Living in Cebu happened mostly by chance for me. I met Jessie in a video chat program about five years ago. It might even be close to six years ago. We formed a friendship that grew over time and then became a romance about a year later. She lived in Tacloban which is Leyte Province in the Central Eastern area of the Philippines.
Jessie suggested Cebu City as the place to live. There are several reason for that but one of the
Seal of Cebu Province for Information Purposes Only
biggest is that Cebu City is a far more modern city than what most of the Philippines offers. It has one of the largest malls in the world. It was ranked number four but I think it has fallen behind since then. It certainly is a huge beautiful modern mall. She reasoned that living in Cebu City, a more modern location with more Western accommodations might make my transition easier.
Personally, I could care less about malls. I’ve not set foot in the place in about two years. While Cebu City does offer a more modern, slightly more Western feel that most of the Philippines it is still totally Philippines. Trust me, there are many things missing there that required an adjustment.
For me, no car, no going to Wal-mart or Walgreen’s at 2am was an adjustment. I’m a night owl, heck, maybe I’m a vampire. My skin falls off if I get too much sun exposure.
I have not even seem much of what Cebu City has to offer. I’ve never been to a bikini bar. There are tourist attractions I’ve never seen. Something called The Top, a mountain overlooking the city. The Taoist Temple, and old Spanish fort and many other things. Mostly money holds me back. I’m always running short of cash at the end of the month.
I think Cebu City was overwhelming for Jessie. She’s not nearly as exploring in nature as I am. My poor health and finances holds me back. Otherwise, I’d be all over these Islands. I can’t count the number of times I walked into some area that she didn’t want to go. She’s become bolder now. She’s not as timid as she use to be.
Living in Cebu -- Area in Red Indicates Location of Cebu
Living in Cebu turned out to be a good choice for us.
After a few months, we learned of a nice place in Bogo City. It is about 120Km north of Cebu City. Jessie was reluctant but once she saw the house we could get at half the price we were paying in Talisay (small city outside of Cebu City) she was all for it.
Once we went to the BBQ by the Bogo Bay, she began to fall in love with the place. I don’t think she’s all that fond of her usual monthly trip to Cebu City but she likes it here. She likes to go the city but it is a tiring trip. There are buses with aircon (air conditioning) now. That makes it possible for even me to make the trip in a day without being sick for days afterwards.
There is far less pollution in Bogo City than there is in Cebu City. Most of the larger cities the Philippines have major problems with pollution. Even here, I have a lot of problems with lung infections. Even before I stupidly started smoking.
If my health was better, I would enjoy living in Cebu even more. And I don’t know anyone that has enough money. More money would also increase the pleasure of my choice to live in the Philippines during retirement.
Cebu is a pretty good place because:
- The cost of living in Cebu is significantly less than living in Manila.
- Typhoons are fairly rare in Cebu.
- Earthquakes are not as plentiful in Cebu as many other areas of the Philippines.
- There are no active volcanoes in Cebu.
- Crime is in check but there are still problems in that respect.
- Fewer kidnap for ransom gangs operate in Cebu than Mindandao or Luzon
- Less communist and Muslim insurgency activity in Cebu compared to many other areas of the Philippines.
Those seven reasons that come right off the top of my head. There are more, some of which I already discussed in this article.
Choosing to live in the province might not be right for everyone but most of the people that visit Bogo City love the place. Most never make it over to the little gem known as Bantayan Island. If I was rich and could charter a flight whenever I wanted, Bantayan Island is the place I’d live. The extra round trip travel time to Cebu City by bus would be a big disadvantage for me.
Over all, if you are going to live in the Philippines, I think you should strongly look into living in Cebu.
Tagged with: Bogo City • Cost of Living In Cebu • Living in Cebu • Philippines • Video
Filed under: Living in Cebu • Video Of The Philippines
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I thought I should add, that used the provincial seal for information purposes. It does not imply I have any kind of endorsement form the Province of Cebu.
Hi Rusty,
I don’t know if your aware of it but there (i have read) is a new store in Cebu. it is called S&R Warehouse. It is a members type store like Sam’s Club or COSCO. From what i hear there is a lot of products from the USA. I have read that it is a subsidiary of COSCO. Ill check it out when i get to pi.
Ill be living in San Carlos City Negros. I plan to be there sometime in January of this next year.
I plan to check out Cebu before i go on to San Carlos.
Maybe you can check out s&r to see if there are things you might not be able to get in the malls.
Any way i thought i would let you know.
I enjoy your web sites and plan to get your e-book soon.
thanks for your time
take care
DAve Lane
Hey David,
Thanks for bringing that up.
Yes I’m aware of the place. There are two reasons I didn’t bring it up. I have not been there yet and I can’t cover everything in one post.
It was getting long. So I’m glad you did.
My gf went by there on opening day but she said the lines were too long. They were waiving their P700 membership fee. I gotta say, that fee being that high might just destroy the value of the place for me.
I don’t have my own car and I’m 120Km north of it. Just so much I can put on a bus.
If I have to pay P700 just to check the place out, I’m probably not going to be joining. Hopefully, they will let me look around. But I have my doubts. Sam’s Club would not.
hi rusty
would living in leyte be more economical? how about a cooler climate place like valencial in davao?
Leyte would be PROBABLY cheaper overall, especially in the more remote locations but only if you don’t end up coming to Cebu for shopping and fun on a regular basis. The cost of getting here would probably negate any savings.
I’ve thought about moving to Valencia in Negro ??? I forget which Negro. It is close to Dumaugte (which I can’t spell it seems.)
Hey Rusty: Another fine article about your life in Phil. I have a question: how’s the rental market in Cebu? I have read that metro Manila is almost as expensive as back in the USA i.e. Makati. I’m a city boy and I just can’t see myself living in the countryside. Way back when I was a kid in NYC we said going to NJ was going to the “country” LOL AC is not my type of place to live – maybe have some fun but that’s about it. And I definitely wouldn’t want to get mixed up with a bar girl. Like they say in Thailand and I’m sure the same goes for the Phil – “You can get the girl out of the bar but you can’t get the bar out of the girl”. I am seriously planning a trip to Phil in March 2011 – exploratory, to see if I like what I see. Probably a few days in Manila then to Davao and finally Cebu. Maybe we can meet and I’ll buy you a drink or 2.
It can be more expensive to live in a developing nation than the USA if you try to maintain your current lifestyle completely.
Makati is kind of the Beverley Hills of the Philippines. I just made that up but I think it is good way to describe it. It will be a LOT lets expensive than Beverley Hill back in the USA but it is probably the most expensive places to live in the PI. Mindanao is one of the cheapest places. That’s where Davao is. I’ve never been there. I have a friend that lives there. He just published that he decided to lower his rent from P38,000 to P30,000.
I really don’t know the prices in Makati. I’ve looked at them online but that’s the worst place too look. They go after foreigners online. It was a while back so I don’t remember what I found.
I live in Bogo City, 120km north of Cebu City. I have a large four bed room home for P12,000. Cebu City is about the same size as Memphis, Tn. I think that’s probably population wise. It was a couple of years back when I checked. My electric bill has been around P9000 for the last two months. Yaya was washing clothes with electric washer every night, I had her stop that. Hopefully it will drop back to around 7000 but probably not.
Rates have gone up recently and they are or have gone up again. I saw some expats complaining about it. I’m gonna run the aircon regardless of what it cost. So why get worked up about a rate increase, nothing I can do.
It certainly does not offer all that Memphis does but it isn’t too bad. If you like plays and such, probably Manila. That’s the only place I’ve seen big concerts at too.
Not much of a night life in Bogo City but everything is here, in smaller doses.
The disco is pretty tame, often is down right dead. They have a door charge and that keeps most of the single Filipina out. Which keeps everyone else out. haha
I just got back from Cebu City. I have been twice in the last 19 months.
I’m exhausted. Had to take a bus without air con for the trip home. Not so bad when I get air con. If we get in the same city, of course, I’d love to meet you.
Always love seeing your videos! Thanks
Hi Rusty!
I love your blog! I’m happy to know that someone from US such as yourself is having the utmost joy and fulfillment while living here in the Philippines. Yes, Cebu is definitely a paradise and a boomtown rolled into one. Did you know that Cebu is currently undergoing a rapid phase of development and is projected to be comparable or competitive with the other dynamic cities in the Asia Pacific Region? I’m giving you this info because I know a Cebu-based person like you could be interested in this phenomenal event. I’m currently a Premier Property Specialist for Ayala Land Premier, the Philippine’s Leading Real Estate developer. We have been in business for more than 50 years and with a track record unsurpassed by any other, we are pleased to inform you that Ayala Land is about to launch “1016 Residences”. This will be our first installment in Cebu and this is a High – End Condo development. The prestige, quality, and public perception will be as High end as Manila but the price is more affordable. it is projected as the future jewel in the Cebu City Skyline and envisioned as the tallest High rise building by 2014. A grand launch is currently being held in The Marriot Cebu City. If ever you’re interested, or you have any friends in the US who might want to live in luxury while in Cebu, just contact me. You may also give me your email or contact number. By the way, if you have any inquiries in our properties in Metro Manila, just let me know. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Niel, yes I know about the high rise being developed in Cebu.
It is pretty big news and it looks like it will be heavily promoted.
thanks for the info.