Philippines Fast Facts

Philippines

Population: 102,624,209

Capital City: Manila

Climate: Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Time Zone: UTC +8

Language: English (Official) Filipino

Country Code: 63

Coastline: 36,289km

Live in Luxury in The Philippines

When imagining the Philippines, picturesque, crystal-blue waters with white-sand beaches are what usually come to mind. And rightfully so. The Philippines are made up of 7,107 tropical islands and many of them are exactly as you imagine. That picture-perfect postcard…that image of water so clear it hardly seems real…that is the Philippines. But so too are the massive skyscraper filled cities that have all the amenities of any downtown district in the world. The Philippines can be whatever you want them to be– you really can choose your dream lifestyle.

Do you love exotic islands? Check out Boracay. Cooler mountains towns? Go to Baguio and Tagaytay. Adventure? Palawan could be your perfect paradise. Big cosmopolitan cities? Cebu City has it all! The possibilities are endless; the Philippines might just be your dream retirement haven.

Not only do you have your choice of islands to explore, but you also have your choice of climates as well. The majority of the islands have tropical, hot and humid weather. But if that isn’t for you, there are mountain towns with cooler temperatures and less humidity. Even the locals, who are used to the heat, flock to these spots to cool off whenever possible.

English is one of the official languages of the country, so it’s easy to communicate with most everyone you meet, which makes the transition all the more effortless. In fact, it seems like no matter where you go, the most common thread throughout the archipelago is the kind-heartedness of the people. It doesn’t matter if you are in one of the major cities, at the beach or in a remote little mountain town, the people are always warm, welcoming, and willing to chat.

The government also makes is easy to retire here. If you apply for an expat retiree Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), you can live there permanently with non-immigrant status plus you can travel all you’d like with multiple-entry privileges.

There are 11 international airports which means travel, near and far, is easy.

Great private hospitals are peppered throughout the islands, and many are JCI accredited so you can feel at ease regarding healthcare.

No matter where you choose to live, the cost of living is so much lower than in the U.S. In some places, you can rent a three-bedroom, modern, furnished townhouse for only $325 a month. In the bigger cities, in a fancy new high-rise with all the amenities, prices start from $1,140, but that is still less than you’d pay at home for an equivalent property. Prices are so low that a cleaner, a gardener, and weekly massages will become a part of your lifestyle. A round of golf can be as little as $7. You can live like royalty on a budget.

The Philippines’ big cosmopolitan cities, like Cebu City and Manila, are just like any big city in the U.S. There are large shopping centers featuring well-known stores like Mango, Topshop, The Body Shop, and Gucci. There is even an S&R, which is their version of Costco, not to mention dozens of Starbucks. If you’re a film fan, you’ll find several modern cinemas showing the latest box-office hits.

This won’t be a rocking chair retirement unless you want it to be. With so much variety to choose from, it’s easy to understand why so many expats call the Philippines their home.

From the Archives of Philippines

An Old U.S. Base Becomes an Asian Retirement Hot Spot

An Old U.S. Base Becomes an Asian Retirement Hot Spot

Editors Choice
By |
August 18, 2023

An idyllic setting in an exotic destination, with Western-style comforts and services. A place where communities exist within a pristine, conserved habitat, but which also offers golf courses, water sports, and amusement parks. All that, at Southeast Asian prices. Oh yes, it exists! And the clincher? Over 90% of the population speaks English.

Bargain Homes in the Spanish-Speaking World

Bargain Homes in the Spanish-Speaking World

There are 572 million Spanish speakers in the world, of which 477 million are native speakers. Spanish has the second-most native speakers in the world, after Mandarin, and it’s one of the most studied languages. It’s no surprise it’s so common. Centuries of conquest and colonization spread the language throughout the Americas and beyond—even to Read more...: Bargain Homes in the Spanish-Speaking World

Live in The Philippines

Live in The Philippines

By |
August 31, 2016

More and more expats are discovering the hidden gem that is the Philippines…and the fact that you can live a wonderful life in this stunning archipelago on almost any budget. Take your pick from bustling modern cities, popular beach towns, quaint villages, or cooler hamlets nestled in the mountains—and enjoy what this expat haven has to offer from as little as $760 a month….

Moving to The Philippines

Moving to The Philippines

By |
August 31, 2016

It’s for good reason that a growing number of expats have chosen to make the Philippines their home--the low cost of living, the warm-hearted people (and almost everyone speaks English), and there’s an excellent visa program. The Philippines also has some of the most diverse islands on the planet, great scuba diving, exotic wildlife, tropical rainforests, and lush jungles.