Coastal Living in the Philippines- North Luzon

Having grown up in Pasig City before spending my college years in Calabarzon (Southern Tagalog Mainland), it was easy to adjust to yet another spot in Luzon: Ilocos, a region in the northern portion of the Philippines. It's popularly known for its historic sites, surfing spots, and beaches.

It's been quite some time since we relocated here (not for good, only for the time being), so I thought it would be nice to share the things I love about coastal living.

Everything is fresh

From the air we breathe, to the foods we eat; it’s all fresh here. Well, we do eat junk food occasionally, but most of the time, it’s fresh chicken and fish, paired with vegetables or same-day seaweed. We eat fresh oysters too, yum!

It promotes mind and body wellness

Just the sound of the waves alone can soothe you and rejuvenate your soul. It’s very calming for the mind; I’m glad we can hear it from the living room. The air is much cleaner too, which makes the coast more livable. We can take deep breaths at any time of the day without having to worry about inhaling smoke. In addition to that, it only takes a few minutes to get a natural tan (and lots of vitamin D).

The views are majestic

We have the blue seas to look at on one side of the house, and the mountains on the other. It’s stunning; there are no tall buildings to block the clear skies, just wide open spaces where you can chill or have bonfires at night. We can see the waves from our bedroom windows too, priceless view!

It’s great to work at the beach

It’s easy to be productive when you have a great, relaxing view right in front of you. It keeps the ideas flowing, and the serene environment also helps with the thought process. It’s also easy to beat creative blocks; just a nice walk by the waters will do the trick.

The lifestyle is simple

If you have no problems with limited options, reducing your material possessions, or dealing with a few inconveniences, then you’ll enjoy the simplicity here. We're close to nature, life's not complicated, and we get to wear our summer clothes every day! Hehe hello, beach clothesss.

There is an abundance of Black sand

Black sand is rich in minerals that can improve skin appearance or treat skin problems. We use it as a natural skin exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, and we’re happy with the results: softer skin. You should certainly try it too! You’ll feel the difference.

I’ll be honest. I do miss my family, the sight of buildings, and my favorite establishments back home (not to mention our dog Barbie), but for now, I'll make the most out of my time here.

But wait... coastal living has cons too

While it's fun to live by the beach, it would be best to know that there are a few cons too. We're not talking about the lack of large shopping malls or dining establishments here. We're talking about safety and security. Since the security measures in rural areas aren't as strict as the ones in large urban cities, it would be best to know your local PNP hotline, as well as other important numbers, just in case anything happens. We've had a few unpleasant incidents here before caused by drunk neighbors, so I highly suggest you always put safety first. The beach area also gets very dark at night due to the lack of lighting, making it unsafe for women. Our helper's young neighbor was a victim of molestation, and it happened in one of the huts outside late at night. It took a while for her to report out of fear, but at least she did. Things like that happen. Also, depending on where you are, healthcare services may or may not be reliable. With that, it would be good to know the best and most accessible hospitals in the area. Other than that, the rest is fine 🌊

That would be all, I guess. Thanks for reading this post, I appreciate it. If you have any questions or stories to share, feel free to send me a message through the Contact Form on the About page. Have a great week! ♥ Andi

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