After seven or eight years of traveling and living in the Philippines, I’ve put a lot of thought into why I am based here in Cebu rather than anywhere else. People often ask me where the best place to live is, and while everyone’s "paradise" is different, I’ve realized that Cebu is truly the "jack of all trades" for an expat.
I’ve done the extreme road trips—literally from the far north of Luzon to the far south of Mindanao. While Mindanao was a massive experience, it’s not a place I’d recommend for settling down or even vacationing for most. The security situation, checkpoints with machine guns, and the fact that most governments (and insurance companies) won’t help you if you get into trouble there make it a "no-go" for me.
When it comes to Luzon and the areas around Manila, my biggest issue was the trash. So many beaches that people brag about are just covered in litter, which really ruins the mood. Manila itself is great for a "once in a blue moon" visit, but I could never live in that chaos.
Then you have the smaller islands like Siquijor, Bantayan, and Malapascua. These are actual paradises on earth—especially Bantayan, which is my go-to for recharging. The seafood is cheap and delicious, and the people are incredibly honest. But here is the "nail in the coffin" for living on small islands: healthcare. Most expats are in my age bracket or older, and if you have a heart attack in the middle of the night on a small island, your chances of surviving that bumpy boat ride and long trek to a decent hospital are slim.
I also get asked about Dumaguete and the Valencia area. To be honest, I don't get the appeal. You move to a tropical paradise only to live in a "settlement" area with overpriced land and foreigners bickering online? It’s just not my scene. I bought my mountain top in Ronda for a fraction of the price you’d pay in Valencia, and I have total privacy.
For me, the mountain life is the real dream. Down by the beach, your car and house rust from the salt air, and the sand gets everywhere—it’s more annoying than you’d ever believe. Up here in Ronda Mountain, it’s about 3 degrees cooler, there’s always a breeze, and I’m only a 15-minute drive from the nearest 7-Eleven or 25 minutes from the malls and beaches of Moalboal.
Most importantly, we are only 90km from Cebu City and its world-class hospitals. We can drive the pickup into the city, stay a few nights in a hotel to get our "city fix," and then retreat back to our quiet mountain.
If you're considering the move, my advice is to rent first and find a hobby. If you don't have a purpose, you'll end up at a bar seven days a week complaining about the country. But if you’re like me and can appreciate a simpler, less materialistic lifestyle, you’ll find that a mountain top in Cebu is as close to heaven as it gets. Thanks for following the journey!
