Is there such a thing as a perfect RP island/town?

[northtoalaska]

I’ve only travelled in Cebu, Leyte and Samar. Even then I’ve only scratched the surface of those places.

I’m sure there are members herein that have banged about many of the islands, provinces and towns.

Are there any islands or towns that seem to you to be just better run than others? By better run I mean where the roads are better, the community less polluted (trash, open sewers, foul air, etc.), the infrastructure less crumbly, the public services less corrupt, the medical facilities more “goober”, the crime below normal, etc.

Everything, of course, “depends”, but there are always places that are better run than others.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[bows00]

With my limited experience, I only know where I do NOT want to live - and that is Manila and Cebu.  The traffic and pollution just gets to me.  Based on my research so far, I don't think there exists that ideal place where you have good infrastructure, minimal traffic, and good hospitals.  

Currently leaning towards Subic... and will be checking out Dumaguete this year... 

[Gratefuled]

I live in Davao City only because my wife lives here but I would never recommend it to any expat.  There are better places, I'm sure. Maybe not.

I would check out Bocolod. First check out some videos of the place. That's where I would have loved to live. Maybe Palawan Island. Yes, first check out some videos of places that interest you.

Good Luck

[Old55]

Southern Leyte, Sogod Bay area is nice. There's an Expat community along the north shore. 

Bantyan Island is a wonderful place, quiet clean and well organized. 

Both places are isolated Bantyan very much so.

[scott h]

1 hour ago, northtoalaska said:

Everything, of course, “depends”,

That's the rub North. It all depends on YOU (or me) and our expectations. Does a person want shopping with a wide choice or items? 1st class medical care (or at least the best possible)?, English widely spoken? Good internet and other basic infrastructure services that are uninterrupted and close to western standards? Then the perfect places are large cities. Or is it peace and quiet (with the exception of a random rooster) one is after? A relaxed lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of our "western" lives? Then the provinces and small towns are the ticket? Is there a happy medium where you can get all of the above? I think there is, but a bloke had better have the cash on hand to pay for it. The very, very high end subdivisions. (Ayala Alabang in my area comes to mind)

[Dave Hounddriver]

3 hours ago, northtoalaska said:

Are there any islands or towns that seem to you to be just better run than others?

Alabang, in the Manila area, seemed that way, with the worst corruption being the taxi drivers.  I have not yet made it to Tagaytay but I hear similar reviews from there.  Seems to me you have to be willing to pay higher prices to get a better run town, but Alabang was much, much cheaper than Makati (or so it seemed to me on a short visit).

If anyone was to find 'the perfect little island' and tell about it, then it would be overrun and overpriced like Boracay in short order.

[Jack Peterson]

7 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

If anyone was to find 'the perfect little island' and tell about it, then it would be overrun and overpriced like Boracay in short order.

 Absolutely no Doubt.

 Jack,

Morning All ( Late on Parade today)

[robert k]

3 hours ago, northtoalaska said:

I’ve only travelled in Cebu, Leyte and Samar. Even then I’ve only scratched the surface of those places.

I’m sure there are members herein that have banged about many of the islands, provinces and towns.

Are there any islands or towns that seem to you to be just better run than others? By better run I mean where the roads are better, the community less polluted (trash, open sewers, foul air, etc.), the infrastructure less crumbly, the public services less corrupt, the medical facilities more “goober”, the crime below normal, etc.

Everything, of course, “depends”, but there are always places that are better run than others.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

I'm glad you asked because it made me think in a different channel. As of yet the answer is no.

I would like to make an observation. I had a quiet place to live in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. Water was never really an issue. I was surprised at how few and of short duration the brownouts were. I still found myself driving to Dumaguete most days for goods and services and I can't recommend it for serious medical care, cleanliness or being well run. A great deal of the time I was heading away from civilization. Sometimes I would do both, drive into the city and head for the wilds, in the same day.

My best understanding of what I should look for at the moment is an area where I can hopefully find everything I need in a 75-100 km radius, not a single spot. I'm not expecting to find anything better than that. The next place I am going to look at is Naga City, Camarines Sur. From what I have seen the streets look wide, the area looks reasonably clean and I am hopeful.

[Kuya John]

8 hours ago, northtoalaska said:

 By better run I mean where the roads are better, the community less polluted (trash, open sewers, foul air, etc.), the infrastructure less crumbly, the public services less corrupt, the medical facilities more “goober”, the crime below normal, etc.

Everything, of course, “depends”, but there are always places that are better run than others.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Maybe Philippines is not the place for you...... I think Spain might just hit the spot!

 

 

 

[Kiwi-Alan]

You can always come to NZ where its all clean green tax trust haven.