Dumaguete, Philippines

Capital City

Dumaguete is a sleepy university town with a population of 142,171, but don't let the quaint facade fool you - the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. Despite its reputation as the "center of learning in the South," the tropical monsoon climate brings sweltering heat and humid nights. However, the city's rich marine ecosystem and growing industries like tourism and business process outsourcing make it an appealing option for retirees and working professionals seeking a more affordable cost of living outside the big cities.