More and more people are choosing to retire abroad to enjoy a better climate, new experiences, access to affordable healthcare and a lower cost of living. One destination long popular with expats is the Philippines, a nation that spreads out over more than 7,000 islands. Its borders are Taiwan to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, Indonesia and Malaysian Borneo to the south, and the South China Sea to the west. A large expat community enjoys everything the country is known for – beaches, beautiful scenery, tropical climate and friendly locals – plus affordable healthcare and a low cost of living. Other perks: The Philippines extends a number of incentives to expat residents, including discounts for the 60+ crowd and the duty-free import of household goods.

No matter how much you have saved for retirement, you may be able to live better – and make your money stretch further – if you retire abroad. (see Retirement: U.S. Vs. Abroad). Here, we take a quick look to see if it's possible to retire in the Philippines with $200,000 in savings.

Each year, International Living's Global Retirement Index ranks retirement destinations around the world, measuring factors such as climate, healthcare, benefits and discounts, and cost of living. For the 2015 Index, the Philippines scored 92 out of 100 for cost of living, placing it in the top 10 for cost of living, and matching Belize, Cambodia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Thailand. Only Nicaragua and Vietnam ranked higher for low cost of living, each earning a perfect score of 100.

International Living also shows that most expats can live comfortably in the Philippines for about $800 to $1,200 a month. Some basic math shows that if you live on $800 per month – probably the lowest amount for which most retirees could live comfortably – your $200,000 savings account would last about 21 years ($200,000 ÷ $800 = 250 months, or 20.8 years); live on $1,200 a month and your savings would last 14 years ($200,000 ÷ $1,200 = 166.66 months, or almost 13.9 years). This is, of course, a basic example that assumes your monthly expenses stay exactly the same over the years, and that you have no other income or expenses (e.g., tax liabilities) during retirement.

In addition to savings, many retirees have access to other income s during retirement. The average retired worker's Social Security benefit, for example, is $1,328 per month for 2015.

Just adding Social Security into the mix, makes retiring comfortably in the Philippines with $200,000 start to seem like a very real possibility. Your monthly benefit alone might be enough to cover most of your living expenses – housing costs, food, activities and basic healthcare – with money left over for the occasional trip back home or to cover an unexpected expense.

Like anywhere in the world, what you pay for rent in the Philippines depends on the location, size and condition of the property. According to city and country database website numbeo.com, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a city center is $228.94; outside a city center the rent drops to an average of $124.77 per month. For three-bedroom properties, average rent is $394.53 (inside the city) and $240.59 (outside the city).

While rent is generally considered affordable, if you plan on living in the Philippines for awhile, buying a condominium might be a more cost-effective option. Although foreigners, in general, are prohibited from buying property in the Philippines, the Philippine Condominium Act makes it possible for expats to purchase condominiums (essentially because condominium ownership does not convey any type of ownership in the land on which it sits).

For information on which locations you might want to investigate, see Find The Top Retirement Cities In The Philippines. If you buy something, see Do You Get U.S. Tax Deductions On Real Estate Abroad?

If you end up living in a place where you've previously enjoyed vacationing, it can be difficult to make the financial switch to everyday life. One mistake that many new expats make is acting – and spending – like they're still on vacation. While it's normal to splurge on vacation, spending too much on meals, attractions and the like on a long-term basis can quickly burn through your retirement budget.

One way to avoid overspending is to find out where the locals shop for meals, groceries, nightlife, entertainment, attractions, etc. By getting to know the local vendors and other expats, you can find out where to buy things at the local rate instead of the tourist rate. This is a hugely important step in maintaining a low cost of living abroad. You might already do this at home (without even thinking about it). You probably know where to find the best deals and which places to avoid because they are overpriced. Do the same thing abroad and your money can last much longer.

The uncertainty of anyone's lifespan makes it impossible to predict if $200,000 alone would be enough to last through retirement anywhere – even in a country with a low cost of living such as the Philippines. What is clear is that living abroad during retirement can offer a better quality of life for your money and enable you to make retirement dollars stretch further.

As with any retirement destination abroad, it's a good idea to visit the area more than once before making any decisions – and try to visit from a resident's perspective, rather than as a tourist. In addition, taxes for those retiring abroad can be quite complicated. As such, it is always recommended that you work with a qualified attorney and/or tax specialist when making plans for retiring abroad. Start by reading How To Plan Your Retirement In The Philippines. Then check out Plan Your Retirement Abroad.

Note: Because of continued violence, certain areas in the Philippines should be avoided. On Nov. 20, 2014, the U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning for the Philippines – in particular the Sulu Archipelago, the island of Mindanao and the southern Sulu Sea area. Other areas in the Philippines are generally considered as safe as other places in Southeast Asia.

U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in the Philippines are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides security updates and makes it easier for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in case of an emergency.