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Seeking comments on cost of living

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divenut1959
  3/14/2018 17:00 EST

I am looking at retiring in about 2 years and I had the pleasure to travel to the Philippines about 8 times over the last 10 years or so...most of these trips have been to Manila and Puerto Galera for diving. I agree my travels are limited but I am trying to get a feel for cost of living in areas like Makati, Cebu, Leyte, Davao. I will have a very good pension from my US employer but I am hoping to live on 70% of that and delay taking any SS for awhile, I also have a 401K but again want to consider living on just a percentage of my pension. My monthly budget will be 4000 USD. I know this is a lot for the Philippines and I am sure many might think what is he worried about but again trying to get a feel for rents, general quality of life etc. Thank you in advance for your comments and input.

charkee
  3/14/2018 21:48 EST

I'm living on $350 a month. I have gone "native", eating and living like a Filipino. I don't live in a slum and actually live in a fairly nice area. I have a veterinarian, MD, a business owner, several engineers as neighbors. $4000 a month is ridiculous amount to be worried about. It's like a mega lotto winner worried if he can afford a new Harley-Davidson.

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Chevytrk6
  3/14/2018 21:51 EST

I live in a 3 bedroom two bathroom apartment cost 13000 pesos my internet cussed me 4000 pesos my electricity cost me 3500 peso spend about 10000 pesos on food and have a maid that I pay 5000 pesos for every month I spend less than 1000 a month USD for me and my wife

Chevytrk6
  3/14/2018 21:53 EST

I forgot to add we live in the Dumaguete area

Chevytrk6
  3/14/2018 21:53 EST

I forgot to add we live in the Dumaguete area

Chevytrk6
  3/14/2018 21:53 EST

I forgot to add we live in the Dumaguete area

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CAspacecowboy
  3/14/2018 23:31 EST

$200K Pesos/month is a pot-load. Keep your budget low, low, low, Go nowhere near that in any discussions when you get to PI. Do you want high rise urban, Makati, etc., or smaller towns but urbane, Subic, Cavite, Tagatay. A different island? Cebu or ? Rent and try out different areas. Close to the beaches or inland and high up for cooler air. Single or with someone in tow? Want AC 24 X 7, then keep in mind electricity is expensive. Need internet? That all goes into it. Overall a good life can be had for anywhere from USD $1K - $2K, ($50K - $100KPesos - with the upper end living really good. But if you flash money, or talk about having extra money, watch out! Good luck with your search.

divenut1959
  3/15/2018 19:24 EST

Thank you for all of your input and any comments and anything I can pick up here or there is very helpful..

Bernie

TeeJay4103
  3/17/2018 06:32 EST

With your income you should be able to live quite well, where you choose to live will also help determine how well depending on your wants and needs.

During your many trips to the Phil, hopefully you did a little info gathering.

Internet, power, water and security will vary greatly from one area to the next and should be checked before you make your move, as well as proximity to shopping, entertainment, government offices and medical care.

If you rent a home in the country or the bario you may have to deal with a little culture shock, crowing roosters, barking dogs, all night parties and karaoke.

With your income a furnished condo may offer you a great base to check out the area you choose and would, in a better condo (more expensive), no doubt offer security, internet, tv and possibly generator backup for power outages which are quite common.
Many condos in resort areas are weekend and holiday rentals and you can expect an influx of noisy kids and families during those times.

Renting a home may also be a crap shoot, a gated subdivision does not necessarily equate to a secure home. Many guards are pretty useless and breakins can occur right under their noses. Some even charge extra to use the ammenities you would think would be free for those living there. Ask.

Ask you landlord who pays for what when it comes to repairs and don't expect your security deposit back when you leave. List damges and non working items before moving in and document with photos. Just common sense to cya.

We have a friend who built an expensive home in a high end gated subdivision in Tagaytay and found that he has consistent water problems and never enough pressure for his second floor bath. More money spent for a water tank and pump, etc.

Another has an expensive home and has ongoing electrical issues and runs his generator often to keep the fluctuating voltages from ruining his appliances, etc.

A humble demeanor, a smile and a lot of patience goes a long way to enabling you to enjoy a peaceful life here. NO one is in a hurry and confrontation will get you nothing but a target on your back and a bad reputation.

Warranty's mean very little here for you purchases, so don't expect it and buy wisely.

That beautiful place you pick may need a well, a generator and a security guard for when you leave the house in that country setting.

My wife an I are quite content with our home in the Phil. We choose to be happy with what we have and what is available. It's much more fun than being angry because it's not the western world you're accustomed to.

Good luck.

Traco
  3/18/2018 23:29 EST

That amount will get you a very reasonable condo in Makati or BGC which have all the amenities of a modern city.

barteli100
  3/19/2018 00:54 EST

Check for the living costs in www.numbeo.com

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bang4dabuck
  3/19/2018 10:48 EST

That is plenty of money especially if you are solo. If you are plan to go diving often I would use the parameters given especially the availability of hi speed internet and stay out of the major cities if possible because traffic sucks. Minor, hillsides are cooler and less chance of floods. Watch out for the girls

divenut1959
  3/19/2018 11:47 EST

Thank you for the details to consider...I have been reading many posts on the forum so your comments were good reminders of things I had read before. I have a question on healthcare. I will be over 60 when I would be there...I have read that your better off to just have a good reserve available to pay as you go...is there private insurance one can purchase? Thanks

divenut1959
  3/19/2018 11:49 EST

Thank you for your comment....I smiled on the "Watch out for the girls"..I have to say I learned quickly about this on my very first trip in 2009 and I keep learning every visit since.

sportsinvader
  3/19/2018 14:51 EST

I've heard of Philhealth, $300 dollars, for a year coverage, not sure of the details.

sportsinvader
  3/19/2018 14:51 EST

I've heard of Philhealth, $300 dollars, for a year coverage, not sure of the details.

lancelotlinc
  3/19/2018 15:49 EST

Here is an apartment available for 4,000 pesos per month, which is about US$80.

https://youtu.be/qSSsndE9f5s

lancelotlinc
  3/26/2018 16:03 EST

Here is a Feb 2018 budget for living in Cebu.

https://youtu.be/ar9cxlLRbtg

BOBV
  3/26/2018 20:22 EST

TeeJay very clear and to the point with a world of truthful information

TeeJay4103
  3/27/2018 04:34 EST

divenut1959

Philhealth offers minimum coverage at best. Payments seems to be all over the board with none I have heard of exceeding 50% and that was in only one case involving a broken bone.

I have checked with other providers and coverages are high to outrageous for those over 60, though I have found one, Pacific Cross, which has resonable rates and a good reputation.

Philhealth runs about 17000 P per year for a foreigner unless you have an SRRV visa the rate is 15000 p per year.

Hospital stays require you to have someone by your side to go for food and prescribed meds and keep you cleaned up. So be prepared for that if needed.

Comments with regard to the quality of care here run the gammitt from atrocious to very good. Depends on who replies and their personal experience, though in Cebu, Davao and the Manila area there are some hospitals that most seem to agree provide good services.

bang4dabuck
  3/29/2018 02:55 EST

HEALTHCARE - meds are a lot cheaper here than the US and never needed a prescription. For blood work and other regular tests and scans HiPecision has very good rates again usually with no need for doctors orders and they take credit cards as do most of the pharmacies except Generic/Gavriele. My kidney Doctor costs less than $12 US per visit. Only used a hospital for an X-ray on my heel at Chong Hua in Cebu city I think it was around $30 probably less. I think PhilHealth helps you getting admitted and only covers emergency overnight stay type stuff and at a decent discount. To me I would go with this and insure myself. I don't know what to say if you have a major major problem. What I assessed when looking at the other insurances that they cost as much maybe more than the US and for inferior services and accomadations, usually pre existing conditions not covered. FLEECING !!! Initially you could keep your US insurance until you feel comfortable with an explanation you are traveling and a temporary stay but that is what $5K+ a yr for peace of mind.

Another consideration in where to live is how far away in terms of time to get to a capable hospital. I feel sorry when I see an ambulance coming from the provinces like Dalagute or Oslub coming all the way to the city to get to Chong Hua or Cebu Doc, at least 3 hours in rush hour, there just isn't any place for people to move out of the way and still debatable if they would. I heard the ambulances ask for money before they take you LOL

Bassett001
  4/17/2018 01:36 EST

Hello.
I have an england friend who enjoys living in antipolo. No need for an aircon, the rent is cheap.
He works online for Englands businesses.
RENT!!! RENT!!! RENT!!! take a pic of the electric and water meters, come back 3 days later. If the meter has moved, your neighbors are stealing your utilities!!!
Take pics of every room, get the lease and pics signed and registered at the baranguy hall,
DO NOT look for a place, send your wife, have her take movies to show you!!!
Ask around the neighborhood at sari sari stores for floods, crimes etc.
Go there at nights different times, look for noisy kids, drunks with korokes,,, basketball hoops on the walls, noisy motorcycles,,, trees that clog up the eaves troughs,,, how much garbage in the streets, skinny dogs,
The noise will travel through concrete walls right into your pillows into your ears...
Been there, done that and bought the t shirt....
Shoot me dead Al

mootpoint20
  4/17/2018 15:13 EST

Charkee--You do realize that you could write a book about your survival 'technique' in the Philippines and make a fortune? It would help a lot of expats.

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