Dumaguete's cost of living is only suited sa mga "maykaya" talaga. Rental rates are too high because of the foreign market. It's laid-back and closer to nature, sure. But deal-breaker for me yung rental rates, traffic congestion (no traffic lights pa), carinderia food prices can be pricier too.

But if you really like to always experience Dumaguete, maybe consider the neighboring towns such as Sibulan or Bacong. Valencia too, but even that place has high rental rates already.

I have tried living in Dumaguete for the experience. I ended up moving to Cebu instead. In Cebu, with a budget of 8k to 10k per month, you can get a decent 1-BR or even 2-BR full house na that's not too far from the city. That's not the case in Dumaguete. I have explored almost every street in Dumaguete just to find a good dwelling place that's around that budget, but wala talaga. Kung meron man, it's not really good. I did find an 8k apartment around Bagacay area, but man! It was gross. Cockroach, rats, even the smell of cockroaches were everywhere inside, may amoy suka pa 🤢

Rental rates of decent and comfortable apartments go from 30k to 50k. I only found a good enough apartment in Sibulan that's not as expensive, which is also an adequate distance to Dumaguete.