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.

What's popular tourist attractions and activities in the Philippines?

Beaches

Philippine beaches are some of the best in Asia, with nearly 60,000 km of coastline, there's plenty to choose from. They are the best in the Visayas island chain that stretches from the southern tip of Luzon to Mindanao to be known to, and contains the largest islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros and Panay, and hundreds of islands temptation Pint in size between the two. The most famous island is set whioleBoracay small, beautiful island vacation, but expensive. Visayan islands are silent, just as beautiful Romblon, Bantayan, Panay, Bohol, Malapascua and Panglao, all offer the perfect combination of comfort, the soft sand, a good selection of villas by the sea and the fishing village of laid-back .

Diving

With all that incredibly clear tropical water, is that it is not surprising that the Philippines is a major Asian destinations diving. Some ofthe richest coral reefs in Boracay, Palawan and Mindoro, but there are also spectacular underwater walls, coral cliffs and arches in Moalboal on Cebu and hammerhead sharks and manta rays in the vicinity of Cabilao and Panglao island, Bohol.

Manila

Cursed with the traffic and pollution, Bangkok seems to be doing as a nature reserve, Manila is one of those cities that should be quickly between flights or sea routes. You can be happy, though, with a visit to China inCemetery - it is literally a ghost town, with roads and two-storey houses for many of them covered with kitchens, bathrooms, electricity and air conditioning. Elsewhere, shares of Intramuros, connecting the old town, dating back to the sixteenth century and the early years of Spanish occupation and museums in Rizal Park, the focus on indigenous peoples, including the Ifugao and colonial history. Otherwise, Manila best shopping and drinking, with huge shopping malls in everyDistrict, a vibrant nightlife and trendy in Malate.

Puerto Galera

With fine beaches, thirty of the most important dive sites on a reef rich in marine animals so that the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a lot of cheap accommodation. Puerto Galera, on the north coast of Mindoro is the perfect beach break away from Manila

Banaue

This small city in northern Luzon is situated in a breathtaking landscape of mountains, steep valleys and breathtakingbeautiful amphitheater of terraced rice plastic. First cut from the hills 2000 years ago by the Ifugao tribe, whose descendants still live in the area, the terraces are so spectacular that it has declared a World Heritage Site. To the best of nature, follow the path from the traditional village of Batad Banaue. The bus ride to Banaue is a scenic highlight in itself, as along the Halsema Highway, one of the most impressive streetsSouth East Asia.

Palawan

with peaceful shores, dense rock and a beautiful rugged nature, the large, remote island of Palawan is probably the most rewarding destination in the Philippines: Ornate noting. lack of a tourist who has everything, its snow-white beaches in El Nido , Taytay, Port Barton and Sabang Roxas, unparalleled diving in El Nido and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, walking through the jungle intact tribal culture, e. EThere's also the famous boat ride eight kilometers through the ghostly caves infested with bats of the underground river in the cave of St. Paul

Sagada

The charming mountain village in northern Luzon is the home of the Igorot tribe, are famous for their hanging coffins - are upside down in caves outside of the scope of wild animals - and their textures. There are numerous hiking trails around here, and very bohemian atmosphere of the village, allwhich is a very nice place for a few days of rest.

Siargao Iceland

Kayak is the perfect way to explore the beautiful beaches of undeveloped island off the northeastern tip of Mindanao, with its hidden coves and hidden lagoons and tranquil white crystal. They are supported by good navigation and a rustic, full of coconut trees and small villages

Camigun Iceland, Northern Mindanao

Famous for its exceptionally sweet and juicy Lanzone(Lychee) fruit, a small jewel of an 'island offers many varieties, including sugar-beaches, seven volcanoes, extraordinary trekking and mountain climbing, hot springs and waterfalls.

The rapids in Pagsanjan Falls

The scenery along this stretch of the river Bombongan exceedingly important, and it's a real thrill of the fourteen race fast, how to squeeze between the walls of the canyon jungle. If you get a sense of deja vu, it is becausefinal scenes of "Apocalypse Now" are registered here. This is a day trip from Manila extremely popular, but you can stand out from the crowd and not in the vicinity, and within the original boat in early morning to avoid the trainers step up. Be careful though, as the campaigns here, the most aggressive of the country

Expat retired to the Philippines - the most popular retirement locations

Now you have the choice to retire in the Philippines, the big question is - where? For those of you who are brought to a Filipina in the Philippines because of a personal relationship with the first one will be your first home, where he is. However, if your feet on the ground, or if you are not tied to a Filipina, you want to be examined carefully to give the pension situation in the country.

The 7 most commonElements of such a decision are:

1. Cost of living by location
2. The international airport accessibility
3. Health Care Accessibility
4. Nightlife - Gambling
5. Sports
6. Security
7. urban location, rural or village

Seniors tend to settle in one of the places described in the popular city, country, beach resort or mountain retreat:

More Cities Urban

The following sites high positive rate on the townItems 2-6 above:

1. Manila - the highest cost of living of all the places and the population over 10 million
2. Cebu City - very popular retirement haven, many beaches, the population of over 1 million, the capital of the Visayas islands in the middle of the country
3. Davao City - lower cost of living of the three, the population of 1.2 million, the city of Mindanao.

Rural Major Cities

These rural areas are missing in the city Urban comparison2 to 5, but at a high level

1. Butuan City - in the north of Mindanao, about 270,000 inhabitants, close to a famous surf spots Top
2. Tacloban City - the capital of Leyte area, population 180,000
3. Cagayan de Oro - City University, north of Mindanao, about 425 000 inhabitants
4. Puerto Princessa - the capital of Palawan, more distant, but the cleanest city in the Philippines, fast-growing tourism sector
5. Dumaguete City - the capital of the province of Negros Oriental, campus, manyyoung, fashionable, good nightlife.

Beach Resort Areas:

1. Boracay Island - many expatriate business management, as developed above Waikiki Beach and Miami, but one of the most beautiful islands in the world
2. Mactan Island - just a bridge away from the city of Cebu, numerous 5-star resort
3. Panglao Island - via a short bridge from the island of Bohol (near Cebu City) is famous for diving
4. Subic Bay - great diving area and population220,000
5. Puerto Galera - small population of 25,000, but hardly a haven for foreign pensioners to drink as many places on the north coast.

Mountain Retreat:

1. Baugh - Favorite ", away from heat, withdrawn, cold weather with lots of pine, the population of 200,000, 14,000 feet high, crowds of students
2. Tagaytay - hip popular haven for residents of Manila, at 6,000 meters, is a fresh break from the heat of Manila Population50,000