Philippine Living Vs The Old Country

[i am bob]

We have lots of people weighing in on whether or not they could survive on $800, $1000 or even $50,000 a month. But that leaves me wondering about something and so I am going to ask. How were you living before moving to the Philippines? Are you living the same life style? Better? Worse? How much does this cost in relation to what you paid for at home?

An example? How's this:

In Canada, I lived in a batchelor apartment in the basement of a house. I had no money for socializing and so stayed home. All for a measly $20,000 a month. I could barely keep myself fed and forget about having a car. Here in the Philippines and for less than P100 a month, my new 25 year old wife - a former Miss Philippines - and I live in a small mansion on the shores of our private island and eat nothing but mango and chutney imported from England. We have to make due with Italian sparking wine over Champagne as we couldn't find the number on our cellphone to order with. Our new jet...

Ok, so maybe it's a little exaggerated but I think it shows what I would love to know. Anybody can live on X number of dollars but how do they live on it? How did they live on it before they came to the Philippines? And how do you get gravy stains out of coloured shirts? Just thought I would ask....

:morning1:

[Jake]

Excellent question Bob! With my current financial status of receiving military pension and social security

retirement, we are barely floating from month to month living here in southern California.

If Judy and I decide to live in PI permanently, we would like to think we could gain a luxury that was never

achieved before. And that is the luxury of having a simple savings account. Even with a budget of $2,000

a month (80,000 pesos), I believe we could still deposit an additional $500 monthly into a savings account.

OK, what are the adjustments or sacrifices living in PI? This should apply to most of us (senior citizens):

personal and family security

security of personal property

health issues and proper medical coverage

adapting to strange cultures and customs

failure to adapt strange cultures and customs

extended family issues

Basically, I will leave old problems in the states, only to acquire a new set of problems. Do you have the

personality to go with the flow -- mental and physical health well enough to make those adjustments?

Do you have enough patience to start a new relationship if the first one failed, or the second?

My ultimate dream: with my companion by my side......watching the sunset as well as the sunrise.

[earthdome]

Excellent question Bob! With my current financial status of receiving military pension and social security

retirement, we are barely floating from month to month living here in southern California.

If Judy and I decide to live in PI permanently, we would like to think we could gain a luxury that was never

achieved before. And that is the luxury of having a simple savings account. Even with a budget of $2,000

a month (80,000 pesos), I believe we could still deposit an additional $500 monthly into a savings account.

OK, what are the adjustments or sacrifices living in PI? This should apply to most of us (senior citizens):

personal and family security

security of personal property

health issues and proper medical coverage

adapting to strange cultures and customs

failure to adapt strange cultures and customs

extended family issues

Basically, I will leave old problems in the states, only to acquire a new set of problems. Do you have the

personality to go with the flow -- mental and physical health well enough to make those adjustments?

Do you have enough patience to start a new relationship if the first one failed, or the second?

My ultimate dream: with my companion by my side......watching the sunset as well as the sunrise.

This was a long post by Jake without a single sexual innuendo or any reference to bodily functions. I don't believe it was posted by Jake.

Someone please call network security. I think Jakes account has been hijacked! :whistling:

[JJReyes]

Previous attempts to make one-to-one comparisons have never been accurate. Lifestyle changes are inevitable when moving from North America to the Philippines. The example is bread vs. rice. If you are able to substitute rice for bread, the result is a lower cost because rice as a staple is subsidized by the government. If you insist on quality whole grain bread, then your budget for this one item may have to increase. My personal experience is fish and shellfish tends to be more expensive in the United States. I end up consuming more meat. The reverse is true for the Philippines. Fish and shellfish are more abundant and seems cheaper than meat, whether local or imported. Chicken is about the same.

Public transportation in the Philippine is cheaper and more abundant. Well, there is a great risk to your life and limbs because the safety standards of jeepneys and buses is much lower than public transportation in North America. The maintenance costs for a motor vehicle are about the same. The per liter cost for gasoline in the Philippines seems higher, but you don't drive as much.

It would be interesting if someone does an in depth study.

[GregZ]

I will start with I LOVE IT HERE in the PHILIPPINES! :540:

That said, I am spending the SAME AMOUNT as I did in the USA living in Georgia & Florida ($800/month). The quality of life for the folks around me here has gone up. Mine is the roughly the same after the trade-offs that JJR mentions with ONE IMPORTANT addition - the woman of my dreams. :dance:

At the end of the day my standard of living is WAY better because I have my Filipina!!! and her family!!! The one thing that I miss here in the Philippines is a swimming pool with water volleyball friends and tennis courts to play pickle ball with my other friends. Going back to them in the spring. :541: I expect my expenses there to rise to $1200-1500/month, USD, because I'll have more things to do with my new partner!!! Basic expenses for both of us are covered for under $900.

I did NOT count the VISA and RELATED expenses. THOSE are KILLING me!!! Mine and hers including application fees, ink, paper, airfare, hotels, taxi, food (eating out), examinations, postage, phone calls, etc. They add up quite nicely. :angry: Additionally, there is no allowance for unusual expenses included above, such as medical emergencies.

• In the USA, I lived as a bachelor in a comfortable, fully equipped, 24' travel trailer between RV parks (including full resort amenities) and a nice quiet country setting. Money for socializing was NOT an issue because the folks around me knew how to socialize with small expense. All for a measly $800 a month. I kept myself well fed and had 3 cars. Here in the Philippines for the same amount per month, my new 20 year old fiancee - a former Miss Philippines - and I live in a small mansion in the city and eat well. No car is required... Our new jet...
  

Edited November 29, 2012 by GregZ

[joeatmanila]

Bob, i LOVE your topic!!!

Ok here is my personal one.

I was living in Greece a very easy, fun and wealthy life. Meaning: bachelor in a 80m2 appartment with great views of the city worth more than my 360m2 house now in Philippines. Every Sunday or sometimes twice a week a helper would come over clean the appartment and do the ironing, ok i was doing laundry and as for cooking...delivery services hehehehe

On top of that receiving rentals from two other appartments, a total of 800euro per month then plus my salary and some extra incomes i had from buying-selling cars and bikes.

I was making way much more money than now. I was getting better public services than now. Night clubs i knew almost all the waitresses by name, coffee shops i knew the menus by heart, women i never complained only the nieghbors did from lots of "private' sounds.

I cannot think something that was going wrong with my life there (which by the way is still there, never sold anything other than my car, just in case i ever get to be bachelor again)

I met my wife in US, had never been to Philippines before or SE Asia. I came here with the purpose to take her back in greece. I went back to Greece 5 years later just to renew my passport!!!

What i love here, it is my own self and the way i see life and how i want to live. That is what i like and stay here.

As for 3rd world country...be aware that our western world for the everyday worker is a worst 3rd world country than in Philippines, at least here the homeless can make a nipa hut in the woods and no one will bother him....try to see what is happening at San Diego and so many other western world cities.

[Mike S]

Good topic Bob ...... I think I posted most of my answers before but will do so again ...... is my quality of life as good here as back in the US ..... well depends on what you mean by quality of life ...... do you mean do I have as much money ..... as many toys .... spend as much to live ...... is quality of life based on how much you have or your peace of mind and happiness ......

On the last two peace of mind and happiness ....... there is no comparison for me .... here in the Philippines with my asawa I have both of these qualities in abundance and these to me are the MOST IMPORTANT ..... so obviously material things do not bring you peace of mind nor happiness ..... and I had no problem at all trading all the boats .... guns .... vehicles ..... houses ..... antiques ..... and way of life there for what I have now and I would do it all again in a nano-second if I had to .....

Now of coarse I have to sacrifice some as I don't have $3500 per month income coming in ..... far from it I have about 1/3 as much now ..... but I also don't have as many expenses like I did there either .... like tons of insurance ..... climate changes which require heating and cooling .... satellite TV ..... expensive phone bills .... way more expensive house payments .... healthcare payments ..... upkeep on a van ... VW dune buggy .... Harley and bass boat all of which had to registered and insured plus maintain ....etc. .......

But I do have a place to live (not as big ... but does 1 person or even 2 need 1400sq ft of living space) .... a SUV .... small true but serves it's purpose ...... health insurance (not near as expensive) ..... heating and cooling (nope stays the same year round and a fan works fine for us) ..... satellite TV (as rotten as cable TV here is would be a waste of money for satellite) ...... insurance (just the bare minimum for car and health) ..... phone bills (nope pay it with my DSL which is about 1/4 as much as in the US) ..... now are some of the services the same as in the US ..... nope again ...... but I didn't move here for it to be just like it was back home ...... and if that is what you want and expect ..... stay where you are cause it ain't gonna happen brudder ......

So you have choices to make if you move here on a fixed income ...... peace of mind and happiness or living the good life (and by that I mean all the material things you want (not need those are two different things entirely) like you had back in your home country) ..... by the way I feel I live the good life here ..... at least I am happy and content .... and to me that is all that matters ..... IMHO ..... :thumbsup: ..... :cheersty:

[miguelsp]

well depends on what you mean by quality of life

May be we can stablish a criteria based in comparing with other country. I don´t have enough experience in the Phillipinas to rank some criteria.

Example: http://www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com/

Philippines:(over 10 points)

-Healthcare:4

-

Finding accommodation : 6

-

Local weather: 7

-Making Friends: 8

-

Enjoying local food: 5

-

Using the local language: 2

-Etc

Edited December 1, 2012 by Jollygoodfellow

[Jake]

well depends on what you mean by quality of life

May be we can stablish a criteria based in comparing with other country. I don´t have enough experience in the Phillipinas to rank some criteria.

Example: http://www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com/

Philippines:(over 10 points)

-Healthcare:4

-

Finding accommodation : 6

-

Local weather: 7

-Making Friends: 8

-

Enjoying local food: 5

-

Using the local language: 2

-Etc

I notice that making friends is very important to you. As a professional photographer, I have no doubt that

you will have many friends (especially females) as you explore with your camera.

Respectfully -- Jake

[Thomas]

Excellent question Bob! With my current financial status of receiving military pension and social security

retirement, we are barely floating from month to month living here in southern California.

If Judy and I decide to live in PI permanently, we would like to think we could gain a luxury that was never

achieved before. And that is the luxury of having a simple savings account. Even with a budget of $2,000

a month (80,000 pesos), I believe we could still deposit an additional $500 monthly into a savings account.

Haven't you moved yet?!!! :)

OK, what are the adjustments or sacrifices living in PI? This should apply to most of us (senior citizens):

personal and family security

security of personal property

health issues and proper medical coverage

adapting to strange cultures and customs

failure to adapt strange cultures and customs

extended family issues

There are additional costs for VISA and such (but not for you if I have understood corect.).

Basically, I will leave old problems in the states, only to acquire a new set of problems. Do you have the

personality to go with the flow -- mental and physical health well enough to make those adjustments?

Do you have enough patience to start a new relationship if the first one failed, or the second?

But I have the personality to stay out of the flow :hystery:

living with no neighbours around. Easier to ignore gossipers and such if don't see them mostly :)

I don't need many friends, so I have no problem if there are just few good ones around. But some harder when having wife and children to think of too. They can be more sensitive.

My ultimate dream: with my companion by my side......watching the sunset as well as the sunrise.

Well. I include trying to get a nice sunset view, when I look for a suiting place to build house,

but if watching at sunRISE it will have to be BEFORE I go to sleep :hystery: because I want to sleep in the mornings. So I will aim at trying to get nice views in north and west, but probably trying to get covering forest in south and east.