True cost of moving to the Phils

[joebloggs]

and proof of income.

What's the minimum income you need Peter? I think for Thailand its $2000 USd a month - which is pretty high for your average Joebloggs (seeing as I don't think you can work or run a business). I think I've seen for the Phils its a pension of at least $1k a month ?

[fred]

What's the minimum income you need Peter? I think for Thailand its $2000 USd a month - which is pretty high for your average Joebloggs (seeing as I don't think you can work or run a business). I think I've seen for the Phils its a pension of at least $1k a month ?

My "Proof of income" was sketchy at best as I had no real proof of income..Just some savings.
I mentioned this to the Philippine Consul that interviewed me.. He said dont worry about it and that he had never once heard of a refusal to any applicant on financial grounds!
Things may have changed but I doubt it.
There is no social welfare here so its practically impossible to be a scrounger of local public funds!
Anyway..All Filipino`s know we foreigners are all stinking rich with secret bank accounts so whats the problem?

I think I've seen for the Phils its a pension of at least $1k a month ?

No..Thats just an out dated estimate by foreigners on how much it costs to live here like a King!

[stevewool]

No..Thats just an out dated estimate by foreigners on how much it costs to live here like a King![/QUOTE]

Thats so funny, it made me laugh out loud, ,, are we members of another forum hahahah

[Terpe]

What's the minimum income you need Peter? I think for Thailand its $2000 USd a month - which is pretty high for your average Joebloggs (seeing as I don't think you can work or run a business). I think I've seen for the Phils its a pension of at least $1k a month ?

There's no legally defined income threshold under immigration rules, however it appears that these days most BI offices are loosely basing their proof of income limits on the SRRV requirements which say that a couple should have a combined pension income of at least US$1,000 per month. Those applicants who can't meet the income requirement could still qualify by showing savings of around US$20,000 or more

As a footnote I should say that I've personally never yet seen any report of anyone being refused a 13a solely on monthly financials. Although I don't know how they would react if only very little income could be shown and zero savings etc.

As an aside based solely on my experience so far and considering the lifestyle we have (and want) I wouldn't want to be facing a future retirement life on an income less than $1000. Yes, of course it's possible, and if push came to shove I could do it and live OK. I'm saying for me it's not what I want. I want to travel around, eat and what I want and enjoy a cold beer whenever.
I want to eat out if the mood takes me and I want internet etc etc and not have to count every piso to stay within a tight budget. We're all different.

$1000 is about P44k right.
If you rent a place it's going to be tight.
Even owning your own house with no rent to pay wouldn't give me the life I want.

[stevewool]

As an aside based solely on my experience so far and considering the lifestyle we have (and want) I wouldn't want to be facing a future retirement life on an income less than $1000. Yes, of course it's possible, and if push came to shove I could do it and live OK. I'm saying for me it's not what I want. I want to travel around, eat and what I want and enjoy a cold beer whenever.
I want to eat out if the mood takes me and I want internet etc etc and not have to count every piso to stay within a tight budget. We're all different.

$1000 is about P44k right.
If you rent a place it's going to be tight.
Even owning your own house with no rent to pay wouldn't give me the life I want.[/QUOTE]

This is the biggest question everyone must ask and we are all different, some can live on less some need more,
Most know my plan and some of it is tonged in cheek stuff, but i will have over that amount if i go know, but also i know out of that amount Ems will have a budget to run the house the rest will be for the extras, the trips, the going out to meet friends and the just in case too,
Savings well that will be more then you would ever want,
But knowing what you may have and even what you have for the just in case, its still very very frightening to say lets go,
Having always worked all my life and having a weekly or monthly wage coming in to suddenly not having to get up at a time and coming home at a time to pleasing yourself and having to plan your cash till you get use to it , well its frightening

[Michael Parnham]

There's no legally defined income threshold under immigration rules, however it appears that these days most BI offices are loosely basing their proof of income limits on the SRRV requirements which say that a couple should have a combined pension income of at least US$1,000 per month. Those applicants who can't meet the income requirement could still qualify by showing savings of around US$20,000 or more

As a footnote I should say that I've personally never yet seen any report of anyone being refused a 13a solely on monthly financials. Although I don't know how they would react if only very little income could be shown and zero savings etc.

As an aside based solely on my experience so far and considering the lifestyle we have (and want) I wouldn't want to be facing a future retirement life on an income less than $1000. Yes, of course it's possible, and if push came to shove I could do it and live OK. I'm saying for me it's not what I want. I want to travel around, eat and what I want and enjoy a cold beer whenever.
I want to eat out if the mood takes me and I want internet etc etc and not have to count every piso to stay within a tight budget. We're all different.

$1000 is about P44k right.
If you rent a place it's going to be tight.
Even owning your own house with no rent to pay wouldn't give me the life I want.

Maritess and I managed very well on approx. p53k a month and whilst renting a brand new apartment at p8k per month we still managed to save almost £400 per month after shopping, ferries, transport and utility bills. We never ate out very often because we cooked at home and we don't drink, also managed to pay my immigration fee every two months, so as far as I'm concerned one can live very well on a small amount. I know this doesn't answer Steve's question as I paid my fees every two months, for those that want to travel just save less if you already have a substantial amount saved. I would live in Philippines if there was a national health service, I have no health problems but my age is the thing I think about now!