Hi Steve.. My mother and stepfather lives in Cebu and to give you an idea, I will tell you the approximate cost of living based on their incomes and expenditures.
My parents have couple of flats in Portsmouth at over £500 each flat pcm and about £600 pension... No car to maintain and fuel. No children and no close or distant relatives to help, house owned, got other properties that is let in Phils. And that income enough to cover bills, foods, commute expenses and other day to day. I must tell you that none of them travels abroad (done this, done that sort of thing) and that income suffice their daily living. To say that they don't even use air con at home!

So whether its £50,000 -£200,000 savings, it will never be enough. Philippines can be expensive place to live if you are used to European standards way of living... Trust me I have been back there 3 times this year... Not to sound as show off. And this what I always tell to my husband.. To have a trial move minimum of 2 years. But if you live how average Filipinos do then good luck.