Living on $800

[Art2ro]

Hello everyone,I'm a 35 years old Australian single male with no children and since here house prices have gone out of my reach, I'm seriously thinking to move to the Philippines but don't know anyone there and from my initial research I got a bit worried about safety after reading some mass killings in the South.....I think it was called Mindanao maybe?I have lots of questions......where should I live? I don't like big cities but I do need fast internet since I work and study by distance.I know I can't buy land and don't want to buy a condo....I'd like to have my own privacy so I guess my only option is to rent a house. Is Cebu my best bet? Safety is my main concern.Then there is the partner/wife question. I'd like to hope that some locals are not after money.....which I don't have much anyway...but I read lots of bad stories...Cheers

Once you have figured out if you have an adequate source of income to live on in the Philippines, just go for it! But you better have a Plan B if it doesn't work out for you!

[Fast&Furious]

Hello everyone,I'm a 35 years old Australian single male with no children and since here house prices have gone out of my reach, I'm seriously thinking to move to the Philippines but don't know anyone there and from my initial research I got a bit worried about safety after reading some mass killings in the South.....I think it was called Mindanao maybe?I have lots of questions......where should I live? I don't like big cities but I do need fast internet since I work and study by distance.I know I can't buy land and don't want to buy a condo....I'd like to have my own privacy so I guess my only option is to rent a house. Is Cebu my best bet? Safety is my main concern.Then there is the partner/wife question. I'd like to hope that some locals are not after money.....which I don't have much anyway...but I read lots of bad stories...Cheers

Once you have figured out if you have an adequate source of income to live on in the Philippines, just go for it! But you better have a Plan B if it doesn't work out for you!

well, I earn about US$800/month with my part time online work. But in Australia, that does not last 2 weeks...Thanks

[Art2ro]

Well, it looks like that you need to do more reading of past forum topics related to your particular situation concerning cost of living as to what is an adequate source of income to survive on, because with just $800 a month is probably the bare minimum, but the answers you're looking for will vary depending on your life style and the location you plan to live! It's also best that you have a substantial savings for emergencies and you should have a back up plan to return to your home country before you go broke, because you don't want to find yourself stranded in the Philippines without sufficient funds or an expired visa!

[Dave Hounddriver]

well, I earn about US$800/month with my part time online work. But in Australia, that does not last 2 weeks...Thanks

Interestingly enough, that is exactly how long US$800 will last me here in Cebu . . . 2 weeks. My monthly budget is double that. Rent is cheap ($230 a month for a townhouse) but day to day expenses quickly eat up the rest. If you were talking about living in the bukid (boondocks, jungle, mountains etc) then that would be plenty. Problem would be reliable electricity and Internet in those areas. The days of Philippines being a place for low income foreigners is quickly coming to an end.Inflation here runs very high.

[Art2ro]

Well, I earn about US$800/month with my part time online work. But in Australia, that does not last 2 weeks...Thanks

Interestingly enough, that is exactly how long US$800 will last me here in Cebu, 2 weeks. My monthly budget is double that. Rent is cheap ($230 a month for a townhouse) but day to day expenses quickly eat up the rest. If you were talking about living in the bukid (boondocks, jungle, mountains etc) then that would be plenty. Problem would be reliable electricity and Internet in those areas. The days of Philippines being a place for low income foreigners is quickly coming to an end.Inflation here runs very high.

Yeah, thanks Dave, it was about time someone like you came out and provided us your "reality check", what $800 can buy in the Philippines, especially in Cebu!

[Okieboy]

yes $800 would be plenty , if you live the fillipino life style, but if your in to the western life style no, i make about $1200.00 a month but i have no rent, eat local food, i have Internet and phone, electric service is good where i live but water is off and on so you save your water, i choose to live this life style, and love it , i was lucky to find a good woman, but the area i live very few white people and i learn the visayan the best i can. I don't think it would be wise for you to just leave your country ,visit first, than you can find a partner after you decide if you can live here, she can help you.

[softail]

Don't forget your visa extentions just to stay in the country as well as your visa runs.Doug

[ekimswish]

I live on less than that in Taiwan, but my lifestyle is quite meager and basic.

[Bundy]

Hello everyone,I'm a 35 years old Australian single male with no children and since here house prices have gone out of my reach, I'm seriously thinking to move to the Philippines but don't know anyone there and from my initial research I got a bit worried about safety after reading some mass killings in the South.....I think it was called Mindanao maybe?I have lots of questions......where should I live? I don't like big cities but I do need fast internet since I work and study by distance.I know I can't buy land and don't want to buy a condo....I'd like to have my own privacy so I guess my only option is to rent a house. Is Cebu my best bet? Safety is my main concern.Then there is the partner/wife question. I'd like to hope that some locals are not after money.....which I don't have much anyway...but I read lots of bad stories...Cheers

Once you have figured out if you have an adequate source of income to live on in the Philippines, just go for it! But you better have a Plan B if it doesn't work out for you!

well, I earn about US$800/month with my part time online work. But in Australia, that does not last 2 weeks...Thanks

Mate, we will be moving to Cebu next Feb and our budget is quite a bit more than $800. Firstly i think you would need to be well away from the city (too many temptations there)We are going to Carcar, a small town about 40 mins south of the city.We have a pretty simple lifestyle and i have the added advantage being married to a really great lady, that helps enormously.It would really depend on your lifestyle choices as to whether you could do it or not.Also remember, being a single bloke you need to factor in your visa and extension costs.You can certainly live cheaper than in Oz but if you expect to live the same as in Oz, your money won't last.I would strongly advise you to have a ready exit plan back to Australia if need be. We will be selling off almost everything here but we will keep a 2 bedroom unit which we currently lease out. Never close the door behind you.......... you just never know what can happen and you may need to return.Could you do it on $800 a month? If you live away from the city and you are a frugal type, yes i think so but to be honest, i wouldn't like to try it. On the subject of safety, i don't know where you live in Australia. I'm from country Queensland and i can tell you in all honesty i feel safer in Cebu than in Sydney. Edited April 26, 2011 by Bundy

[Jim Sibbick]

Once you have figured out if you have an adequate source of income to live on in the Philippines, just go for it! But you better have a Plan B if it doesn't work out for you!

It is easy to have a plan B if you are from Australia. Just get on the next plane going back. So they don't cut off medicare assistance or anything else, you have to maintain a presence in Australia. IE an address for mail from government departments such as ATO. It also helps to keep your driver's licence current.Regards: Jim