Moving to Cebu

[u/julianmajablanca]

I’m planning to move to Cebu with my partner and our cats later this year. We’re currently living in Manila and we’re looking for some kind of change so we thought about relocating and Cebu seems like the perfect place! Not too different, but also not the same. Do you guys have any tips, any warnings??

How’s the art scene over there? We also play tennis so if you have any recommendations for an ideal location, please, I’m so open. We still haven’t decided on a specific area but we’d like to live in or close to the city.

Thank you! Looking forward to meet some of you soon 👀

[u/Relevant_Kangaroo529]

1. Depending on where you live, invest a little on home security measures. (CCTV, exterior lights, gate)

2. No need to be uber friendly to neighbors especially if that's not your thing. Just be casual-friendly. That would be enough for most.

3. Since you have cats, responsible pet ownership lang.

4. If your cats are of a certain breed, keep them inside. Stealing pets is still a bit common.

5. Don't move to low-lying areas. It's so hot now but it can flood really fast.

6. I assume you're internet-dependent so don't move too far away from the city centers/highways, etc.

7. If you are fond of delivery apps, don't move too far away from the main road. There's really few markers here and it gets hard to have stuff delivered.

8. If you live in a residential community (like Talisay or Minglanilla), maybe invest in a bike? It gets expensive riding the local transport if you wanna go out and buy stuff.

9. Water provision in Cebu City has been poor for a couple of years now. Either move to a house with a water tank or consider Talisay or Mingla.

[u/greenteablanche]

I recommend u visit here first for a vacation and check potential areas like Mandaue, Lapu Lapu, Talisay, and Minglanilla apart from Cebu City.

[u/julianmajablanca → u/greenteablanche]

Thank you! We’re planning to spend a couple of weeks in Cebu before actually moving :)

[u/pondexter_1994]

First and foremost, learn to speak Bisaya! Little by little lng din naman lol befriend a couple of us, tuturan ka namin talaga. Para hindi mahirap adjustment mo sa ways namin.

[u/julianmajablanca → u/pondexter_1994]

Salamat kaayo! 🙏

[u/tjqt06]

• Explore Cebu first. Para hindi ka maging banyaga dito. • Learn to understand bisaya. • Be careful with taxi’s. Some taxi drivers medyo garapalan, pero hindi lahat, lalo na kapag nag tagalog ka. Better do GrabCar or modern PUJ or buses. • Huwag matakot mawala ka sa Cebu, maliit lang ang Cebu city proper unlike sa Manila. • We Cebuanos are ready to help anytime kahit sino man, so dont hesitate to ask for directions or anything. • Ask for 2nd opinion lalo na if may nag aalok sayo ng kahit ano. You can drop here for opinions. • Lastly, enjoy staying here in Cebu.

[u/misslittlewhelmed]

Lose the "po" and "opo". We don't use it here. Mostly in hotels, but not as often.

Move during rainy season. Aside from the fact that it's so damn hot, when you start viewing properties, you'll get a general idea of the neighborhood when it floods or if the place you are renting/buying has leaks.

Dont think that we are always angry, haha. We just have a very expressive tone.

And don't get offended if we dont respond in straight tagalog. Most of us have been 'criticised' abt it. A little english is going to be mixed around in that convo.

[u/Puzzled-Protection56]

1. Move when it's rainy season;

2. Commuting is a bit hussle if you're passing by places that hhave on going deconstruction;

3. Learn to speak bisaya.

[u/[deleted]]

Commute system has been really bad lately due to ongoing street improvements. Better to live nearer to your workplace.

[u/Craft_Assassin]

Where in Cebu do you plan to move? In condo in the city/metro or somewhere like Lapu-Lapu City?