Moving to Davao, Philippines

Summary: Moving to Davao, Philippines? DATASENTENCE Expats talk about what you need to know before moving to Davao.

What do I need to know before moving to Davao?

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When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Davao, they said:

"You can view homes on line! Contracts are usually in English, Most people are polite here. So be polite. Put yourself in their place. They are trying to make a living, too. Choose a place with security. When you find a side of town you prefer, drive around the neighborhood. Our first year everyone on our street had dogs and chickens. Very noisy at night. Subdivisions and condos have animal laws so you can get some sleep," explained one expat living in Davao , Philippines.

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How do I find a place to live in Davao?

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We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"We found a corner 2br condo (pool) on facebook under Davao House Rent. The neighborhood is central to most things; malls, easy taxi service, resto’s, Security is a must. Remember expats cannot own land. That is important if you are going to build," said another expat in Davao .

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Davao?

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"Fairly typical for city life; 2br condo, weight room, pool, kiddie pool, wifi, AC, hot water, furnished, elevators. Most expats have either a decent condo with amenities, build/buy a house or rent in subdivisions. Some choose the subdivisions with clubhouse and pool. Those are more room, usually also furnished with wifi. We had a house for a year. It was nice but more money and it usually takes a car. That means driver's license at the DMV (LTO here), insurance, repairs, gas and all the other goodies. You can taxi anywhere in Davao for $5. It's a consideration," remarked another expat who made the move to Davao .

What is the average cost of housing in Davao?

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If you are thinking about moving to Davao, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"Housing costs run about 40% of US prices and are usually furnished with linens and silverware (flatware). Most have a few cups and plates to get you going, a rice cooker, micro, fridge and a pot and pan are almost always included! We buy a few things as we need them," commented one expat who made the move to Davao .

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Should I buy or rent a home in Davao?

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If you have not spent a lot of time in Davao, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision:

"Bought a nice 2 bedroom home, but the title had liens dating back to 1965 so it was not conveyed. We have a lawyer working on that who will petition the court to expunge these encumbrances and issue a new clean title," remarked another expat who made the move to Prudential Village, Daliao, Davao City.

What should I pack when moving to Davao?

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We asked people living in Davao to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded:

"Wish I had brought: Golf clubs, Ecco shoes, long sleeve polos, a few decent wide brimmed hats, and golf shoes (really). Wish I had left: Scuba gear (no fish, no corals), a few pair of long pants, dress shoes, prescriptions, short sleeve polos," said another expat in Davao .