Made of more than 7,400 islands and 116 million people, the Philippines is home to many expats who have decided to live or retire abroad. Some of the most popular places to retire as an international couple include Manila, Davao and Makati.
“To my knowledge, a lot of people from the U.S. are retiring to the Philippines, particularly along the coastal areas,” said Peter Evering, business development manager at Utopia Property Management.
There are several possible reasons for this.
“First, the cost of living is a lot lower than in the U.S.,” Evering said. “If you bring in $2,000 per month each as a couple, you would have around 10 times the income of the typical Filipino family.”
This is especially true if you choose one of the provinces, Evering said. “Even in the coastal areas, which have a marginally greater cost of living, you’ll be able to purchase a lot, build a home and live comfortably.”
Along with this, the Philippines boasts friendly people and beautiful scenery, which draws in expats from all over the world.
“I’ve been there a few times and on more than one occasion considered moving there someday,” Evering said. “Sure, there is a lot left to be desired, but overall the country is the paradise it’s often touted to be. And in recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of expats, so you’ll most probably never find yourself lonely if you seek American company.”
