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20,000 in the Philippines

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Lordtariq83
  1/15/2019 13:12 EST

Hello i am a 35 year old man from the northeast United States and i am planning on moving to the Philippines in Oct of 2020. this move isnt going to be permenant but i would like to stay for between 4-6 months. i know the exchange rate and i am familiar that things are much cheaper in the philippines. i am wondering how far can 20,000$ US get me for 6 months....just for the record i do not want to live extravagantly over there...i want a simple 1-2 br apartment or condo in a decent area..TV and the basics. any and al tips would be helpful...also i work as a welder is it possible to supplement my income by doing welding in the phillipines?

lancelotlinc
  1/15/2019 13:43 EST

20k is plenty.

See this link.

https://youtu.be/zNZMyLBhHTs

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TheIslandGeneration
  1/15/2019 16:54 EST

The price of renting in the Philippines is all over place. First you haven't said your target area mean the Philippines is about 900 miles long. And there's Kansas prices and New York City prices. Also keep in mind that if you plan to travel around a lot a condo may be a lot safer than the house they could easily get broken into when you're not there.

As for work your welding techniques are probably far superior than most but the minimum wage in the Philippines is $1.35 an hour, so even if you're really good and they paid good wages it ain't gonna be much.

My friend is in Clark in the base area and an apartment there is going for $800 and that's really high. I believe if you go to YouTube and watch Philly in the Philippines he breaks down what he pays who also lives in Clark I think it's only like $300 a month.

Food can be expensive if you dine out a lot you can spend a lot. Again watch a lot of the travel videos of the place you're looking at is lots of tips and people usually post what they paid for meal. If you want to go to an American-style Costco due to SnR. Not cheap but they sell Kirkland Brand American and Australian goods.

Whatever you do once you get to the Philippines don't tell anyone you get $20,000 or you will have a long. Always pretend you're poor and always barter. The moment they see you are an American they jack up the price. If you want to buy something on the street make sure you have a Filipino girlfriend and tell her what you want and let her buy should get the best deal.

Mark
www.TheIslandGeneration.com

mootpoint20
  1/15/2019 18:04 EST

First things first. Concentrate on your survival. I can live comfortably with $12,000 a year in America, today. Secondly, be patient and study what you will do. Don't get here and lose your access to $20,000 dollars. I did that in America because I forgot passwords. So, young man, KEEP IT SIMPLE.

BOBV
  1/15/2019 19:44 EST

Hi You may need to know there a limit you can bring in as cash the amount is 10,000 .Its easy enough to report in the US and fill the required documentation but it also needs to get accounted for in the Philippines the issue arises when you arrive, most fights are in evening, I think they want the money place into a bank,.Rather have it in your debit card, credit card or have someone in US send it to you... just be careful you be OK..your main question is 20 k enough sure but dont tell anyone what you have rent can range accord to where and the size of your place with electric, water, internet i would say 300-350 per month another 150-250 for food and outings, cabs etc.. You will not be able to work here you can get in trouble... good luck

draks
  1/17/2019 08:10 EST

$20,000 for 6 months is plenty. But I wouldn't bring cash keep it in a us bank and use a remittance company to send yourself a monthly income. I use world remit been great for years now. Don't try to work without a permit one wrong move and your in prison awaiting deportation been a few deported lately. Food is relatively cheap really unless you insist on very expensive restaurant so or imported meats etc. Would be food to travel round a lot you can use buses fairly easy. Or buy a car but for 6 months it might not be worth it. Clothes a cheap, t shirt and shorts that's all you need haha.
Just be careful here be aware of your surrounding find out where you should and shouldn't go. Don't flash the cash. You could just use a debit card in ATM's there are us banks that don't charge a lot for foreign withdrawals, that way you don't need to carry a whole lot of cash hope you enjoy your travels here

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