Finally decided!`

Probably a good idea to not set up shop with the family, you will find Cebu even hotter and more humid.  Best of luck in your relocation.

So your suggestion is to not move to cebu because it's hot?

clearindicision wrote:

So your suggestion is to not move to cebu because it's hot?

No, just saying I know someone who moved from Cebu to Ecuador because of the heat and humidity, but the difference is small between Manila and Cebu.  Luzon, but not Manila, has always attracted me because there are mountains that tend to take the edge off the tropical steam in summer.  I am sure you and your wife will enjoy Cebu.

I have never been to Cebu, so I am not sure if language will be a problem for your wife speaking Tagalog.  Perhaps others already there could help on that topic.

I would like to help you bro but tell me your preferences and your ideal environment so i could give you a good recommendation

Cebu has the advantage of being (much) cheaper than NCR. (it has cool mountains also actually). The temp in the City is 3c degrees cooler than Metro Manila, but still 10-15c higher than in the surrounding subs (subs are towns outside of the Metro Cebu area, and I mean 20 km outside or mountainside)
Thats why I moved to the other side, about 1 hr drive.
My suggestion, come over for  period, but travel first and light to check around. In the end your wife will most likely wanted to stay near her family and there is nothing you can do about.
Indiscreet Questions
Have you ever been here ? (In the Philippines or Cebu?)

yes Cebu or other areas better than Manila you will not  like  the  VA there, you can get medications but anything  else not so good, long wait for appointments, and  if you need major medical you will have  to go to Guam, go look first don't commit

Okieboy wrote:

yes Cebu or other areas better than Manila you will not  like  the  VA there, you can get medications but anything  else not so good, long wait for appointments, and  if you need major medical you will have  to go to Guam, go look first don't commit

before you comment on Phil hospitals and compare it with Guam's, you should do your homework first. your comment is not so reliable and misleading to expats.... no point arguing with you coz obviously you only know little bout Philippines.

i have  been to the  VA in Manila, and  friends  of  mine  go there now, see what  kind of care you will get there, the  VA in Guam is  a  nice clinic a friend  of  mine  had hip replacement there a few months  ago, if  you think the  VA in Manila  is  better than Guam Son you need to check it out, by the  way i have  been coming  to the  Philippines  first in 1964 and  have  lived  here for  12  years

As far as to my knowledge from 2 (US) Vet's living nearby, there are a number of (VA) accredited Hospitals in Cebu City, among them the two Top Hospitals, which are really good enough.(Cebu Doctors and Chong Hua, which are actually both "department" Hospitals, where on can choose his specialist from outside and the Hospital just provides the OP, Rooms, etc.. mening, the Doc's just rents the OP and facilities.
The offices of those specialists, which are at the same time shareholders of the respectice hospital are often located outside nearby.
So much for the "System", make your own mind up about it.
(The most important factor is, that the Doc's are shareholders and not employees.)
But one thing is probably important to bear in mind, treat your Doc always nice, as you can't complain anywhere and change them as you may think. So keep your eventual grumpyness and big mouth in check and be nice. (sounds like a weird advice , but some expats think, they own the country and behave like that. Logically they will not be treated well.)
Of course one can always compare those to Top Hospitals in "wherevertheworld", but in reality, if one looks behind the nice lobby scenery, one gets exactly what one pays for.(or his Insurance/Provider)
Veterans are ( and that is very sad ! ) rather on the bottom of the "Pay List", so one should evaluate carefully how much care he (will) need(s).

If it is a lot, maybe the developing world is not such a good choice to live.

Last but not least - Check with the VA BEFORE you move, which and what is licensed.

All outside  medical treatment  must  be  approved by the  VA and  it  must be  service connected, anything  else you are  responsible and usually before  treatment , if  you have serious  medical issues you do not  need to be  in the  Philippines, it  is  not  a  nice  place  to die, not  much pain medication, and  your family must  take  care  of  you, and  the  cost could  be  expensive and has  to be  paid  before  your  body is  released, the  VA or  US Government  will not  help you with the  cost, i have  heard  of Funeral homes  charging up to $8,000 to deliver  the  body to the  USA

Heat is always an issue but no worries! The heat here still can't hold a candle to the summer of states!! It's slightly cooler these period... No frills, just need more powerful aircons!!

Warm welcome to you! Hope that you like our country