Where in the Philippines Would You Recommend Moving To?

For Beth and me, it was important to stay fairly close to her mother in Ozamiz, so we decided to settle in Dipolog. It’s turned out to be a great choice — close enough to family, but big enough to have everything we need.

Dipolog has an airport, two malls, and all the government agencies we’ve needed so far. It’s also near the beach, with plenty of small restaurants and local spots to enjoy.

Traffic here is what you’d expect in the Philippines — lots of scooters and tricycles — but compared to the bigger cities, it’s mild. Everything is within reach, which makes daily life a lot easier.

So far, I’ve visited Manila, Cebu, Makati, Bohol, and Cagayan de Oro (I hope I spelled those right!). Each time, I’ve enjoyed the trip — but by the end, I’m ready to head home. Dipolog’s slower pace and smaller size just fit me better.

There are some beautiful resorts nearby too — like Dakak, perfect for a short getaway. The only thing missing here is a bigger expat hangout scene. You don’t see too many foreigners around, and there aren’t many “go-to” social spots yet.

Sometimes I think about maybe getting a condo in a bigger city like Cebu — having a pool, shops, and coffee places right nearby sounds nice — but I’m not sure I’d trade the calm of Dipolog for the traffic and noise.

How about you?
Where did you decide to move, and what made that place feel right for you?
Do you prefer big city life or the quieter pace of the provinces?