Comfortable Suburbanite

This is perfect for couples and families — those who want to settle down. A city but not the hustle and bustle of a major city. These cities stand out in good infrastructure and they grew and are growing primarily in the modern era allowing for proper city planning. Here you'll find larger pockets of modern areas with sidewalks, shops, restaurants and even esplanades. Through the day these will feel empty but at 5pm and on they get very lively when the people get off work. Walking, biking and jogging is very normally seen. The restaurants are filled — and not with mostly expats but with Filipinos. The standard of living for the average Filipino here is higher and therefore you'll also find most speak and understand English almost fluently.

With condos in the core areas and subdivisions everywhere else you can find both types of living very easily. Rental homes are widely available from smaller 80 sq m and more frequently 150 to 250 sq m. Very suburban feeling. Many drive even though taxi and ride sharing is widely available — most expats have an SUV or truck to come and go as they wish. There is traffic at peak times but for most expats they are not following the same go-to-work-and-home traffic times.

Things are further apart — definitely not a 5 minute city but there are pockets or township areas where you could live in a condo and walk to all you'll need. Any food of the world is likely available to you with delivery to your place always an option. Although not as many as a mega city there are still options for eating after midnight here. Bars and clubs are available but not that many and typically only open or busy on weekends.

Great for private schools and universities — ideal if you have kids. Extremely safe but still a bit of the edginess feeling more authentic Philippines when you go down to the market. The biggest advantage of these locations is the proximity to the provinces where you can enjoy the great outdoor activities like hiking for a waterfall or finding a nice beach to visit. The large malls are here with almost everything found in Manila with some small exceptions.

Finding a partner here will feel more difficult. Locals here earn higher incomes and family pressure is more on career success than it is to have a family — so often the pattern is good schools to university to overseas job. The nightlife is not frequented by foreigners very often — just young Filipino crowds. There are a few places with live bands now and then but you won't find them that busy or catering to older crowds. It's simply a suburban city made for working people. There are several expat groups who meet up and often 5 to 10 people will show up for them once a month but there isn't expat hangout spots like you find in Dumaguete.

Great place to integrate into Philippines life as they will often see you as an equal and not be looking at you as an ATM. The airports have more destinations than the smaller cities giving you good options to get around. Rents are considered fantastic in options and value. You can get a 3 bedroom house in a subdivision for as little as ₱25K and even a large 200sq+ house for ₱50K. Condos are fewer compared to homes but still plentiful — expect them to be on the smaller size of 25 to a few at 60 sq m with pricing between ₱25K to ₱60K. Electricity is better than in the provinces in reliability. Golf, pickleball, tennis and bowling are things many people enjoy.

The subdivision vs condo distinction matters here. In the condo you will have the convenience of security, amenities and low maintenance but like condos anywhere in the world your neighbors are strangers you pass in the elevator and rarely speak to. The subdivision experience is something entirely different and often surprises expats who choose it. Filipinos in these communities are genuinely neighborly in a way that feels almost nostalgic for many Western men who grew up in an era when neighborhoods actually functioned as communities. Your neighbor will notice if your car hasn't moved in two days and will send someone to check on you. You will be invited to birthday parties within your first month. The kids on the street will know your name and wave when you drive in. For a man who left behind a Western city where he didn't know anyone in his building after five years this can be unexpectedly moving. It also quietly changes the dating picture. You won't find a partner in the nightlife here easily but you might find yourself introduced to someone through your neighbor's family — through the community that builds naturally around you.