Are you a digital nomad looking for a place to settle outside Manila? Then Davao should be one of the cities you should consider.
Besides Cebu, it is one of the country’s first-class, highly urbanized cities and the largest by land mass. Because of this, there are plenty of opportunities for work from home in Davao.
Aside from being a thriving economic center, there are plenty of things to do while in Davao. These include visiting the nearby beaches and sightseeing. Not only that, but Davao is also one of the county’s safest cities to live in.
Curious to know more? Here are six reasons why Davao is the perfect place for Remote workers to settle into.
Davao Has a More Tranquil Atmosphere Compared to Manila.
Despite being a large and well-developed city, living in Davao is much more peaceful than living in Manila. Since it’s less congested than the capital, there’s also much less traffic here. So if you don’t like long hours of traffic or commuting, this city is the place for you.
Besides having less traffic, Davao is also known as one of the country’s safest cities. The crime rate is low here, and the locals are very orderly and disciplined.
However, don’t mistake this orderliness for dullness. Davao boasts many amenities that Manila has, such as malls and other leisure facilities. And since there’s not much crime here, you’ll feel safer going outside and enjoying yourself.
The Cost of Living Here is Much Cheaper Than in Manila.
Would you believe that living in Davao is much cheaper than living in Manila? On average, the monthly cost of living in Davao is only 598 USD (Php 35,062.53). This is much lower than Manila’s, which is 755 USD (Php 44, 267.92).
This low cost of living means that Davao is the fourth best place to settle in the Philippines, according to livingcost.org. A low cost of living provides you with a higher surplus of income you can put away or invest for the future.
Davao is Very Close to Nature.
If you’re looking to commune with nature while working from home, Davao’s the place for you. The King City of the South boasts close proximity to mountain ranges, forests, and beaches where you can unwind. Examples include Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest mountain, and Samal Island.
For animal lovers, you can visit the Davao Crocodile Park and Philippine Eagle Foundation. The former is considered one of the most popular destinations in Davao, and features a “state of the art” crocodile farming system. You can even purchase bags and other accessories made from the shed skin of the snakes housed in the park.
The latter is home to thirty-six critically endangered Philippine Eagles, eighteen of which were bred while in captivity. Both also promote animal conservation and awareness by providing educational programs to their visitors.
Easy Access to Transport and Travel Facilities.
For those who miss going to Manila; or traveling in general, there are plenty of ways to travel outside Davao. It only takes two hours to travel from Manila to Davao and vice versa, assuming you’re traveling by air. The Davao International Airport also allows you to fly abroad without going to Manila.
And within the city, there are plenty of taxis, buses, and other public transportation you can use to move around. The fare here is also much cheaper, and combining this with less traffic, moving around here is much easier than in Manila.
It’s Much Less Vulnerable to Typhoons.
Part of living in the Philippines is experiencing typhoons. However, Davao lies far from the country’s tropical storm belt and experiences warm weather most of the year. It still experiences rain; but it’s not as intense as in other provinces.
In addition, Davao’s geographical position means that in the case a typhoon passes by it, it won’t be as damaging. Mountain ranges surround Davao and act as a natural barrier against the rain.
The Internet in the Area is Fast and Stable.
When discussing places to move to as a remote worker, we shouldn’t neglect talking about internet speed and stability. In Davao, the fastest internet provided remains PLDT, with top upload and download speeds of 70.06 Mbps and 71.50 Mbps, respectively.
However, more efforts are underway to further improve Davao’s internet stability. Two more internet cables, one by Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and the other by PLDT, are being set up in Davao. This will help improve the internet speed and reliability in the area. If you’re traveling, you should consider getting pocket wifi, just in case.
See What the Crown Jewel of Mindanao Has to Offer.
Davao has plenty to offer remote workers looking for a place to settle down away from the hustle and bustle of Manila. A more tranquil atmosphere, lower cost of living, easy access, and close proximity to nature are just a few of what it has to offer.
If you’re planning to move to Davao and need an online job, head to Remote Staff. Our list of jobs is regularly updated with new ones, so you won’t run out of opportunities. Good luck!
