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Philippines
🇵🇭Philippines

Getting There — Visa

SRRV (Special Resident Retiree Visa) — available from age 40+. Requires $15,000-50,000 deposit depending on age and pension status. Grants indefinite stay with multiple-entry privileges. SIRV (Special Investor Resident Visa) — requires $75,000 investment in Philippine securities. No age minimum. Both offer permanent residency.

Cost of Living

60-75% less than US major cities — the cheapest country on this list. A comfortable life in Cebu or Davao runs $800-1,500/mo; Manila is $1,200-2,000/mo.

Key Fact

English is an official language and widely spoken — making the Philippines the easiest Asian country for American expats to navigate daily life. Private healthcare is excellent and affordable, but infrastructure outside Manila can be underdeveloped.

Explore

Top Attractions in Philippines

Must-see destinations that make Philippines unforgettable

El Nido, Palawan
Palawan

El Nido, Palawan

Routinely ranked among the top five most beautiful places on earth — towering limestone karsts ring hidden lagoons and white-sand beaches accessible only by outrigger boat.

Chocolate Hills, Bohol
Bohol

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

Over 1,200 perfectly conical hills turning chocolate-brown in dry season — one of geography's most surreal spectacles. Same island hosts the tiny Philippine tarsier.

Boracay White Beach
Aklan

Boracay White Beach

A 4km arc of powdery white sand and clear shallow water. After rehabilitation in 2018, it came back cleaner and better managed than ever.

Siargao Cloud 9
Siargao

Siargao Cloud 9

Asia's most famous surf spot plus Sugba Lagoon, Magpupungko rock pools, and a coconut-palm lifestyle. Digital nomads rate Siargao's vibe the best in Southeast Asia.

Coron Wrecks & Kayangan Lake
Palawan

Coron Wrecks & Kayangan Lake

Ten WWII Japanese warships form some of the world's most dramatic wreck dives. Above water, Kayangan Lake is the cleanest lake in Asia, ringed by limestone cliffs.

Intramuros, Manila
Manila

Intramuros, Manila

The walled city — one of Southeast Asia's most intact Spanish colonial areas with Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church built in 1587.

Cities

Most Popular Cities in Philippines

Where Americans are choosing to live

Manila (BGC/Makati)

Manila (BGC/Makati)

Pop. 1.8M

The landing pad for most American expats — world-class hospitals, international schools, and the economic engine. BGC is walkable, modern, with a vibrant social scene.

Cebu City

Cebu City

Pop. 964K

Philippines' second city — Manila's amenities at two-thirds the cost with beaches 30 minutes away. High English fluency and growing IT sector.

Dumaguete

Dumaguete

Pop. 131K

'The City of Gentle People' — Forbes and International Living top retirement destination. College-town atmosphere, $1,000/month living, Apo Island diving nearby.

Davao City

Davao City

Pop. 1.8M

One of Southeast Asia's safest large cities — strict enforcement, excellent quality of life. Monthly costs $600-1,000, the budget expat's best-kept secret.

Baguio City

Baguio City

Pop. 366K

The Philippines' mountain retreat at 1,500m elevation — refreshing 15-23°C that feels miraculous after Manila's heat. Artists, retirees, and academics cluster here.

Explore Cities in Philippines

Browse properties by city

Quezon City116 listingsManila96 listingsMandaluyong69 listingsMakati68 listingsPasay63 listingsPasig35 listingsTaguig28 listingsCaloocan11 listingsMuntinlupa8 listingsSan Juan3 listingsMarikina3 listings