After having lived rurally in Cambodia for years I would like to find another country to call home in my remaining years. I have a simple lifestyle; I am content to live without electricity, hot water and shopping centers. I would like to lead the same uncomplicated life in the Philippines. The problem is that there are so many islands and I have no previous in-country experience there. So, I am asking readers for suggestions. My preferences are:
1) a small village where locals are friendly with foreigners
2) low crime
3) preferably not in the path of annual cyclones, hurricanes and flooding
4) easy access to a city with banking services
5) ease in obtaining long term residency (i.e. visas)

I am retired, in reasonable health and used to tropical weather. I am not interested in citizenship nor in marriage to solve the visa issue. I am especially interested in hearing from those who have lived there and have first hand information, but I will pay attention to hearsay that appears credible. Many thanks

ahh, c'mon! Hard to believe no one on this forum hasn't spent some serious time there.

Desperate in what way? I see plenty of that in Cambodia.

as far as i know, its easy to get a retirement visa there. but you need 10,000 dollars to either invest, buy house or put into a bank account

Duncan, many thanks for the link.

the owner of the LinC forum spends a lot of time in cagayan de oro, i believe it is extremely inexpensive, quiet, and with a large number of attractive young women but very little nightlife scene.