First video I had seen of yours. Good Job. I agree the budget videos are very helpful for a lot of people. Yes it will not be exactly the same for everyone but it will be close if they are living the same life style as you. Keep up the good work.
First time tuning into you… Great video… And yes everybody’s budget is different. But someone that intends to be out your way in 18 months like anything else ...It’s best to learn from different sources.👍🏻 😎🇨🇦
Good breakdown of expenses and lifestyle, plans are afoot for my move and as mentioned, I try to get information from different ex-pat sources......I say you do have a foot up on many because of your rental cost and that's good but looking at your figures, I'd guess $1500.00 would be your sweet spot, as with many other vloggers.....good video, good info....enjoy self
Good Point on your opening remarks, I have watched a few of the different budget videos to compare just what it is that my particular budget is for my wife and I.
New Subscriber, just found your channel. B4 this Covid I was going to retire there, years later lots of change. Me and Philippines. Was interested in living there and Mindanao but seeing lots of video living outside manila. No city for me! I was country when Country wasn't cool! I'm now 69, God has blessed me with good health! No perfect but not damaged badly, used but good shape! I'll be checking out your videos. Thanks for all your information! I'm still coming, now liquidating everything!
Thanks so much for the support. Sounds like you have a good plan. Hopefully I can help provide info that helps. Always open for ideas for videos, so please let me know.
My first time watching your videos I subscribe you’re a spot on with your information. I am trying to move over there next year. The end of March I’m going to keep in contact with you and hopefully we can meet 👍
YOU ARE SO LUCKY BECAUSE YOU ARE ALREADY A PERMANENT RESIDENT!!! YOUR BUDGET IS REALISTIC... I WAS A HOMELESS OLD WOMAN IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA... I MOVE HERE TO THE PHILIPPINES A FEW YEARS AGO... SINCE I MOVED HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES I COULD TAKE HOT SHOWERS EVERY DAY NOT LIKE IN THE STREET IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA I WAS A BUM IN THERE!!! YOU BETTER WATCH RU-vidR LIKE YOU LIKE "Paul in the Philippines", "Gio in the Philippines", Philippine Info Channel", "Every Man Has A Story" Etc... You will get more info... Thanks!!!
I'm happy to hear life is better for you here. I know and watch the other RU-vid channels you listed. I have been here much longer that most all of them.
I like your video. We moved into our new, but small condo (studio style) in the city of San Fernando about the middle of January and were there about a month and a half before heading back to Vancouver. I can't wait to get back there permanently this autumn. Our cost of living is going to be so good compared to what it is right now.
I'm moving to San fernando area my future wife is from there would love to know around what yo pay because I'll be there looking soon around June July at the latest
@@darryljohnson7223 hi Darryl. We own our unit there at Azure North but I know there are a lot of owners having their units turned over now and a lot of them plan to rent or lease them out. Depending on the owner and what they have done to the unit, the size etc., my guess would be mid 400's per month and up.
The look of shock on my wife's face---no rice---lol. Thats a great deal on your rent----you should lock that in for 10 years with a yearly cpi rise. I'm tipping an influx of people into Malolos with the train and an increase in property values and rent. That is a very reasonable budget for a decent lifestyle-----and I have to agree, double it to have your safety nets and thats what you need to budget for.
Hi pirate cove, I like your youtube vedeo I'm a filipina living in france but I'm planning to go back in my country someday and thank you for your vedeo I have a knowledge now when I come how long my money goes God bless you
Month Expenses from personal knowledge and listening to what other ex-pats in the area live on. Rent apartment or condo from: 75.00 to 250.00 USD Rent a house from: 200.00 to 1000.00 USD (very nice) Meralco: No AC 30.00 to 50.00 USD, With AC 75.00 to 250.00 USD (if you have on 24/7) Internet: 25.00 to 50.00 USD depends on where you live and if Fiber is available LPG: 15.00 US every 2-3 months Water non-drinking: 5.00 USD Water Drinking: 6.00 USD (for two) Food: 200.00 to 400.00 USD (Native or Western diet) Commute: 20.00 to 30.00 USD (Tricycles and Jeepneys depending on where you are going) Incidentals: 150.00 to 250.00 USD (Meds & Misc) Low end: 700.00 USD (Subsistence level in the province) High end: 2250.00 USD (Living well) :) Does not include a car and its associated costs.
Anyone saying budget videos are pointless because everyone lives differently, are missing the big picture. The videos aren't telling you how to live, they're giving you a ball park figure to work with so you know if you can sustain a living there or whether you should hold off until you have a bit more cash flow. A video I would like to see on budgets is an initial one from someone just moving to the Philippines for the 1st time, something that adds in initial move in costs like security deposits and setup fees for electricity/internet (If applicable). I get around $1900 a month from military retirement so it looks like I would be well off once I got settled in, but once you add all the move in costs it might be quite tight for a month or 2.
Eric, Just set up an apartment in Cebu. Cost's where ok. Rental was one month plus one month deposit. Internet was about 1500 instal plus another 2000 1 month advance. About 30000 for bed, lounge etc. So in US$ about 1000 to set up
@@piratecovephilippines4711I was in the Philippines last year and my neighbors roosters is our alarm. Sometimes they can be annoying but I get used to it few weeks later. The videooke is the one that bothers me.I’m glad you’re enjoying your life in the Philippines. Take care.
I think the budget videos are helpful, but maybe more so if you say the town because prices in any country can vary from region to region. Pretty wild that your electric is more than your rent.
Thanks for the video. Your point about there being many gradiations between Makati living and bondocks (a Tagalog word, alas!) living is very on-point. My only suggestions is it would be greatly appreciated if you could place the US dollar prices next to the peso prices. That'd be very helpful.
Thanks for watching, one thing about putting up the price is people watch from all over, Canada, Europe, Australia. Just convert, the USD is currently 52 to 1
I budgeted 50 to 60k but that's in dumaguete. It will go down when I buy a house and no longer rent. Rent here is about 25k for 3 br house. But yes I watch all videos and figure things out myself
Pretty reasonable expenses, although more than I spend outside of San Miguel, BUL. I am a single person at resent, 6 cats and we (cats & I)eat only about 3kg meat a month & chicken/pork & canned fish. This month was a little high on utilities as I had 2 electric bill paid in the month, but my totals were: FOOD P 4,980.00/AUD 129.87 VET COSTS P 2,760.20/AUD 63.81 (incl 7kg bag dry food) UTILITIES P 8,279.00/AUD 214.32 (2 monthly electricity bills) MAINTENANCE P 120.00/AUD 3.05 MISCELLANEOUS P 2,140.00/AUD 54.50 (new pump/motor in an imported washing machine fitted) VEHICLES P 770.00/AUD 20.08 (car & sgl motor) _____________________________________________________ P19,049.20/AUD 485.63 I don't eat out much, so buy sacks of rice, no medical costs or insurance and I own my house so no rent, only maintenance/ repairs as needed.
@@piratecovephilippines4711 Actually last month was a little higher than my average, and many people think I live a very "cheap" lifestyle. I do live like a "local", eating typical PH foods, the cats eat rice & canned fish at night, & dry pellets in the morning, most entertainment is sitting around with family & friends eating & drinking the Filipino way which suits me just fine.
My electricity would surely increase when I start receiving social but have to agree living in the province is way cheaper than Manila, I dont drink or smoke so eating out will be my major expense.
I’m honestly not sure what to think. Some RU-vidrs say you’ll need 5000 US, some say you get away with 500 US. However, most recommend to have a budget of $2000 and savings in the account for emergencies. What I haven’t heard is, how much savings I should have to feel comfortable or secure. One RU-vidr said even 5000 dollars won’t be enough in some areas. If that’s the case I might as well retire in Switzerland, one of the most expensive countries to live in. If you can’t survive on 5000 bucks, you might as well stay inside your home and never leave or go anywhere.
Definitely an exaggeration. A 'middle class' salary in the ph is just at around 1k usd. Minimum would earn around 250 and higher salaries upto 2-4k usd. 5k budget is way too much. Maybe it's for a family and they spend a lot of time going out shopping and splurging.
@@TheaHernandez Yes, that’s what I thought. I’m planing on spending around 5k per month as a single guy and maybe another 5k a month if I’m planing to travel within the country. Maybe even visiting neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Vietnam etc. But that’s including everything, like my ticket, health insurance, visa, rent, food, rental bike/car, entertainment, … like I said, everything. I was able to live comfortably in Europe with this kinda money, I’m sure I’ll be just fine in Southeast Asia.
Walter, how is it the stores there sell eggs non refrigerated, out on the open tables or shelves? As opposed to the US, where eggs are always in the refrigerated dairy section...does it hurt anything to place eggs in refrigerator there in PH when one gets home (assuming one has a frig)?
Natural eggs have a protective coating on them and don't require refrigeration . In the US , eggs are washed before packing and required cold Temp to stay fresh. I still put them in the fridge at home. Probably out of habit. Thanks for watching
I am very interested in health insurance options, so would love to see a video just on that subject (or at least your thoughts)! I've heard living in Philippines but getting most medical work done in Thailand is best option...your thoughts? What insurance would allow someone to do that?
Don't know anyone going to Thailand for medical, but I'm sure it's possible. I'm still looking into options myself and will put out something when I have more information. Thanks for watching
@@piratecovephilippines4711 Thank you! Yes, I follow Vagabond Awake and according to him Thailand Malaysia are both excellent for medical work (better than the USA) and very, very inexpensive. Indonesia is next. I'm thinking it would make sense to do "medical tourism" to one of those countries for any medical procedures, while living in the Philippines. I look forward to watching more of your future videos!
@@tonyp2601 Hi TonyP. What is the quality of health care in the Philippines compared to Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia currently (and what is it projected to be like in the future)? I've heard that a lot of people have the kind of insurance that allows them to get health care in one of those three countries even though they live in the Philippines...however, that supposes they have time to travel for medical care and do NOT require immediate emergency care (which would preclude travelling).
@@beehive5835 Hi Bee Hive, I have no information about health care in those countries. But there are good hospitals in the Philippines right now like Makati Medical Center (backed by the biggest conglomerate in the country Metro Pacific), Medical City (backed by an investment management firm out of SanFo) and St Luke’s. All of them are in an expansion move. Most of them have branched out in the provinces. There are likewise specialty hospitals such as Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center, National Kidney Institute and Phil Chidren’s Med Center, all government owned but run very well. They have performed organ transplants like heart, liver, lungs and kidney. Metro Pacific is building a dedicated cancer treatment center close to BGC. Dialysis centers are plentiful. Most doctors and hospitals have ties to foreign hospitals especially the US where a patient, if he/she prefers, can be monitored by a Stanford doctor. Cosmetic surgery is available here as well although it’s not as popular as those in Thailand. In-vitro fertilization is also available here although some locals go to Taiwan for that. And Philippine medical schools are quite popular among foreign students from India, Iran, etc. Equally important is that most doctors and nurses can speak English well so communication between patient and doctor would not be a problem. As to insurance, there are several international and local insurance companies that offer health insurance coverage. One of them is AXA. I have an acquaintance who got an insurance coverage from an insurance company in Japan and she got admitted to St Luke’s for surgery. She only presented her insurance policy and did not have to worry about anything because she had full coverage. She did not have to make an upfront payment or deposit. I don’t have the name of the Japanese company that issued the policy. By the way, and this is anecdotal, I once had a brief conversation with a non-Filipino couple from Guam while they were consulting with a doctor at Makati Medical Center. I learned that for their medical needs, they would come over to the Philippines because they believed that quality of care here was better and cheaper. According to them, they would spend the same amount of money if they were to do it in Guam compared to if they did it in the Philippines but with holiday/leisure already.
its nicer to live in the provinces in the philippines rather than popular cities like manila or davao or cebu....a lot of vloggers mostly expats break down monthly expenses and base on the lifestyles in manila......what theyre mostly pointing out is the quality of health care like going to the hospitals or clinics.. they dont know a lot of provinces have advanced medical equipments likethose in these so called cities..............
ur advice very LEGIT.....how is internet in ur area? cause l m a day Trader...internet is important for me...and how is girls there can find a nice girl around? thx in advance. God bless You.
Towards the end you said you should always put away some savings for an emergency unless you have a big bank account to back you up. What would be considered a big bank account to you for the Phillipines?
@@ariefraiser140 Just a heads up though that PDIC maximum deposit insurance coverage is Php500k per depositor per bank, so you might want to save in different banks, just in case.
@@piratecovephilippines4711 Thank you for the reply. I watched several of your videos. You are living a good life, and I am happy for you. I am not exactly sure, if I can lead a simple life in Philippines, though I want to. Only way to find out is to come there and see it.
Medical cost in the Philippines is lower than my co-payments in Hawaii. And I have High Option insurance there. Lol. My MRI cost me $280.00 here; in Hawaii, it costs $3659.00, and my co-payment is $731.00. No insurance is needed here.
I would disagree, unless you have a million pesos set aside for for a serious medical issue, I would really look into insurance. It doesn't cost much at all.
Wow P51,000 budget per month. You living like a king in Bulacan 🙂 Yes its true some locals live with less like P10,000 a month. But honestly you got a good rent price P4500 for 2 bedrooms not bad :)
I can live on $500 with your rent. I dont need insurance since I'm young and have substantial reserves just in case. Don't need cat food. I can spent about $200 on food since it would be just me. I have about $500 a month in passive income. I might just go for it in about 8 months.
I spend less than $500, I hardly use ac just use electric fans, I turn off my ref at night, I have 2 guard dogs, their daily meal is rice and corned beef, we eat a lot of rice, a sack is 1950 pesos, my maid costs 4,000 pesos, for footwear I go to shopee, shorts and t-shirts at ukay-ukay, watsons sell mouthwash buy one take one, I use jeepneys and tricycles and walk a lot, I eat out once a week, I make my own burgers, I dont smoke nor drink, most of what I buy are in local markets instead of a supermarket, my rent is zero nor does have any visa fees. Cost of living is lower in the province, I pay 400 pesos for unlimited data monthly on my phone.
I am now retired, in my 60s and in good health. My dream is to live in a place not too hot - Baguio City perhaps - in a two bedroom apartment. Someplace attractive, doesn't have to be "luxurious." Possible on US$2,000 a month? I do like to eat out and entertainment such as movies and a drink are necessary.
thanks for posting! i'm surprised that you cost only 4,500 pesos for property rental.. which area are you located, no need for specific address? like metromanila or cebupolitan or outside of the city?
@@piratecovephilippines4711 thanks for your response. You are near to my lot property in metrogate meycauayan bulacan. BTW, I'm filipino but with british citizen living here in the UK. It's true living in busy city like makati or just inside of metromanila like one of ayala property in balintawak, BTW you mentioned about philhealth, does it cover all your emergency operation just in case something happened like heart operation or any operation which is costly in the Philippines? Thanks again
Thank you so much for your video i left holland for to live stay in the philipines i have a 1280 euro to spent a month i have found a three bethroomhouse full furnitured for 20.000 in lapu lapu city thank you godsbles i am 70 age try to get old in the philipines all the bet.
Thank you, very interesting, I will be moving there in a few years once I stop working. I am also interested in your visa, I have been married to my Filipino wife for 10 years now and would like to get permanent residence once I move there. Maybe you can do a video on the process of getting your permanent residence visa, I presume it's a 13a visa.
I’m wanting to head that way right after my divorce. I haven’t been in Philippines in over 40 years. Does the toilets flush with shower there where you are?
4,500 pesos for rent is not the real value of the property, some owners don’t want to have their rental house being empty because of vandalism and offer the house to friends and family with a very cheap monthly rent to just being occupied. If you are planning to create your own monthly budget don’t use 4,500 for rent. The real value is more than 12K+ it depends on location, city life or province life.
From watching several of these from ex pats I would personally would not feel comfortable unless I had a minimum of 1500$ per month . And preferably 2000 or more per month .
Not an easy one to do, first is what plan will the hospital take that you are going to use. And then how old are you, a 55 year old and 70 year old will pay a very different price. Having a good size saving account to add too each month is a good start. Thanks for watching
It's good like your video. I lived in Mandaloyoung near the roundabout for 700 month with a girlfriend but she worked at shakeys sent her earrings to her parents. We moved after 2 years to thr Fort and rented at fairways towers for 1 year. My rent was 400 at this location but high end area also and all walkable. Best place I ever lived there was Negros Island 🏝 pure happiness
Great breakdown brother I laugh at the expats living here in Angeles City that insist 5k usd is the minimum needed to live comfortably here LOL....I cannot imagine what type of lifestyle these guys are living....I too am living much closer to your monthly expenses but we cook almost all meals at home and eat a lot of rice hehehehe.
5k usd is 60k for the year. A person in the US would need a job paying 85k-90k per year to generate 60k after taxes. That kind of salary would be pretty good for a couple in most parts of the US. I don't know why you would NEED 5k a year to live a good upper middle class life in the Phillipines. $2000-$3000/month would easily get you there.
Unfortunately the cost could go up because of the us BS with our government spending I have lived all over Asia but have been curtailed because of 19 let’s hope the dollar doesn’t become equal to the peso
@@piratecovephilippines4711 Thank you Brother. I'm a Caucasian male from a western country and reverted to Islam a few years ago so want to live in an area with Muslims, Halal food, Mosques...and hopefully meet a pious Muslim Hijabi Filipina to marry and told Zamboanga City was good for that and maybe Davao City.
@@auntiesemite9295 , I totally understand, I believe the Davao would be great area. You can probably find just place your looking for just outside of the city.
@@piratecovephilippines4711 Thank you Brother. Hopefully I'll be there within two months. I need to check international schools for my child as well, so school and housing are also important factors for me but I was told the Philippines has the most beautiful women in Asia and practically every understands English, so thought I'd visit both there and Thailand.
Everyone's recreation is different with very different cost. As for us, we have a business here that keeps us busy and not easy to go island hopping. Also for more than 2 years with COVID lockdowns hasn't been easy to travel around. Thanks for watching
@@piratecovephilippines4711 I will be a retired government employee collecting a pension and social security. Will they deposit directly into a Philippine bank?
I count at least 8 times that I use the word. Also the final total is in text on the screen and give it in peso and USD. You really should learn to pay attention better. 😂
OK , Canadian dollars, Australia dollars, US dollars People watch from many countries. And exchange rates change often. So it's always best to use pesos and you need to do the conversion. Thanks for watching
