Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Philippines Expat Forum

Baguio Area

New Topic Newest First
woodenships11
  5/25/2016 09:23 EST

I'm an American moving to Ph. in mid-September. I have a Pinay GF who is from Rosario. We have been intent on the Tagaytay area but everyone warns about the expense. So I have been looking at the Baguio "area." Baguio is a little too big for what I'm looking for so I wonder if anyone has any input on bordering towns that are smaller with good proximity?? Also if knowledgeable ballpark on a long term 2-BR furnished rental. Grateful for your time and input.

chance2014
  5/25/2016 19:15 EST

Baguio is a lovely place to visit like tagaytay its very cool, gets extremely busy weekends and holidays as does Tagaytay. One problem with bagiou is the bloody road up and down that mountain. Once your in baguio there is nowhere else to go except down that mountain I do like it there tho good restaurants in session road, live music etc. Drawback is that road always under repair landslides etc bus drivers drive way too fast and many accidents on that road. Last time I was there 2 accidents on that road one bus and a minibus I think altogether 23 dead might be wrong but many died. When it rains heavy that road is terrible.
Tagaytay is also cool plenty of good restaurants and music. Many overlook lake Taal and the volcano (dorment) gets extremely busy weekends and holidays. Tagaytay has some very expensive areas but just outside town still cool but cheaper. Nice area near manila no mountain can drive from there to anywhere easily, well traffic permitting. Out of the two I would choose Tagaytay but I would live outside town.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

Walkern
  5/25/2016 20:31 EST

Cavite towns, which are still cool, but close to Tagaytay include Amadeo, Mendez and Alfonso. Amadeo is the nearest with good access to both Tagaytay and Silang/Dasmarinas for shopping. Mendez, with a market, is close to Mendez Crossing, a busy commercial area of Tagaytay on the Nasugbu road, itself a few km from central Tagaytay. Alfonso is much further away and has more of a provincial feel, it's about a 30 minute drive to central Tagaytay. It has it's own hospital, an offshoot of DLSMC in Dasmarinas.
So many things have to be done in the Metro area and one can be there in 1 hr 30mins or 2 hours at the most by car, as opposed to half a day from Baguio. Yes, traffic in Tagaytay is a problem at weekends and holidays - so one just has to avoid the roads at those times.
If you can put up with a bit more heat there is also Silang - it's got a good range of shops and services.

woodenships11
  5/25/2016 23:56 EST

Thank you Walkern. I'm leaning toward "Tag" that road to Baguio scares the BeeJesus out of me. Any guesses what a 2-BR furnished might go for on the outskirts of Tag?? Just thought I'd ask. I get the feeling that "boots on the ground" when I arrive is the best course. Thanks again.

woodenships11
  5/26/2016 00:03 EST

Thank you Chase for your interesting feedback. That road is exactly why I was more interested as to what was close to the BIG CITY (Baguio) and if those towns were nice. I really don't want a big city (I've lived in L.A.--those days are done ). My Rosie's parents are pushing 80-in Rosario which has much to do with my interest in Baguio. The haul from tag to Rosario is considerable. I'd like for her to be able to see them as much as possible (within reason) in Act 3. Thank you again.

Traco
  5/26/2016 00:17 EST

Vigan is nice and not too far from Baguio. Very historic town with calesas aplenty. Only issue I had was the constant noise of motorbikes ... but thats commonplace in PI

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

ACEPoolPlayer
  5/26/2016 07:47 EST

Woodenships,
I wouldn't be so worried about the roads. There are 3 access roads to Baguio. Yes, maybe Kennon Road (fastest route to Manila) may get closed occasionally but if that happens there are other alternative routes (Naguilian, Marcos Highway). I've travelled all three routes many times (on motorcycle, car and bus). Considering the amount of buses that go to Baguio everyday the accident rate is very low. Everyone knows in advance when storms are coming and when roads are closed. The difference in cost from a place within an hour of Rosario and from within an hour of Tagaytay is probably half the amount. Rosario to Manila (if you travelled early in the morning) is only around 2-3 hours. In your situation Baguio or something within an hour of the Rosario area is a much better decision. To travel from Tagaytay to Rosario a few times a month to see her family is a haul.

woodenships11
  5/26/2016 11:07 EST

Thank you AcePP. Certainly a little cheerier picture of Baguio and getting to and fro. I have ZERO desire to ever go to Manila except to get on a plane. Manila is of little concern to me. I guess I am understandind from what you say is that a place to rent outside of Baguio is less than a place outside Tagaytay. Anyway, much appreciated. It will all come together in the fall when we go looking. You've helped narrow it down. Tag or Baguio??? This is the question. Thank you again.

Billsmith999
  5/27/2016 07:39 EST

Ace is right. Choose the place, not the roads to it. You can get a nice fully furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment outside of Baguio for 15,000 pesos per month.

chance2014
  5/27/2016 22:28 EST

I have to admit I have only been on Lennon road to baquio I forget there are other ways there. I like Baguio a lot to visit and 1 hours drive you have La union with lovely beaches. But I still prefer Tagaytay. I liked Alfonso very rural feel to it, but you would need a car to get to town. Silang is OK as well, Amadao have only been through there and was warned not to go through there at night on a motorcycle. Where is Rosario? The Rosario I know is in Cavite.

woodenships11
  5/27/2016 23:24 EST

Hi Chance. My GF is from Rosario which is in la Union about an hour from Baguio. I won't have a car. She loves Tagaytay. I'm hoping to get a place for $15,000P tops. Ultimately we will visit both places and make our decision . Thank you for your input .

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

woodenships11
  5/28/2016 00:34 EST

Thank you again Chance for the feedback. My GF is from Rosario which is in La Union, 1-hour or so from Baguio. Someone wrote yesterday that we should be able to find an apt. (2-BR, 2-Bath) for $15K-Pesos in areas just outside Baguio. That is in my budget. Tagaytay???? We'll just have to go to Silang and Amadeo and check it out. We will not have a car and will depend on taxis. public transportation. Let the adventure begin. Thank you.

Billsmith999
  5/28/2016 01:08 EST

I'm the one who mentioned the 15K apartment outside of Baguio. The building is still being built but units are being rented as they are finished. Sounds like a better option if you want to be near La Union, which is a LONG way from Tagatay.

chance2014
  5/28/2016 02:04 EST

Ifyou can afford it buy a decent car the Philippines is beautiful and with a car you can see so much manila is a pig to drive through but once that is gone its great. Another good place is subic bay lots there good beaches good drivers mall and its clean worth a look

Billsmith999
  5/28/2016 03:54 EST

Yes, 15K per month fully furnished. You won't find good deals on the internet. I just paid somebody to do the footwork for me. Needless to say Baguio is much closer to LA Union than Tagatay is.

chance2014
  5/28/2016 04:55 EST

I liked LA union the beaches were lovely very popular for surfing nice place actually

Billsmith999
  5/28/2016 05:02 EST

Don't suppose you know of any apartment rentals near the beach there?

Walkern
  5/28/2016 05:35 EST

I think that if a foreigner here wants to take up residence anywhere more than a few km from a major urban area (unless he or she is happy to go fully native!) life would be very difficult without some form of transport - not necessarily a car though. The subdivision where we live just outside Tagaytay does not allow public transport to ply for hire. From our location it's a 15 minute walk to the main road, up some hills too. The only way to get transport is to be in a life threatening condition - there are two ambulances on standby for that!
I don't know what rents are asked for in the Tagaytay area, but I do observe that some subdivisions away from the central area (including ours) always have a number of properties for rent - sometimes the boards are up for years. Rich people construct weekend vacation houses and then get bored with them. Good rental deals could be made - but you would need your own transport.
In which case you could live near to central Tagaytay and it's facilities.
Woodenships, I think your decision hinges on how often your GF wants to go up to Rosario (the one in the North, that is) - if it is every month then you'll have to choose Baguio or nearby - but if it is just two or three times a year I would choose Tagaytay - both for itself and it's location. Especially as your GF prefers it. Apart from the dodgy transport links just spend some cold, windy, rainy days in Baguio and you will see what I mean.For me the climate there is too much like the UK. The traffic there is pretty bad too.
By the way, what are these anti Manila statements all about? It's a populated and congested city, like many others in the world.Yes, it is polluted, but so are rural areas here - judging from the black grime on our curtains - and we are not near a main road. Metro Manila has some very pleasant, well stocked shopping Malls, entertainment venues and is the place to go for lots of official business and good services, including medical, which you often can't find out of town. For example, finding a good car shop is very difficult in Tagaytay, so I take mine 40km to Alabang in the South Metro - it's really worth it.
Don't underestimate the need to go there.

seernai
  5/28/2016 06:12 EST

Hi I live in Davao Area on Mindanao on a subdivision in Mintal with Mat Apo overlooking it's a Beautiful spot regarding transport we have access to 24 transport from trikes to Jeepney type vehicles and the mini busses which have a terminal on the site I guess it all depends where you live also the 911 service here is second to none in the Philippines the Ambulance can get to an emergent in 8 mins Davao city has a state of the art 911 centre with cctv cameras all over the city

Walkern
  5/28/2016 06:25 EST

Yes Seemai, I was impressed by Davao when we visited a few years ago. As I say, you have to be in or close to an urban area if you don't have your own transport here.
The problem in Tagaytay is that the majority of residences in the first class subdivisions are only occupied at weekends, monthly or even just once a year. As I also said, some are never occupied! Either making transport services uneconomic or not allowed as noisy trikes will disturb the weekenders.

seernai
  5/28/2016 07:17 EST

I went to Tagatay In 2006 to the palace in the sky I think it's called your right of course some areas are very remote I guess I'm just lucky here

ACEPoolPlayer
  5/28/2016 07:51 EST

Woodenships,
I'd be very surprised if you could find a good place in the Tagaytay area for 15T a month. I guess it's possible but it depends on what you are getting for 15T. How long and how well do you know your girlfriend? Rosario is the town that you reach when you turn right to go to Baguio on Kennon Rd. That's Rosario junction. It seems strange to me why your girlfriend seems more interested in being in Tagaytay than one hour away from family members. Although Tagaytay is only maybe 200 miles away, during the day Tagaytay would have to be a 6-8 drive from Rosario (hot, tiring, long). It would be faster to live in other areas of the Philippines, then fly into Clark when you want to visit your in laws a few times a year. You need to get to know your girlfriend better. Ask her straight and find out what her real motives are. Sorry for being blunt but I'm trying to help you.

woodenships11
  5/28/2016 11:44 EST

Ace PP: I have known my GF since 12/15. We met on line. Filipina Cupid. She has been in Hong Kong for nearly 3-years as an Elder Care Giver. Her charge is 110-yrs old.Chines woman. We SKYPE 2-3 times a day. She is hardly a player, She has 12-hours off a week. 7A to 7P on Thursdays.With her wages she has built her elderly parents a small place on the land where she was born. As an OFW(?) she has seen more of the world than her 5-sibling farm hands. She wants more I think. I think she wants Rosario in her rear view mirror. She has never married and has no children. Her last relationship was 5-years ago.When I knew I was moving to PH. I signed on for Fil. com. I'm not Brad Pitt and I was deluged with messages (100 +). Rosie was not one (she is 37, I'm 68). I saw her and pursued her. We connected. Movies, music. She has never dated an American. Her English is not great which concerns me but we do OK. We're going to give it a go. She would be fine with Baguio but she loves Tagaytay and thinks it a special place. Feel free to pick it apart. I'm all ears. Thanks.

Walkern
  5/28/2016 15:48 EST

Tagaytay to Rosario is around 200 miles by road. Not too taxing by car as it's mostly on expressways (SLEX/NLEX). The difficult bit is the tedious haul up EDSA. We went to Baguio that way 2 weeks ago, setting off early. Maybe about 6 or 7 hours to Rosario. Obviously going by bus it's going to take a day - you would have to change at Cubao, Quezon City.
I'm in my mid 60s and still drive around Luzon, even in Manila - it can be stressful at times but so can riding (and waiting around for) long distance public transport here. My advice is to look for a cheap second hand car, then you can live a good distance away from the family home, probably a desirable thing anyway. But if it's going to be frequent trips, Woodenships, you just have to live in or near Rosario.
It's not for me, but I do notice a fair few Expats here in Tagaytay use motorbikes for everyday trips. Cheap, you don't get roasted here and they have their advantages in traffic.

BillSmith9
  6/25/2016 00:50 EST

What about LA Union? Saw a new 3 bedroom furnished apartment on the beach for 15,000 pesos per month there.

chance2014
  6/25/2016 09:50 EST

I think LA union is worth looking at really nice beaches there and quite near a large town San Fernando I think

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Philippines GuideLiving in Philippines Guide

The Philippines attracts the interest of expats from all over the world - truly has a lot to offer for a variety of different people. However, it's also important to understand the pitfalls that can be avoided with appropriate homework and preparation.

Philippines Forum Philippines Forum
Join our Philippines forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Philippines.

Contribute to Philippines Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Philippines.

Best Places to Live in Philippines Best Places to Live in Philippines

If you're thinking about living in Philippines, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Philippines in 2023.

Healthcare in PhilippinesHealthcare in Philippines

Expats in the Philippines have a lot to say about the quality of medical care, hospitals, prescription medicine availability and health insurance in the Philippines.

Cost of Living in PhilippinesCost of Living in Philippines

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Philippines.

Moving to PhilippinesMoving to Philippines Guide

Expats moving to the Philippines join others that have moved there for work or a lower cost of living during retirement. It's critical to understand what the realities of living there are, but those that successfully make the adjustment believe it is a good place to live.

Real Estate in PhilippinesReal Estate in Philippines

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Philippines.

Pros Cons of Living in PhilippinesPros & Cons of Living in Philippines

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Philippines.

Retiring in PhilippinesRetiring in Philippines

Advice for people retiring in Philippines.

10 Tips for Living in Philippines10 Tips for Living in Philippines

If you've recently arrived in Philippines, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Philippines.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Philippines Network Contribute
Help others in Philippines by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Philippines.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal