12 Best Places To Live In The Philippines

The Philippines (officially known as the Republic of the Philippines) is located in Southeast Asia and is becoming a popular location for expats who are drawn to the Philippines for the country’s outstanding natural beauty and great work opportunities.

We’ll go through the best places to live in the Philippines for work, families, immigrants and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in the Philippines.

Sections

Best Places To Live In The Philippines

City	Reason
Manila	Best for work
Quezon	Best for affordability
Makati	Best for families
Manila	Best for immigrants
Dumaguete	Best for retirement
Makati	Best for young adults
Manila	Best for students
Pampanga and Manila	Best for food and nightlife
Cebu	Best for singles
Baguio	Best for weather
Boracay	Best for beaches
Baguio	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Work

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and is a great location for those moving to the Philippines to work. Manila is a major centre for business, economics and finance.

The main industries in Manila are mining, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and pharmaceuticals. In particular, mining and tourism offer lots of opportunities, and it is common for expats to relocate to Manila to teach English as a foreign language.

While salaries aren’t as high in the Philippines as in some other countries with large expat populations, the cost of living is reasonable and there is plenty of culture and attractions in Manila also.

Cheapest Places To Live In The Philippines

The Philippines isn’t one of the most affordable countries in Southeast Asia, but certain cities are less expensive and many expats find that cost of living prices are reasonable.

Quezon City is located northeast of Manila and is one of the most affordable cities in the country despite its reputation for being quite expensive.

Quezon City has all the modern infrastructure of a developed city, but housing and rental prices are more affordable than in other major cities and there are plenty of markets selling produce at cheaper costs.

Dasmariñas is another developing city that is quickly gaining popularity with those interested in affordable real estate. Dasmariñas is very close to Manila, making it a good option for those looking to commute.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Families

Makati City is located in the Philippines’ Metro Manila region and is a financial and business hub for the country. For this reason, Makati City is an extremely popular destination for expats who are relocating with families.

The infrastructure in Makati City is outstanding – there are well-developed roads, excellent nearby educational institutions and well-maintained public transport.

There is a strong existing international community in Makati City which is ideal for families hoping to find new community and friendly faces in their new home.

Davao is another strong option for expats to consider: the city is known for being very safe due to strict laws and it also holds lots of business opportunities for entrepreneurs, as well as being a well-developed city with many modern amenities.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Immigrants

Manila is the ideal location for immigrants. The huge city is home to over 12 million people and there are many well-established immigrant communities in Manila.

As well as an active job market, Manila offers a whole host of accommodation options from apartments to houses, both to rent and to buy.

There is also plenty to do in Manila – the city has a rich cultural heritage with several historic attractions that appeal to tourists and residents alike. Those living in Manila can take in the delicious cuisine or admire the architecture, some of which dates back to Spanish colonialism.

Makati is another fantastic option, particularly if you’re hoping to relocate with a family. The city is known to be a popular option with international expats and those moving here are likely to find like-minded families who also take advantage of Makati’s fantastic infrastructure and education institutions.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Retirement

The Philippines is becoming an increasingly popular destination for expats who are hoping to retire in the country due to the low cost of living and outstanding natural beauty.

Dumaguete City is located on the southeastern coast of the island of Negros and is well-known for its relaxed and laid-back lifestyle, as well as having a friendly and welcoming community.

Dumaguete City is commonly referred to as the ‘City of Gentle People’ which could be ideal for those who are used to the hustle and bustle of big cities and looking for a change.

Palawan is another good potential choice – the city has a lower cost of living while still offering high-quality housing, restaurants and entertainment.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Young Adults

Makati is one of the best cities for young adults who are moving to the Philippines – it has the modern vibe of any well-developed city with plenty of convenient amenities for young adults to take advantage of.

Makati is also great for young adults due to its large international community. Those who are potentially leaving home or their national country for the first time will find it easy to make new communities and friends.

Makati offers a high quality of life with lots of vibrant cultural events and an impressive nightlife scene. The healthcare in the city is also good.

Davao is another great option for young adults and holds lots of business opportunities which is good for young adults looking for professional work opportunities.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Students

The Philippines has some top-ranked universities as well as a thriving business economy for post-graduates to tap into once their studying has been completed.

Manila is well-known for being one of the best cities for international students. Some of the most renowned universities include the University of the Philippines, Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas.

As well as good educational institutes, there is a great cultural scene in Manila, with plenty of places to eat and drink, as well as an active nightlife market.

Students may also be interested in the island province of Cebu, which is home to many English speakers and offers some spectacular beaches and coastlines for those who may want to be out of the city.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Food and Nightlife

The culinary capital of the Philippines is the province of Pampanga which is located northwest of Manila. Pampanga is known for having the best Filipino dishes in the country – one of the staple dishes is sisig, a dish containing chopped pork ears, cheeks, and liver.

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants and eateries to choose from in Pampanga. Traditional Filipino dishes are quite heavy on meat such as chicken, pork and goat.

Nightlife in the Philippines is famed for being extravagant and places a big emphasis on enjoying the art of performance. Manila is by far the best city in the country to experience some of the truly fantastic nightlife options the Philippines has to offer.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for Singles

One of the best cities in the Philippines is Cebu. This city is famed for its natural beauty with stunning coastlines and idyllic waterfalls.

It’s a great option for singles who are hoping to relocate as the cost of living, rental and housing prices in the city are more affordable than some of the larger cities such as Manila.

Despite being a well-loved tourist attraction, Cebu maintains a good relationship with international expats, including international students, due to its well-maintained modern infrastructure. There are good roads and public transport options in Cebu, as well as an international airport.

Subic Bay is another potential option for singles who may have a smaller budget. Subic Bay is ideal for singles who want to spend most of their time enjoying the great outdoors – common activities are hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines for The Weather

If you’re thinking of relocating to the Philippines, it’s important to consider the climate. The Philippines has five different climate types: tropical rainforest, tropical monsoon, tropical savanna, humid subtropical and oceanic.

These climate types are typically characterised by heavy rainfall, intense humidity and lots of rainfall. Depending on where you choose to live, you’ll need to prepare for these distinct weather types.

Those who enjoy the hot weather will find much of the Philippines to be a tropical paradise – expect intense humidity, particularly in well-populated cities such as Manila.

If you’re hoping to enjoy a cooler climate, consider Baguio City, also known as the Summer City. Located in the mountains of Northern Luzon island, Baguio has a much cooler climate than other areas of the Philippines and is well-loved by those who are eager to escape the heat and humidity.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines Near Beaches

One of the main features of life in the Philippines is the extraordinary beaches and coastlines. Boracay is a small island located in the central Philippines and is famous for its outstanding beaches and resorts.

White Beach is one of its most famed beaches, notable for its glorious white sand, palm trees and rows of bars and restaurants that line the beaches.

Boracay is very popular with digital nomads who can enjoy the island’s safe atmosphere, friendly residents and affordable living costs. Those who enjoy water sports will find Boracay the perfect home – swimming, jet skiing, diving and more are all enjoyed on Boracay.

Best Places To Live In The Philippines Near Mountains

Baguio City is one of the most well-liked mountain towns in the Philippines. Also known as the City of Pines, Baguio City enjoys lots of tourists during the summer months due to its cooler climate.

The summit of Mount Cabuyao (alternatively spelt as Mount Kabuyao) overlooks Baguio, with the city nestled in the Cordillera Central mountain range.

As such, this area of the Philippines is ideal for those who are hoping to have the mountains right on their doorstep – mountain sports such as hiking and climbing are common with designated trails and paths across the mountain range.

Sagada is another mountain town within the Cordillera Central mountain range. The town has famous Filipino cultural sites, such as the hanging coffins (coffins displayed high on the cliffs) and the outstanding natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.