Moving to PH in the next 18-24 mo.

@sfowler2760  scott... I don't see why not.. that $1,600 per month should carry you through with no problem if you're not a big party'r or big spender.  However, a little extra wouldn't hurt if you have it to add to the 1.6k.   A pretty good condo 1 or 2 br rent about $300-$400/mth, utils together w/AC's (just don't go crazy AC 24/7 high and blasting) will run ya about $300-$350 maybe with Internet (that runs $39/mth) but Sky Cable and PLDT have different plans. Your food is up to you of what you like.. we eat a lot of chicken, some rice, eggs, pork chops, some breads, soups, coffee, etc.  We cook mostly at home.  Transportation can run ya about 1,000peso+ / mth depending how many trip to make to the malls... roughly $15-$25+... take tricycles a lot cheaper.. like 60-90 peso if not going real far.  If you shop for rents and sharpen your food selections and watch your transportation spending.. you might be able to widdle your expenses a bit.  Hope this helps ya some...   Later, T

@sfowler2760 oh yea scott forgot to tell ya.. we live on Mactan there in Cebu.

@sfowler2760 You can count me in as one of those who is "Retiring Well" with 3K+ per month of income. I watch and record my expenses to a ridiculous degree on an Excel Spreadsheet carried out until 2025 with estimated COLA increases. It is only my Filipina Partner and I - No Kids. We spend $2,000 per month on "Recurring Expenses" including $360 for rent of a 60 Square meter condo in Talamban. Food and household items runs me about $650 including about $100 for cheap wine & beer with Dinner - No Daytime Drinking. Electricity is expensive here - I spend about $200/month with one inverter AC on nearly 24/7. What is the difference between my 3K income and 2K Recurring Expenses? Being older, I spend an average of $200 monthly on Meds. Some Med therapy devices added about $2,500 this year. Replacement of Phones or Laptops (only once every five years, but still a budget consideration) add more. Some Financial Assistance to GF's family, especially after Typhoon damages or "Papa has no food". And, I save/budget for trip back to USA to pay Cash without credit card debt. That is about 9 to 10 K including expenses while there so I am not a financial burden to my family, who are already taxed by the inflation and other crap going on in the USA at this time. Add an occasional piece of Jewelry, Rebonding etc. of GF long hair, a short vacation in the Province, and you are up to 3K+ per month. I lift Comfortably, but not luxuriously. Being Single and living sparingly outside a major city with no Med Issues, and not going home for for Family Vacation, you can probably live here for $1,500 to $2,000 without any Cushion for emergencies or travel. Regular Monthly Income of any kind is the key, whether SS, Pension, 401K, Annuity, or whatever.

Thanks Frank, I started reading other blogs on this site about the cost of living here and was not surprised to hear so many contradictory answers there were to this question. It seems to me that maybe some expats don't want any more of us joining them because maybe the " foreigners " money drives inflation there, or the ones who retired "really well " ie...company pension, 3k a month in SS, etc, are dismissive because they can live like royalty and why tell the truth. One guy said don't believe the travel logs and sites about how cheap it is to live there! How does one separate fact from fiction?

- @sfowler2760

@sfowler2760 I should add to my previous Post on Living Expenses that I give my Partner about $160 per month that she can spend as she chooses. She was working before and earning the same, so I wanted her to give me 24/7 attention and caregiving. So, I thought only fair to replace her previous income. I still pay extra for Other Stuff, so it really comes to about $400 per month. Medical, Meds, Dental (All Filipinas seem to need Dental Work), Clothes, small jewelry items, manicures/pedicures, extra money for family when needed. Money that I give or spend on her is included in my $2,000 per month Recurring expenses. We will be spending money - Budgeting about $6,000 - on a very small House In The Provinces in 2025 of which she will save/pay for half.

Hello everyone, I'm Scott and I have been toying with expating to say...Cebu in the not to distant future. Like most of you I'm guessing, I want to live better with less. I also love scuba diving and don't get the chance much in the states. That being said, can anyone speak to living in Cebu. I'll have about 1600 a month income and backup in the bank. I'm low maintenance mostly but like to splurge now and then, is that enough?

- @sfowler2760

Hello everyone, I'm Scott and I have been toying with expating to say...Cebu in the not to distant future. Like most of you I'm guessing, I want to live better with less. I also love scuba diving and don't get the chance much in the states. That being said, can anyone speak to living in Cebu. I'll have about 1600 a month income and backup in the bank. I'm low maintenance mostly but like to splurge now and then, is that enough?

- @sfowler2760

So why chose Cebu??   

(1) I doubt that  "that foreigners" drive up inflation. World economics dictates inflation, the Philippines goes along for the ride.

- @Enzyte Bob

Sometimes such even make problem for other SELLERS by they expect to get similar far to much too and dont get sold by that.  Some Filipinos even RAISE the price when they dont get sold in long time!!! 

@sfowler2760  yeah i know what you mean i think it depends on the lifestyle you want me I just want a quiet one where i can go fore a walk in the countryside and a cup of tea in the local town or village when i feel like it and visit waterfalls things like that but different towns and city's will need a different budget. I hope you find the right place for you take care and good luck

@sfowler2760

I visited a dive gear shop at Maremegmeg, El Nido, Palawan last week. BCD, fins, goggles, tank, wetsuit, weights cost about twice compared to the US. One dive in a group setting might set you back $100 for 2 dives on the same day. Usually a boat dive. I have not seen a shore dive in the Philippines. I bought a replacement latch on sale for my fins (does not include strap) $7.00 in El Nido. The same cost 4 bucks in the US for a pair. I am guessing since you like SCUBA diving you'd be living near the ocean. It will be hot days and warm nights. You might need A/C and cold beer$. It is becoming apparent your $1,600 may fall short on your expectations.

@sfowler2760

Hi. I think you will be ok but you can live a more comfortable lifestyle if you purchased a property for about 20k - 40k USD. Thats about 1 - 2 million pesos. And then if you had a car. You can find many used cars or condos or town houses for sale on Facebook. Make sure it is a clean title. Eliminating those 2 expenses would make 1600 livable and comfortable in my opinion.