The Philippines: The Expat’s Ultimate Retirement Destination
The Philippines is often globally ranked as a top retirement country – and for good reason.
First, the country is a haven of world-class beaches and destinations. As an island archipelago, the Philippines has abundant coastlines, lagoons, and mountain trails – whether its snorkeling in the pristine waters of Palawan, food-trekking in Cebu, hiking through the chocolate hills of Bohol, or dozing on the white sands of Boracay, there’s just so much to see and do.
Many places are unspoiled too, so if you prefer not to be surrounded by tourists, the Philippines has many spots that are comfortably “off the grid”.
Fortunately, domestic travel is cheap and convenient. Local airlines fly to dozens of locations throughout the country for as little as $70 USD roundtrip. If you prefer an even cheaper option, buses and ferries can bring you to several destinations for $20 or less.
Then there’s the weather. There are basically only two seasons in the Philippines – dry and rainy. During the summer, temperatures soar and the days are perfect for lazy lounging on the front porch with ice cold drinks. Cloudless blue skies, plentiful fruits, and lively summer festivals both in cities and the provinces, make for a consistently colorful and fun experience.
When the rainy season kicks in, there’s nothing quite like the release of humid tension when heavy rains hit the ground. Waves of rain and cool breezes are often perfect for coffee and a good book; if you have your own garden, expect it to be lush and ripe for your green thumbs throughout the season.
Also, the Philippines is inexpensive. An expat retiree can live well on a budget of $1,000 per month in non-metropolitan or rural areas of the Philippines. $1,500 a month can afford a fairly comfortable life in urban centers. Some expats claim to live reasonably well on as little as $500 a month in the rural province but that depends on the individual, his retirement interests, and his assimilation with the local culture and scene.
Imported food and drinks from throughout the world can be bought in supermarkets and enjoyed at home. Fast food, fine dining, transportation, gasoline, cable and internet subscriptions, plus other lifestyle options are widely available and reasonably priced.
Healthcare services in urban areas are well-equipped; medical expertise is top notch in most city centers.
Housing options are varied. In the capital, rent can be a sizable chunk of your monthly budget, anywhere between $500-$700 depending on your location. Of course, there are premium options if you have the funds. Sometimes you can luck into a good deal in a great location; it’s always good to conduct a thorough house hunt.
Housing outside Metro Manila is relatively inexpensive. A medium-sized villa in Lapu-Lapu (close to Cebu City) can be rented for a few hundred dollars. Again, sometimes it’s about doing a thorough hunt and turning up sweet options since market prices are not always uniform.
If you’re seriously considering retiring in the Philippines, you might want to think about acquiring property. Your best option would be to invest in a condominium unit since Philippine law allows full foreign ownership of condominiums.
It’s not possible for expats to buy a house and lot (unless you’re married to a Filipino) in which case you might want to opt for a leasehold deal.
You can find great assistance and wonderful condo options with Century Properties, a leading real estate developer with premium affordable and luxury condos in Metro Manila.
Culturally, the Philippines has strong ties to the United States which is a huge advantage to English-speaking western retirees. In fact, the Philippines has several distinct advantages as a preferred retirement destination. Here are a few:
- English is spoken widely in the Philippines. Being able to easily and freely converse with the locals helps build trust and mutual respect. It also makes the retirement process a more comfortable and welcoming experience.
- The Philippines is still more affordable than most Southeast Asian destinations in a number of areas namely transport, rent, food, drinks and going out. Particularly in rural Philippines where the US dollar will get you much further than it would elsewhere.
- Perhaps the best advantage is the Philippines’ favourable retirement visa scheme. The accepted retirement age for an applicant stands at a youthful 35 years. The popular “Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Smile” can be obtained by depositing $20,000 with the Philippine Retirement Authority. The “SRRV Classic” is granted to applicants with 35+ years upon a property investment of at least $50,000. For people 50 years and above who receive a pension from their home country, an investment of $10,000 would suffice ($20,000 if they don’t have a regular pension).
All of which is to say that retirement in the Philippines doesn’t necessarily mean one has to be “old” or a retiree in the Western sense of the word. More and more younger and financially independent people “retire” in the country, seeking a pleasant lifestyle while still being socially active.
Overall, the Philippines is an easy and attractive retirement option for expats. Its distinctive advantages over other countries in the region make it a competitive retirement destination. The country’s beautiful landscapes and pleasant weather, affordable food, lifestyle and housing options, the decent healthcare, expat communities, and ease of travel – plus the fact that Filipinos are some of the most hospitable and friendly English-speaking peoples in the world – make retirement in the Philippines a supremely doable thing not just in the future but now, if you’re ready and able.
Learn more about acquiring property in the Philippines with Century Properties, such as their flagship development Century City, within walking distance of nearby Centuria Medical Makati, an advanced outpatient medical facility. Visit www.century-properties.com today.
The Philippines is often globally ranked as a top retirement country – and for good reason. First, the country is a haven of world-class beaches and destinations. As an island archipelago, the Philippines has abundant coastlines, lagoons, and mountain trails – whether its snorkeling in the pristine waters of Palawan, food-trekking in Cebu, hiking through the chocolate hills of Bohol, or dozing on the white sands of Boracay, there’s just so much to see and do. Many places are unspoiled too, so if you prefer not to be surrounded by tourists, the Philippines has many spots that are comfortably “off...
The Philippines is often globally ranked as a top retirement country – and for good reason.
First, the country is a haven of world-class beaches and destinations. As an island archipelago, the Philippines has abundant coastlines, lagoons, and mountain trails – whether its snorkeling in the pristine waters of Palawan, food-trekking in Cebu, hiking through the chocolate hills of Bohol, or dozing on the white sands of Boracay, there’s just so much to see and do.
Many places are unspoiled too, so if you prefer not to be surrounded by tourists, the Philippines has many spots that are comfortably “off the grid”.
Fortunately, domestic travel is cheap and convenient. Local airlines fly to dozens of locations throughout the country for as little as $70 USD roundtrip. If you prefer an even cheaper option, buses and ferries can bring you to several destinations for $20 or less.
Then there’s the weather. There are basically only two seasons in the Philippines – dry and rainy. During the summer, temperatures soar and the days are perfect for lazy lounging on the front porch with ice cold drinks. Cloudless blue skies, plentiful fruits, and lively summer festivals both in cities and the provinces, make for a consistently colorful and fun experience.
When the rainy season kicks in, there’s nothing quite like the release of humid tension when heavy rains hit the ground. Waves of rain and cool breezes are often perfect for coffee and a good book; if you have your own garden, expect it to be lush and ripe for your green thumbs throughout the season.
Also, the Philippines is inexpensive. An expat retiree can live well on a budget of $1,000 per month in non-metropolitan or rural areas of the Philippines. $1,500 a month can afford a fairly comfortable life in urban centers. Some expats claim to live reasonably well on as little as $500 a month in the rural province but that depends on the individual, his retirement interests, and his assimilation with the local culture and scene.
Imported food and drinks from throughout the world can be bought in supermarkets and enjoyed at home. Fast food, fine dining, transportation, gasoline, cable and internet subscriptions, plus other lifestyle options are widely available and reasonably priced.
Healthcare services in urban areas are well-equipped; medical expertise is top notch in most city centers.
Housing options are varied. In the capital, rent can be a sizable chunk of your monthly budget, anywhere between $500-$700 depending on your location. Of course, there are premium options if you have the funds. Sometimes you can luck into a good deal in a great location; it’s always good to conduct a thorough house hunt.
Housing outside Metro Manila is relatively inexpensive. A medium-sized villa in Lapu-Lapu (close to Cebu City) can be rented for a few hundred dollars. Again, sometimes it’s about doing a thorough hunt and turning up sweet options since market prices are not always uniform.
If you’re seriously considering retiring in the Philippines, you might want to think about acquiring property. Your best option would be to invest in a condominium unit since Philippine law allows full foreign ownership of condominiums.
It’s not possible for expats to buy a house and lot (unless you’re married to a Filipino) in which case you might want to opt for a leasehold deal.
You can find great assistance and wonderful condo options with Century Properties, a leading real estate developer with premium affordable and luxury condos in Metro Manila.
Culturally, the Philippines has strong ties to the United States which is a huge advantage to English-speaking western retirees. In fact, the Philippines has several distinct advantages as a preferred retirement destination. Here are a few:
- English is spoken widely in the Philippines. Being able to easily and freely converse with the locals helps build trust and mutual respect. It also makes the retirement process a more comfortable and welcoming experience.
- The Philippines is still more affordable than most Southeast Asian destinations in a number of areas namely transport, rent, food, drinks and going out. Particularly in rural Philippines where the US dollar will get you much further than it would elsewhere.
- Perhaps the best advantage is the Philippines’ favourable retirement visa scheme. The accepted retirement age for an applicant stands at a youthful 35 years. The popular “Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Smile” can be obtained by depositing $20,000 with the Philippine Retirement Authority. The “SRRV Classic” is granted to applicants with 35+ years upon a property investment of at least $50,000. For people 50 years and above who receive a pension from their home country, an investment of $10,000 would suffice ($20,000 if they don’t have a regular pension).
All of which is to say that retirement in the Philippines doesn’t necessarily mean one has to be “old” or a retiree in the Western sense of the word. More and more younger and financially independent people “retire” in the country, seeking a pleasant lifestyle while still being socially active.
Overall, the Philippines is an easy and attractive retirement option for expats. Its distinctive advantages over other countries in the region make it a competitive retirement destination. The country’s beautiful landscapes and pleasant weather, affordable food, lifestyle and housing options, the decent healthcare, expat communities, and ease of travel – plus the fact that Filipinos are some of the most hospitable and friendly English-speaking peoples in the world – make retirement in the Philippines a supremely doable thing not just in the future but now, if you’re ready and able.
Learn more about acquiring property in the Philippines with Century Properties, such as their flagship development Century City, within walking distance of nearby Centuria Medical Makati, an advanced outpatient medical facility. Visit www.century-properties.com today.
