Philippines essentials
➔ https://www.amazon.com/shop/chadfosterexplores
Dating site for serious relationships:
➔ https://christianfilipinadating.com/chadCF1

Oh my and showing on the maps!!! so cool to finally have someone get on google maps and actually get oriented. I so like this!

Finally, someone puts up maps.  Thanks Chad.  I don't know if it's copyright or other issues, but content creators seem to be afraid of posting maps.

I lived in Davao for over a year, until a month ago.  It's actually a nice city, super nice people, much easier to get western foods than Dumaguete, but a different vibe.  Expats ignore each other, it tends to attract a less social expat.  Prices, its just as cheap as DGT on average, some things higher, some lower, but a LOT more choices for rent.  10x, because it is 10x larger.  The main problems are pollution, which is moderate but noticable, the heat, which is not severe, but a degree or so warmer than DGT, and the traffic, which isn't as bad as Cebu or Manila, but if you drive a car (or a pickup, like me) you will have to deal with it.  The other drawback for  guys like me, who want to hop in the pickup and drive all over the island... there are some limitations, as prudence says to avoid the SW 1/3 of the island.  I visited Cagayan de Oro, and was very unimpressed at every level: Friendliness, pretty girls, etc, it was simply lacking and rather bland.

Been to Davao 4 times in the past 2 years. It's very livable, a lot of things you can do. Used grab ordering all the "highest rated" and only like one, but my wife and I went to a very highend restaurant and were impressed (at least I was because my wife grew up very poor) as it was as finest dinning as you would have in America, but it cost about $60 for both of us ordering appetizer, dessert, so that's the highest you will ever pay to eat anywhere. I've also been to Bohol (Panglao) and liked it too. We've been to Palawan and didn't like the value and at the time February it was very windy even though we braved the choppy waters in a kayak there - only one other couple was brave enough like a 60+  year old Lithuanian or some obscure European kayaking couple. I liked Cebu. It woke me up to the reality of poverty across the world.

English people 🇬🇧
When the state pension goes up, it goes up in the Philippines!
The UK state pension is enough to live on in Philippines without any other incomes.

I also found Dumaguete not so great for dating, but I wanted to live here.  I found my fiancé one island away and she came to live  with me.  We are close enough, that it’s not too crazy to visit family when we want to.  It seems to be working well.

I said this years ago.  Never been there, no reason to visit at this time.  Where I live in Cavite, it's one of the smaller towns, but all the bigger towns/cities are a 15-30 minute away.  However, our prices are much cheaper for the same restaurants, items and construction,  but Malls are only in the bigger cities and that's OK.  Our 5br 3-Story home, which we built in 2014 was much cheaper than those types of places and built to last.  Location is every.  We have hundreds of homes north and south on our street.  We take care everyone if they need help and share - friendship - funerals - parties etc.  I wouldn't trade my neighborhood for anything.  It's a great community :face-red-heart-shape:

One thing I learned being there a month  - you need your own transportation. yes the have grab trikes but not so easy if you are away from town.   If you have never been on a scooter before Duma is not the place to learn

Seriously the thing I want to do the most in the Philippines is dive with the whale sharks. You were the first person that actually put it on a map. I had no idea it was so close to Dumaguete. Thank you. Ignore the negative turds. You're doing good work.

Good post. I have lived in Dauin since 2006. involved in the community with my passions:boxing(Olympic -style ref & judge, sponsor & musicianship pro percussionist/jazz, Latin, Brazilian/jazz, straight ahead, fusion pop, R & B, rock etc . Guys from around the world with passion and skill set will also find Greater Dumaguete has a cultural life. I taught boxing along with America's legendary 3X Boxing Coach of Year 72,76, &77 from Tacoma's Boys Club. Silliman University I volunteered along with my wife, both Olympic-style boxing certified officials to offer World Boxing PE class . I worked with many Filipino bands here and in Manila, Intern'l Jazz Festival. Luce Auditorium has the best acoustics outside of Manila. No better way to experience a rewarding life than to share your life's lessons learned and knowledge with the folks here, not just with other ex-pats! Reaching out of what is comfortable brings about progress and growth! I married my Filipina, and I met her in Santa Monica, CA. nearly 40 years ago. thought I would be in Costa Rica where I had an established business in the 70s! Not so !

Appreciate the  map

Best pro-con video about Duma i have come across. Inclusive and thoughtful narration. Thanks Chad.

Great video, Chad! You may not realize it right now but, from an outsider's perspective, your heart belongs to Dumaguete.

Great video and good info, I loved the map, it really put the location into perspective... thanks

My December 2024 trip I went to Baguio, Iloilo, Roxas city, Calbayog and of course Manila. I wanted to go to Bacolod but my rental car was restricted to the Iloilo island. I’ve spent time in and around Dumaguete and I really like it.  Cebu is too big for me but I explored it and met Carefree Chis for coffee. I then went to Moalboal. Took a ferry to Bohol and Panglao island and Alona Beach. I still have Dumaguete in my top 3 places to move to initially later this year.

HUGE GRATITUDE Chad for posting the maps along with your info!

The smell from the market area years ago still remember that no restrooms around.  You can imagine.

THE ONLY CHANNEL WITH ROUTE MAPS!!
Very INFORMATIVE!

I absolutely loved Dumaguete I was there for 8 days on vacation back in August. It is a small town I could get basically anything I wanted from the mall the "why not"bar was awesome  I saw my first lady boy😂 The traffic was really heavy. If I had to do it again I would get me one of those toy scooters with a motor on it and ride it around  maybe put a lawn mower engine on it. I don't think the Philippines has very many regulations. Didn't have any problem finding a date. Shave dress nice  women approached me some of them were pay for play ask me if I wanted a massage. 😮 a few we're on their lunch break from Starbucks and other restaurants Sitting on the boardwalk. Next time I'm getting a place with a refrigerator🎉🎉