I Moved to Cebu 60 Days Ago: The Honest Truth About Living in the Philippines
Good day, folks. LJ Esquire here. I’ve been living in Cebu for almost two months now, in a lovely little part of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu, and I’m loving the joint. I’ve got a few updates for you, so let’s sit down (in the shade, because it’s damn hot) and break down Cebu properly: costs, pros and cons.
For context, it’s been about 12 years since I left my motherland, Australia. I’ve lived in Thailand for a good long while and in Vietnam for quite a while too, so I’ve got a decent idea of how these places compare. My verdict on the Philippines? On cost it’s pretty damn close to the others. But there’s a catch.
The Catch: Accommodation Costs More Here
Accommodation in Cebu costs a lot more than in Thailand or Vietnam. If you only take one piece of advice from this post, make it this one: don’t go cheap.
I learned this the hard way. My first time here I went really cheap and ended up living with the roaches and the rats, wishing I’d booked something a lot better on Airbnb. Here you’ve got to splurge a bit and pay more than you would elsewhere in the region.
So this time I sorted myself out with a really nice place at One Pacific Residence in Mactan Newtown.
Apartment Tour: What 52,500 Pesos a Month Gets You
There’s a beautiful big lobby, and the apartment has been my home for the past couple of months. Here’s what you get:
- Beautiful natural light and a balcony. No ocean views, but plenty of privacy, because nobody can see in.
- A nice living space with a big TV hooked up to the internet, plus fast internet
- Two air conditioners, one in the living area and one in the bedroom
- A dining table and a nice little kitchen with a fridge-freezer and electric cooktops, which has been great for home-cooked meals
- A little storage room with a front-loader washing machine, which is handy for laundry
- A toilet and bathroom with a tub
- Plenty of storage space in the bedroom
- And did I mention the swimming pool? I’ve been using it every day.
The price is 52,500 pesos for the month (about US$877 or AU$1,236) through Airbnb. That includes electricity, water and cleaning fees, and there’s no bond deposit. I know it’s not the cheapest option around, but for a short-term rental it’s very convenient. I’m living very comfortably.
Life is pretty damn good, and coming to Cebu was a really good decision.
Food Costs: Markets, Home Cooking and My Local Pub
Now for everyday costs like cafes and meals out. Honestly, I’m not a big fan of Filipino food. So most of the time I buy produce at the local markets and cook healthy meals at home, and it’s very, very cheap.
When I do eat out, maybe once or twice a week, the prices are also really good. My go-to is a local pub just down the road from my place. The menu is huge, they’ve got everything, and the food comes out quick. I usually get an iced tea, or a nicely chilled grapefruit, with a good feed. Dinner and a drink there cost me ₱480, which is about US$8 or AU$11. The short version: it’s cheap.
Getting Around: The Legendary Jeepney
Transport is where Cebu really shines. I ride the jeepneys up and down the main strip and I love them. You hop on, you have a bit of banter with the locals, and sometimes there are a couple of roosters along for the ride too. It’s an experience.
The fare is 13 pesos, which is about 20 cents. People everywhere are complaining about fuel prices and here I am riding around the Philippines for 20 cents. It saves me heaps on everyday trips to my coffee shops and back.
Visa Extensions: The Philippines Wins by a Mile
I’ve covered this in another video, but here’s the short version. Visa extensions here, whether 30-day or 60-day, are cheap and easy, and you don’t need to do border runs. Compared to Vietnam and Thailand, the Philippines wins by a mile. They don’t even come close.
It’s very stress-free. You’re in and out, and a 30-day extension cost me ₱4,060, which is about US$69 or AU$99. That’s one of my favourite things about living here.
Gyms in Mactan Newtown
The gym matters to me, and there are some really nice ones around. Mine is in Mactan Newtown, the upmarket part of town, on the second floor. It’s fully equipped and a very nice place.
It’s a bit pricier at 2,500 pesos a month (about US$42 or AU$59), but it’s close to my apartment, so I’ve got no excuses. I’ve seen gyms in other provinces for about half that price, but sometimes you just have to pay for what suits you. No worries there.
Social Life: English Everywhere, and Room for Introverts
Social life is a big thing in the Philippines, and the biggest win is the language. Everyone here speaks English, so you can have a chat with the locals any time. Being able to have proper, in-depth conversations while you travel makes life so much better.
The cafes I go to here are not very busy. They’re nice and quiet, which suits me, because I’m a bit of an introvert. Compare that to my old local in Da Nang, Vietnam, which was crammed with expats.
If that’s your vibe and you want all the digital nomad meetups, Cebu is probably not for you. Stay in Da Nang, because that’s where all that stuff is. I’m not antisocial, but I’m a bit of a lone wolf and I like to keep to myself.
There are still some lovely expats around, though. I’ve met some really nice American blokes on the Mactan Newtown strip. We say good day at the gym and chat here and there, but mostly I do my own thing. Day-to-day life here is just brilliant.
The One Con: Poverty
I’m going to be honest about one downside. There is some poverty here, and it’s become more visible in the last week. Quite a few people have started gathering just out the front of my area, and some of them are doing it really tough. It’s heartbreaking to see. When they spot me they ask for donations, and that’s something you have to face here.
One of the locals told me they’re from a group called the Bajau people, who move with the seasons and tend to come here around this time of year. Other than that, life in Cebu is great.
What’s Next
I’ve got a couple more weeks in Cebu, then I’m heading to Manila to do some coverage from there. After that I’m going to try province life and spend some time in a very rural province.
Watch the Full Video
Want to see the apartment tour, the pub and the jeepney ride for yourself? Watch the full vlog here:
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wwxvGy0N3e0
For more life-in-Asia vlogs, subscribe to the channel at my daily channel @esqunltddaily and my main channel @EsquireUnlimited, and drop your questions or your own Cebu experiences in the comments.
Thinking about moving to SE Asia or starting your own YouTube channel? I can help with finding the best spots, sorting out visas and building a channel. Book a 1-hour consultation with me here and let’s get you set up for success.
Cheers, and I’ll see you in the next one.
LJ Esquire
