard here in Luzon. Price of lots therein is so cheap than the price of lots here. price of commodities and necessities is much cheaper. If I choose where to live that best. I choose to live in some part of Davao, where criminality is much lower than any other areas. Even though there is no place is safe today. Davao, is really institutionalize and have fear of laws that impose in that area, today. Do you think. Davao, is still a peaceful province if Mayor Duterte, is not in power?
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Mayor Duterte really done a very good job. That's why i prefer Davao now. Anyway, seen him once at the airport, we got same flight when i went to manila. He really looks like a man with power! Hehehe cheers.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
5 Jul 09
Yup! I know that, my friend. My questions is: How if Mayor Duterte, is not qualified to run for Mayor or he is last terms. Is that Davao, really peaceful?
@simonelee (2715)
• China
6 Jul 09
Sorry to but in. I am quite interested of your question.=D Yes, Davao City will stay peaceful because her daughter Sarah "Inday" Duterte is taking of his position which is currently Vice Mayor of the said city. And soon his son Paolo Duterte is running for higher position.(i don't like the idea that his son got a spot as Barangay Councilor! bad!) Next election will be as dirty as ever because House Speaker "Boy" Nograles son, Carlo Nograles is running also...(political rival of Dutertes)
@simonelee (2715)
• China
4 Jul 09
Davao City is the best city to live. Away from calamities, not so populated, a 20 minutes ride to beaches, and a promising city. Davao city caters you a simple life as what most of us wanted. In terms of schools you can choose between a Christian Schools, Chinese Schools, Non-Catholic schools and etc. And the most important thing is living in Davao City is cheaper compared to Luzon and other Cities. If you have enough money and time to spend why don't you and your family take a tour and visit some places in the Philippines so that you will know by heart which city to live. By the way "University of Money" means University of Mindanao, I think. and there is no such thing as "Republic of Ifugao" lol
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Thnx simoneLee. Yes i would love to tour in Davao one day. Actually it's one on my prospect place. Why they call University of Mindanao as a University of Money? Hmm thnx
@simonelee (2715)
• China
6 Jul 09
Why is it called "University of Money"? lol I am not so sure why. It is just happened when i am still studying, we, ateneans and other students from different schools also labeled that school as "University of Money". Maybe because we heard a lot of negative thing from their students... not to mention those things.hahaha
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
Try to visit our provinces here in northern Luzon . Like ilocos norte if you like the environment. Were just 12 hours from manila and 45 minutes by plain through Laoag International Airport. We have beautiful beaches also and you could do also mountain trekking.
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
I really wanted to visit Ilocos one day. Got friends living there Cheers.
@AndrewBoi (369)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
The best place to live is in Batanes. Try it so that you will know.
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Oh God, Batanes? Heheeh way too far, i think it's prone to thunder storm area hehe I don't like living in the Island that far
@candy2306 (576)
• India
4 Jul 09
Hi, I've never been to Philippines yet, but I really love your discussion topic! It's so nice of you to check MyLotter's opinion of the best place to live in. What a fast thinking and easy way to get an answer! Keep it up!!
@rainmark (4302)
4 Jul 09
Cheers Candy!
@evexky (70)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
Hi rainmark, I'm actually from Manila but I am residing now at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. In our place, we have fresh pineapples, fresh vegetables, abundant poultry products and very favorable weather. The cost of living is not so expensive and right now you can reserved a place at the Orchard Subdivision with is just 30 minutes away from the city of Cagayan de Oro. This is a newly opened subdivision. Your children can study at Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan). The place is really cool and you can really enjoy the beauty of nature. Well, hope you do find the right place that you're looking for. Happy mylotting!
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Jul 09
Hi rainmark. I reside in Marikina, no doubt the cleanest city in the country. Marikina is a valley, right at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The University of the Philippines Diliman (main campus) is just half an hour away. My daughters go there. All UP students are "iskolar ng bayan" and tuition is marginalized. Should your children qualify, they could get the best education from this side of the world that could give Harvard or Stanford a run for their money. There is a mini forest right at the heart of the campus, so pollution is not a problem.