Living in Cebu

Living in Cebu - Choosing a Lifestyle

Though Cebu is far away from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, it does not lack any of the amenities or recreational activities that are available in the latter. You can exercise the option on whether you want to spend your retirement days bumming and relaxing or you can schedule various activities that this City has to offer.

Cebu is the second largest city in the country and it can offer the same amenities found in the national capital region. The population in this place is growing at a fast pace given its attraction to foreigners and Filipinos alike as an ideal retirement get-away. The Philippines is equally known for its huge shopping malls; and Cebu’s shopping centers can rival those found in Manila.

Cebu has picturesque beaches where you can devote much of your time swimming or getting a tan. For those who favor intellectual or artistic stimulations, you can visit the different museums and churches.

Cebu Housing and Real Estate Opportunities

Many options are open to expatriates with respect to housing. You can choose to build your own house, rent a house or live in a condominium. Based on the experiences of a majority of foreigners who are residents of Cebu, the first two options are more advisable since traffic conditions here are nowhere nearly as difficult as Manila. You often measure transportation time in minutes unlike in the country’s capital where it will take you hours to travel from point A to point B.

You can hire an architect and carpenters that will charge you sensibly if you decide that you want to build your own home. You just need to ask around on where to find reputable and dependable contractors. For renting a house, you are normally required to pay a deposit, which is not that high and serve only as security of the proprietor.

Purchasing your own property and registering such under your own name is a different matter. The Philippine Constitution has a prohibition against foreign ownership of Philippine property. This is embodied in Section 7 of Article XII on National Economy and Patrimony, which states “Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private lands shall be transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations or associations qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain.”

If you are married to a Filipino, then your spouse could purchase and register it under his or her own name. The main concern under this type of arrangement is when the couple later files for separation or divorce. Proving conjugal ownership by the foreign spouse will be difficult as the Filipino spouse can claim it as a separate property not covered by the union.

Before your acquire anything of value, you should consult your lawyer first as to the advisability of your intended action.

Establishing your own Business in Cebu

As a retiree, you may want to generate some form of income that you can use in case of emergency or to supplement your lifestyle. In Cebu, most of the expatriates engage in some kind of business or merely participate as an investor. Similar to real estate ownership, there are restrictions as regards business operations. Foreigners are limited as to the percentage of the business they can own, which in majority of the cases is pegged at 40% maximum. You need to find a Filipino partner if you want to run a local enterprise.

As in any partnership agreement, you must be vigilant in overseeing the overall operations of your business. It may appear on paper or on the contract of partnership that your participation is smaller than your Filipino associate but you may be shelling out more in terms of cash outflow. Again, you need to seek legal advice before embarking on your venture to avoid the possibility of losing all your investments.

Cebu Fun & Recreational Activities

You are sure not to find Cebu life to be boring as you will surely enjoy the sights, sounds and scenery that this City has to give. There are high-end restaurants comparable to the other world class dining places in the world. If you are on a budget, there are affordable restaurants that offer quality food and service. By going around the city, you can have your fill of whatever it is that you crave. You ought to find an eating establishment that has a menu suitable to your taste.

By strolling inside the vast shopping malls there, you will be presented with a visual delight, as your favorite fast food chains will certainly have their presence there to serve their target markets. You will not feel far from home as the mall chains usually have famous stores with branded products. Cebu likewise has flea markets and bargain shops, which you can go to and see novel items at very cheap price tags.

Cebu Has Beaches Galore

Aside from the warm weather that appeals to foreigners, one of the major attraction of the Philippines are its beautiful beaches. Cebu boasts of having some of the must-see beaches such as the Alegre Beach Resort, the Badian Island Resort & Spa, the Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort, the Savedra Beach Resort, the Tambuli Beach Club and the Cebu White Sands, to mention a few.

Maximize your role as a retiree by bathing in the cool water and relaxing under the tropical sun. This is your reward for working so hard during your life. Water sports are offered in most of these facilities and you can be part of it if you want to. To relish the experience, it is recommended that you explore these beaches together with a friend who has been in those places. In this way, your friend has an idea on what is the best time to hit those beaches and where to spend most of the day. If you were a resident of Cebu, then you would not want to go to a beach that is crowded with tourists. You should schedule your visits in order to appreciate the scenery.

A Final Note About Cebu

Democracy is the prevailing system of government in the Philippines. Human rights violations are therefore not tolerated and are readily exposed by the vigilant media. Nevertheless, there are claims alleging the contrary but are not sufficiently proven.

As an expatriate in Cebu, you can look ahead to leading a peaceful life, as public safety is a major concern by the local government. The citizens and residents of this City can rely on the local enforcement agencies to protect their rights. Although crime rate in Cebu exists, by following precautionary measures, you can avoid being the victim of any criminal activity. Besides, no country can absolutely guarantee the absence of commission of felonies.

Cebu is unquestionably one of the best places you can lead a peaceful retirement life given all the perks and privileges that are granted to you.