if someone gave you 700 quid each month could you live in the phils, thats all you are getting you must pay your rent and food and everything on that amount could you do it,
Could you do this for less too, try to break down what it may cost you to live
Thats a hard question to answer steve but the way the pound is dropping lately i'm doubtful as i like to live a comfortable life
AN HAPPY WIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE
a hammock and a nice view with a beer stevie, thats a comfortable life, what does that costOriginally Posted by stevie c
Only if life was so easy stevea hammock and a nice view with a beer steve, thats a comfortable life, what does that cost
AN HAPPY WIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE
Sounds like an exam question Steve
That's Php42,935. I think you can live with that amount if you are not fuss. Instead of buying your food in big supermarkets, you might as well buy it in a public market wherein you have lots of choices. But in this case you need to be wise and know what you are buying for a certain budget. My husband and I work and we only spend £1500 maximum every month then the rest of our salary goes to leisure, travel and savings. I can still remember when I was in the Philippines, my dad used to give me $130/month. But I survived(I don't pay rent, electricity and water). That's all provided for us. As long as you know how to budget your money, then you will survive.
Yes of course you can live in the Philippines on £700, We're managing to live here in the UK on very little more than that
Eesy peesy.
Now, what to spend the 300 quid a month that's left over on.
Steve, The Villa Del Puebo in Panglao we both have stayed in, rents out rooms for around £6 per night if done on a monthly basis. That's £180 per month which leaves you over £500 a month and that should be more than enough.
You know the answer already Steve.
It all depends what you want in that life.
It's really possible to live very cheaply in the province.............if you need to, or want to.
I often tease my wife about just how cheaply I could live (survive) and yet still be content.
I don't believe she could yet do that.
You really need to say how much in Peso, not in £
When you're actually living there you need Peso.
As I've said before, I personally base my future on a base of P40 to a pound and these days I have to seriously consider modifying that.
I still maintain that locally P50k - P80k per month is acceptable.
At P40/£ that's £1250 - £2000 per month and will always remain variable if dependent on exchange rates.
When I suggested this before everyone put me down as a crackpot. But wait.................think about it.
You need a safety margin, you need savings too.
Look what's happened to the ROE since I first mentioned that rate.
I think for me £700 doesn't cut the mustard.
Just my personal view (as an expert and much sought after economist
Good luck with that £700 sourced in a failing economy
Look at this way, the State pension is set to increase for some (not me) to the dizzy heights of £144 flat rate per week.
That works out at £624 per month
Everyone suggests that's going to be a tough task to live with in the UK unless there's another source of income (either another pension or increased benefits)
Means maybe none of us will have any choice but to move out to a less expensive place to live.
Philippines???? or Romania???
I live in phills on a state pension, just had a new bathroom fitted, new boundary wall built, we have a new TV new fridge plenty of beer and gin to put in it. All on a state pension.
Ooooh...there's hope for me yet.
What about health (insurance) ?
Well summed up peter i couldnt agree moreYou know the answer already Steve.
It all depends what you want in that life.
It's really possible to live very cheaply in the province.............if you need to, or want to.
I often tease my wife about just how cheaply I could live (survive) and yet still be content.
I don't believe she could yet do that.
You really need to say how much in Peso, not in £
When you're actually living there you need Peso.
As I've said before, I personally base my future on a base of P40 to a pound and these days I have to seriously consider modifying that.
I still maintain that locally P50k - P80k per month is acceptable.
At P40/£ that's £1250 - £2000 per month and will always remain variable if dependent on exchange rates.
When I suggested this before everyone put me down as a crackpot. But wait.................think about it.
You need a safety margin, you need savings too.
Look what's happened to the ROE since I first mentioned that rate.
I think for me £700 doesn't cut the mustard.
Just my personal view (as an expert and much sought after economist
Good luck with that £700 sourced in a failing economy
Look at this way, the State pension is set to increase for some (not me) to the dizzy heights of £144 flat rate per week.
That works out at £624 per month
Everyone suggests that's going to be a tough task to live with in the UK unless there's another source of income (either another pension or increased benefits)
Means maybe none of us will have any choice but to move out to a less expensive place to live.
Philippines???? or Romania???
AN HAPPY WIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE
Also bear in mind that on a pension of £144 a week in the UK, you would also probably be getting your rent (highest monthly expense for a lot of people) and council tax paid through housing benefits.
Who knows what will be available as benefits in the future.Also bear in mind that on a pension of £144 a week in the UK, you would also probably be getting your rent (highest monthly expense for a lot of people) and council tax paid through housing benefits.
In fact who knows what will be supported by welfare at all including pensions and NHS
Food for thought
There is no figure to answer your question.
Having lived on lot less than 700 and i can tell you it is possible BUT everyone is different. Would i like to do it again? NO!
Expenses in the Philippines vary from place to place. Rent in one province can be double that of another. Cheap rent may sound great but it will be nothing like what you are used too. It may seem exciting at first until the little faults in your rented house start to annoy you.
DO NOT underestimate the cost of living here as it is not as cheap as people believe it to be. Always have a back up plan for price increases as inflation and the strong pesos can play havoc with peoples budgets. I didn't but i was young and maybe foolish at the time!
Living a decent lifestyle here on a small budget is fading rapidly.
Having said all that the vast amount of retired foreigners leave the Philippines because they can not adjust to the culture and not for financial reasons.
Built our house before I retired, so only big bills are the current and internet.
lots of great answers and lots of advice too, we all need that saving pot just so we can dip into that amount some months, i know there will be more then enough to manage in the phils or anywhere else we chose to be , but not in England,
Funny i do think i can live on that amount quit easy but then again i have never tried it yet, that is why i will make sure i have enough in saving and money coming in before we say bye to this country
You'll save a lot on heating moving to the Phils.
And the cost of running a car, plus you won't have any Romanian neighbours.
Hello Stevewool, that someone is very generous....
Phil health is not as bad as people think, like anything the more you pay the more you get.
Lets make a list!!
I`ll start and others can add and amend or correct the costs to what they think is more realistic.
These costs are based on living in Bohol at today's exchange rate. (for 2 people wishing to live comfortable lives)
1. Rent. Fully furnished one bed bungalow/studio or apartment..250.00 Quid a month.
2. Power and gas bills ....................................................... 50.00
3. General weekly shopping bill............................................ 200.00
4. Motorbike/scooter fuel bill ............................................. 15.00
5. Eating out say 3/4 times a week ......................................100.00
Of course..As others have said,if the Pound dives to 30.00 Pesos then simply double the total so far.
I have a feeling that the UK pound can go much lower as the truth comes out about the real mess that Britain is in.
That's true, Jamie ... but what about the mounting cost of electricity used for air conditioning?You'll save a lot on heating moving to the Phils.
The power cost bill in my list includes the cost of some sensible A/C use Arthur. Just not 24/7 use!!That's true Jamie ... but what about the mounting cost of electricity used for air conditioning
Air conditioning ? Pah !
... think twice, though, about the lack of free (at source) Healthcare and the possible implications of that ...
...would be MY BIGGEST worry - NEXT in line to the possible consequences of being completely cut-off from any direct contact with my immediate family.
Although i agree philhealth will only pay around 30% of any hospital bill.
A hospital bill in the Philippines can easily top one million pesos if the case is serious. That means they would pay 300,000 and you still have to find the other 700,000.
If you go to a government hospital there facilities are poor and medical specialists are few and far between. Quite often hear filipino's joke 'don't go to the government hospital it will kill you'!
I think that's a good suggestion Fred and a good start.
Well I for one would like to keep it going and it will be a good guide for other too I suspect.
I know it's gets asked plenty of times so hopefully it could be a good 'base'.
We all have different ways to spend our lives and we'll all have different costs but I think it'll be a good starting point for living in Bohol or similar.
Fred, what's included in the 'General weekly shopping' apart from food for 2 people?
Is it maintaining a western diet for breakfast, lunch and dinner ? or Filipina style or a mixed bag?
Do we need to include any costings for:-
Mains water
Drinking Water
Telephone (landline)
Cell Phone
TV Standard
TV Satellite
Internet
How about Health Insurance - PhilHealth?
Medical costs - Doctor/check ups/Pharmacy/Dentist/ etc
Visa Updating costs - Associated transportation
Personal care - Cosmetics, Hair care/Hairdresser,toiletries
Clothing Allowances
For me, despite being generally self-sufficient in terms of recreation/amusement/hobbies etc I still would like to think I can enjoy and explore the Paradise Islands.
I'm not suggesting to add anything costwise to this, but just to say for me this is important and any kind of activity will need to be funded and will add to the overall 'cost-of-living'.
Even here in UK we like to enjoy day's out, weekend breaks, visiting friends etc so I also want to continue that when I eventually move over there.
12 months AC in the Phils v 7-8 months of heating in the UK.That's true, Jamie ... but what about the mounting cost of electricity used for air conditioning?
Not sure how that would work out but it's easier keeping cool than staying warm.
I hate lists!!
Peter, we should keep it going as the figures are going to vary dramatically. Especially from members who have lived in the Philippines in the past.
Will post mine tomorrow if i have a internet connection
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