First Post - Duma Alternative

[mike]

Hi everyone. This is my first post. Before I get to my topic, I just want to thank the site owners and contributors, expecially for the buget info.

I'm an American with a Filipina wife, married 15 years, with plans to retire at the southern tip of Cebu (a small town) in about 2 years, which is my wife's place of origin. We thought about retiring in a larger Phil city but can't stand the congestion. From our house it takes about 1-2 hours to make the boat and tricycle connections to get to Lee Plaza. Cebu City is a 3-4 hour drive.
Anyone like us that looks upon Duma as their future primary shopping source (especially with the future mall) but hates the congestion and is looking at living in a Duma suburb might want to also consider southern Cebu.

We built our small 3 bedroom, 1 bath house for approximately 1 million pesos about 5 years ago. Add about 250,000 for the land its sits on which is also big enough for a decent sized garden and another structure. We also added 250,000 for a fancy fence to keep out the stray dogs and give a little extra security (which I really don't think we need). I don't know what it costs to build/buy in or around Duma, but I'm guessing it would be more.

We figure that the only big sacrifice we are making by living away from the city is access to good emergency health care. We don't care about schools (no kids) or the city nightlife. If we want to see a movie, we will go to Duma and see it at the mall. Naturally, although we don't want to live there, we wish good things for Duma.

Anyway, it's nice to meet all of you.

Mike

[balustre]

Hi Mike! Welcome to DI!

With the easy commute via Sibulan to Duma, you are in an enviable location. (The following photo is the wharf in Bato).

[tubigboy]

Mike, Welcome aboard! How long does it take by boat to get to Duma from your place?

[Teacher]

Welcome to the forum. It is a wonder place. Philippines is my home to but I'm working outside of the country right now in Taiwan. hope to be back sooner than later. This forum helps to keep me from getting to home sick. I want to get back to relaxing.

[mike]

The actual boat ride is less that 30 minutes from Santander to Duma. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the dock, and then of course you must follow the boat schedule, but I think there are crossings about every hour, weather permitting.

Mike

[babel-fish]

We figure that the only big sacrifice we are making by living away from the city is access to good emergency health care. We don't care about schools (no kids) or the city nightlife. If we want to see a movie, we will go to Duma and see it at the mall. Naturally, although we don't want to live there, we wish good things for Duma.

It's truthfully what you can afford and the sacrifice you put in to balance, you take the chances, you make your bed. At the end of the day are you happy.

I live in sibulan it quite, nice garden and the people know and mostly like me (at least I think they do). I have lived in the Philippines for eight years now. Am I happy? yes

your alternative sounds nice, enjoy