Cost of Living in the Philippines in 2020

manwonder wrote:

mc81 wrote:

well , this tread have flip out

living cost is not what you guys talking about , you talk about who own and what and all kind of issues beside ,,,,thats not "living cost "

In a way it does!!....Housing/rental costs DO form a 'MAJOR' part of your overall cost of living so I don't see why not!

When you end up in court or at the Ombudsman's office because your land deal is going sideways it can certainly affect your cost of living.

mc81 wrote:

well , this tread have flip out

living cost is not what you guys talking about , you talk about who own and what and all kind of issues beside ,,,,thats not "living cost "

Buying land/renting is not a cost of living?

Kent&Liza wrote:

Yeah when your wife dies. I know that but you have control over the land and may operate a business or live there until
The debt is paid. I know a guy who is doing just that. Unless he lied to me.

Sometimes they lie. More often they are just wrong or were lied to. That is what "some guy" should not be considered a definitive source for important information. I make it a point to know and understand the law. I also talk to actual attorneys. And even those sources need a grain of salt.

The thing  about bad advice is that for a while it seems to work. It is like taking your hand off the wheel at 80 MPH. Everything is great until the curve.

And the death of spouse exception does not apply if you have no children with that spouse.

Law...here???...U must be joking!!!

living cost in philippines is always how much money you are ready to put for that

do not expect nothing else

everyting what you put there will stay there

you not gonna have nothing in your pocket when you leave a county if you ever want to do it

there is no answer for living cost

you have to choose your "level" to living and how much money you can use for that

philippines have "living cost" for every level

those "ownership" issues usually ends with lawyers and court who give you right at the end and charge you such amout about their "help" what could not imagine

manwonder wrote:

Law...here???...U must be joking!!!

shhh

you are scaring people

Kent&Liza wrote:

I said I have a lot of experience in Philippines. Not buying land. I’m not here to argue with you. Your right. Your smarter than me you know it all.
Good luck to you my friend

Sadly Kent and Liza this site has some people that will just keep arguing with you.  I and many other's appreciate that you are posting and sharing your experiences.  That is what this site is about.

I posted a while ago that we should accept each other's opinions as we all have different experiences to share.  I was met with a quick retort. 

Let's see i will give him, 6 hours to respond to my comment.  But now i have said that he will not respond.  But hey 6 hours or less.

pej1111 wrote:

Kent&Liza wrote:

I said I have a lot of experience in Philippines. Not buying land. I’m not here to argue with you. Your right. Your smarter than me you know it all.
Good luck to you my friend

Sadly Kent and Liza this site has some people that will just keep arguing with you.  I and many other's appreciate that you are posting and sharing your experiences.  That is what this site is about.

I posted a while ago that we should accept each other's opinions as we all have different experiences to share.  I was met with a quick retort. 

Let's see i will give him, 6 hours to respond to my comment.  But now i have said that he will not respond.  But hey 6 hours or less.

You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.

The law is a matter of fact not opinion. Your opinions on the law are dangerous get other people into trouble, pej1111.

If you know of some law that allows a foreigner to own land in Philippines other than death of spouse, then please post a link to that law.

LAW is direct corruprion , cash in hand for that people who take about your issue , live as they do and life is more easy

we should not forget its their culture and thats to way how everything works

when accept that fact life in every level from sikad driver to big business works

mc81 wrote:

LAW is direct corruprion , cash in hand for that people who take about your issue , live as they do and life is more easy

we should not forget its their culture and thats to way how everything works

when accept that fact life in every level from sikad driver to big business works

True.

But be prepared for price increases.

Sometimes we paid their price.

Other times their price was unreasonable so we pressed the law.

A foreigner on their own is never going to be able to hold on to a plot of land that someone else wants. By law or by something else they will lose it. Even Filipinos get steamrolled sometimes in these matters.

All I've got to say from my limited experience here is this : Stay humble/Stay Simple/& Don't expect the local land laws to protect you the expat (not YET at least!)....Sorry if I have made some earlier uncalled for comments (if any!!).
My take away from what I have been through is that for ANY kind of investment here, just be ready to "WALK AWAY" with nothing!
That does not mean we don't have fun in the meantime (which could last for many years!!!)  but I would still warn prospective investors.

Thanks

YES , thats how it goes in majoriy

there is way out with less damages but that really need to know deep inside how they are and what they give respect ,,,,, money is always in picture but its not everything

manwonder wrote:

All I've got to say from my limited experience here is this : Stay humble/Stay Simple/& Don't expect the local land laws to protect you the expat (not YET at least!)....Sorry if I have made some earlier uncalled for comments (if any!!).
My take away from what I have been through is that for ANY kind of investment here, just be ready to "WALK AWAY" with nothing!
That does not mean we don't have fun in the meantime (which could last for many years!!!)  but I would still warn prospective investors.

Thanks

Exactly, and we should not encourage statements that can get others into trouble just because we think we have a right to our opinion without question.

I will not apologize for this. Certain others that I have messaged should.

Philippine Destiny wrote:

manwonder wrote:

All I've got to say from my limited experience here is this : Stay humble/Stay Simple/& Don't expect the local land laws to protect you the expat (not YET at least!)....Sorry if I have made some earlier uncalled for comments (if any!!).
My take away from what I have been through is that for ANY kind of investment here, just be ready to "WALK AWAY" with nothing!
That does not mean we don't have fun in the meantime (which could last for many years!!!)  but I would still warn prospective investors.

Thanks

Exactly, and we should not encourage statements that can get others into trouble just because we think we have a right to our opinion without question.

I will not apologize for this. Certain others that I have messaged should.

Wow all settled in 6mins!

manwonder wrote:

Philippine Destiny wrote:

manwonder wrote:

All I've got to say from my limited experience here is this : Stay humble/Stay Simple/& Don't expect the local land laws to protect you the expat (not YET at least!)....Sorry if I have made some earlier uncalled for comments (if any!!).
My take away from what I have been through is that for ANY kind of investment here, just be ready to "WALK AWAY" with nothing!
That does not mean we don't have fun in the meantime (which could last for many years!!!)  but I would still warn prospective investors.

Thanks

Exactly, and we should not encourage statements that can get others into trouble just because we think we have a right to our opinion without question.

I will not apologize for this. Certain others that I have messaged should.

Wow all settled in 6mins!

It was settled a long time ago, but you know.

mc81 wrote:

LAW is direct corruprion , cash in hand for that people who take about your issue , live as they do and life is more easy

we should not forget its their culture and thats to way how everything works

when accept that fact life in every level from sikad driver to big business works

Totally wrong ! Those who followed your advices are now crying because they lost everything. I think of many expats who "owned" something in El Nido, Boracay etc. and had it through corruption. Now their buildings are destroyed.
I will say a stupid thing : follow the law and and you will be better in the long run

Philippine Destiny wrote:

pej1111 wrote:

Kent&Liza wrote:

I said I have a lot of experience in Philippines. Not buying land. I’m not here to argue with you. Your right. Your smarter than me you know it all.
Good luck to you my friend

Sadly Kent and Liza this site has some people that will just keep arguing with you.  I and many other's appreciate that you are posting and sharing your experiences.  That is what this site is about.

I posted a while ago that we should accept each other's opinions as we all have different experiences to share.  I was met with a quick retort. 

Let's see i will give him, 6 hours to respond to my comment.  But now i have said that he will not respond.  But hey 6 hours or less.

You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.

The law is a matter of fact not opinion. Your opinions on the law are dangerous get other people into trouble, pej1111.

If you know of some law that allows a foreigner to own land in Philippines other than death of spouse, then please post a link to that law.

Where did i post my interpretation of the law?

pej1111 wrote:

Philippine Destiny wrote:

pej1111 wrote:

Sadly Kent and Liza this site has some people that will just keep arguing with you.  I and many other's appreciate that you are posting and sharing your experiences.  That is what this site is about.

I posted a while ago that we should accept each other's opinions as we all have different experiences to share.  I was met with a quick retort. 

Let's see i will give him, 6 hours to respond to my comment.  But now i have said that he will not respond.  But hey 6 hours or less.

You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.

The law is a matter of fact not opinion. Your opinions on the law are dangerous get other people into trouble, pej1111.

If you know of some law that allows a foreigner to own land in Philippines other than death of spouse, then please post a link to that law.

Where did i post my interpretation of the law?

You got into the middle of a conversation on it. If you did not know or care what we were talking about, then you should use the message system to address your personal issue.

geolefrench wrote:

mc81 wrote:

LAW is direct corruprion , cash in hand for that people who take about your issue , live as they do and life is more easy

we should not forget its their culture and thats to way how everything works

when accept that fact life in every level from sikad driver to big business works

Totally wrong ! Those who followed your advices are now crying because they lost everything. I think of many expats who "owned" something in El Nido, Boracay etc. and had it through corruption. Now their buildings are destroyed.
I will say a stupid thing : follow the law and and you will be better in the long run

I tried to halfway agree with him because money talks, but a screwing is always at the end of that story.

So I agree more with you in this case.

Philippine Destiny wrote:

geolefrench wrote:

mc81 wrote:

LAW is direct corruprion , cash in hand for that people who take about your issue , live as they do and life is more easy

we should not forget its their culture and thats to way how everything works

when accept that fact life in every level from sikad driver to big business works

Totally wrong ! Those who followed your advices are now crying because they lost everything. I think of many expats who "owned" something in El Nido, Boracay etc. and had it through corruption. Now their buildings are destroyed.
I will say a stupid thing : follow the law and and you will be better in the long run

I tried to halfway agree with him because money talks, but a screwing is always at the end of that story.

So I agree more with you in this case.

Thats like saying "Damn if you do, damn if you don't."

manwonder wrote:

Philippine Destiny wrote:

geolefrench wrote:

Totally wrong ! Those who followed your advices are now crying because they lost everything. I think of many expats who "owned" something in El Nido, Boracay etc. and had it through corruption. Now their buildings are destroyed.
I will say a stupid thing : follow the law and and you will be better in the long run

I tried to halfway agree with him because money talks, but a screwing is always at the end of that story.

So I agree more with you in this case.

Thats like saying "Damn if you do, damn if you don't."

what I was thinking happens to you starts with another letter

Totally wrong ! Those who followed your advices are now crying because they lost everything. I think of many expats who "owned" something in El Nido, Boracay etc. and had it through corruption. Now their buildings are destroyed.
I will say a stupid thing : follow the law and and you will be better in the long run

you did not understand nothing

its not question about houses in el nino or boracay and crying expacts

i talk about expacts who want to  make their everyday life more easy , whatever they do its direct friendly corruption what works

myself i never did invest to philippines but i rent everything and use local service so much what i can

i know too many sad stories about expact investments in philippines , its last thing what i ever gonna do

insted just living and enjoy my life ,,,,and make my money in my homecountry business

learn this culture , i never gonna be one of those but i lhave learn live as they do and without that you never gonna go nowhere in philippines

you are not only expact ,,,, you are outsider

we everyone can choose our way to living in philippines ,,,,i did choose mine

mc81 wrote:

Totally wrong ! Those who followed your advices are now crying because they lost everything. I think of many expats who "owned" something in El Nido, Boracay etc. and had it through corruption. Now their buildings are destroyed.
I will say a stupid thing : follow the law and and you will be better in the long run

you did not understand nothing

its not question about houses in el nino or boracay and crying expacts

i talk about expacts who want to  make their everyday life more easy , whatever they do its direct friendly corruption what works

myself i never did invest to philippines but i rent everything and use local service so much what i can

i know too many sad stories about expact investments in philippines , its last thing what i ever gonna do

insted just living and enjoy my life ,,,,and make my money in my homecountry business

learn this culture , i never gonna be one of those but i lhave learn live as they do and without that you never gonna go nowhere in philippines

you are not only expact ,,,, you are outsider

we everyone can choose our way to living in philippines ,,,,i did choose mine

I agree with both of you. Either way can work out. I also agree with manwonder, both ways can fail. It all depends on the person and the situation.

I agree with both of you. Either way can work out. I also agree with manwonder, both ways can fail. It all depends on the person and the situation.

EXACT thats what is all about

my 16 years in south east asia did learn me to living like i do and im happy

someone else maybe want to do it different way but i dont want to do it like they do and struggle with everyting

i came to living good life ,,, not struggle

mc81 wrote:

I agree with both of you. Either way can work out. I also agree with manwonder, both ways can fail. It all depends on the person and the situation.

EXACT thats what is all about

my 16 years in south east asia did learn me to living like i do and im happy

someone else maybe want to do it different way but i dont want to do it like they do and struggle with everyting

i came to living good life ,,, not struggle

to everything there is a season

tread was living cost 2020

that i already said ,,,,, there is many level

just find your own

do not make any plan

just take care you have ticket back to home ,,,,many reasons for that

you maybe find your place , maybe not

go and take a look around you

after that you know littlebit more

Agreed best to "Tread lightly"!

from internet is possible to find every kind of "statistic" of living cost in philippines and whoever can do it just right now

just go and raomaing to web

after that take a look does it fit in reality

i promise you it do not

Another point brought up in this thread is notarized documents.

The fact that a document is notarized does not mean that it is legally enforceable.

You may want to believe that it is, but it may not be.

For instance, if a notarized document says that I, a foreigner, get title to a piece of land in the event of a default on a loan that document is not legally enforceable.

Some attorneys will take my fee and notarize it. I will not find out until I am in court that I was tricked.

That is why it is important for a foreigner to educate themselves so they do not get swindled with contracts that promise undeliverable things. Then make sure that you have an attorney you can trust and verify what they tell you and get a second and third opinion when in doubt.

rule nr 1 :foringer can never own land in philippines , do not matter what lawyer make this paper , its not worth nothing

you can own house but you never can own land , in that case is longtime leasing what can be terminated whatever reason

after that you will fight for your rights in court

lawyer will help you and you got your rights

with a bill what you dont have afford

Notary is only certifying it IS your signature and witnessed you signed the document. It is NOT about what is in the document.

Jackson4 wrote:

Notary is only certifying it IS your signature and witnessed you signed the document. It is NOT about what is in the document.

Philippine Destiny wrote:

Some attorneys will take my fee and notarize it. I will not find out until I am in court that I was tricked.

Agreed...So I was not wrong in what I had stated in my earlier post!

Hello everyone,

Just to remind you that the topic here is "Cost of living in the Philippines in 2020".

Can you please stick on the initial topic?

You can start a new topic on the Philippines forum if you want to discuss about other subjects or use your private message system if you have any particular message to other users here.

Again avoid off topic comment and please concentrate on the initial subject.

Thank you,
Christine

Salamat chrisine ....

Noted with thanks

mc81 wrote:

after that you will fight for your rights in court

lawyer will help you and you got your rights

with a bill what you dont have afford

Fully agree with your lifestyle policy.  Rent everything in SE Asia & have NO skin in the game.
You can live very well here, sleep well at night and not worry about the b*** & scams that happen AFTER you’ve “invested” your money.

It’s always yes yes yes , until they’ve got your money. It all changes after that.

After 10 years in SE Asia I’ve lost count of the deluded fools that have lost money here purely due to stupidity.    Unfortunately, stupidity can’t be fixed.

Sorry about this being a bit off topic......but from what I’ve seen fools being scammed on property  is second only to failed marriages is the “cost of living” in SE Asia.     I don’t worry about the price of bread & milk......let the fools worry about pennies,,,the smart watch where the big dollars are lost.

Hello,

This is a reminder once again that all posts should be focused on the subject of the topic, Cost of Living in the Philippines in 2020.

Thank you,

Diksha
Team Expat.com

Ontheroad57 wrote:

mc81 wrote:

after that you will fight for your rights in court

lawyer will help you and you got your rights

with a bill what you dont have afford

Fully agree with your lifestyle policy.  Rent everything in SE Asia & have NO skin in the game.
You can live very well here, sleep well at night and not worry about the b*** & scams that happen AFTER you’ve “invested” your money.

It’s always yes yes yes , until they’ve got your money. It all changes after that.

After 10 years in SE Asia I’ve lost count of the deluded fools that have lost money here purely due to stupidity.    Unfortunately, stupidity can’t be fixed.

Sorry about this being a bit off topic......but from what I’ve seen fools being scammed on property  is second only to failed marriages is the “cost of living” in SE Asia.     I don’t worry about the price of bread & milk......let the fools worry about pennies,,,the smart watch where the big dollars are lost.

Agree with some of your points!...but the term SE Asia is not quite right...sorry I'm fm Singapore & there is "NO SUCH" problem in owning land/property if you are eligible (thats if you find them affordable which is another story!) ...I'm not too sure about other SE Asian countries.
The other thing is this...yes maybe you may call me an 'idiot' for buying a land/hse...lets say for 3million pesos works out to be about  SGD$80,000 which when spread over my current stay 7years works out to about : SGD $940/mth..so lets assume I can carry on living here for another 10years (thats if I don't kick the bucket before then) ....that would still be a good deal to "WALK AWAY" from....so thats what I will do...I'll walk away a happy man!

But I will still advice all expats to REFRAIN fm any kind of investment here be it land/house and even others if you are NOT READY to walk away with nothing!

Thanks