I, Aksel, wanted to sit down and be completely honest about why Jessa and I made the massive decision to leave our life in the mountains and move to Cebu City. It wasn't an easy choice, but as I explained, it was one we had to make for the future of our family.
The biggest reason, and the one that changed everything, is that Jessa is pregnant. When we first found out, we were living in our little place in the mountains, which we loved for the peace and the nature. But as the pregnancy progressed, the reality of our situation started to sink in. Being in the mountains meant we were far away from everything—especially high-quality medical care.
I shared how we initially looked at hospitals closer to our mountain home, but they just didn't feel right for such a major life event. We wanted the best possible care for Jessa and the baby, and that meant being in Cebu City. In the mountains, if an emergency happened, it could take a long time to get the help we needed. Living in the city, we are now just minutes away from some of the best hospitals and doctors in the region. That peace of mind is worth everything to me.
Another huge factor was the logistics of daily life. In the mountains, even a simple grocery run or a doctor's appointment was a major trek. With a baby on the way, those trips would only get more frequent and more difficult. By moving to our studio condo in Cebu, everything is right on our doorstep. We have the malls, the markets, and most importantly, the medical facilities within easy reach. It takes the stress out of the everyday things so we can focus on Jessa's health and preparing for the baby.
I also touched upon our long-term goals. While we’re in the city now, it doesn't mean we’ve given up on our dream of building a house in the mountains. We’re viewing this year in Cebu as a strategic pause. It’s time to save money, be safe during the birth, and then reassess. The condo is small—only 22 square meters—but it’s affordable at 12,000 pesos a month. This allows us to keep our expenses low while we figure out our next move.
It’s definitely a culture shock. I went from having a whole mountain as my backyard to living on the 19th floor of a high-rise. I miss the quiet and the fresh air, and I’m still getting used to the noise and the busy elevators of city life. But when I look at Jessa and think about our baby, I know we made the right call.
We’re taking things one step at a time. For the next twelve months, San Marino Residences is our home. It’s where we’ll welcome our little one into the world. It’s a temporary change of scenery for us, but the journey is just beginning. We’re trading the mountain views for city lights for a while, all in the name of family and safety. It’s a new chapter, and I’m glad to have you along for the ride.
