Wanna be my neighbor?
Over the past month or two, you may have noticed that I’ve posted a lot of photos and articles about Samal Island. Have you wondered why? Or, did you already guess why that was? I haven’t really said why because of reasons that will be pretty obvious, but today I am ready to explain why. You see, my wife and I just purchased a piece of land on Samal. We will build our dream house there, and in the future we will move to Samal and (semi)retire there.
Back in November or December of 2006, my wife started telling me that she wanted to get some land on Samal. I wasn’t really enthralled with Samal at the time. I liked the place, but had not really thought about actually living there. Well, my wife got me to go there a few times, and we visited some nice places on the island, and I was sold! When Christmas rolled around, I decided to give my wife, as a gift, a piece of land in Samal. Basically, I made a note to her telling her that she could choose a piece of land and we would buy it, wrapped it and put it under the tree. So, just after Christmas her search began.
My wife had some contacts with people on Samal who had land, knew where land was for sale, or were in the business of real estate. She put her contacts to work, and she toured a number of different pieces of land there. After she chose some that she liked, she took me to go look and help her make the final decision. For about a month now, we have already chosen the land that we intended to purchase, but we just made all the final preparations for it, had it surveyed, had it cleared so that we could really see it well, etc. I didn’t want to let the cat out of the bag until we had actually signed the papers, though, for fear that somebody else might pick up the land ahead of us. But, Feyma signed the papers this week, and now I am able to tell more.
This is the view from the land that we just purchased!
The land that we purchased is in Limao, which is about 3 or 4 kilometers south of the Ferry landing. You may have read some of my posts about the Samal White House, as it is called. The land that we purchased is just about 200 meters behind the White House, and up on a little higher ground. We actually purchased 7 lots, which basically gives us the whole block, completely surrounded by roads. This is view property, and by purchasing all 7 lots on the block, nobody can build a house that would block our view. Speaking of the view, it is really a spectacular view of the Gulf of Davao, and the City. I just can’t wait until the day that I can wake up in the morning with that view in sight!
There is only one downside to all this, and that is that we won’t be able to actually live there for about 10 years. You see, our youngest child will be graduating high school in 10 years time, and living out on Samal Island is just not practical until he finishes school. So, this will give us a lot of time to just slowly build the house without major outlays of cash at one time, which is good. We will probably put up something kind of small where we can go and stay for the weekend or something for now, or in the near future, though.
Do you think you would want to purchase land like this? There are still quite a few good lots left in this particular place. If you’re interested, you could be our neighbor! Just e-mail me and I can fill you in on more details, if you like. I will say that, in my opinion, the price of the lots is quite reasonable. The landowner is a very honest guy, and very easy to deal with too. We looked at a lot of land on the island, and found nothing that compares to this. Basically, in my opinion, if you are going to live on Samal or a similar place you are looking for one of two things – either beachfront property or view property. If it’s view property that you are looking for, you won’t do much better than this!
Ah, Samal dreaming!
Bob,
That looks like a fantastic view you have from the land you just bought in Samal. A place like that is definitely something I would consider for myself when I retire.
Can you fill me in on the following? 1. What is the current price for land in that area? 2. Is electric power available in that place? 3. Is potable water readily available? 4. How about personal safety? That place and its vicinity must be dark at night with your neighbors so far away. Are the police in Samal responsive to calls for help? 5. Are there medical facilities nearby?
Thanks and congratulations for a great breakfast view sometime in your future.
Hi Bob,
Heaven! Congratulations to you and Feyma. You guys are really doing the best out of your lives. I am very happy to see that mixed marriages are really functioning. More power Bob to you and Feyma and I wish you all the best of GOOD LUCK in this World.
Hi Samuel – I will e-mail you privately about the price. I don’t really want to advertise the price publicly on the blog.
Electricity is already available at the site.
Water is right now about 200 meters away, but the IGACOS water company will extend the City water to the lots as soon as 3 houses are built there. I don’t think it will take long.
Personal safety is really not a worry on Samal. There are not really any criminal elements on the island. Honestly, I don’t know about police response, but this is really not a worry to me, as it is a very peaceful area.
There are indeed medical facilities on the island. Also, a water ambulance is available if the need is present.
Thanks for your comments, Samuel.
Letty – thanks for your congratulations! I agree with your very first word – it’s HEAVEN there!
Hi Bob & Feyma,
Beautiful piece of property, I was in Davao one month Jan. 16 to Feb. 16th looking for a property to buy to build our vacation home & also considering a small farm, you see Bob we like to have lots of privacy too having lived in British Columbia south coast in an acreage, my husband who still work at present & myself he couldn’t get away that long at that time so I came to Davao to look with my older sis. & younger bro. of course who came with me whenever they can to search for the property, I put down a deposit on a property in Maa- Magtuod a very prominent subdivision there, but after reading all so much restriction my husband & I decided to cancell the transaction so for now our search is frozen until this coming winter when we could travel together again to search for that property, if you have same view of another property in that area an acre or two we would absolutely be interested to purchase it if the price is right “reasonable” I want an honest deal of course, two years ago my husband & I stayed at Isla Reta, a local fellow who took us with his boat around the island was trying to sell us some water front property but we were not serious about it then & the price we find it a bit high, I can give you a contact no. of my younger bro. Roger or older sis. Fely who can take a look at the property, mind you we can only come to Davao this winter, anyways get back to me on this. Appreciate it.
Thanks
Hi Edith – thanks for leaving your comment. I am curious… the subdivision that you were considering before, was it Woodridge? I used to live there, and my feelings came out about the same as your husband.
There are other view properties there where we bought in Limao, Samal. I will say, though, that we were lucky and got the best view property of the whole subdivision. But, other properties there have nice views too, and I consider the price to be pretty reasonable. If one of your family wants to look at the land, my wife and I would be happy to take them and show them, then put them in touch with the man who owns the property. Just let me know.
Hi Bob,
Congratulations to you and Feyma! I knew it!!! I knew something was up as you kept going to Samal with Feyma. The view is awesome! I’m looking forward to the house warming 10 years from now. I’m invited, am I not?
Hi Tina – Of course you are invited! However, based on a little information I have heard…. I have a feeling that your housewarming might be ahead of ours, and in the same area too!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reply, I will get in touch with my family
& they can contact the owner of the land, It’s Monteritz
subdivision that we look, mind you I’ve seen lots of property,
I wasn’t quite sure of Samal.
Now I might be considering it.
Thanks again.
Bob and Feyma, warmest congratulations on this wise investment decision from Gina and I, when we read the story we were so pleased for you, we are just talking about it now, and looking at the photo of the view, and we said “OOOOOHHHH” very nice, since we just did the same ourselves in Bacolod City, we know how you must be feeling, good luck with everything.
Hi Peter and Gina – thanks for your warm thoughts! You have a little advantage, though. Since you are half way around the world from Bacolod, you can avoid temptation. For us, we want to go out to Samal everyday and just look around, enjoy the place, meet neighbors in the area, etc.
Hi bob, what a wonderful view..I will visiting davao city and looking for a property specially in Samal island, please let me know how much the price per lot, I’m planning to visit Kaputian Beach Property..but if the place you have now is better i might take a look also. I wil be arriving in the Philippines April 09, from San francisco, Ca. Thanks and my best regards!
[...] few days ago, I announced the big news on my other blog: We bought a piece of land on Samal Island, which is in the Gulf of Davao. We [...]
Hi bob i am adel from GSC and i am so sorry but i dont know where to send you an email. and i think in this blog you can give me your email add.
Anyway i just wana ask if you have a map of General SAntos City going to Cagayan de Oro. Because we are having trip and we dont have any map to check when we travel… … If you do have BOb will you share it to me.. this is my email add birdcagee@yahoo.com please please thank you so much BOb..
respectfully yours
adel
NICE VIEW BOB, IS THERE MORE LOTS AROUND LIKE THAT ? WE HAVE A LOT
THERE TWO I DONT KNOW WERE THOU. I CAN SEND YOU A PHOTO AND MAYBE
YOU MIGHT KNOW WERE. YA 10 YRS OUR KIDS WILL BE GONE AND WE WILL
MOVE TOO. MY WIFE RUBE IS FROM OREQUITA CITY NOT A GOOD PLACE TO
ROAM AROUND FOR A FORIEGNER. I HAVE BEEN THERE SERVAL TIME EXCEPT
FOR 1 TIME TO SAMAL JUST TO THE RESORTS. I BEEN WORKING ON PLANS
FOR MY HOME AS WELL. BUT KEEPING IN MIND IF I FIND BETTER I WILL
BUY. I HERE SAMAL IS GOOD FOR FORIEGNERS HOPE THAT IS TRUE. I LIKE THE
PLACE ITS NOT BUSY LIKE DAVAO AND THE RESORTS ARE JUST A MOTOR SCOUTER
AREOUND THE BEND.
Hi Dan – thanks for leaving your comment, nice to hear from you! It sounds like we are on similar paths toward our ultimate retirement place of Samal! Yes, additional lots are available in the area where we bought. If you are interested just click on the link at the top of the page where it says “Contact Bob Martin” and send me an e-mail.
Yes indeed, Samal is very Foreigner-Friendly! You should love it there!
Hi Sir Bob,
Is there any means to communicate with you? ‘Am not sure if this mesage of mine will reach to you. You know Sir, my family is planning to relocate to Mindanao comes this May 2007 and so I need some information regarding the place. I was very thankful I found your website and I know it will be of great help to me concerning the relocation and more!
‘Am hoping very much to hearing from you soon to give me feedback.
Thanks a lot and God bless you more!
Emely Bade
ems_bade@yahoo.com
(632)640-9134 / (632)642 9097
Hi Bob,
First, Allow me to congratulate ur new success w/ ur wife.
Having read all above comments, i found the place interesting especially it is a foreigner friendly place. I am interested in purchasing a lot in Samal island. Can you please drop me some line regarding prices and other details.
Looking forward your reply.
Amanda
mnd_diong@yahoo.com
0-0974-5901454
Doha,Qatar
Bob I envy you and Fema for being able to explore Marawi I was born there 65 yrs. ago and I had been there only twice my life hope to revisit the place one of these days. Thank you for the beautiful pictures! Keep up the good work I see your site every single morning before I start my work. Kind of miss it if I don’t.
Hi Lee Bee – thanks for posting your comment! Always nice to know that there are a few readers out there! Have a nice day at work!
Hi..I,m trying to contact you Bob, but i cannot find anywhere on your website where u actually show you e.mail adress and trying via your ‘contact us’ does not seam to work.
I have a question which i would ask you to answer based on your knowlege etc.
I,m coming to Philippines and want to get to Bislig City. Please advise best, safest, quickest, method etc in order to acheive that objective.
Thanks
Richard
I,m not sure what e.mail address will show up for you when i submit this form , so just in case, please reply to:
richard.backhouse@thales-ts.com
I will arrive in Davao soon. I have only one day. not enough to do very much.
Do you have any suggestions? Do we need local guide? My associate will be traveling with me, as you will see Pete in my webpage.
We came to do some site inspections and take a few pictures. I will be bringing a few Canadians back to do some sight seeing in the Philippines in November 2007. I want to get more Canadians visiting the Philippines, even many Canadian Philippinos have seen very little.
If you are available at this time we could share a coffee or a beer.
Best Wishes, Philip
Hi Philip – You don’t really need a guide, there is plenty to do and see in Davao, and no guide would really be needed. Here are some suggestions:
If you are looking for beach type environment, go to Samal Island and visit a resort there. My recommendation would be for Chema’s by the Sea resort there. You will have a wonderful time at most any of the resorts there.
If you would enjoy mountain type environment take a ride up to Bukidnon Province and see the splendor of the Mountains. It is about 2 hours from Davao City.
You can visit the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos District, or Malagos Garden in Calinan.
These are just a few suggestions, I hope you enjoy your trip! Look me up and we’ll do that coffee!
Bob
Aloha! Hello Bob, nice piece of lot there. I wish I can buy a lot in samal. I was looking at buying at Limao but my wife already start complaining. We already have one lot in Fuente villa abrille, one at orange groove and two at las palmas buhangin. We wish to build houses then rent it someday so we dont have to work here at states. I look at your site everyday and enjoyed reading your blogs and pictures. I must say that I give you and Feyma lots of credits for being able to live there. Everytime I go back to davao I always end up empty pocket so I am forced to go back to hawaii. I hope to start building next year and finish the four houses in ten years time if we are lucky. Thats our plan. I hope and pray to be able to move back there within the next 10 years or so. Thanks for this site and I wish you and your family more success and happiness.
Hi Jeff – You do have a few properties around Davao! I find Samal so peaceful, though! I love the place, Feyma and I were up there yesterday with some friends.
I actually find it so very easy to make a living here in the Philippines. I feel that it’s easier to make money here than it is in the USA. Everybody is different though, I understand that!
Hi Bob and Feyma,
Congratulations!, Wow! what a stunning and breathtaking view of the entire island!. Feyma did good and made quick decision before someonelse must have chosen the same. Trust a woman’s instinct!. Feyma is indeed lucky to have a sweet husband like you Bob!…for giving her a gift like that!. Reminds me of our beachfront prop in Guimaras Island, Iloilo City my husband surprisingly bought for me as anniversary present in 2000 as we plan to build in the near future one of our retirement haven(hopefully 2010). Good luck!
Hi Ida – Thanks for your comment. We are quite excited about our place in Samal! We are planning to head over there later today!
Hi! Bob as I read email messages of yours especially that of Mr. Andersen seeking certain 665 restaurant here in Butuan City or in Bayugan.I immediately replied out of concern.
Yes there is 265 restaurant not 665 here. And it is found here in Butuan City. Please dont be confused because Butuan City is Agusan del Norte and Bayugan now a component city is in Agusan del Sur some 49 kilometers away from Butuan.
This is all for now as you are not replying anymore. Sorry to disturb you. This will be my last e-mail to you.
I have sent stories to you early morning Sunday as promised. I have not seen it posted I hope you can check and verify truthfulness of it if you want
The issue of armed conflict in Caraga Region is not actually threats of communism but lack of government concerned to the plight of marginalized few.
Vested interest by few including shrewd politicians and businessmen have further brought social injustice by monopolizing everything from business to politics.
Thank you Bob and more power to you and your family! God Bless! Very truly yours, Ben Serrano
[...] few days ago, I announced the big news on my other blog: We bought a piece of land on Samal Island, which is in the Gulf of Davao. We [...]