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Living on Cebu

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NemesisDBA
  3/24/2020 13:45 EST

I am thinking of retiring early (July 2020) on Cebu. I've been looking at houses to rent and the prices aren't bad at all (rent under $500month).

Would anyone have information on utility costs? I did find https://traveltables.com/country/philippines/city/cebu/cost-of-living but I'm not sure how accurate it is.

Electric, water, internet, cell phone, garbage?

I'm not exactly sure of how much $$ I'll have per month, but it should be 2-3K which I'm sure will be enough.

Any insight would be welcome.

coach53
  3/24/2020 16:53 EST

This is from around seven years ago, but you get a hint:
1 foreigner + 1 Filipina
BUT NOTE it's possible such two can be CHEAPER than a single foreigner :) because an economic Filipina can make so the foreigner don't need to pay "kano prices" (=foreigner prices). Not uncommon foreigners are asked to pay double than Filipinos.
Rent $200 (2 bedrooms)
Electricity $30 (that's low if you use AC
Water $10
Internet $50
Mobile $20
Drinking Water $5
Groceries $250
Transportation $100
Plus VISA

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NemesisDBA
  3/24/2020 18:00 EST

Hey Coach,

Thanks for the info. Right now it's only me, but I'm sure that will change.

I've been getting a few quotes for insurance and some aren't bad, others are just crazy.

As a VET there is a pretty good hospitalmedical clinic in Pasay City, Manila. Yeah it's a bit of a trip, but that would be for major stuff.

Robertdav298
  3/24/2020 23:32 EST

I live on the island of mactan just across the bridge from CEBU and I can give you this advice.
Come here and visit first for about 6 months or so and see if you like it. Since you will be retired time is of no consequence.
DO NOT SELL EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY.

Even if you visited the RP before, things change, including your health afterall you are in no hurry.....right.

coach53
  3/25/2020 00:14 EST

I would go ELSEWHERE than places as Manila and Cebu CITY. Higher costs there.
Not full info but a hint is the minimum salaries, which effects costs, Last I checked the minimum salaries in most provinces were only HALF of in Manila. Cebu city in between there.

Concerning RENTING costs it's much a question of supply and demand. E g Puerta Princesa, Palawan "overbuilt" a while ago by believing the tourism would grow faster than it did. This made rents drop. I don't know now, but 2 years ago a small, rather nice "studio type" room with "kitchen" in same room did cost only 2500p per month and could be rented mountly.

Sometimes small nice villas are there for rent for only 8000p per month and up, some pf them furnished. Can be hard to find someone who will rent out such for shorter periods than a year though.
These prices are when a Filipino asks :) although he, who handle the 2500 rooms, know I'm foreigner.

Some idiots put one price in the add, and then ask much higher when arriving to look and say want it, but I would just say "The add price or nothing..." But such idiots can waste much pf your time.

I haven't checked posh condos because I don't like posh condos :)
(I would go for the cheapest of the decent "studios" when temporary or for a nice small villa when some longer time myself.).

NemesisDBA
  3/25/2020 08:46 EST

I don't intend to sell everything in the states and I'm not hard set on where I settle.

I do plan on being in the PI for a while. If I can make it work, I'll work remote even though the hours wouldn't be great (2200-0700).

If I could find a place for 8000p, that would be great. I'm pretty good at negotiating, most people need to sell ent way more than I need to buy so it's very easy to walk away and look for something else.

I looked at insurance & shipping yesterday, shipping is a bit spendy depending on what you want to ship of course. I wouldn't have a lot, mostly fishing stuff. Insurance is reasonable especially if paid annually.

I'll look at other places, there are a 'few' islands to choose from :)

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coach53
  3/25/2020 09:32 EST

"I looked at insurance & shipping yesterday, shipping is a bit spendy depending on what you want to ship of course."
I'm selling almost all, even things I need because of the high shipping costs. (I believe it will become around 8 "moving boxes" which are around 4 balinkbayan boxes in size. )

LOCK UP! You can need to pay very high custom fees specialy if it's good Phils count as "luxury" which can be things we don't count as that.
A foreigner told the custom asked higher custom fees than his things were worth!!! Sad he had memory things in the boxes too, otherwice he could have just skiped to take them out. BUT this was before Duterte fired the custom boss for corruption, Before that the custom put to high custom fees to MAKE the owner give up the goods so the custom get thinhs for free. They took a whole container for a small business :( I don't know if it's better now with new top boss.

There are exceptions:
1. balinkbayan boxes.
They are ment for GIFTS to FILIPINOS, but some foreigners try to sneak in own things like that, but risk that fail because it's in the grey/black zone to illegal.

2. SOME IMMIGRANTS to Phils get custom free move of things (max amount worth, I believe 7000 usd) in some odd conection when moving, if they haven't changed. Back when I checked I COULDN'T send them when I leave my home country because then they will arrive TO EARLY to be custom free!!! Then it's a few months free period. so I'm in Phils when I need to send them!!!
So if it isn't changed you can need to have someone else to send your things later.

3. Although I think of bring things each time I come from VISITS to my home country too.
Check max loads for the flight company you plan to use. Some have max 30 kg + 7 kg hand lagguage, down to some only the hand lagguage.
If I do so, it will take several years to move :)

Or perhaps a combination of 1 and 3 if get a Filipino to send to and have suiting things for balinkbayan boxes to send in them.

coach53
  3/25/2020 09:43 EST

I forgot to say about balinkbayan boxes.
There are such SERVICES from many countries by private/small company organicers, often/allways by Filipinos living there.
They put together boxes from several clients to economical units in transport point of view as full pallets or perhaps even container, which reduce the cost a lot for customers even after the organicer have taken their fees.

A DISADVANTAGE is it can take extra long time until such transport is "full" when need to wait for others.
Before Christmas though I suppouse many send.

If you think of using this alternative search "balinkbayan boxes" for your country. If I remember corect there are/were at least two in USA, one in the west coast (San Fransicso?) and one in the "middle" somehere.

NemesisDBA
  3/26/2020 08:18 EST

I have a friend that had 1/2 a container shipped and he didn't have any issues.

The main thing I wanted to ship is a kayak and I found a place that will ship it for $250~. All the other fishing gear can just go with me on the plain, should be easier this way.


Thanks for all the great info. When the time comes it will be a lot more looking & research of course.

I like the idea of renting in a place to make sure it's the right place I want. I'm not hard set on any place so it could be from Palawan, Negros, Cebu, Luzon, Leyte so there are a lot of places.

I have a co-worker that lives on Negros.

coach53
  3/26/2020 10:17 EST

Nemesis
"I'm not hard set on any place so it could be from Palawan, Negros, Cebu, Luzon, Leyte so there are a lot of places."
I DIDN'T had Palawan among my favorites - until I checked earthquake maps... :) then I changed to ONLY checking Palawan. Because that's the only of the biger islands without earthquakes. Typhons are rare there too, but have happened. I know of only two i many years. One crossing the middle. Yolanda didn't cross but were so wide so it was noticed in north of Palawan.

NemesisDBA
  3/26/2020 11:02 EST

I've been through quite a few class 5 typhoons when I was living Okinawa. As long as the place you are staying is is sound, there shouldn't a whole to to worry about.

I'll look at Palawan a bit more. Gorgeous country

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coach53
  3/26/2020 12:55 EST

Nemesis
"Typhons... As long as the place you are staying is is sound, there shouldn't a whole to to worry about."
It was the earthquakes, which made me change my mind to Palawan.
Building strong houses don't help when earthquakes make potholes as it became at Bohol, which were my top favorite earlier.

Elevensys
  4/3/2020 18:42 EST

I’m a Londoner living in Lapu-Lapu City, across the water from Cebu proper. These are my monthlies in peso

Rent, 3 bed 2 bath new build house on gated subdivision 15,000

Mains water 191.44

Electricity 6481.91 (mostly a/c being left on)

Car, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, bought new in September 2018, 710,000

Liter of gas, 47

Swimming pool, day-use per person, 100

Garbage and street cleaning (3500 paid annually) 291.67

15Kg Bottle cooking gas, 990

Drinking water per 5-gallon bottle, 15

Broadband internet 100Mb, 1999

Netflix, 599

Mobile phone sim unlimited mobile data, 999

Taxi to mainland Cebu 450

Taxi, local ride, 120

Dentist check and clean, 750

Pizza Hut for 2, 1200

McDonald’s meal for one, 220

Steak House meal for 2, 2000 inc loyalty discount

Street food, BBQ stick 17, balut, 15
.
Pedicab ride, 5 minutes, 20

Tricycle ride, 10-minute ride, 60

Jeepney, 8-12 depending on how far.
Consumer Electronics (more expensive than in the UK)

Supermarket food, Clothes (slightly more expensive than the UK)

Cockfight entrance fee, 50

Medication, slightly more expensive than the UK.

Lawyers/Attorneys/judicial fees, more expensive than the UK.

Tourist Visa, 30 days on arrival at the airport, free

Tourist Visa, 29-day extension 3130
Tourist Visa 6 month extension with ICard, 12710

Tourist Visa, 2-month extension, 4050

Exit visa (called a ‘Terminal fee’) payable at the airport on departure, 850 cash only


Hope that helps

southbayfrank
  4/3/2020 19:37 EST

You may want to take a look at Davao city. Particularly if you like fresh fruit. Rent is lower than in Cebu. What I like the most is straight and wider street, I mean better transportation, less dusty, cleaner and neater environment.
I am currently ducking head in Davao city. Just finished 1 month in a studio apartment, roughly 28 square meters, furnished w/ kitchen, refrigerator, AC, WC w/ hot water. I run AC as needed. This is a month by month lease. I do not have my own account with utility companies for elec, water, but pay the apartment office by meter reading. Monthly rent is 7000 peso + 3% tax. Elect cost me ~2500 peso, water is 400, internet service by the apartment is 500, cable would be another 500, which I did not buy. The internet and cable are provided by the apartment. I thought this is great deal and intend to hide here for a few more month until covid crisis is over. I was in Cebu city 3 times and really tried to love Cebu city. It has more activities than Davao city, but dustier, more crowded, street and pavement are in much worse condition. One big draw back in Davao city is the airport does not have as many direct international flights. Mostly have to transfer in Cebu or Manila. Fresh fluits are top quality and cheap here in Davao. Don't believe they say gf can save money. That is by far the most expensive. No hurry to get a gf. Watch your money bag closely. Nothing easier than taking care of a big database. With that said, time to blow whistle and enjoy. With fresh seafood so dirt cheap. No point to catch anything yourself. Still put down the fishing rod for fun, just save the hustle of put on any bait. Buy top quality fresh seafood at market on the way home. You are all set.

coach53
  4/4/2020 05:36 EST

southbayfrank
"Don't believe they say gf can save money. That is by far the most expensive."
I said an economical good gf can save money :)
(If she don't have a family needing much assistance.)
'
The not good ones will bankrupt you :)

(E g a Filipina I know is gf to an other Swede. She cost nothing beside he pay the appartment. And I guess he pay when they travel.
She earn good by herself after I tought her how to reduce risks in her business, after she was sad and had lost money at bad customers not paying. After she made the changes I tought her - just a litle about how to think - she has allways been paid. She earn so good so she work only 2-4 days per month when she collect her shares of projects she finance and startups and others do the rest of the work and afford to travel when the bf isn't there too. (Bf is there half of the year.)

A Filipina I thought of a while as wife material has business mind. Beside her office work she earn an extra salary per month just by buying alcohol and cigaretts to neighbours in the subdivision who are to lazy to walk 500 meters to buy them cheaper! :) (She support her mother herself, not asking the sibblings for assistance except when the mother needed a surgery, When she is at office, the mother handle the selling .)
An other kicked out her live in boyfriend, father to her daughter, because she got tired of supporting him. She was totaly broke then, but got a business idea and determination. She had sold a bunch of her product idea even BEFORE she had started the production ! :) (Just done a sample.)
Allready second month the profit was DOUBLE as a builder assistant and growing and she had allready started sawing to a second machine and thinking of employing!

So there are good ones.
But there are more bad ones than good ones. I know many bad ones too :)

Then there are good ones who are hold down by "crab mentality". E g one had managed to secretly save to small start capitals twice, got small profitable businesses started, but when others noticed she earned, then they made she lost the start capitals too. So she said she will not try own business again as long as she live that close to family and friends. (Big part of her big family is crap, most of the rest are lazy and a few are ok/good.)

Philippine law say persons with assets HAVE TO support close relatives in need BUT with exception for the lazy ones who don't do their best. The problem for the latest example is the good ones live together with the bad ones so when supporting the few good ones then the bad ones sneak get support too... :(

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