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Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Bacolod City is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines, known for its vibrant culture and heritage.
πŸ‘₯ Population approximately 600,000
πŸ’» Internet Speed average of 20-30 Mbps for broadband connections
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking Philippine Peso (PHP), 1 USD β‰ˆ 58 PHP
🚰 Tap Water Generally not drinkable; bottled or filtered water recommended.
πŸ”Œ Power 230V, 60Hz, πŸ”Œ Type A/B sockets
πŸ“Ά SIM Card Globe Telecom and Smart Communications are the primary mobile service providers.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Accepted payment types include Cash, Credit/Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and international mobile wallets.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and serviced apartments.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Yes, cards are accepted widely, especially in urban areas.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local platforms like Makan should be considered for short-term stays.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostel Bacolod and Casa Verde are popular budget choices.
πŸ™οΈ Best Area to Stay for Tourists San Miguel Village and near Bacolod Cathedral for easy access to attractions.
πŸ™οΈ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads City Center for coworking spaces and amenities.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space Kita Kita - a popular coworking space in Bacolod.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work Cafe Bob's, which offers good Wi-Fi and a cozy environment.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Check out Tech events and meetups hosted by local entrepreneurs, often found on Meetup.com.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Expats in Bacolod Facebook group hosts regular meetups and social events.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App Grab - widely used for ride-hailing in Bacolod.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals available through Scoot and local shops around the city.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby Finish a day trip at Sipalay Beach, approximately 3 hours away by bus.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Cebu Pacific offers flights to nearby islands.
✈️ Top International Airline Philippine Airlines provides international connections.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access Major accessibility via the Bacolod-Silay Airport Road and Hinigaran Road.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub Bacolod North Terminal for buses and jeepneys.
🚍 Public Transport Passes No formal public transports passes; pay per ride for jeepneys and buses.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses operate daily to nearby provinces and cities, such as Dumaguete.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Bacolod Adventist Medical Center offers quality healthcare.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Class Bacolod offers various classes and wellness activities.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gold's Gym provides modern facilities for workouts.
🧺 Laundry Services Self-service laundromats like Wash and Go are available.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App Foodpanda and GrabFood are popular for food delivery.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Inasal na Manok - famous local grilled chicken specialty.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Fresh Start Organic & Natural Farm Café offers vegan and vegetarian meals.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Bacolod Chicken Inasal, famous for their delicious desserts, including Mango Float.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots The Central Market for fresh produce and local snacks.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Lazada and Shopee for quick online shopping.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery Grocery services through online platforms like Metro Gaisano Express Delivery.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Lacson Street has a variety of bars and nightlife.
🍻 Local Brewery Bacolod Brewery offers tours and tastings.
🍷 Wine Bars Saboroso Wine Lounge caters a cozy atmosphere with great selections.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Various stalls can be found at the public market with local delicacies.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine Kenny Rogers Roasters for American-style meals.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Bacolod Cathedral and The Ruins are key attractions.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues Negros Museum features local history and culture.
🏰 Historical Sites Visit the heritage mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson.
πŸ• Religious Sites Visit San Sebastian Cathedral, known for its stunning architecture.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events MassKara Festival, held every October, showcases local dance and culture.
🎨 Cultural Districts The city center and near the public plaza are lively cultural areas.
🎭 Theater Venues Bacolod Arts and Culture Center hosts various performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets Bacolod Public Market is a hub for local goods and fresh produce.
🎼 Music Scene Local bands perform at various bars and restaurants regularly.
🎨 Street Art Murals in downtown Bacolod portray local culture and history.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes Local culinary schools offer lessons on traditional Filipino cooking.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries Balay Ni Mayang showcases local artists' work.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings The Old Bacolod Public Library reflects the city's architectural heritage.
🏴 Local Heritage Bacolod is celebrated for its sugarcane industry and heritage through festivals.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes Mambukal Mountain Resort provides trekking and natural hot spring experiences.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Mount Kanlaon National Park is a popular destination for hiking.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Bacolod Eco-Park has beautiful trails for cycling and walking.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints The viewing deck at The Ruins offers stunning sunset views.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations Bago River area frequented by migratory birds.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots Mambukal Resort has areas for bonfire gatherings.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service LBC Express and JRS Express are reliable delivery services.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Local shops on Lacson Street offer gadget repairs.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots Local recreation centers often have ping pong tables for public use.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes English language schools offer classes for foreign residents.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots Bacolod Public Library provides a quiet place for reading and study.
🏘️ Community Centers Bacolod City Sports Center hosts community events and activities.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges Local gaming cafes offer spaces for eSports and casual gaming.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls The Casino Filipino offers gaming options and entertainment.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. PHP 70,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = PHP 2,100,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. PHP 50,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = PHP 1,500,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. PHP 65,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = PHP 3,250,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. PHP 45,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = PHP 2,250,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. PHP 60,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = PHP 4,800,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. PHP 40,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = PHP 3,200,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 30%
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax 15%
🏦 Tax System Filipino tax system, residents taxed on local income.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket 35%
🧾 VAT 12%
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, foreign corporation rules apply.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property taxes apply based on assessed value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax 6% transfer tax applies to property transactions.
πŸ’» Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads 0% tax on foreign-earned income for in-country residents.

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