Just caught up with this one so a few thoughts Davids post is a common experience if you have a fair bit of "disposable" income and want to explore the "teach some one to fish" version.
John is correct when he says its cheaper to live in Spain or in my case Portugal than the Phils whith some of the higher amounts mentioned excluding health care and with no mortgage I could manage very well on 50 euros a week had a good garden and goats pigs chickens etc when i got there minimum wage was 120 euros a month.
In the Fils my first visit for 6 months I was averaging 50,000 a month rent 22000 for a great house fully furnished another 7-8 for internet cable and lecy and 25-30 for entertainment however I also asked many questions of ex pats and natives to improve my picture of other versions.
Last time average 30,000 a month including a medical emergancy 4000 rent down to 11000 including internet 1 bed rather than 4 and more meals in and less fancy resturaunts more good value local eateries.
This time Im aiming for a 2 bed unfurnished 4-6000 a month same again for services appx and only a couple of meals out each week so recon under 20,000 I will have to furnish minimaly allowing upto 100,000 but this is still a very western version,
Teachers earn 9-12000 a monthe and my girlfriend was earning about 7 a month for a 84 hour week the family dont pay rent.
I am also aware of another group 6 that were living on a budjet of 6000 rent free from a relative it covered basic food internet and some were working
I am also of the opinion that sending much more than income replacement may lead to an escalting expectation and pressure its different if your s.o. is on there own with all the bills but within the family I am making it clear that no A.T.M. has dropped out of the sky
