Living in the Philippines - Most Popular Urban Retirement Cities of Foreign Retirees

When it comes to retirement locations in the Philippines, one has many options - major urban cities, larger rural cities, beach resorts, mountain retreats. Each has its own unique and attractive features. The major advantage of retirement in a major urban Philippines city are (i) international airport accessibility, (ii) excellent healthcare accessibility, (iii) all major sports activities, and (iv) secure, upscale shopping, night life and entertainment. In this category of major urban cities are the Manila metropolitan area, Cebu City in the Visayas area of the country, and Davao City in Mindanao.

MANILA

Manila is the capital of the country, and the primary port of entry for every foreigner flying to the Philippines. It is the gateway to the Philippines. For a foreigner seeking quick access in and out of the country, Manila is the place to be. Travel to Manila from California is 15 hours, from Hawaii it is 10 hours, from Tokyo it is a little over 4 hours, from Hong Kong it is less than 2 hours, from Singapore it is 3 hours, and from Europe it is basically 20 hours. Once you are in Asia, sitting in the China Sea, Manila is at the center. Trips to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Indonesia are quick and easy from Manila.

Manila is actually part of a major metropolitan area with an overall population of over 11 million people. So yes, it is crowded overall, yet, like all major cities in the world, there are areas within the metropolitan area which are quite diverse from one another.

Depending on one's retirement income, retiring foreigners tend to favor either the upscale, highly westernized Makati, Ortigas/Mandaluyong, or Alabang areas. These areas have all the amenities westerners are accustomed to, including all the biggest and most upscale shopping malls in the country. Makati is the financial hub of the Philippines, and it is full of western style upscale condominiums with all the latest amenities.

For those wanting an upscale, big city living, with access to the best entertainment, sporting events, unlimited shopping options, and most westernized lifestyle, within easy reach of foreign destinations, Manila is your best choice. The downside is that it is the most expensive than Cebu City and Davao City.

CEBU CITY

Cebu City is located on the island of Cebu in the chain of islands known as the Visayas. It is more centrally located in the country and is a domestic trading and transportation hub. It is much smaller than Manila, with a population less than 1 million, yet its people have a higher per capita income level. It is very pro business, and a more efficiently run city than Manila. It is very progressive and has become a large center of commerce. It has aggressively expanded its airport, which does receive certain direct international flights, though few in number.

Cebu has a large population of foreign retirees in relation to its population. Foreigners are drawn to its abundance of beaches and resorts. It is a beautiful city, surrounded by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Like Manila, it too has its upscale, modern shopping malls, casinos, and a great night life. Being a smaller city, getting around the city is much easier. It is now only beginning to see construction of high rise condominiums, which are abundant in Manila, and a favorite of western retirees.

Cebu has great medical facilities and it has just recently launched an effort in conjunction with the national government to further develop Cebu as a major medical tourism and retirement center for foreigners.

All in all, it has most of the westernized benefits of Manila, yet a lower cost of living, combined with the presence of many, many beautiful white sand beach resorts. Those who love living near the seaside, have interests in diving and other water sports, yet like the efficiency and amenities of a smaller modern city, then Cebu City would be your choice.

DAVAO CITY

Davao City is THE city of Mindanao, and by square miles it is the second largest city in the world. Its population is approximately 1.4 million. Located on the southern of Mindanao, it is the most rural of the three major urban cities, and it has the lowest cost of living. So, if you enjoy the lifestyle of a large city, but have limitations on your cost of living, Davao is the place for you.

Davao City does not get large numbers of foreign travelers, yet for those seeking outdoor adventures, the options are plentiful. Living in Davao is a bit like living in both an urban and a rural city, as the city has modern shopping centers, upscale gated communities and hotels, yet living there you become deeply rooted to the land outside the city. Just outside the city is Mt Apo with forested slopes and abundance of hiking opportunities, and located on a gulf, it is only a short boat ride to white sand beaches. Most of the land outside the city has been turned over to massive plantations growing pineapples, bananas, and other citrus. The city has a new, great world class golf course, and low rise condominiums are newly being built. It has committed itself to the development of a world class medical center, and is aggressively pursuing medical tourism.

In conclusion, it has been my experience that for a person who wants to retire in a major urban city in the Philippines, the choice between Manila, Cebu and Davao usually comes down to one's pension and/or other monthly retirement income. Manila is the most expensive, Cebu is next, and Davao has the lowest cost of living. Manila is the most cosmopolitan, and the Davao the most rural. All three are attractive spots for a foreigner seeking retirement in the Philippines in an urban environment.

Living in Style - Makati, Philippines

For visitors to the Philippines to be without the comfort of their foreign non-Western origin, I suggest you stay in Makati City.

Just 30 minutes from the international airport, this premier business district has the highest standards for cleanliness, order and service not so much of the rest of Metropolitan Manila, that agglomeration of 12 municipalities and 5 cities, often called simply " Manila.

Makati was the synchronizedThe financial capital of the country. At its heart is the center Ayala, consisted essentially of a pair of shopping areas - the Glorietta and Greenbelt - developed in phases surrounded by patches of green on about 50 acres. This hub is surrounded by tall office buildings, hotels and condominiums. I would describe the atmosphere here, as an elegant and business-like, but comfortable at the same time.

Avenues within the county, which are covered to and from this central pointSkyscraper. These roads are Ayala, Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue. The palm trees in the center of the island make Ayala location with spectacular views.

The malls are air-conditioned, a must in a humid climate this side of the tropics. But it is difficult to be included in this network of buildings: The buildings are connected by elevated walkways and trails along the scenic areas and outdoor cafes and restaurants. And the park one can walk on the Greenbelta welcome change from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Right in the middle of a semi-open round the chapel sits on a pond.

The wealthy tourists, and your ordinary man-on-the-street meet in Ayala Center shopping and entertainment. On weekdays, it is not uncommon to see employees trooping in droves to this complex, the first house.

All you need to manage, is here in style, if you like. Number of retail outlets of clothing and accessories,Furniture, electronic equipment and various other specialties. The Rustan, SM and Landmark department stores have all the supermarkets in their basements or ground.

Restaurants, fast food and culinary variety, and kiosks offer a quick meal or two are not hard to find. Other business facilities include two cinema complexes to fashion, Gold's Gym "Spa" with relaxing massage and a karaoke room. And yes, there are bars and pools of water that are inLiving in the night.

Seven 5-star hotels dot the area. For a first class accommodation, you can register at one of these:

1) Dusit Hotel Nikko,
2) Makati Shangri-la,
3) Inter-Continental Hotel,
4) Mandarin Oriental Manila
5) Manila Peninsula,
6) New World Renaissance Hotel, and
7) The Ascott Makati (formerly Oakwood) just above the Glorietta shopping mall. Otherwise, you can choose from any number of condominiums and condo-hotels around the lodgeArea.

Most foreign embassies and consulates in the Philippines in the Makati here, not in the capital Manila. The U.S. embassy in Manila, however, is incorrect.

It may be noteworthy for business confident that the Philippine stock market is about to launch a stone's throw from Ayala Center. Even in the district are a number of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) agencies, also known as Call Center. With regard to your health and counselingThe treatment needs, there is a 600-bed Makati Medical Center, which is surrounded by a series of medical practices.

One disadvantage of staying in Makati is the traffic that can snarl during the early morning and evening rush hours - all despite the strict application of the load and unloading stations designated for public utility vehicles Ayala Avenue. This inconvenience is a small price to pay if they are the other things for the district and how the inevitable bottlenecksFact of life, in any case in almost all but the least busy parts of Metro Manila.

Makati is a serious negative record attempts to be the site of two coups or so it seemed like one from a disgruntled faction of the Philippine military.

They were entrenched in the July 27, 2003, 321 rebel soldiers missing in Ascott Makati hotel-Oakwood-time and 29 November 2007, over 26 officials of the group control of the second floor of the seizedManila Peninsula. Fortunately, both were addressed within 24 hours, with no injuries included.

Makati, the city is not devoid of social ills. some of the most exclusive residential areas found throughout the Philippines, has destroyed some sections remain, and the conditions specified by "squatters" living in squalid.

However, Makati is more than enough points to recommend to the foreign traveler.

A big plus: The city is atake-off point for great locations. The South Luzon Expressway SLEX or practically starts here. This toll road will link the nearby provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Cavite where to find and lake, spas, beaches and more moderate and Tagaytay volcano spa, overlooking Taal. These pages have been somewhere between 40 minutes to four hours of racing.

Finally, Makati near the airport makes it relatively easy for the transport siteFlights to other destinations in the Philippines, as the island of Boracay, famous for his life for the white sandy beaches and lively nightlife.

Now, does not that sound inviting?