Best Cities in the Philippines
for Expats

Once you shortlist 1–2 cities

Once you've picked one or two Philippine cities to try, sort out three things before you dig into every city card below. Do them in this order.

1. Cover first. Get SafetyWing as nomad insurance for your first months while you shortlist and trial a city. It's travel medical cover for new, unexpected medical problems. It generally won't cover anything you were diagnosed with, treated for, or had symptoms of in the two years before the policy started. A sudden emergency flare-up may be covered, with limits. Check SafetyWing's current terms. Treat it as a bridge. It is not long-term residence health insurance.

Compare SafetyWing travel medical(affiliate link)Some links here earn a commission at no extra cost to you; see how recommendations work.

2. Trial stay next. Don't sign a long lease off a listing. Book a 2–4 week trial stay on Agoda(affiliate link), then read housing trial stays before a long lease.
3. Money rails last. Set up Wise transfers once your shortlist is real. Wise shows the fee upfront, so compare with your bank's wire. Get a Wise quote(affiliate link). Expat Guide Philippines is not a remittance agent.

For Davao, the cost calculator, banking, and longer-term health cover, use the Next steps further down this page.