I am a retired american,thinking of an extended visit,I like solitude,pretty beaches and a laid back life style,where should I look.thanks
2007-10-26 13:37:28 · 17 answers · asked by easy 4 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Philippines
If what you seek is "solitude,pretty beaches and a laid back life style", Iligan City is the right place for you ! These links will give you all the details you will seek/need :
http://www.iligancity.ph/
http://iligan.gov.ph/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iligan_City
http://www.iligan.us/
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/explore_phil/place_details.asp?content=description&province=100
Enjoy your extended visit !
2007-10-26 20:16:36 · answer #1 · answered by Indychen 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Most poeple in the Philipines live in the capitol city just because it's the capitol, and therefore provides a lot of government jobs, giving way to other jobs, etc.
The Manila-Quezon City would definatley have the most to do, but I don't know enough about the Filipino culture to judge whether or not their life-style is laid back or not.
As for another place to visit...Spain has a VERY, VERY, laid bock lifestyle, and has beautiful beaches on its east coast. The porblem with Spain is the culture doesn't provide for solitude. The Spanish culture is a partying one. Spain is awsome if you ignore their politics!
2007-10-26 13:48:16 · answer #2 · answered by John G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People usually go to Manila even they live in the provinces primarily because they thought living in Manila would perhaps improve their lives. They might have a point for there are various jobs in Manila. However, getting a decent job isn't that easy for most companies nowadays require their employees to be College graduates. And, since many people live in poverty and they couldn't afford to go schooling they end up living miserable lives in Manila. That's what I guess the reason why people are stuck here in Manila. But that's not the sole reason why they stay in Manila. Reasons could be schooling. I myself has migrated in Manila for my studies. Others could have migrated for reasons like unpleasant surroundings in their provinces that perhaps pushed them to migrate. I could not state all the reasons perhaps you could consult the "Push and Pull" Theory of Migration. It could somehow enlighten you regarding the migration thing. Meanwhile, Philippines is a very beautiful country. Any place would be a beautiful place for vacation. I suggest you could perhaps visit Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Puerto Galera, Surigao, La Union, Baguio, Benguet, Tagaytay, Batanes. You would really love the beaches and the great sceneries there. But I suggest if you are looking for a place to stay for a relatively longer time go for Batanes. It's relatively on the upper portion of the Philippines if you would refer to a map. Their beaches and seashores are best for relaxation. You would also love the ambiance because it hasn't been exploited yet. You could surf the net for more details. Happy vacation!
2007-10-26 16:00:05 · answer #3 · answered by starry night 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should look in the Visayas (middle) in Iloilo or Bacolod.
I am also a retired American USN and have lived in Iloilo for the past 6 years and have family over in Bacolod. It's nothing like the crowded and noisy streets of Manilla and Cebu.
Check out www.exploreiloilo.com
My favorite resort in Bacolod is www.palmas-del-mar.com
There is a nice pension house at the back of the Sarabia Hotel which is clean and safe and you have acess to a swimming pool and lounge included for only P550 a night that has aircon,catv and hw showers. ($300) a month. The Sarabia hotel www.sarabiamanorhotel.com will give you a nice monthly rate if you want something nicer than budget accomidations, but not expensive.
Feel free to e mail me if you'd like to know more.
I am not a travel agent. Just another American who wanted out of the rat race in the states when I retired in 2002.
Paul in Iloilo
2007-10-26 18:07:14 · answer #4 · answered by oneiloilojeepney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're here for a visit, you might want to try the southern part of the philippines, like cebu or bohol for the beaches, or siargao in surigao. palawan is a good choice too. I'm a Filipino and so far the best beach that I went to in my country is in Bantayan Island, Cebu. Pure, unadulterated white sand beach. (",) No night life though but that's more than fine with me and the way of living is very laid back. And the cost is pretty cheap too.
2007-10-26 14:37:38 · answer #5 · answered by bojeje 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of urban sprawl, the large cities might be a heaven for a lot of rural people, and they all head towards the large cities. This is happening all over the world in countries as far as Canada to China. For a good place for sandy beaches and all that, I'd say somewhere near Angel City, Phillipines, Stay away from the prostitutes though.
PS As in reply to Jonathans answer I would like to note that the Terrorist group he is talking about only operates on 1 island somewhere near the Leyte Gulf. There hasn't been a terrorist attack anywhere on the main Phillippines cities in decades.
2007-10-26 13:43:14 · answer #6 · answered by O Smart One 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people DONT live in the Manila area. Granted lots do, but its not the majority of the population!
To those living on subsistence farming, the city is a sort of Shangri-La, but many return to the provinces. Manila is ok to visit as a tourist, but its no fun to live there!
2007-10-29 08:59:19 · answer #7 · answered by Subic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, to be nearer to the city where there are more opportunities for work. Then the city is a-buzz with life and social activities. For the people in rural areas, living in the city means getting a chance to see their favorite movie icons.
If you like peace and seclusion, away from the madding crowd, a house near a beach or atop a mountain is best.
2007-10-26 13:59:15 · answer #8 · answered by annabelle p 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because a lot of the filipinos perceive that is where the best schools are, that is where the best opportunities are, that is where the jobs are & that is where the money is.
if you are an american think of the Philippines as the whole of the US & think of the greater manila area as NYC, LA County, Houston, Chicago, the SF Bay Area, & Washington DC all in one.
a laidback place? definitely not metro manila. but if you prefer to stay as close to it without actually being there, try any of the metro manila suburbs, laguna, batangas, cavite, quezon province, tagaytay, etc.
or one of the islands, such as palawan, mindoro, etc.
2007-10-26 17:54:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We live in the city precisely because we want to provide retirees solitude, pretty beaches, and a laid back lifestyle.
Look at any provincial community near an ocean and you will get your wish. We have 7,107 islands and that is a lot of beaches!
For starters, my personal preference is Batanes. Batanes, to me, is synonymous to solitude, pretty beaches, and laidback lifestyle.
Some photos:
http://www.batanesonline.com/PictureGallery/Laparan/index.htm
2007-10-26 17:48:59 · answer #10 · answered by boyplakwatsa.com 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋