I live in a nice city in Batangas province. Lipa City to be exact. It's only 1.5 hour drive from Manila. We don't really get floods here (high altitude), but nowadays, the trashes everywhere kill it! We are the Little Rome of the Philippines. Lots of churches! We have nice selections of schools not to mention the cold climate (next to Baguio and Tagaytay). I can say it is peaceful here, my husband fell in love in my city (he's not really fan of dirty, hot and polluted Manila) but Manila is very accessible with 99 pesos bus fair one way! He says he feels safer in my city than his own country! People here are very nice and warm (although the bad apples are still somewhere so be careful). Cost of living is average. Not much night life though, so if you're into that.. Manila is just 1 ride away! I see alot of foreigners living here, I've met some of them and they really like it here. Good hospitals, 2 big malls. 1 hour going to white sand beach in Laiya, Batangas.. 1 hour to dive in Anilao, Batangas. We're also close to Taal Volcano and Tagaytay for nice getaway. Give it a try!