All through the ages, Man has the urgency to new discoveries. Well, not all men but at least Adventurist Man! Hey, that’s me! I am a lifetime member of that Club. Amazingly, a number of my high school classmate still live in the same area of rural Alabama where they were born, raised and studied. It has been a long time since Graduation and last year, I connected with a few of my old classmate friends and most of them are happy. For them, familiar ground is comfortable ground! My, oh, my. I think about all the adventurous times I would have missed out on during the past 42 years if I had remained in the very same area of rural Alabama! What a boring life for me and I would probably have been committed to a treatment center years ago if I led that kind of life. However, to each their own and Life is not one size fits all!
Wanderlust Is Eternal
For me, wanderlust has been in my blood since I was a young child. Growing up a Navy brat until my dad retired from the service when I was a teenager, I always loved the open road! Travel by car was a very important part of my life in both childhood and into adulthood. To this day, one of my favorite songs is, “The Road Goes On Forever!” Living in the southern USA during my adulthood, I wanted to discover all the famous cities in Dixieland. On many revisited trips, Chattanooga, Tennessee and Charleston, South Carolina were 2 of my favorite travel destinations. I could hop in the Buick and take off at the drop of a hat!
By 1986, I was ready to check out the rest of the world! The Philippines was my first stop. Needless to say, it was love at first sight. It was almost as if I were born here and it felt like home, which was a totally new feeling for me. I never wanted to leave the Philippines! However, job and career called, so it was back to The Grind until my next annual vacation and time for another visit to the Pearl of the Orient!
Are You Happy Where You Are?
Unlike some of my high school classmates, a number of my friends in the States are preparing to make the move abroad. A number have accelerated the move by several years. They are sick and tired of being sick and tired of the poor US economy, the constant political bickering, the ever-changing loss of American values and the general direction that the country is spiraling down! They had enough! Time to go. If you think it gets better from where, well, I personally think it will only get worse in the near future! I am not psychic or a prophet but the handwriting is clearly on the wall. A few of my friends from the States have already moved to the Philippines and have already settled in nicely!
While others are basically sitting around, waiting around to either die or for the times to get better, others are taking the bull by the horns and doing something about their lives. Life is short, even if we live to be 110! I was a mental health counselor in the States for more than 20 years and even in 2014, I am always touched in my heart to see and hear people being unhappy. Especially when they have the means and the ability to make some positive life changing moves!
Everyday Unfolds A New Adventure!
I enjoy being around people with positive attitudes and those who are optimistic about life. I know a number of such expats who have made the Philippines their home during the last 10 years or so. For the first time in their lives, they are happy! They now live a stress-free life, they can make their own daily schedule and they can basically do what they want, when they want, within reason, of course. It sounds great, doesn’t it? For me, it is a fabulous lifestyle. Once I wake up, my early decisions include whether I want strawberry jam or orange marmalade on my toast or do I want San Miguel Honeycino Coffee or Maskape White and Creamy Coffee. It may be breakfast or it may be brunch but most importantly, it is my choice and not the choice created by someone else!
My wife, son and I live in the Philippines because we want to, not because we have to. We love it here and there is no other place we had rather be. My wife, son and I enjoy travelling and we have not even scratched the surface of all the wonderful places to see in the Philippines. We are here for the long haul and, yes, we are staying!
Yes Gary. My life the last few years in South Carolina were like waiting for the end, even though I traveled as much as possible. But here everyday life can be an adventure. Just going to public market for this week’s veggies gets me excited. Preparing to take our car to Guimaras in April is something I look forward to very much, having never been there. Mangoes, cashews, monks and who knows what else lies there. By the way, Charleston is beautiful but I do hope you got to Savannah as well, it is magnificent.
Hi Meyeshua,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences in the Philippines. It is the same way with me, as even little things here that some do not even think about is exciting for me as well. It never gets old and everyday is refreshing!
No, never made it to Savannah for some reason. Newport, Rhode Island is another one of my fav spots but that was a 2 day land trip! Far from the Deep South.
Have a great trip to Guimaras, which we refer to as “Crocodile Island,” since it looks like a croc in the distance from the highway in Valladolid. Let us know again when you guys are going to Guimaras, as we may be interested if we can work out one overnight stay in a hotel.
~ Gary ~
Guimaras is not that far from where I came from. Been in Canada for 25 years now, and I am looking forward to go back where I came from. Life in Negros Occidental is simple and less stress.
Me and wife to move to phillipines next year thanks for the information
That is great, Harry! If you have any questions before you move, please post them on Retiring to the Philippines Forum, so our experienced readers can give you expert advice.
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Hi. I’m going to live in Phil someday. After my two week visit there, i cant get back soon enough. Whats the best way to learnTaglog?
First, make sure it is Tagalog you want to learn and not Ilongo. After buying a Tagalog/English book with my wife’s help she informed me months later it was the wrong dialect for our area. If you want an answer to almost any question ask at least 10 to 20 questions to get the original one answered. I live in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.
Gary,
Like you i left the states for greener pastures. And they are greener here as it’s still wintertime in Ohio. Yes i also have several old classmates that never left home and still live in the past. I moved to Boston when i was 18 and left the cornfields behind for a while. A whole different world.
Along those same lines I’ve met several people in Bacolod that have never left their gated community. You know what i’m talking about. Yes they’re living in the Philippines. I moved here to live the Philippines. It’s not always Rosey but i can find plenty of positive things to do or experience. I know several Filipinos here that have also lived in the US. Kabankalan? Where’s that? There’s amazing hidden treasures all over that people never see. Only recently i made a trip to Hinoba-an. It’s just South of Sipalay. Another hidden treasure to visit. Nothing special about Hinoba-an, but i know people there and it was my first visit to their place. They showed me Nabulao Bay resort in that area. They have a website. Easily a 5 star place and in my opinion several notches above the better advertised Punta Bulata resort. Also better location. As an extra attraction there’s a huge white mansion sitting on top of an island offshore from there. The mansion can be visited by boat after making contact with the caretakers. Maybe on my next visit. Our Aussie friend also has a nice place where we spent Thanksgiving. There’s so much here if people would leave their bubble.
Dale
Where life is fun
Kabankalan
Hi Dale,
Thanks for sharing about Hinoba-an. That is one of the 2 or 3 locations in Negros Occidental where I haven’t been among the municipalities and cities.
I know what you mean. I know other expats who only leave their subdivisions to go shopping or to a restaurant every now and then. There is a lot more to the Bacolod Area than Robinsons, SM, Metro and KFC! There are many scenic places to visit that are not well known, such as Jomabo Island, off Escalante. It is about a 15 minute ride in a pump boat to the island and the water is so clear, you can actually see the bottom along the way over.
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Hi Gary, I am much slower in making a decision to move than most. I have been to the Philippines twice. I spent 58 days (December and the beginning of January) in Iloilo during 2013 and 43 days (late January and the month of February)in Iloilo during 2014. I still need to experience a dry season and a wet season.
During my 2013 visit I traveled around Manila and Pasay. During 2014, I went to several resorts around Iloilo and to Bacolod. I am sorry to report that I was disappointed in Bacolod.
While I really enjoyed staying at the Campuestuhan Highland resort I did not like the aggressive way the drivers in Bacolod drove.
I have driven all over Visasyas and never have I encountered such rude drivers. Maybe it just wasn’t my day but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth. Did this taint my opinion of the Philippines? Heck No!! Still the most friendly people any where! Garry Yachechko
Having driven in many countries, and a lot in and around NYC, I assumed I could drive anywhere. Then I got to the Philippines. Now that I have become accustomed to their habits in the country and cities, I enjoy it and take Bacolod more as a challenge rather then a nuisance. I made sure I spent months getting mentally prepared before buying my first vehicle here.
Hi Garry,
Thanks for your comments! One thing I like to remind foreigners when they visit and/or retire to the Philippines, please leave your hometown logic at home because you won’t find it in the Philippines.
I also thought drivers were rude everywhere I have been in the Philippines, in the beginning, but they are actually not rude at all. That is the way everyone drives here and if you don’t adapt to it when you drive, you won’t get very far! I am a very nice person and most people think so but…I would also be considered rude by other foreigners when driving, however, I am not. I know the driving psychology of Negros Occidental and I drive like the locals do. It is just the way it is. A friend told me he warned his Filipina wife when visiting his country the first time, “Dutch the way it is!” Yes, he lives in the Netherlands!
Have a nice day!
~ Gary ~
meyeshua
I love driving in Negros Occidental. and can drive all the way to Kabankalan, knowing my way. Have also driven north to Victorias City.
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Planning to retire in the Philippines next year. My wife s a balikbayan so it should not be too difficult. Planning on coming back to States every ~3 months (grandkids) and so do not have to get a permanent visa. Right now, the plan is to move to Metro Manila where most of her family and friends live. We visit almost every year and it seems to get more crowded every year and I have reservations whether I want to live there. I want to have other options to share with my wife. My son has a filipino wife, and she lived in the Dumaguete area and he loves it there when he visits and encourages me visit also. From the articles I have read in your website, Bacolod sounds like a place to visit also. Planning to visit again in May and would like to check out both places. Is Dumaguete and Bacolod close enough to drive?
Bacolod is north and Dumaguette southeast on Negros, but can drive from one to the other, just a long drive. Personally I hate Manila, and even the other cities have the amenities but better off actually living outside of them. Live rural and use the cities for shopping. Look at google maps to give you a better idea of the island, just remember that distance/driving time is much different here.
EDM,
Few of us posting would want to live in Metro Manila which is why we live here. I’m in Kabankalan City which is about a two hour drive South of Bacolod. Meyeshua lives about 20 minutes North of me in another community. This city has grown a lot in 3 years just like Bacolod, only smaller. We also have many nice places in this area.
After living here for three years i’m still discovering new things along the coastal road from Kabankalan to Dumaguete. It’s about a 5 hour drive from Kanbankalan to Dumaguete along the coastal road. I haven’t made it to Dumaguete yet. There’s also a shorter trip to Dumaguete over the mountain road. Kind of like high road low road. Beautiful scenery either way but the coastal route offers more. You can easily stop at many places and have a picnic with a beautiful view overlooking the ocean. Also many different Expats live in these areas or have places along the coast. If you have the time (That’s the Question). visiting both cities and a trip along the coast would be nice. There are many hidden treasures just out of view along the road. You can easily stop in Sipalay and see the famous beach area there. Many other places. Probably more things to see and do than you have time for. You can always come back later.
Personally i enjoy the more rural setting and can get most anything i need here. I also enjoy travelling a bit outside the city on our trike. I know Bacolod pretty well and go there on occasion for a few things. Can even catch Gary sometimes if the phone would work..LOL
Dale
I lived in Metro Manila for one year, 1986-1987. I attended the University of the Philippines. I was also engaged in business there with a Filipino-American and a foreigner for a number of years afterward, so some years, I was sent over 2-3 times per year from Florida.. During those times, I had access to my own private condo in Makati, Metro Manila and all expenses paid.
In the year 2000, I accepted a job as an English teacher in Shandong, China, but before actually moving to the PRC, I moved to Quezon City, Metro Manila first since I had the opportunity. I had always loved Metro Manila but by the year 2000, I no longer enjoyed it. It had become expensive, the traffic was terrible, the air pollution would choke a horse, crime was out of control, so I did not feel safe. I totally avoid Metro Manila. When I had to renew my US passport a couple years ago, I did it in Cebu, not Manila!
I live in Bacolod City most the year but we also have a house south of Bacolod, spending time there on some weekends and when school is out.
That is my experience.
~ Gary ~
Thanks to all for the responses. My wife has agreed to keep her mind open to moving to other locations in the Philippines…how open I’m not so sure. Since we will be renting initially, we can live in different areas til we find one that fits us, We will be visiting Dumaguete and hopefully have time to drive the coast to Bacolod. My wife actually has a friend who moved to Bacolod, Linda, part of her Majong circle of friends. I will look you guys up if we make it up there and I’ll buy you a cold one if you are available. Maybe you can explain to my wife the benefits of living in your area. We are so close to retiring, but yet next year seems so far away. Again thank you for your responses and this great website. I have read every article and am looking forward to your other writings.
Hey edm I am Ricky and a friend of Gary’s. I moved here in 09/2012 after numerous 3 month visits. Give yourself some time to expose yourself to city and rural areas. My wife wouldn’t leave where we live for anywhere. We are in Himamaylan, 1 1/2 hour drive south of Bacolod. A little more primitive then my liking but I am getting to like it more and more. The cities are crowded and dirty, but about once a month we make the drive for various reasons. When there we try to pick up some food items we can’t find down here, maybe catch a movie. There are many hotels in Bacolod but needing no reservations I suggest Grand Regal after other misses. P1400 gets you a large decent room with a king bed and breakfast including made to order eggs. If you’re not a breakfast guy, just P999.
Thank you Gary and the other posters here for valuable tips about Bacolod and other hidden treasures of Negros. I, too, caught the wanderlust bug at an early age, so Gary’s excitement over exploring new places and strange, fascinating cultures sounds familiar to me.
Gary’s Alabama friends who chose to stay put in their southern milieu may be happier touching the grey hairs on their heads while driving to and from and around the same locales and talking to the same people with the same ideological bent as their own, but yes, they’re totally missing out on what these adventurous expats have been immersing themselves for some time now – and cuss me not, guys, I want a slice of that lifestyle, too!
It’s quite ironic that foreigners like to live here in the Philippines, when a lot of Filipinos would rather stay abroad. I appreciate these people who love my country the way I do. I also reside in Bacolod, maybe I’d get to meet you someday, guys!