When it comes to retirement locations in the Philippines, they have many options - large urban cities, large rural cities, beach resorts, mountain retreats. Each of them has its own unique and attractive features. The main advantage of retirement in a large rural city in the Philippines is (i) the lowest cost of living, (ii) the ability to use the local culture and lifestyle, (iii) living in small towns and (iv) a much slower, provincial lifestyle. There are no upscale shopping centers, high-rise Western-style condominiums and lots of nightlife in these large rural cities. However, all of these cities have a busy airport and daily trips to Manila and other cities in the Philippines are easily accessible. In this category of major urban cities are the cities of Butuan, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Puerto-Princess and Dumquette.
Butuan City
About 300,000 people live in Butuan city. This is the earliest known place of settlement and maritime trade in the Philippines. Previously, it was the capital of the cuttings of Mindanao. The city is falling apart along the banks of the Agusan River in Northern Mindanao and is a typical provincial city. It has excellent restaurants, a very low cost of living, cheap accommodation and is a logical stopover at night for tourists traveling between Camiguin and Siargao island, which recently became famous as one of the best surfing spots in the Philippines. To the north of the city, Butuan is the fourth largest freshwater lake in the Philippines.
Tacloban
Tamloban has a population of just over 200,000 people, and it is the political capital of Leyte, as well as the geographical and commercial center of Leyte and Samara. Historically, Tacloban is known as the place where General MacArthur returned with his forces to liberate the Philippines as early as 1944. It was there that Imelya Markok was born and raised. In its size and distance it is quite cosmopolitan. It has excellent food, a busy mooring zone and efficient transport links.
Cagayan De Oro
Cagayan de Oro, with one of the larger rural cities of about 550,000 people, is a thriving provincial city. What makes this city interesting is that it is a university city. The energy and the promise of youth manage this city. The city has a good income, and most of the wealth comes from the jobs created by the corporate offices of Del Monte, Nestle and Pepsi. It has an exciting river rafting and reliable climate than in other cities of Mindanao.
Puerto princess
Over 200,000 people live in Puerto Princess. This city is the capital of Palawan, an island paradise with seascapes equal to anyone in Southeast Asia. However, this city just jumps off the field for excursions elsewhere on the island. It has excellent restaurants, great day trips - from the island hopping to remote beaches, to those passing through the beautiful countryside. The city is known for its rigorous laws. I found it the cleanest city in the Philippines. Daily flights to and from Puerto Princess, but you need to realize that this is one of the most remote provinces of the Philippines.
Dumaguette
With a population of just over 100,000, Dumaguette is small, but, like Cagayan De Oro, it is also a university city. Thus, it is much more well-groomed and poor than the average provincial city. What attracts foreigners here is his indifference to foreigners. Expats can move through the streets relatively unnoticed. Therefore, it is a very convenient place for assimilation. This is a city in which you can live if you want to stay in the Negros eastern province.
