Somebody here knows what are the financial requirements at the Philipines Immigration for an American citizen to get long term residence visa or retirement visa? I am planning to move from Thailand.

I also needs info about a very cheap, safe, and convenient beach destination there. Thank you.

Actually you can extend a normal 2 month tourist visa for up to 3 years, make an exit and repeat.  So retirement is not used by most people.  If married to a local national retirement visa would not be required as special category to stay.  This link provides a good outline of the options.  Believe SRRV Courtesy visa now includes military service as well as diplomatic.

http://myphilippinelife.com/philippines-retirement-visa-srrv/

Nobody bothers much with a VISA,

You can just rock up and stay for 3 years, 30 days on arrival then extend at any immigration or travel agent for about 1,000 pesos a month for 3 years. Then you leave for one night (or more) and can do it again for another 3 years. After month 3, you get n ARC (Alien resident card) that entitles you to open bank accounts, etc. Free VISA if you marry a local (and you can work), special VISA for US Vets.

 

No waiting, no queues, no hard paperwork, no financial requirement. Sometimes they ask you to sign a form saying you have $10,000 in savings, but no checks or proof required.

 

Cheap and safe beach resort,

I like Barretto, Olongapo, Zambeles, nice beach resort, plenty of western bars and restaurants, Cheap Charlies is a white man hangout, small beer 35peso a bottle. Accommodation around 1,000peso/night (900 if you stay longer than 1 week), 10,000 if you stay 1 month. Blue Wave resort on Baloy Long Beach is nice. Rooms above the coffee shop across from Arizona resort are also nice. Extra cheap fan rooms are at Anbon Hotel (Above and behind BizMart, opposite Cheap Charlie's), about 6,000peso a month.

How to get there, plane to Manila, bus from Pasay City Victory Line bus station to Olongapo (240peso), Blue Jeepney from bus station to Baretto (15Peso).

 

Need any more info, just ask (beaches are dirty in bad weather, but otherwise clean and clear).

If you're a heavy drinker gin and whiskey available at 60 peso for 700cl.