Cebu, Philippines (best, life, country, places)

[cypril]

Anybody going to/visiting/retiring to Cebu any time soon?

Need help/info/feedback?

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by cypril

Anybody going to/visiting/retiring to Cebu any time soon?

Need help/info/feedback?

I've been to CEBU many, many times. I guess you are living there?

I always stay near the Ayala Mall. I usually go to Badgers Bar and talk to the expats a bit. There is a nice Spanish Wine Bar not too far from Ayala and near a few hotels.

Always interesting walking around the Ayala Mall, and seeing a gazillion 'second lifers' as I call them. Basically a lot of older western guys who look like they've already lived their life and raised their kids. Only to somehow end up in Cebu, married to a local woman generally in her 30s, and having a few little ones running around. The western guys look like they are retired and getting retirement income.

Anyways, Cebu IS a real comfortble city in the Philippines. Much better than Manila by large margins. Has most everything you need. If I were to retire in the Philippines, it would be high on the list. I also like Davao.

[califantastic]

I don't understand why people like Cebu City. I was extremely unimpressed. The Ayala mall is extraordinary but beyond that I do not get the appeal. I like Manila much more. There have got to be much better places in the Philippines than Cebu City. It is a very nice country though.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by califantastic

I don't understand why people like Cebu City. I was extremely unimpressed. The Ayala mall is extraordinary but beyond that I do not get the appeal. I like Manila much more. There have got to be much better places in the Philippines than Cebu City. It is a very nice country though.

Depends on where you go in Cebu.

The Lonely Planet guide seems to insist that people spend their time in and around a tiny little budget redlight district in the city, which is a total dump. You probably followed the guide, and ended up there.

Usually I try to stay closer to Luhag in Cebu. It is more upscale and just nicer feel all the way around. I usually avoid downtown Cebu, and I'm not personally a fan of Mactan Island either - where Cebu's airport is at.

I think as far as Philippines cities go, Cebu has most of the amenities of Manila, but without all the scam taxi drivers, the grinding poverty, the many little annoying factors of Manila that can grind on a person long-term.

[Mr. Lee]

Originally Posted by cypril

Anybody going to/visiting/retiring to Cebu any time soon?

Need help/info/feedback?

Old thread but I live in Cebu 4 months a year but just got back and probably will not be back there until next year. What info do you need, I will do my best to help you with it.