I posted this to another thread this morning...
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USN (not retired) Vet, I’m 65, retired, and I have lost 30 pounds, lowered my BP, and no longer need to take the diabetes meds from VA. I have another 20 to go, and my activity level, while making for lots of aches in forgotten places, has me feeling so much better.
Oh yeah, I am moving to the Philippines in January! Cheap, warm, and great people!
Rent for House or apartment: 50,- - 120,- US$ 2500 - 6000,- Peso
Electricity without air con 20 - 30 ,- US$ 1000 - 1500,- Peso
Electricity with an air con 60,- US$ 3000,- Peso
Tap Water 2,- US$ 100,- Peso
Garbage (mostly free of charge)
Telephone & DSL (Globe) 16,- US$ 995,- Peso
Drinking Water (1 unit every 2 days) 9,- US$ 450,- Peso
Food for two people 100,- US$ 5000,- Peso
Gas for cooking (700 P every 2 month) 7,- US$ 350,- Peso
Transport (Jeepney or Motor Bike) 12,- US$ 600;- Peso
Cable or Satellite TV 7,- or 15,- US$ 350,- or 750,- Peso
House Helper 40,- US$ 2000,- Peso
Total cheapest: 227,- US$ 11345,- Peso
Total deluxe: 380,- US$ 19245,- Peso
Here are some sites to check out!
http://livinginthephilippines.com/
http://www.living-in-the-philippines.com/cost-of-living-philippines.shtml
http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+category/id/28/House+and+Lot%2C+Townhouses+and+Subdivisions
There’s a FReeper (Dang it - I cant remember his handle right now) who lives in the Phillipines. He posts quite often. He has often posted on the advantages and disadvantages.
Are those figures monthly or annually?
My brother is married to a great lady from Pampanga and he got married there in Cebu.
Apparently, the family he married into is affiliated with one of the most powerful political families there, the Cojuangco so it did not surprise me that the wedding was paid for, with armed guys from the Army to protect us.
I still remember going into Malate for the night life, and my in-law provided 2 armed guards for me. The chicks thought I was some Hollywood actor or something LOL
Freeper AlexW moved to the Phils several years ago and lives well on a modest income and has a young wife and child.
Guam is another option as is Costa Rica.
I’ve been in contact with Alex sporadically for a few years and am considering retiring to the Phils myself.
The Philippines are comprised of 7,000 islands and English is spoken by most of the natives.
Alex lives on the beach in a cottage and his rent is $100.00 a month.
Yes, it’s hot and humid most of the time, but it’s inexpensive and the people are friendly.
It is a 3rd world country, so it’s not America, but in a few years, I expect America to be a 3rd world country as well.
One downside is the Philippine Peso has dropped in value against the American Dollar (Thanks, Obama!) but the Phils are still a great value and a single guy can live very well on less than 1k per month.
I’m going to look into Guam as it is a US territory and the cost of living is reasonable, but not as inexpensive as the Phils.
Costa Rica, Ecuador are also other options.