Apt and living in Valencia, Bukidnon Philippines 2024

@piattepye

You say 'mountain area' Popeye ( excuse me but its easier to spell than your handle.) Bukidnon would readily fit that requirement in terms of climate comfort as it is twice the elevation above sea level than Valencia. The shopping and recreational facilities though will be far more limited. Never visited there but have heard many positive reviews. Coincidentally I found an old school friend who was living there on Facebook a few years back but he refused to accept my friend request. Probably something to do with the cider apple pow wow we had as kids in his fathers orchard in the village of Freshford where I grew up. He always was a sensitive fellow.

@piattepye

Dumaguete is difficult to find housing but it is there just be patient and look. I want to refer a realtor to you that focuses on expats and knows where it's all at. **** Valencia is not on the water about 20 minutes west up the mountain from Dumaguete. Dauin and Bacong are more beach communities. Good Luck in your move. Ron

Before looking at long term rental, get a place for a few weeks... come and visit and look around.  After that you will be better prepared to look for a long term rental in Duma, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, or Zamboguita.  Pictures are not often accurate.  You want to visit the places before agreeing to a long term lease.  Each area has its advantages. and disadvantages. 

Duma, shopping, malls, restaurants, medical facilities, city living, night life

Valencia, altitude, cooler, many expats (too many?), restaurants

Bacong, Dauin, Zamboguita, beaches, scuba diving, resorts and different rental options, more rural, restaurants

Boots on the ground for anything longer than a vacation

Donald

@AlbertaDonuts Thanks Donald for the info, I lived in the Philippines for about a year in 2015-16 in a few places and now a retired and living in Bohol for the about 5 months now, use to avoid Mindanao because of problems with kidnapping and assorted problems in the last time I lived here, am curious about the area problems now which I thought was okay until and American was kidnapped the other day, waiting to see why or who did it and for what reason.

@piattepye

Negros is safe but I would avoid most places in Mindanao except Davao and the few major tourist spots.

What part of Bohol are you enjoying?  I have visited there a couple times but mostly in Panglao diving.  Since you are so close, come for a few weeks and try different spots for a week at a time.  I booked for a mo th where I Knew then started looking at longer term locations where I could check them out first hand.  Often the pics and ads were misleading.  Over 6 trips and numerous months in this area I have stayed in many places.... some great, some not.

Cheers

Cheers.

Looking into spending a few days in Cebu city and Dumaguete in early November after these storms., I get pros and cons from people in both cities so will need to check it out in person.

I agree, pros and cons every where.  I checked many places in Visayas and have chosen the Dauin and Zamboanguita area.  When you try different ones you will find what works for you.  Siquijor is worth exploring as well.