Comments on: Places to Live Outside of Metro Manila

By: lotusflower

lotusflower — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:38:55 +0000

Hello Mixxy,

Perhaps, this would be way too late. This post is dated 2008 and it’s now August, 2009.

I have been out of the blogging loop, for awhile now. Other priorities, you see. But I can see myself slowly inching into it again.

I can guess that by this time you ight have settled already somewhere. But just the same.

I would still suggest, Marikina. There are places here that do not really experience heavy flooding.

Marikina is peaceful, people are warm. It is clean. Residents are disciplined and it’s like living in the province yet it also feels very urban.

Am glad to see you are still pretty active on the cyber community.

Regards and Cheers!

By: Cecilia

Cecilia — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:22:38 +0000

Thanks, Mixxy…also about Bulacan: My sister would not want me to consider anything past the Tungko market. Traffic is bad already esp. when they start road construction which seem to coincide with the opening of classes and the rainy season.

My brother’s place in Bulacan is just before this market and right across from their subdivision is Araneta’s huge one (forgot the name just now) that they started developing last year. The entrance already looks beautiful but I’m not sure about the river next to it. There are parts of Bulacan also that easily gets flooded. SJDM is a little bit higher with a few street floodings where the hill slopes, nothing major so far.

As for our place, my husband is already excited to live there, but I’m afraid it’s not going to feed the whole gang yet.

By: mixxy

mixxy — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:12:48 +0000

Hi Bruce,
First of all welcome to “back to the philippines”.
I have mentioned Davao, in fact, in my article In Praise for the Philippine blog community. It is interesting how many blogs I’ve seen from people living in Davao and most of what I hear is positive in fact. Some would find this trivial but in fact the main reason I don’t consider living in Mindanao or Visayas is because I do not speak Bisaya and I have trouble living in a place where everyone speaks a different language. This is the main reason I could not live longer here in the Netherlands and I don’t want to repeat the same frustration I had. No offense for people who live there but it’s really just me. Learning a new language is not really my interest or skill now. I know people would say that people can speak Tagalog or English there.. but I also know that people will speak their native tongue after a while .. maybe this topic deserves a new article in itself. I am curious whether foreigners have trouble dealing with the fact that everyone around them is speaking another language like for example in a party.. The first 10 minutes people speak English to you but later on they start reverting in their native tongue and now you are lost in the conversation! I hope you know what I mean by this..

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:12:05 +0000

Mixxy,
From your comment on my blog I took a look at yours. It is very nice and interesting. Too bad you want to me near Manila since Davao has a lot of what your looking for and also it is out of the “Typhoon Belt”

By: mixxy

mixxy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:26:37 +0000

Hi Cecilia, Nice to hear from you and thank you. I’m thrilled to see how your property is developing. I think owning an apartelle is such a great idea, and I am excited and sort of envious for you as well. You have gone so far in your business!:D I’ll try to visit SJDM as well during my trip.

By: mixxy

mixxy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:20:12 +0000

Hello Maria, Thanks for the tips on Bulacan. I am also considering QC as well..I have relatives there.. and I agree Makati is tempting..

By: maria

maria — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:24:55 +0000

I come from Bulacan and just a little note of advice … Norzagaray and Dona Remedios Trinidad [or DRT] is as far west as you can go from Bulacan before hitting the Sierra Madre Mountain range. Trust me, it’s not a place for the “un-connected”.

If you will consider Bulacan but would not want to be too near the city, anywhere from Bocaue/Sta. Maria going north is a good choice. Marikina or Pasig is also a good choice or even Katipunan or Teacher’s Village in Q.C. Katipunan is right next to Libis which is well developed.

I would still pick Makati or the surrounding environment since I lived in The Makati CBD area for years.

Good luck!

By: Cecilia

Cecilia — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:30:42 +0000

I like your website. Maybe I could learn a few things from you. You seem to really have a definite plan. Like you, we plan to retire in the Philippines. My husband wants it in 3 months but I’m hoping not yet.

My parents and siblings had moved to SJDM, Bulacan more than 15 years ago when it was a nowhere land yet. Now you can’t tell it’s in the province since it’s only bordered by a bridge and feels like it’s part of Quezon City. It’s 20 minutes away from Fairview–one reason I bought my place there.

Before that we were also in Paranaque, Better Living in particular where water was really difficult. We were originally from Negros Occ.

I envy you that you have gone this far with your website. I am excited to follow your 5-month countdown to being in the Philippines. Good luck!