samtheman40

Siargao vs Siquijor which is a better island to live on?
I am from the U.K. and married to a Filipina. We decided to move to Siargao February last year. We decided to move there full time and we bought some land there with the plan to build a house on that land. Then as most of you probably know the Siargao got destroyed in the cyclone just b4 Christmas. So we packed up with our 2 dogs abs 2 cats abs cane to Manila just b4 NYE. But it’s very hard to get an apartment in Manila that’s pet friendly so we are now living in Subic.
about an hour ago I googled best islands in the Philippines to live on and SIquijor was one that was recommended.
any ideas if we just wait a year and then build our home in Siargao once the island is back to some sort of normality or if we should cut our losses with Siargao and try Siquijor? Which is a better island. As we are both in our 40’s we just want the chilled out beach quiet lifestyle.
any info would be great.

Gazza-d

Siquijor is definitely laid back but watch out for the witches that infest the island.

samtheman40

But which is better place to live Siargao or Siquijor?

Stokkevn

Wherever you decide, ensure it is at least 2 islands away from any in-laws.

Gazza-d

As siargao is currently a complete mess I'd go for Siquijor. I've not been to Siargao but did enjoy the day trip around Siquijor. I would suspect anything more than basic services wou!d require a trip to Dumageute.

Raffin

OP...if I might say so you're asking an impossible question of people here. Not because only one person so far has said he has even visited one of your two options, but because the decision as to where as an Expat you decide to live in this country is a very personal one. They prioritise different things and you have just experienced in Siargao that buying land somewhere, building etc involves a higher element of risk in this country, compared with say in the UK or NZ. As Gazza has implied continuing there has suddenly become difficult, even pointless and will be more expensive than you thought just a few months ago. What risks you are prepared to take is something only you can decide.

I would just say that Siquijor would be at higher risk from typhoons than Siargao, based on data prior to Odette. It actually got off lightly from Odette...but. much of nearby Bohol did not. Are these historical typhoon records as useful now with climate change? Maybe not, but all we have.

Another reason why you're not getting much help here is that you were recently here before...then asking us to compare Siargao and Palawan. Useful comments were made about Palawan. What about that island now? It was also badly hit by Odette. Your last post there talked about serious medical investigations. You didn't tie up that thread. Not the only OP who has recently not done that, but now you have started another. .Are we now to assume you are in A1 health as you are considering a small island?

There are many quiet places in the Philippines where you can live near a beach. They all come with a variety of risks and rewards and while people on forums like this can sometimes usefully comment and advise on some aspects how you balance them is down to you. So if you think Siquojor is really for you rent there for a while, as you did in Siargao, assess, then either leave or start to build. Only then report back here... if you want.

But please don't start another thread here "X v Y".

I know it's not quite the same thing but it shows that here people are forced to live by the sea, whereas for many Expats it's the opposite. A bit funny to me.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/11/...ve-along-coast

freebie

After 5 trips to the great island of Siquijor have yet to see hear experience a witch or anything else of that ilk.... its a story thats perpetuated about Siquijor without any merit at all...... I would choose Siquijor but remember as with all islands, you are at the mercy of ferries....however with Dumaguete on the mailand and its medicl facilities you would be able to get much better attention than Siargao.

britishbull

As well as typhoons there is also rising sea levels, if one does not get you the other may. Had a sudden vision of building a house on hydraulic stilts so you can burrow downwards into the ground for typhoons and regally ascend upwards if it floods out, no doubt with half the locals hanging on to the structure.

Raffin

Sea level rise here may well be well above the global average. If you want to use a local beach for many years you may well see happen what we recently did at a resort in Bicol over a long period. At high tide no beach at all.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/...global-average

Philosophical 11

I think the real answer is to visit each place and make up your own mind after getting first hand experience. Choosing a place to live permanently is a big decision and should not be left to well meaning opinions of others. Best of luck with your choice...