The Philippines is an Asian country in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of around 7400 islands and is categorized into three geographical divisions known as Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The country covers an area of 300,000 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 109,000,000. The landscape of the Philippines is diverse: from the green mountain villages to white sandy beaches to busy, crowded cities such as the capital city, Manila. If you would like to visit the beautiful islands and experience the fascinating culture of this country, here is a guide to the Top 5 Places to Live in the Philippines.
Mandaluyong
If you like shopping, you will love Mandaluyong – a city directly east of Manila. The city is well developed and is home to the Ortigas Centre, which is a huge business and commercial building. The number of shopping centers is vast, and you can pick up some real bargains in malls such as SM Megamall, The Podium, and SM Light Mall.
Those who love a good pampering will love this city as it has many luxury spas and salons where you can receive anything from a pedicure to eyelash extensions. Lovers of music can sing their hearts out at one of the many karaoke bars or dance the night away in a nightclub such as Z Roof Deck.
If you plan to visit the Philippines soon, you may want to consider looking for long term accommodation in various locations that appeal to you and that way you can try before you buy. For example, if Mandaluyong sounds like a great place to live you could look for a place to rent and see how you enjoy living there before you invest in a property. Try to find an apartment for rent in Mandaluyong which will allow you to get to know the city better and decide which districts would make the perfect location for your permanent abode.
Tagaytay City
Tagaytay is around 60 kilometers from Manila and is a beautiful city with lots of parks and greenery. The most popular attraction in Tagaytay is Taal Volcano. This relatively small volcano is the most active of several volcanos in the Philippines.
If you like a cooler climate, Tagaytay is a great place to live as it isn’t as hot as other parts of the Philippines due to its high altitude.
During the Christmas season and Holy Week, hundreds of tourists flock to the beautiful churches and shrines in this city.
Boracay
If you are a beach lover, you must visit the beach capital of the Philippines – Boracay. This beautiful island has over 12 beaches, including White Beach, which, as its name suggests, is a lovely beach with pale white sand, edged with clean, azure water. Some of the luxury beach resorts along the coast are well worth a visit if you want some pampering in luxurious surroundings.
Bohol
Bohol is situated in the central geographical belt of the Philippines, known as Visayas, and is known for its natural beauty. It is an excellent place for nature lovers to visit and Bohol island is home to unique natural wonders known as the Chocolate Hills. These are a collection of 1200 grassy hills which turn brown during the dry season on the island and look like lumps of chocolate formed from the landscape.
A tiny primate called the Philippine Tarsier is native to the country, and a sanctuary dedicated to caring for these cuddly critters with enormous eyes can be found in Bohol. Visitors can enjoy a night walk through the shelter where they may catch a glimpse of this nocturnal creature.