How much does it cost to live in Phills

[Harry T]

Right guys, what kind of income would be needed to live in the Philippines permanently ? I realise there would be several options, but what income would be needed if i lived in Rental Accomodation versus if i lived in Purchased Accomodation ?.

I am leaning towards Bohol as permanent area, with Palawan as a second option (but its more expensive). I also prefer not to live the City life, but somewhere that Im easily able to get into a City, such as maybe Panglao to Tagbilaran.

I dont have any real vices ie i dont drink, i would like to try to run a Car, I dont consider myself to be extravagent, so basically i would just have normal day to day living expences ie Accomodation, Electricity, Internet, Food, Water, Car, ongoing Maintenance perhaps, and anything else people need to budget for in Phills. Thanks in anticipation guys.

I have to say my biggest concern about living in Phills would be future Healthcare costs, which is why i prefer to live close to a City, were it not for that then i would 100% move to Phills with no hesitation.

[fred]

Harry...Cant remember how many have asked that question!! There are so many variables that its a bit like asking "how long is a piece of string"..
Best to make a list of all your wants and then add it all up..
I live in the area that you seem to have made a decision about and I would be happy to give you the prices if I can..

I have to say my biggest concern about living in Phills would be future Healthcare costs, which is why i prefer to live close to a City, were it not for that then i would 100% move to Phills with no hesitation.

I know a Brit here that pays about 1000 Quid a year for a fully comp health policy.. I think he got that in the UK.

[fred]

I realise there would be several options, but what income would be needed if i lived in Rental Accomodation versus if i lived in Purchased Accomodation ?.

What kind of rental accommodation would be suitable for you?

[Harry T]

Thanks for the quick reply Fred, nothing expansive ie would prefer A/c but doesnt have to be a must have, 1 or 2 bedrooms, Kitchen/Dirty Kitchen, Shower Room, Lounge area, can be Bungalow type or 2 Floors. As for location i dont like to feel hemmed in ie another property so close that i can touch it.

[stevewool]

I too would like to think Bohol is a place for me , but it's convincing the wife,
Harry I have a budget plus also I have a extra amount for the emergency,
We have our own place in Marikina and we have agreed to a set amount each month to live on and the rest will be for the trips here and there.
It's very hard to listen to others about budget ,some say not a chance on that others live on very little,make a list of what you would like and then what you want, if you have change from your budget then you have no excuse

[SimonH]

Hi Harry,

You could have a look google for property24 for an idea of rental costs. I'd allow about 3000php a month for electric so long as you don't go mad on the aircon, supplement it with a decent fan.
Cars are the same the world over, all depends on age and make, so anything from a 100,000 to over 5,000,000.
I'm sure some of the locals on this site will be able to give you a better idea on food etc, but there again will you cook yourself or if not what level of restaurant will you go to, and will you be alone?

[fred]

Thanks for the quick reply Fred, nothing expansive ie would prefer A/c but doesnt have to be a must have, 1 or 2 bedrooms, Kitchen/Dirty Kitchen, Shower Room, Lounge area, can be Bungalow type or 2 Floors. As for location i dont like to feel hemmed in ie another property so close that i can touch it.

Unfurnished you can get a place like that from any thing between 10-20 K per month..
Most houses here are not built with the hot climate in mind and they often need to be air conditioned..
If thats the case add say 15.00 Peso per every hour you need to run it.
The average bill for our tenants is about 3k per month but we have some Yanks that have bills over 8K!!
3 k is a pretty doable figure..
A weeks shopping can be cheaper than the UK on average as long as you stay away from the imported isles at the mall!!

[SimonH]

I too would like to think Bohol is a place for me , but it's convincing the wife,
Harry I have a budget plus also I have a extra amount for the emergency,
We have our own place in Marikina and we have agreed do much per month to live on and the rest will be for the trips here and there.
It's very hard to listen to others about budget ,some say not a chance on that others live on very little,ake a list of what you would like and then what you want, if you have change from your budget then you have no excuse

I've budgeted on 100,000 a month, that's for the 3 of us including Charleighs schooling and a maid. Not including any capital expenditure like a car, but all running costs of a car, plus food, gas, electric, water etc

[stevewool]

I have the budget and have spoken to Emma about this too,but we are not there so it's all guess work ,but like I have said we have extra , but don't tell Emma because she would spend it all,

[Ako Si Jamie]

I've budgeted on 100,000 a month,

That's pound sterling if anyone's wondering!

[Steve.r]

I've budgeted on 100,000 a month, that's for the 3 of us including Charleighs schooling and a maid.

When I am working, we live on half that per month and can still have a few luxuries. Now I am not working we survive on much less.
Aircon only on during the night, all led lights and generally taking care not to waste anything. So you can live nicely for a lot less. But of course we have our own house so no rent.

[stevewool]

Well mine is a lot less too, even a lot less then you Steve, but remember like you we have our home but with just the 2 mouths to feed ( YER RIGHT ),
Whats the Led light thing Steve ??????

[Harry T]

Thanks for all this input, its all very helpful my budget would be slightly North of Steves, but of course accomodation would need to come out of that, at least for the first 6/12 months.
A/c well i managed most of the time without it in the provinces, nice if you have it, but i can get by if i dont.

[scott&ligaya]

my family have been living in Palawan since 2012 with me visiting for two or three months at a time between contracts abroad. We have air cons in most rooms but when I am away the kiddos move in with mum in the master bedroom and we run one large innverter split type unit and or fan as the room is very large.

We have a cook, a nanny and a car taker who together cost about 16,000k a month and we pay their SSS any minor medical bills and they live in. Electricity runs about 5k (my son loves the 60 inch tv lol)

School fees at a local private school in Puerto Princesa are about 6k per month plus books once a year (about another 5k) and we have 2 in school. The montesorri kinder garten for the three yr old is about 3k per month for mornings.

Property taxes are around 2k per month for our large plot , 6 bedroom house , kubo and 4 rental rooms).

Medical costs are okay for consultations but medicines can be expensive and a recent gall bladder removal for my wife cost 180,000 after her PHIL HEALTH deduction and good insurance which covers all costs is very hard to find if you are resident.

We run and 2006 Navarra pick up 600K for our farm and rubber plantation trips down south. We bought it in Manila as a bank repo and shipped it over. same with a 2009 Ford Everest SUV (800K). Fuel runs at around 28 pesos per litre for diesel but both vehicles are reasonably thirsty. Getting a decent mechanic relies on word of mouth recommendations of other ex pats but is usually very cheap compared to the UK especially labour intensive jobs.

Our water bill is around 2k but we also have a well and electric pump/tank set up.

Forget land line..always out of order or crackly

mobiles are cheap to buy and post paid billing is reasonable

Our satellite tv set up is dream and we use the package at about 1000 pesos we also have cable for the cottages at around 1000 for a four room set up

Food shopping for the family including baby milk and pampers runs to 5k a week or thereabouts for the wife three kiddos and three staff.

Eating out is getting more expensive but still a lot cheaper than the UK and of course depends on the resto or hotel you eat at.

we use a pocket wi/fi called Tattoo which costs 999 per month but signal strength varies, we use fb messenger and skype sometimes signal will not support video

well those are the bills that come to mind and are not everything I am sure but should give you an idea. We do not live extravagantly but we do live well in my opinion and of course we could cut back if necessary but I think you need to be fair to yourself and what you are prepared to sacrifice for living in the paradise that is Palawan.

hope this helps

[Steve.r]

Whats the Led light thing Steve ??????

like this Steve

very energy efficient

[scott&ligaya]

agreed , worth the investment

[stevewool]

Harry what made you think about moving,
I thought you had second thoughts about being there full time

[Harry T]

Steve, I have been back her for almost 6 weeks now, I cant find any work suitable for me to do (its not my top priority) but i do apply when i see something thats suitable. I dont have family, and i live in a retirement block, Im probably the youngest here at 64 and to be perfectly honest i dont think i can stay here, the feeling i get and its how i feel somedays, is that Im living here and just waiting till its my turn to pop my cloggs (you did ask) so i know for a fact Im not going to hang around waiting for that day. A very close friend that i know down here, is moving away later this month (to Stowmarket) in fact i am moving them, so that again doesnt help. I will either move back to the Midlands where my roots are, or the other option is the Philippines Im not saying the Philippines is second choice far from it, its been on my mind for a few years now, thats why Im a member on here.

I divorced a few years ago, and since that time i have had a couple of relationships with Filipinos, I went there to meet them, 3+ years ago and recently, getting them here is not an option now due to the Income stipulation, 3 years ago it was but when i got back to the UK the lady that i had been to visit told me she was already married so that was a major set back for many reasons, not least every year that went past my option of getting anyone here diminished. I was working at that time so forming a new relationship wasnt easy as we all know, and doesnt happen overnight, eventually i did, and went to meet her back in January i always told her that getting her here to the UK was not an option for reasons i gave above. Yes we met and got along well up to a point, she has a lovely family up in the mountains of Mindanao, but theres always a but in my life, we also had disagreements, and since i have been back i have decided that its not what i want for numerous reasons.
Yes i obviously want to form a relationship but it has to be for the right reasons, meanwhile i will carry on and have 12 months weighing up the options. Jeez Im rambling on here hope Im not boring you all.

[SimonH]

Thanks Harry,

No, you're not rambling on I find myself doing the same sometimes, but just recently I've also found that it helps put things into perspective when you write them down
I find my thoughts bouncing all over the place with ifs and buts, cost of living over there etc etc
Then I write them down and the kind chaps on here give me some great advise and it gives me a direction to head in, rather than go round in circles.
It sounds like you've made the decision already

Good luck

[stevewool]

Thanks Harry, you only live once they say

[Terpe]

Hello Harry,
I'm a bit late 'to the party' but I do gave current experience if the costs involved in setting up a life here.

I've said it any times before and I'll say it again
IMHO you need P50k disposable income to get by.

I know very well all the stories about living like a king for less.........and yes it can be done. When I would live in the outback of Compostela Valley I could easily survive on P15k per month.
But that's not living that's surviving. Yes, surviving quite well but not as well or as secure as in UK

Think very very carefully about the life you want and the costs involved.
If your priority is health care just be sure you can access really good quality care and equipment within around 30 mins by some means or other.
Car ownership is expensive and will likely steal a significant portion of your income. Think seriously about transport costs and you choice of living location.
You may find it's better to live in a 'city type location' to have the lifestyle you need than in a more remote location,
where your own transport is key.

Do you rely on medications?
Special diet ?
Consider the costs of staying here under visa conditions also.

Costs of living here are not the same as costs of vacations as tourist.

[Harry T]

Hi Peter thanks for your input, but you explain your meaning of Visa conditions, do you mean costs Of ?
Secondly i got through 200.000 php during my three month stay, so are you saying its more expensive or less.

Fortunately i dont have a Special Det or Medications, thought i do have a Medical past, in that i have twice come through a Cancer Illness.

Yes i realise the sense of living close to a City where its reasonably easy to access Healthcare and Equipment, which is why Bohol seems perfectly suited to that.

[Steve.r]

200 k in 3 months!!!!!!!

That at was a good holiday. Like said before Harry, be careful of the people who want to spend "your" money.

[Longweekend]

Perfect solution Harry, move to Angeles and become Simon's driver.....

[Harry T]

Perfect solution Harry, move to Angeles and become Simon's driver.....

[stevewool]

Perfect solution Harry, move to Angeles and become Simon's driver.....

HAY , thats mine

[SimonH]

Perfect solution Harry, move to Angeles and become Simon's driver.....

I always drive myself

[Stevek]

my family have been living in Palawan since 2012 with me visiting for two or three months at a time between contracts abroad. We have air cons in most rooms but when I am away the kiddos move in with mum in the master bedroom and we run one large innverter split type unit and or fan as the room is very large.

We have a cook, a nanny and a car taker who together cost about 16,000k a month and we pay their SSS any minor medical bills and they live in. Electricity runs about 5k (my son loves the 60 inch tv lol)

School fees at a local private school in Puerto Princesa are about 6k per month plus books once a year (about another 5k) and we have 2 in school. The montesorri kinder garten for the three yr old is about 3k per month for mornings.

Property taxes are around 2k per month for our large plot , 6 bedroom house , kubo and 4 rental rooms).

Medical costs are okay for consultations but medicines can be expensive and a recent gall bladder removal for my wife cost 180,000 after her PHIL HEALTH deduction and good insurance which covers all costs is very hard to find if you are resident.

We run and 2006 Navarra pick up 600K for our farm and rubber plantation trips down south. We bought it in Manila as a bank repo and shipped it over. same with a 2009 Ford Everest SUV (800K). Fuel runs at around 28 pesos per litre for diesel but both vehicles are reasonably thirsty. Getting a decent mechanic relies on word of mouth recommendations of other ex pats but is usually very cheap compared to the UK especially labour intensive jobs.

Our water bill is around 2k but we also have a well and electric pump/tank set up.

Forget land line..always out of order or crackly

mobiles are cheap to buy and post paid billing is reasonable

Our satellite tv set up is dream and we use the package at about 1000 pesos we also have cable for the cottages at around 1000 for a four room set up

Food shopping for the family including baby milk and pampers runs to 5k a week or thereabouts for the wife three kiddos and three staff.

Eating out is getting more expensive but still a lot cheaper than the UK and of course depends on the resto or hotel you eat at.

we use a pocket wi/fi called Tattoo which costs 999 per month but signal strength varies, we use fb messenger and skype sometimes signal will not support video

well those are the bills that come to mind and are not everything I am sure but should give you an idea. We do not live extravagantly but we do live well in my opinion and of course we could cut back if necessary but I think you need to be fair to yourself and what you are prepared to sacrifice for living in the paradise that is Palawan.

hope this helps

Hi Scott
Great post...really helpful
It seems you are doing exactly what I plan to be doing in about 2 years. Cheryl and myself are in the UK right now with a 3yo and 7yo with about a year to go before applying for FLR.
The plan is once we all have UK citizenship we will move to RPI initially for 2 years as a trial to see if it really is for us. During this time i will be doing some contracts to top the money up, rough plan is 6-10 month contract with 6-12 months in RPI
We have a plot on a sub-division in Bacolod but really like Puerta Princessa, it ticks all the boxes (nature, small city, no typhoon, earthquake, tsunami) the only little negative we could see when we stayed was what schools we would send the kids to, especially when they get to high school
Would be interested to know your thoughts on the schooling in PP?

[Stevek]

my family have been living in Palawan since 2012 with me visiting for two or three months at a time between contracts abroad. We have air cons in most rooms but when I am away the kiddos move in with mum in the master bedroom and we run one large innverter split type unit and or fan as the room is very large.

We have a cook, a nanny and a car taker who together cost about 16,000k a month and we pay their SSS any minor medical bills and they live in. Electricity runs about 5k (my son loves the 60 inch tv lol)

School fees at a local private school in Puerto Princesa are about 6k per month plus books once a year (about another 5k) and we have 2 in school. The montesorri kinder garten for the three yr old is about 3k per month for mornings.

Property taxes are around 2k per month for our large plot , 6 bedroom house , kubo and 4 rental rooms).

Medical costs are okay for consultations but medicines can be expensive and a recent gall bladder removal for my wife cost 180,000 after her PHIL HEALTH deduction and good insurance which covers all costs is very hard to find if you are resident.

We run and 2006 Navarra pick up 600K for our farm and rubber plantation trips down south. We bought it in Manila as a bank repo and shipped it over. same with a 2009 Ford Everest SUV (800K). Fuel runs at around 28 pesos per litre for diesel but both vehicles are reasonably thirsty. Getting a decent mechanic relies on word of mouth recommendations of other ex pats but is usually very cheap compared to the UK especially labour intensive jobs.

Our water bill is around 2k but we also have a well and electric pump/tank set up.

Forget land line..always out of order or crackly

mobiles are cheap to buy and post paid billing is reasonable

Our satellite tv set up is dream and we use the package at about 1000 pesos we also have cable for the cottages at around 1000 for a four room set up

Food shopping for the family including baby milk and pampers runs to 5k a week or thereabouts for the wife three kiddos and three staff.

Eating out is getting more expensive but still a lot cheaper than the UK and of course depends on the resto or hotel you eat at.

we use a pocket wi/fi called Tattoo which costs 999 per month but signal strength varies, we use fb messenger and skype sometimes signal will not support video

well those are the bills that come to mind and are not everything I am sure but should give you an idea. We do not live extravagantly but we do live well in my opinion and of course we could cut back if necessary but I think you need to be fair to yourself and what you are prepared to sacrifice for living in the paradise that is Palawan.

hope this helps

Hi Scott
Great post...really helpful
It seems you are doing exactly what I plan to be doing in about 2 years. Cheryl and myself are in the UK right now with a 3yo and 7yo with about a year to go before applying for FLR.
The plan is once we all have UK citizenship we will move to RPI initially for 2 years as a trial to see if it really is for us. During this time i will be doing some contracts to top the money up, rough plan is 6-10 month contract with 6-12 months in RPI
We have a plot on a sub-division in Bacolod but really like Puerta Princessa, it ticks all the boxes (nature, small city, no typhoon, earthquake, tsunami) the only little negative we could see when we stayed was what schools we would send the kids to, especially when they get to high school
Would be interested to know your thoughts on the schooling in PP?

[Longweekend]

It was so good Steve posted it twice....