Good place for a single, retired expat to land

@Plazz hi! i could help you in this matter. I can send you sample computation and project option for you to consider. Would you mind if I will get your email address?

Dude, your income and lifestyle choices sound perfect for Alabang,  just outside the metro area.  Upscale condos with swimming pools,  about a twenty to forty minute skyway ride to Makati, Bonafacio,  or Pasay nightlife,  two major shopping malls in alabang,  you should be able to rent a condo there in the low teens,  to mid twenties k pesos,  good infrastructure, serviced by taxis,  nicer buses, grab.  Plus tollway access north and south.  Golf courses if you’re into that, north edge of Cavite province,  and future planned mrt train stop. My suggestion,  anyway

@stellanatividad Thank you. What is your fee ?

@Plazz That would be nice if i were near retirement age. but I'm not. Thanks for the info.

@stellanatividad  "project"?  What project?

    @stellanatividad  "project"?  What project?
   

    -@Plazz

You do not have to give her your email address, she can message you on this site.

@mugteck  Thank you for letting me know.  Still wondering what project she's talking about.  Was wondering if she's a bot.

Look on her ad, she is selling one bedroom condos for 12million pesos.  It is a project, because the building will not be available until 2028.  Probably not a bot, real people sell this stuff constantly.  Always a good idea to check out the poster's info, just click on her name.

Welcome to the forum Plazz, enjoy.

Can we ask if you have spent some time in the Philippines?

Find the area you want to live after research and then visit FB market place, we have had a lot of success with that finding a condo and other things,,,,,, cars/motorbikes not so.

Ask away as you have time and good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

@blacksheepjuno

I agree,  Alabang/Muntilupa areas are Very nice. If I were ever to relocate again that would be my first choice to search at.

You should easily find a 2BR unit in the 25-30K monthly range.

Very few condos have a full size Refrigerator, so you will have to settle for roughly a 12cf size or buy your own.

If the OP wants to be a little closer to BGC, but out of the madness, I stayed at Acacia estates in Taguig for 1 year @ 25K monthly.

DMCI has 3-4 Condo complexes there, only 2km from BGC.

Many taxi’s, Grab servicing catering there all day long.

Do some research on FB marketplace for availability and current rates.

@bigpearl  Thank you, Big Pearl!

No.  Never been.  Yes, I'm aware of the advice to visit (several times) before deciding to move.  Don't want to bore anyone one with the bigger picture of why that advice doesn't apply, but to summarize: it's temporary...  At least, the landing part, which would be 6 months, to my first year.  I'll use that time to explore (including other countries) in search of whatever is next.  I would welcome your suggestion(s) of great landing places and (especially) 'why'.

    @blacksheepjuno
I agree,  Alabang/Muntilupa areas are Very nice. If I were ever to relocate again that would be my first choice to search at.
You should easily find a 2BR unit in the 25-30K monthly range.

Very few condos have a full size Refrigerator, so you will have to settle for roughly a 12cf size or buy your own.

If the OP wants to be a little closer to BGC, but out of the madness, I stayed at Acacia estates in Taguig for 1 year @ 25K monthly.
DMCI has 3-4 Condo complexes there, only 2km from BGC.
Many taxi’s, Grab servicing catering there all day long.
Do some research on FB marketplace for availability and current rates.
   

    -@vehicross100

Do your rent figures include membership dues to a condo association?

The 25K was inclusive of everything, It was Our total rent...if you start researching you may find that many rental agencies will have 2-3 available units at each complex for you to choose from at any given time.

In that area is Cedar Crest,  Birchwood, Verawood, and Acacia, all with clubhouses, pools,  etc...Acacia is the oldest and verawood & Birchwood are the newest...they are all clustered together within maybe 1km radius...

Google the DMCI websites for each amenities  and visit the map for location.

Hey Plazz

I have to mention that your OP here was about Moving to the Philippines in 2025 and where to land, an airport is a good start, only you can decide where after researching.

I remember landing in Manila 13 odd years ago, one night in a hotel and then a flight to Naga, 45 minutes on the road to port, over an hour on a large Banka boat then another 45 minutes by road to get to my destination where I worked for 6 months. Worked with and got to know the locals and appreciate the culture.

Now you are saying temporary. No real plans? Best if you plan to fly around within country and internationally to land in a major city and set up a temporary base then explore.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl   ....

@vehicross100   "in that area is Cedar Crest,  Birchwood, Verawood, and Acacia, "     THANK YOU for the specifics!!!!

@stellanatividad

How can you help?

HI Plazz. You have a good amount of funds to get started and live a very comfortable life here in the Philippines. Please allow me to give you some factors to consider so we can better help you. I haven't been in this forum for awhile and I am just catching up.

You mentioned that you want to live outside the metro or big cities but still near enough to have a portion of city life now and then.

1. CLIMATE- what kind of climate would you like to live in? The location where its cooler is anywhere near Tagaytay or in Baguio. Tagaytay is in the South, Baguio is far north. Just like you, we never wanted to live in the Metro anymore. When we moved back here, we lived first in Tagaytay for 3 months and then moved to Alabang which is the far south of Metro Manila as a compromise because I had to do a lot of business meetings then. We lived literally walking distance to the malls, near the skyway, and yet we were inside a secured community with lots of trees. So, climate was okay. This year when we experienced the hottest climate, we had the chance to live again in Tagaytay where you actually do not need an aircon at all even if the rest of the Philippines is experiencing a terrible heat of the sun.
2. LIFESTYLE - living in a condo, townhouse or house with acreage? What is it you want to do in your spare time? You mentioned you would love to have a swimming pool. Will you be comfortable to live in a condo? Take note condos here can range from $50k and above, depending on the location and size. Do not be deceived with those cheap condos unless you want to stay inside like a matchbox type of housing. Townhomes are starting to sprout lately because developers realized that a lot of Filipinos cannot afford to buy a regular house and lot. Townhomes can range from $100k or above. As a foreigner, you can be allowed to purchase under your name with a condominium only. You can purchase a house and lot if you are married to a Filipina but it will be under her name and only states, married to you. Here in Tagaytay, just to give you an idea, we can find house and lot that ranges from more than $100k as well but with bigger space compared to a condo.
3. COMMUNITY - what kind of community would you like to be in? A-b market? b-c market? gated subdivision?
4. LOCATION - proximity to international airport, to major hospitals, highway, malls are areas for consideration.

        Hope this well help. Let me know if you have any other questions or anyone in the group has some questions. I was born and raised here, lived in California for 10 years, went back here for almost 11 years, went back to Idaho during pandemic, have been back here since 2022 and will have to go back to Idaho for our daughter's school. I am licensed Real Estate Broker here since 2015, licensed in Idaho also as a Realtor. I am a non-practicing CPA, formerly licensed in insurance and investments here and in California and Nevada. I walk the talk. So, if I give too may inputs, its because I share from experience. I hope this helps someone today.