Why Retire In siquijor?

They Will Welcome You
English is widely spoken
Affordable
City Size
Countless Beaches
Good Food
Expat Population
Lots To Explore
Culture

They Will Welcome You

Dumaguete is known as the “CITY OF GENTLE PEOPLE” and there is good reason for this. Though the Filipino culture is typically warm and friendly, they are even more so in Dumaguete and surrounding Negros Oriental province and have earned their tag line. To say that they will treat you as one of their family is an understatement to say the least. They will open their doors, welcome you into their homes and feed you like you’re your grandmother did when you were a child. They are always willing to help, and from the highest government officials all the way down to the simple tricycle driver they will show you the sights and make you feel right at home.

English is widely spoken

Though The Philippines is as exotic as any other Asian country, it does not seem so intimidating mainly because you will always be able to find someone close by who you can communicate with. English is their second language and even if some Filipinos do not speak it fluently, most do understand it well enough to carry on a conversation that is understandable. Given that Dumaguete is a University Town, the education level here is even higher than in most other places in the country.

Affordable

When people are preparing for retirement, one of the biggest sources of anxiety is whether they can maintain their lifestyle to a standard they deserve, for their remaining years. They have worked hard all their life and do not want to spend their golden years pinching pennies and foregoing the activities that they enjoy. For these people, living in Dumaguete City will allow them to live the lifestyle they have always dreamed of while not compromising their long-term financial security. A subsistence budget in most western countries will translate to an upper middle class standard of living here in “The City of Gentle People”.

City Size

Dumaguete fits perfectly in the middle of what most Westerners consider ideal when trying to straddle the line between remote and peaceful, yet having the modern amenities we have come to expect. The City itself has all you will need with shopping malls, hospitals, schools, restaurants and transportation, but if you travel in any direction for 15 minutes by car or motorbike, you will be in a beautiful tropical and peaceful paradise that dreams are made of. Here in Dumageute and the surrounding area, you will not have to deal with the huge crowds you would in Manila or Cebu, but also not feel that you are living in a remote wilderness without service.

Countless Beaches

If you are the type of person who needs to be near the water, then once again you will not be disappointed with Dumaguete and the coastline up and down Negros Oriental. Within a 5-minute drive from the city core you can finds almost deserted light brown sand beaches, accessed off many side roads. As you go farther South to Dauin, Zamboanguita and Siaton, the beaches can get spectacular white and sandy, and more often than not, you will be sharing them with only a few local swimmers or fishermen.

Good Food

For the culinary inclined, Duamguete City is a place where you will never get bored. The local flavors like adaobos and Lechons abound, like many other destinations in The Philippines, however we have a huge advantage due to our high concentration of foreigners. Whether you like European, Noth American, Asian or even middle eastern, you will have plenty of options to keep your taste buds in on their toes

Expat Population

Dumaguete City and surrounding and Negros Oriental boasts the highest per capita population of foreigners in any jurisdiction in The Philippines, however it is not overrun with any one nationality. There is a healthy mix from The USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Italy, Australia. Whether you like to hang out with your countrymen watching sports from back home, discuss your own politics, or simply like to hang out with people of the same culture to make living in a foreign country a little easier to transition into, we guarantee you will never feel alone. There will always be some one who is close by that you will be able to relate to.

Lots To Explore

Dumaguete is a jumping off point not only for the local dive spots, swimming holes and hiking trails, but also exciting national and international destinations. It is just as easy to explore Filipino jewels such as Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, Tablas, Siquijor and Sugar Beach, but you are always only a short and inexpensive plane ride to Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, |Indonesia, Myanmar, Japan and China. The only way you will get bored of traveling is if you chose to stay at home.

Culture

The native Filipino culture is rich, colorful and diverse, with each island having its own exciting flavors. Add in that there is strong American and Spanish influences, what you will find here is unique is a unique blend of western and Asian influences that is just exotic enough to be amazing, but not too foreign to as to be intimidating.

Are you considering retirement in Siquijor?

So you are nearing retirement, or already have retired. Now what will you do? You love you kids and grandchildren, but you don’t see them as often as you thought you would. Their lives are so busy and, especially in North America, they usually live far away making visits a challenge. Your connection to the community lessens as each year passes. What will you do with the remainder of your life? That’s the question EVERY retiree asks at some stage. And it’s wise to do so. So, what will you do?

Much will depend on your financial position and health condition. Both are central to what options are available to you. You may have given thought to moving to another country to enjoy your retirements years. But where could you go that would be safe, politically stable, have a good climate, have a good exchange rate for your pension, speak English if not French or Spanish, be economical to live in, have good medical services, a place where you can buy a beautiful home for a fraction of what you sell your house for, a place where the people warmly welcome foreigners, and, perhaps most importantly, a place where you have the peace of mind knowing you will be happy. The challenge is daunting to find anyplace that offers even some of those benefits. Now here’s the exciting news! Dumaguete, in the Philippines, confirmed by Forbes magazine as one of the worlds top retirement destinations, and named by the Philippine Retirement Authority as the best place in the Philippines to retire, has all of the benefits mentioned earlier.

Our website is designed to assist anyone who is considering retiring in Negros Oriental, and particularly in Dumaguete. We also will be of service as you come closer to making that important decision. There are many important questions you will ask, and we have the answers. We also look forward to taking care of you after you arrive to enjoy the unique island experience Dumaguete offers.

Dumaguete is Internationally Recognized for its favorable conditions to retirees.

Forbes Magazine: 2014a, 2014b, 2015, 2019

Live and Invest Overseas: 2014a, 2014b, 2014c, 2014d, 2015a, 2015b

Philippine Retirement Authority: 2018

International Living: 2016,

learn more about Lifestyle, Health, Practical Living, Financial and Immigration.

LIFESTYLE

Your lifestyle is a reflection on who you are, what’s important for you and what’s not. It’s how you choose to live your life. Fortunately, in Dumaguete and surrounding areas, unless it’s snow and skiing you want, your options are plentiful.

If you sit on the boulevard in Dumaguete you will see Apo island with…

IMMIGRATION

This can be one of the most daunting aspects foreigners face when coming to live in the Philippines. It’s not an exaggeration to say this can be, and often is, a frustrating challenge. It’s imperative you have an experienced and highly competent attorney working for you to resolve any issues that arise.

HEALTH

A wise, old expression claims that health is wealth. Like any truism that has lasted through the ages, this one is valid and of immense importance to people of every age.

Quality health care had been an issue here in the past, especially for foreigners who had been accustomed to standards of service not availab…

PRACTICAL LIVING

There are four main shopping options. Robinsons, Citymall, Lee Plaza and Hypermart.

Robinsons is the largest and most frequented by foreigners. They have traditional offerings such as a supermarket, hardware outlet, fashion and clothing for men, women and children, household needs, cosmetic products, jewellery…

Financial

Another important matter is understanding the cost of living. Almost everything is significantly less expensive than in Europe, North America, or Australia. Exceptions are electronics, phones, and what else? While low costs provide you with a distinct advantage, the true cost for you to live here will depend on your lifestyle, the person you are, and what interests you have.

Another reassuring aspect is that medical costs are significantly less than elsewhere. .

Leah

Philippines

Her story

Leah is a native Filipina who traveled around Asia and lived in India for 8 years. After so many years, Leah decided that India was not meant for her so she came back to her hometown in Cebu City with her son. However, the crowd and pollution became so unbearable that she decided to ......Read More

Gord

Canada

His story

Gord is a Canadian who simply got tired of the same rat race year after year. With a growing aversion to spending six months of the year surviving the winters of heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures, then another six months in dread, preparing for the next one, he started looking for so......Read More