7 Reasons Why You Should Move to Davao

Samal Island, Davao

What makes a beautiful city?  What makes people want to live in them?

The French tend to lounge in cafés or have picnics as a weekly routine because the entire city of Paris is filled with squares and parks that encourage this lifestyle. 

The metro station is cheap, efficient and is located  every 10 minutes from where you are, so people don’t normally own cars.

But we live in the Philippines, and the more I travel, the more I get to appreciate what’s local in our country. 

Some say Davao is the city that is often “almost there”, but not quite, because the commercial spaces aren’t as many or the malls aren’t as grand. 

But maybe this is because Davao City has a different standard of what a thriving city needs to look like.

I think a city is most beautiful when it plays to its strengths, when it is more local. 

Not all cities have to look the same. Otherwise, there is no fun in traveling if everywhere looks like New York or everywhere is just like Metro Manila.

I may be entirely biased because I live in Davao, but here are 7 reasons why I think you should move to Davao City:

1. In Davao City, there is enough for everybody.

Let me explain.

If you’ve ever lived in Metro Manila, then you will come to understand a certain vibe that requires you to be extra alert and on your toes all the time, like you could get mugged if you’re walking absent-mindedly.

The gap between those who can afford and those who scrape for food is very wide in such cities and you will notice this right away when you visit BGC and Quiapo. 

When I say people from Davao have “enough”, this is not so much about what they own or how much they have, but more about how people think and behave in social situations.

They act like people who live comfortable lives, who eat well and have a good education. They act like they have “enough” regardless of their social status.

You will see this in the streets. Try taking a taxi in Davao City and 9 out of 10 times, taxi drivers will always give back change.  

Honest taxi drivers are rampant in Davao City and it is rare that you will come across one who is up to no good.

People don’t feel the need to double-cross anyone or drive a knife into someone’s throat to earn money because they are not desperate.

Davaoeños generally have a lighthearted approach to life and foster a different view on wealth, 

2. In Davao City, your children can enjoy playing outdoors.

When we think of building a city, we often hear of things like urban planning, zoning, commercial spaces and offices and also making space for people to live among giant concrete towers.

Maybe, in this regard, Davao City is a bit backwards. Because in Davao City, homes are built for people first, and then it makes space for offices and commercial buildings. 

I once found it really awkward when I was asked by a vet if I had cat litter at home. I did not understand right away because I lived in an old house with a big backyard where an even older star apple tree stood with its branches looming over us. 

The cats merely scratched the earth beneath the tree to relieve themselves. I did not understand the concept of cat litters.

Now, don't get me wrong.  Davao is still a city with all the amenities, but I will tell you what it’s not. 

It’s not an urban sprawl.

A typical home in Davao will have either a front yard or backyard, a tree and some flowering plants, just like in the province.

Playing outdoors is still a thing and when we say “immersive experience”, I mean sitting under the shade of a tree, or climbing it, and watching the birds fight over fruit among the branches.

The streets are calmer, so the youngest members of society can still ride their bikes, pluck flowers from someone’s garden, play all day in the sun and just maintain their connection with nature.

3. Davao City is voted the safest city in the Philippines.

Those who come to Davao for the first time might say that there are too many “don'ts” or that the city is too strict with the laws and their implementation.

There’s a strict liquor ban from 1am-8am, a firecracker ban, a curfew for minors starting 10pm, an ordinance against leaving your bag unattended in public places, an ordinance against nuisance or annoying behavior, and a no-smoking ordinance, among others. 

But if you’ve lived in Davao City long enough, you will come to appreciate the safety of walking alone at night without fear of bad elements. 

You can safely approach a random stranger for directions and you don’t need to be as guarded.

As parents, you can have some level of security when your teenagers go out with their friends knowing the streets are drug-free, alcohol-free and nuisance-free.

While I generally don’t like rules, I must say I like those that make a city safe and livable.

The local government has a strong hold over the city and the Duterte’s are infamous throughout the entire country for being stern and unapologetic. 

Their ways are sometimes ruthless when it comes to crime prevention, but it is this kind of “iron fist” leadership that has made the city a desirable dwelling place for many locals. 

4. In Davao City, you  can start a small business.

The heart of Davao is local. 

And if you’re an artisan or one that makes things by hand, then you have a very good chance of starting an “evergreen" business in this beautiful city.

I have seen how big food chains come and go, and with a few that are still around today.

And this is not necessarily a matter of price point, because some of the most expensive restaurants in Davao can still be fully booked if you don’t call ahead for a reservation.

The kids adore Jollibee and McDonald's, of course, and you can barely get a seat at Vikings, especially on weekends. But the majority prefer curated things, not mass-produced items.

It is not uncommon for private homes doubling as eateries (“carinderia”), or organic farms also operating as restaurants. 

There is a charm to rustic things and family-owned businesses are the ones that thrive in Davao.

5. In Davao City, the people are well-mannered.

Pushing and shoving is not how things are done in Davao. 

You will have to wait your turn. 

People in Davao tend to have a pleasant outlook on life, one that is not marred too much by a difficult life that you commonly see in big cities.

Most locals are happy with very little or when the basics are covered.

And as a general statement, people tend to aspire to an alternative barometer of success and wealth.

And because people are not stressed by the need to achieve lofty ambitions, they have time to “stop and smell the roses”, so to speak.

There is a manner of speaking and interacting with each other that is raw, simple, neither calculating nor pretentious. 

6. In Davao City, your money can go a long way.

The average cost of living in Davao is Php32,000, which is in the top 19% of the least expensive cities in the world, ranked 7542nd out of 9294 in the global list and 29th out of 86 in the Philippines. 

Rent and accommodation is relatively affordable in Davao City.

But the real reason that your family can live a better quality of life for less is because of the lifestyle of Davaoeños , which you can also adopt once you become a member of society.

Society has a way of dictating how individuals live, and Davaoeños are generally practical people who value a comfortable home more than outward appearances.

People in Davao can appreciate nice things and clothes, but will not spend on these at the expense of having warm food on the table.

It is easy to be happy with less if you live in Davao City, because society does not require you to live up to a certain standard. 

In highly urbanized areas, families may spend more on weekends because the easiest places to visit are malls and movie theaters, and recreation tends to be geared towards buying things.

But Davao is not that kind of city. 

This is not the city you go to for shopping or visiting immersive museums. 

Instead, families in Davao go on boat trips to Samal island, have a nice Sunday picnic at Eden Nature park, visit Malagos garden or just indulge in the many pleasures of being close to nature.

7. Davao City’s 911 is the first of its kind in Asia to offer free emergency assistance completely free of charge.

Davao City’s 911 is not only free, it is also the most efficient, and can be reached by any mobile or landline. 

And depending on your location, the average response time is 5 to 10 minutes for medical emergencies. 

The Davao Central 911 uses Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (ECAD) that enables the authorities to locate the distress calls and respond to callers during emergency situations. 

And when we say emergency situations, it can be anything from childbirth, people falling off a ravine, road accidents, houses on fire and bomb threats among others.

Central 911 is equipped with amphibious vehicles, k9 units and ambulance buses that act like a mobile hospital and can cater for up to 15 patients at a time.

Central 911 is also interconnected with telecommunications firms such as PLDT, Globe and Smart to enable easy access via mobile phone. 

In conclusion, Davao may seem like a city that is “nearly there” but not quite, but this is only from a land developer’s perspective.

While considering the importance of commercialization, Davao does not “pave paradise to put up parking lots”. 

And while finding your place in this world can seem like a lifelong task, you can start by defining what a good life looks like for you.

Maybe a city where your children can play, where people are friendly and honest and where mothers and fathers can earn a decent living is what a good place might look like for you.