TBK Travels - Where to live in Palawan?

The 14 km beach at St Vicente

When I first stayed in Palawan in 2013 it was in Puerto Princessa and I loved the shallow long sandy beaches . Here the kite surfers practiced their tricks in the strong offshore winds and you could look at the crabs running on the sand. 

 

The beach by the Microtel in Puerto with Drew , Ritchelle, Kobe and JP

However the city itself I found too busy and crowded. The following year I headed North to El Nido which was crowded even then with boats and backpackers. However along the coast at El Nido Cove there was a quiet beach to walk on and at that stage Lio beach was not built on. El Nido town got very polluted and was threatened with closure in 2018 by the Philippines President. In 2019 Ayala  closed El Nido Cove . I ventured out of town to Sibaltan and Nacpan which both had long unspoiled beaches back then. 

One of my dream houses-  at Sibaltan on the beach

Now ruined by neighboring chalets

At Sibaltan I fell in love with a newly built house on the beach and in 2020 it went up for sale for 4 million Pesos. When I finally got the pictures it was surrounded by huts. If I am paying 4 million pesos I don't want people next to me, sorry!

Next in 2018 I headed south to Port Barton where one of the waiters from Cove had set up a restaurant. It had a sleepy feel to it back then. No electricity at night, limited Wi-Fi, dirt streets , and a few restaurants by the beach. I returned in 2020 to find power 24/7 and many people staying here rather than El Nido. The streets had been concreted, a new highway to reach Port Barton was underway, and Dam Dams restaurant was surrounded by accommodation units, and there was the sound of construction work everywhere. Sadly Typhoon Odette destroyed much of that in 2021 and everywhere was closed by COV 19 in 2020.

Dam Dams at Port Barton as it used to be, now its on the main concreted road

Next stop was St Vicente- 14 km of sandy beaches, one hotel, no restaurants, Wi-Fi or AC, and again dirt track roads at Long beach. The hotel owner sent me details of many beach front lots but the price was exorbitant . The last one he sent was:

"5000 sqm Beachfront in Kemdeng 7800 per sqm Titled 35 meters frontage 15 to 20 mins from San Vic Airport 30 mins to Port Barton." 

I definitely need one of these- the lot at St Vicente is just 39 million pesos!

5000 sq Meters x 7800 pesos per square meters is 39 million pesos! 

(592,000GBP or 290,000 BHD) and that's just for the land. 

It is on the beach and between two small airports with direct flights to Manila

I had already been told when I was offered the Sibaltan property that I could build a castle for 4 million pesos and it was expensive . That was for a beach front house!

Paul warned me to ensure I got title deeds, there are many cons like selling a plot of land but with no access to it

Drew pitched in with details of some Condos and Apartments in Puerto ( the only thing as an expat that I can legally by, but as usual its hard to tell what a place is like form a few photos of trees!

So in the end I decided to rent when I move there in 2022 and do a more detailed search actually visiting the properties. Chester suggested making a list of "Must Haves"  and taking the time to find what I really want.

Nacpan has already started to become overdeveloped with a once empty beach now having 3 hotels and a glamping site . Port Barton is on the way to being ruined , and El Nido has long been ruined. Sibaltan is still a possibility as is the area south of Puerto ( Nara and Aborlan). There are also lots of villages to the North of Puerto like Santa Lourdes where I stayed on my last vacation at LVF .

Do I buy a plot of land, with help from a Filipino and then design and build my dream house over many years? I have been advised by those who have done this (Paul and Beth at  LVF) that this is a long slow process and Palawan lacks high quality builders . There are several examples of shoddy workmanship on the Robertson homes sites! Or do I buy a ready made house?

Al I know is based on having owned my own homes in the UK from 1986 to 2004 and then being in rented or company accommodation from 2004 to 2022 that I want to retire to my own house . There I can do what I want. Also I want a party place where I can entertain my many friends from around the world with their families in my retirement. 

So we need 3 bedrooms, a huge kitchen dining area and lots of space outside for Barbacues in the summer. In the garden I need storage areas for my gardening things, bike, boat, Kayak etc and we need to be by the sea. I hate cities, I want peace and quiet.Having lived in the Middle East for 12 years I need all the luxuries of life that I take for granted like AC, heating, running hot water, Wi-Fi, good roads, close to an airport , shops etc. and as I get older good medical care nearby. 

Am I asking too much? I guess only time will tell! 

Until I find somewhere- this is the British Kubayan, signing out

Ingat, Kita kits xx

Love my newest Blog footer from Chester- what will be dress me up in next??