I left my $80.00 a month house due to crazy neighbors who love to dance and sing in the street with their dog at the top of their lungs. I chose to live in a mountain area. Gated with two guards constantly that demand your ID before entering. I couldn't be happier. No neighbors across from me or to the left and only a couple of older couples about a 100 feet down the road. NO ROOSTERS, NO DOGS BARKING, NO CRAZY NEIGHBORS DANCING WITH THEIR DOGS AND SCREAMING THEIR DOGS NAME AS THEY SING TO IT. 5 minutes from a mall and the main road to the restaurants. Perfect location. Trees everywhere unlike my last place which was in the dump calamba city, and it was nothing but concrete and trash everywhere. My costs now 20,000 peso a month or $350.00 usd. I should have moved a year ago, but i loved only paying $80.00 usd a month, but i was miserable.
I came to the Philippines to live smaller, fed up of the rat race in the west, everybody trying to outdo each other. I rent a room, spacious enough for me and my wife, we can do all the things you can do in a house, we have hot water shower, and all the furnishings we need. No contract, month to month, we have clean towels and bed linen provided, water and electricity is included in the rent p14,000 per month, we have air-con, refrigerator, tv, and very good security. I had to do a bit of moving around before I found this place, just 5 minutes from the City and boulevard, everything at our fingertips. This guy is right, no good having a posh fancy big house if your neighbours are giving you hell..
It's good to live in a small inexpensive place. 👍 On the other hand, Philippines makes it possible to live a luxury lifestyle on a fraction of what it would cost at home (for me Hawaii). So I am going with an $850 a month Condo in the heart of Cebu City, Very clean, safe, well maintained close to everything, 2 pools, nice gym, balcony with great views. In Hawaii, this would cost $7,000 plus, a month. Just rent, then comes food, utilities etc, all much cheaper. There's options here.
I think it is safe to assume that the people claiming that you ONLY live there because of your low budget. Are the same people who will never even buy a plane ticket to the Philippines.
You tell em Steve. I've been living in a small space almost all my life in California. 1st quarter 2025, I'll be moving and looking for something like what you have but in Davao. Happiness is what you make it.
I am part Filipino although I hope you have been to Davao before. It's not for everyone but if you visited and enjoyed it can be interesting. I grew up in Carson City, California. It's mostly Filipinos in this area :)
You can find one bedroom apartment's in Davao city for between 5,000 to 10,000 php We live on Samal Island in Garden city 15 minutes from Davao we just put our oldest daughter in her own one bedroom in Davao while she's going to school getting her degree. We pay 6,500 for her rent and utilities.
When I bought my house in the US 20 years ago, I chose a "starter home" because I did not want to spend more money than my rent at that time. Well, rent has gone up over the past 20 years but the mortgage does not go up, my taxes went up $4 total from last year. Some people therefore might think I am also living "poor" but there is still no need to have anything bigger than a 2-bedroom place. My sister and her husband live in a house 4 times mine and now they are worried about heating it this winter (the cost of fuel went up 30% this winter). They are of retirement age and are still working because the house and hobbies cost too much money to retire. Smart choices when you are young make easy choices when you are old.
Location makes all the difference. I live in Quisao, Pililla East of Manila. I have a 2 story 2bdr 1ba that I pay $120. I budget $200(aircon) for electricity 8:10 $40 for 1gig fiber internet $10 for water. There is no beach and I’m an 1.5hr from Manila. I can meet Steve and the other guys at Texas Roadhouse in 2hr(Grab) $60 round trip.
Tell him that Warren Buffet has lived in the same 3 bedroom house in Omaha Nebraska for the past 45 years and drives the same Jeep Grand Cherokee the past 12
You tell them! In a country famous for travel there’s very little reason to pay premium price for a bigger place. There’s very little reason to get a bigger place unless you’re just super rich to where money is not a factor at all or you’re just so old you’re not going anywhere else travel wise. It seems the happiest people are minimalists and travel.
I think you did a great job picking your place out. Low maintenance and less to clean. I’ve found myself that spending money does not equate to more happiness or contentment. A simple life is a good life.
No need to explain Steve, like minded people get it. That’s the American thought of having the biggest & best everything. Always looking down on others. You do you Brother! ✌🏻
I might be a rare observer - but I wouldn't want one as big as yours Steve - just for myself. The new ones next to you are enough for me. Thrifty and efficient living is adequate yet comfortable - easy to clean and cheaper to cool w/ac 24 - 7 if needed. Being alone I don't see any need for bigger ? Each to their own in my view. Enjoy whatever you like and are comfortable with ? 🤗
Less $ for an apartment = more $ for Marlboro, San Miguel, Tanduay, Red Horse and Pussy. Buy new screens for the windows, weld verticals in the middle of the security bars, add a black light bug zapper.
I would like to go simple and small in a place I like, spend less and save some.. I like the option to keep looking and if I feel a upgrade is worth it then I can.
Wants and needs of lifestyle differ for everyone. If you don’t need 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 2 oven kitchen and large living and dining room plus office, then why pay for that? Find your individual comfort zone within your preferred budget no matter if you could afford to spend 10 times the amount, and if your happy your happy. We don’t live to please others, or at least I wouldn’t be happy living to please others. Small and comfortable, hire a maid, not live-in maid… and enjoy life . K.I.S.S. I don’t need to spend every dime I have coming in to prove anything to anyone.
When i moved to Florida at th age of 40 i knew i had to get out of Oregon my kids were all grown now it was time for me i sold my 4 bedroom 3 bath house and bought a 2 unit one bedroom one bath duplex that is as in 2004 i could have afforded a larger house with a pool but i told myself if i meet someone and want to get serious i could always sell it. The truth is the next 15 years i spent living half the year in the states and half the year living in the Philippines. My fiancee an i built a beautiful 5 bedroom 3 bath house on 4 acres up on a hill side over looking the Albany Gulf. I could walk down the hill to the beach my dream home living in paradise became a nightmare. Spent 12 years in a relationship with a lier and cheater trying to save our relationship, yes i walk away from her to never look back.
Regardless of size or price , there isn't much if any zoning here. Most rules and regulations are little or not enforced. That leaves it LOCATION AND LUCK OF THE DRAW. Stay mobile until you find your spot (and your island).
I was living in a townhome 3 br, 2 ba gated community with 6 adults and a child. Then i upgrated after 4 yrs having the place to a single house 5 br, 3 ba gated community. I can now walk to the mall much closer and went from 16,000 p to 25,000 p monthly
It's up to you on where to live and what you want size place to live in. As long as you and your significant other are happy, that's all that should count. Don't judge others or you shall be judged. Thanks Steve for the video.
I have 2 questions. Why do people think that you have to have a big place to be happy and why does it matter? I can tell that you are happy where you are. Nice little house/apartment, good location, and good neighbors! You do you man. Have a good one Steve!
My Wife and I built a small house here...3 rooms, 1 bedroom, I living room and kitchen area... also 2 CR's... and a deck outside with canopy ... we do not want or need big... 😂😂😂
Why are people like that? Like Steve said - he and his girlfriend are happy where they are living and that is all that matters! I sence that the person that texted you is jealous and he wants what you and your girl friend have! My wife is from the Philippines and I’m from the States. She has told me over the years that jellosie is a common thing in the Philippines because we have our share of poor people. Hear in the States we have are problems also. The person that said that to you needs to get a life! I don’t care about the size of your place or how much your budget is - if Steve and his girlfriend are happy , I’m happy for them! Bob
I like the fact that i don't have to stress over rent or a house payment. I told steve he would be crazy to give up his apartment. I believe he will do what I've done and other exspat's have done. My wife and i own our home on Samal Island and 2 other homes to travel to when we want to. We love our home here on Samal Island but we have friends and family living in Legazpi city and Butuan city so we keep homes there in each city to live in a week at a time every other month.
Good topic in a rethinking of priorities in a retirement mode. In the US having more to match others does end up being wasteful. Reducing your footprint and expenses allows you to explore and enjoy yourself in the leisure yrs. Home is good for those rainy days and indoor hobbies but having the time and the saved resources to give you regular adventures sounds like the best of both worlds. Convenience and flexibility is control and peace of mind 💯 Enjoy ✌️
I compared our places and they are pretty much the same size. I have a big bedroom with a queen bed, full size desk and a sofa with room to spare. My bathroom is on the bigger side. Kitchen is average but roomy. However, I'm in Cebu and my rent is 15k. No roosters or loose dogs running around but I have no garden area no grill area and I want a two bedroom next. Now that I'm 18 months in, I'm gonna look a little further out and see what can I find for 20k+- Anyway, if I'm being honest, I'm just jealous of your lower rent situation😂✌🏿❤
One thing I heard about whether a subdivision was worth the extra dues for security was whether it checked people going out as thoroughly as coming in. Something in that idea I think.
Location location location. It all depends on the area and what the market is willing to bear. If you want to live in Makati or BGC, then you are paying for esthetics. Don't go to the philippines if you plan on living large because you will defeat your purpose. Sure, there are those that can afford more, and that is great for them, but for us who moved to the philippines for economic reasons, they can't go down that road. I prefer to live in a suburban style of living in a compound with a house and a garden. That's just me, but that is getting the best of both worlds.
Say, Steve. I don't recall anybody appointing this guy as the judge and jury over how you should live your life. Do you? Besides, it's not a matter of how much space you have that counts. It's what you do with the space you've got that really matters. Bill Gates could choose to make do living in a tent and I could care less. Home is where the heart is, my friend. As for me, I live in the province on the island of Mindanao about a 40 minute drive from a large city. I am more than willing to put up with some of the inconveniences of living here for the peace and tranquility I've enjoyed. Lived here ten years in a close knit community where everyone watches out for each other's back. Been here close to ten years and wouldn't change it for the world. May you continue to have a great, trouble-free and full-filling Iife. Thank you for helping the newbie expats avoid the pitfalls we all made before and keeping the rest of us up to date on current events that may effect us one way or another.😃 Take good care always.
Retired less than Two Weeks ago... I'll be in Cebu City before November 1st. My STARTER Plan is a $500 Condo Rental in Business Park while I figure out what I want. $100 HOUSE Rentals are available on the Outskirts. From the Advertisements I see... Rental prices are about Location, Services & Convenience as well as size. Edit: I can see maintaining a $100 Apartment somewhere I visit often.
I live deep in the province and I feel much safer than I did in the city. No theft and everyone watches out for each other. In the city nobody knows who is who. I do miss cheddar cheese but with starlink that is all I miss.
We live in a gated community, my neighbor is a retired swiss national with his Filipina wife, thieves broke into their house one night. They They left for the province. Sometimes living in a gated community makes you a target for thieves. And, yes our subd. pool is green😂
I agree with your observations with respect to Trece, Gen Trias, and Cavite in general. Your specific setup is somewhat unique though. What do you think the current fair market rent would be for your unit if you moved out tomorrow and left behind the improvements you made over the course of several years? Probably P15k a month or more is my guess if you include the parking spot.
I was there earlier this year. Manila area back in 2022. Only spent about 3 weeks each visit. Next time I go, I will be without my Filipina friend. Had to let her go. Too much baggage. I want to live out as a single man. Just need the right location
Have you made any videos comparing different parts of the Philippines? For example, compare Iloilo to Trece Martires. Just the basic necessities, like rent, food, electricity, internet and other things. I think that Iloilo looks good, because of nice trails for walking or riding a bicycle, but I’ve never been there. I don’t know how safe it is or what the cost of rent and other things are. I know that there’s lots of places to consider. I would like to be close to a big mall so I could walk around if it was too hot to walk around outside. One of the main things is to find a safe place without a lot of beggars. BGC would be almost perfect if it wasn’t so expensive.
We'll have to disagree on this one. I don't need 2000 sqft, but I need a gated community with at least 1300-1500 sqft. I can't live in a sardine man. I'll pay the extra $$$.
LOL, imposing American "McMansion Standards" on you? I never bought in to that. I bought my 1st and only house, a 1200 sq ft townhouse, 33 yrs ago. Over the years I could have afforded better/bigger, etc. Nope. It's just me, don't need it, I don't need most of the house I'm in now. It's been paid for. I'm not out to impress anyone. If I move, and it's by myself, the only reason not to get an apartment is that they are so expensive if staying for a longer time...Small is fine, small is better in many ways.
Steve some guys live in gated communities just to do it because they couldn't afford it in their home country it's like wanting to have something you couldn't afford before and now you can
S400 is crazy cheap for most countries although I lived in a dorm in Carson City, California for about $350 a month. I did share it with a couple others but we lived in nice area. Some $80 apartments in Philippines you need to be careful. Many buildings are not up to code like western standards. Not very safe.
I have asked that question in the past....Steve said he does not do those comparison type of road trips due to his back issues. He does not go out much beyond his bubble he has set up.
Thank you Steve you told the truth 100% the bigger better western mentality is something that fools us until we realize that we can live relaxed and comfortable without the bigger better complex. Have a great evening I always enjoy your videos you keep it 100% real.
People. Constantly , have to put other people down and I don't understand why When I get there I would like to find Me a little studio apartment for a 100.The most I want to paste 200, and with my pension i make 3400 a month, i want to save and be able to travel
What I find amazing is the concern of others, and their supposed budgets and living choices. Does it affect you(them)? Let people who've worked their whole life for their retirement enjoy their choices. If you're concerned about others, find a hobby. You have too much time on your hands.
