Why Living in Cebu Is Worth a Shot

Right in the heart of Central Visayas lies Cebu — a long and slim island spanning 196 kilometers in length. It is sandwiched between Negros Oriental to the east and Bohol to the west. Aside from the mainland, the province has 167 islands and islets surrounding it.

Cebu is a tourism hotbed, thanks to its multiple tourist destinations. Most of them are hours away from Cebu City, the provincial capital. Fun fact: the city is the country’s first and oldest capital. It (along with two other cities) is not governed under the province because of its political independence.

Are you toying with the idea of living in this bustling province? Allow this entry to paint a picture for you.

Cebuano Culture: A Snapshot

A fair share of Cebuano customs and practices have western roots. Since it was the first Spanish settlement in the country, you’ll find that there are tons of Spanish influences, from the architecture down to the cuisine.

Most Cebuanos place their families atop their personal food chains. This is very much in line with most Filipinos’ views on the family being a safety net. Should you be in a relationship or married to a Cebuana, don’t be surprised if her family heavily involves themselves in the picture.

Religion may not be as big of an influence on modern Cebuanas nowadays, but their families may not practice that leniency. Religious festivals remain ingrained in Cebuano society. One look at the typical crowds during the annual Sinulog festival is enough to tell you that most locals take such feasts seriously.

Most Cebuano families also hold a conservative view on affectionate gestures; their kids may not mind a bit of PDA, but their conservative nature may not be too pleased with such displays. So if you and your partner are in a public space together, you may want to keep your hands to yourselves.

Is Living in Cebu a Good Idea?

If you’re looking for a balance of (manageable) urban chaos and suburban peace, Cebu is your best bet! Allow these compelling perks to convince you that living here is far from a bad idea:

Accessibility

As mentioned in the introduction, Cebu is smack dab in the middle of Central Visayas. Its geographical position makes it a great jump-off point for many places around the country. Do you need to go to Manila? The capital is just an hour-long flight away. Need a getaway from Cebu City’s hustle and bustle? Beach trips and other adventures will only take you a few hours.

The accessibility doesn’t stop there. You can still reach major hospitals, banks, schools, and other relevant institutions with much ease.

Reasonable living expenses

Yes, inflation is currently bad. Since the world turned upside down two years ago, many of us haven’t known financial peace.

As expected of an economic hub, Cebu prices are, well, a bit pricey. Fortunately, though, they’re a little more forgiving compared to Manila. As of writing, the cost of living in the province is 5.29% cheaper than the latter.

Cebu is currently experiencing a residential development boom. If you’re thinking about investing in property here, now would be a great time to do so.

Flexibility

The first benefit talked about Cebu’s accessibility, yes? Thanks to that accessibility, people can be flexible about their lifestyle choices.

There are people who reside in coastal towns for solitude, while others opt to stay in Metro Cebu to be closer to work and leisure. No conundrum is necessary here because these preferences aren’t exclusive from each other; city residents can drive to provinces for brief escapes and vice versa.

Living in Cebu is a wise decision anyone can make. There’s a lot to look out for in this ever-progressing province.