This is not a travel article.

You know, one of those articles that say only glossy, exaggerated things about a place you might go, if you could find out the truth about it!

I will try to tell ALL about living in Cebu, the good and the bad, as I see it and live it.

There is only one place I wish to live in the Philippines — Cebu.

And, there is only one place in Cebu in which I want to live — CitylightsGardens.

Traveling widely around southeast Asia, I was attracted to Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Bali.

Then I discovered Cebu, returning here a couple times a year, for five years before deciding to make the leap.

My California friend could understand the attractions of Phuket or Bali, but they ask, “Why Cebu?”

I tell them that Cebu has a unique combination of qualities which make it, for me, the most livable place in southeast Asia, and I recommend that they look it up on Google!

I started out as a moderate budget traveler to the Philippines, and expected to experience some discomfort.

It was during a splurge stay at the newsly opened Marco Polo Plaza Hotel that I began to see that I could live in Cebu without any sacrifice of discomfort, and maybe have a more pleasant and exciting life here.

And that is how it has turned out.

A COZY, TROPICAL ISLAND CITY

For me, Cebu is the right size, large enough to offer most modern conveniences, including easy travel to all of Asia, and yet small enough to know well.

The two big malls offer most of what I need to make a comfortable home.

They have fine supermarkets in their basements and U.S. brand hardware stores!

Everything is a trade off.

Instead of paying for heat, I pay a good-sized bill for aircon.

But there’s no winter!

The average temp here is 83F, with a breeze.

If you are in the hills where I live, I enjoy swimming all year in an 83F pool.

Instead of doing 75 mph in a Benz, and seeing freeward sound walls, I drive 35 mph in a Honda CRV, see a lot of street life and deal with traffic challenges.

And, who knows, perhaps dealing with drivers who follow different rules is more stimulating for the brain than driving on cruise control!

I used to see the lawless traffic of Cebu as a difficulty.

Now, I see it as an interesting cultural challenge.

This attitude can take one far in a different land, and meeting those probably helps keep me young.

So, I drive sanely, but I am learning how to play the game of bluff at intersections and use my horn.

And I scold bad drivers out loud. It makes me feel better.

EASY LIVING, AFFORDABLE COST

Certainly, the cost of living in Cebu is likeable.

Dinner for two at a good restaurant is closer to twenty dollars than the one hundred twenty of San Francisco.

A good beach hotel is a hundred dollars, rather than the two hundred of Hawaii.

I find that if I spend just a little more money than when I was traveling, I get a lot more value.

Due to the climate, I don’t need warm clothes or many clothes at all.

A few nice tee shirts and a few pairs of shorts go a long way here. Dressing up means cotton trousers and a shirt with a collar.

Soon, I will start to explore some less well known places in Asia, flying from the modest sized, but well connected Cebu airport.

Thanks to my SRRV from the Philippine Retirement Authority, and my “lock it up and go” condo, I can come and go as I like.

Maybe I can use my warm clothes in China. They have winter.

Cebu is not overrun by tourists, as it is large enough to absorb them. In daily life, I am seldom bothered by them, as I would surely be in Phuket or Bali.

Yet, because of tourism development, I can easily and quickly go to comfortable resorts in the nearby islands.

I have been to Boracay, Panay, Bohol. Siquijor, Davao, Palawan and Camiguin, and have enjoyed their beauty.

There is often no reliable information about the reality of the beaches and their quality and usability is frequently disappointing upon arrival.

There is almost no wave action to play in, many shores are too dirty, or have no sand.

There are dangers such as sea urchins and jelly fish to be avoided.

I have been spoiled by the grand beaches of California, Hawaii and Phuket.

Here, beauty is to be found in smaller, hidden seaside places, or in remote areas.

I have seldom seen more beautiful sea sites than around the VisayasIsland or in Palawan.

Also the boating possibilities are wonderful, compared to other places.

Nowhere else can you rent a whole bangka for $35 a day!

Once again, if you are adaptable and inquire around, you can enjoy seaside places as the locals do.

NO LANGUAGE BARRIER

In Cebu, it is a great advantage that English is spoken widely.

For many Cebuanos, English is a strong second language, and they may speak two or three local dialects, as well.

However, the further down the social scale you go, the less likely that people will know English.

Talking to taxi drivers, probably; to gardeners, maybe not.

Fortunately for me, in Cebuano, there are many Spanish words – only slightly changed.

So sometimes I can use my Spanish with surprising effect!

QUALITY OF LIFE

Overall, the level of quality in daily life is probably the biggest concern to those of us who wish to live here.

Sometimes it is fun to live in the 1960s, sometimes not.

Filipinos willingly struggle to understand our need for higher quality workmanship, good and services.

Such things as the design of houses and road conditions compare unfavorably with many places in Asia.

Yet, I can see that they are working hard to catch up with the times, developing Cebu into a place where foreigners can live, and live well.

Last year, we got yellow dividing lines on most roads! Food, banking, health care, ferries, airlines, and availability of services are reaching new levels, and yet are still affordable.

From five to twenty dollar massages make Cebu a massage lover’s paradise.

High quality hair cuts are two dollars.

Condos here are one-third to half the price of those in Phuket.

Cebu has many excellent reataurants, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and Italean, all near to Citylights.

Supermarkets have almost everything good to eat and Ceby is the mango capital of the universe!

Goods now come to Cebu from all over the world.

My washing machine is a Whirlpool, made in Brazil, my toaster is from China.

YOU ARE WELCOME IN CEBU

The lingering colonial attitude a part of life in Cebu, is best discussed on another day.

But it can be said that, because we Americans were so much better colonial masters than the Spanish had been, and because we shared in fighting WWII and because so many Filipinos have gone to the US, and sent home money and messages of good will, it is one place in the world where Americans are still loved.

Americans have a special relationship with Filipinos, and it may be growing stronger.

They know that we have contributed to their life in many ways, including leading them to drive on our side of the road!

And feeling this appreciation makes my life here more enjoyable.

To discuss Cebu without telling of the alluringly cheerful attitude of the Cebuanos would be a crime.

Ever since Magellan, strangers have been made to feel welcome here.

We will leave out a discussion of how their welcoming way benefited or harmed the early Cebuanos, it is enough to note that more than one sailor has jumped ship to stay here.

Their welcoming ways are certainly a very positive aspect of my daily life here.

I greatly enjoy my friendly encounters with Cebuanos. I even respond to calls of “Hey, Joe”.

I suppose that comes from “G.I. Joe” during the war, and perhaps I hear it often because I am tall with very short hair.

But it’s friendly, and I like it.

At the Marco Polo Hotel, I had to polish my military salute for the security guys, even though I have never been a soldier!

Being older, I really enjoy the fact that, if you are physically active and in good shape, Filipinos do not see you as being old.

Here, I feel that I am seen as mature, but not over the hill.

I notice the difference from how I am treated in the U.S. In California, some kids don’t talk to anyone over 45; in Cebu, I feel respected.

Sales and service people smile and address me as “Sir”. When I return to California, I miss that, and I wonder why no one is smiling.

Don’t they have anything to be happy about?

MORE THAN AN ISLAND RESORT

All is not hotels and tourism in Cebu.

There are many furniture factories, call centers and IT service centers.

I live in the most prosperous part of this island nation, and the relative prosperity means a lower level of crime.

At first, the many obviously very poor people on the street made me a little nervous, but I soon learned that my personal safety is not threatened in Cebu, as long as I take the same reasonable precautions I would take in many parts in California.

Did I mention that beer is the same price as soda?

My taste buds are especially attracted to Cerveza Negra.

It is the dark beer that Filipinos associate with pregnant women, leaving more for me!

For my taste, San Miguel is as good as beer gets. I drink Pilsen with calamansi (native lemon) squeezed into it.

I am converting Filipinos, one at a time, to this Mexican way of beer drinking.

I enjoy reminding them that the calamansi is one of the original citrus fruits from which all the others have come, and is an excellent source of vitamin C. Drink and be well.

I am from Sonoma, California, home of fine wines.

I am finding it a bit hard to buy wine of grand quality at the prices I used to pay.

I am drinking Chilean Astica brand and the Aussie Yellow Tail are my favorites.

Good wine, like many good things, comes to Cebu from around the world; I just have to adjust to paying more and trying out a lot of new bottles!

Hey, somebody’s got to do it! I have a personal assistant here, who helps me with household chores and daily living tasks.

He cooks and cleans and goes around with me.

I make a point of paying him double the usual rate, which is still not much.

He is quite loyal, honest and helpful.

I know that I can rely on him to make my future brighter than it might be somewhere else.

All in all, I am very happy with my choice of Cebu as a place to live and grow older.

I have made a good adjustment to living here.

With much sacrifice, and have gained a lot in the way of learning and adventure. I recommend it!

Reprinted from Philippine Retirement News

source : http://www.yourhome.ph/news.php?id=42

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