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The Philippines is home to many great things. Vibrant culture, amazing cuisine, breath-taking views, and of course, the friendly locals; you can find them all here! It’s also difficult to deny that it is more affordable to live in the Philippines than in other countries. This is why more and more foreigners consider moving to the country once they get a taste of it.
While there are more than enough cities in the Philippines to accommodate every lifestyle, there are always those that stand out the most. We decided to break down the list into 6 different categories and choose only the best per. Here’s our list of the best cities to live in the Philippines.
Best Modern City: Makati City, Metro Manila
Makati City is known as the Philippines’ financial center and is home to the biggest and most successful businesses in the country. In fact, Makati has the Philippines’ largest concentration of global and local companies, with towering skyscrapers in almost every block.
While Makati only has less than a million population, the number can balloon up to 4 million during the daytime when people go to the city to work or shop.
Makati is also the Philippines’ wealthiest city; wealthier than Quezon City, Manila, and Pasig COMBINED! So if you’re looking for the most modern city that the Philippines has to offer, then Makati surely is the one.
It could have been BGC (Bonifacio Global City) but its a district rather than a “city”.
Best Budget-Friendly City: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
They say life in Dumaguete is more laid back than in any other city in the Philippines. It’s the complete opposite of Makati where people are almost always on-the-go 24/7. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy life as it is. You won’t even get stressed in the traffic, not because there aren’t any vehicles on the road, but the road itself doesn’t have traffic lights! You shouldn’t worry though since locals are very disciplined.
But the charm of the city is its cost of living. With a monthly budget of P18,000 (approximately $350), you can surely get by with enough food on the table for an entire family while still br able to pay rent.
Despite its affordability, Dumaguete houses 4 universities, one being Silliman University, as well as up-to-date medical facilities and institutions that can perform major and minor operations.
Best Historical City: Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Vigan is known to have one of the best-preserved examples of a planned Spanish colonial town, not just in the Philippines, but in all Asia. The city is popular amongst tourists for its astounding architecture and rich history.
Vigan used to be an important trading post before the colonial area which gave it a blended architectural influence from diverse cultures such as Chinese, European, Mexican, and of course Spanish among others. Because of its maintained authenticity, UNESCO has inscribed it in the list of World Heritage Sites.
If you feel like living in the 16th century (but with internet), then Vigan is the best place for you.
Best City for Foodies: San Fernando City, Pampanga
If Cebu has Lechon, Bacolod has Chicken Inasal, and Batangas prides its Bulalo, well San Fernando City has an entire cuisine to boast!
San Fernando City is located in the province of Pampanga, a couple of hours north of Manila. It is known to be the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. The famous Kapampangan cuisine is known for its unique flavor that almost represents how a Filipino dish should taste like. For most Filipinos, when they learn that you are a Kapampangan, they automatically assume that you cook well, and they are almost always right.
Aside from its famous cuisine, San Fernando City also offers many unique festivals including the Giant Lantern Festival during December and the weeklong Sinukwan Festival that is best described as the essence of the Kapampangan Spirit.
Best Scenic City: El Nido, Palawan
El Nido has one the most breathtaking sceneries in the Philippines, or maybe even in the entire world! Consistently voted as one of the world’s best beaches year-in and year-out, El Nido also boasts its amazing coral reefs as well as its spectacular limestone cliffs that will surely delight your eyes.’
The locals are very nice, the cost of living is cheap, and the food is nothing short of amazing! It really is like you are living in one big paradise!
While El Nido is technically a municipality, due to its population count not making the cut, it is still worth considering when finding the perfect place to live in.
Best Getaway City: Basco, Batanes Islands
Looking for something more peaceful? You know, a place with fewer people, nice and relaxing views, and offers a simple yet fulfilling lifestyle. Any place in the Batanes Islands can give you that peace you are looking for, but honestly, Basco is our personal choice.
Basco, much like El Nido, is a municipality rather than a city. In fact, Bascon only has less than 10,000 population making the environment far more tranquil than many other cities in the Philippines.
Getting to Batanes can be quite a journey. It is a small island at the northmost of the Philippines, closest to Taiwan. While there are flights there, they can be less regular than in other islands like Boracay and Palawan. But we promise that once you get there, you will surely wish you can stay longer.
So which city do you think is best for you? We sure you have your own list as well. See us on Facebook or Instagram and less you know your thoughts!
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