Generally, there is not much I hate more than doing “cost of living” posts. Everybody and their brother wants to know how much it costs to live in the Philippines. The truth is, though, that there is no number to answer that question. This is especially true when I am talking to somebody that I don’t know.
If I have never met you or gotten to know you well, then how could I answer how much it will cost you to live here. I have no idea what your wants, needs or desires are. The type of house you can live in comfortably may be way different than what I need. I may need to have air conditioning running most of the time, while you may be comfortable in tropical heat. I may like to eat steak, while you enjoy eating squash and carrots. The prices are way different depending on what you need and desire.
I know of people, expats, living in the Philippines on as little as $400 to $500 per month, and I know others who need $5,000 per month to live here. How much will it cost you? It is nearly certainly somewhere in the middle of those two numbers.
A few weeks ago, I was doing some work on this site, and I happened upon an article that I wrote many years ago, back in 2006. The title of the article is How much money do you need to live in the Philippines. When I happened upon the article, I decided to read it and see what I had to say back then. I have written so many articles about the cost of living that frankly, I had forgotten my analysis back in 2006.
When I read it over, I was pretty surprised at how much had changed in the 7 years since then. The cost of living in the Philippines is significantly higher in that time.
One thing that has to be considered is that if you are an expat and are getting your money from the country where you came in, you have two problems. Firstly, the exchange rate has a big impact on how many pesos you get. For example, let’s say that you are receiving a pension of $1,500 per month from your old job back in the USA. Back in the day, the Peso was about 55 to the US Dollar. So, your $1,500 was worth P82,500. Now, with no other changes, the Dollar is worth only about 41 Pesos, so that same $1,500 is now only getting you P61,500. So, you have done nothing, are still earning the exact same amount of dollars, but your spending power has just declined by more than 25%.
Second factor to consider is inflation. Inflation in the Philippines is higher, sometimes much higher than in a developed country like the USA. In the USA these days, inflation may be running only 1% or 2%, due to the poor economy. At the same time, inflation in the Philippines could easily be at 5%, or even up to 7%. So, that kilo of mangoes that was P60 back in 2006, if you factor in inflation of 5% per year would be running P77 now, an increase of P17. Let’s figure it in dollars, since that is what you are earning. Back in 2006, a kilo (that’s 2.2 pounds for those who don’t kow) of mangoes cost you $1.20. Today that would cost you $1.92. That’s an increase of about 62% in 7 years.
It’s not the inflation that gets you. It’s not the currency rate fluctuation. It is the combination of the two. If the currency were still worth the same as it was back then, the mangoes would cost you only $1.40, just a 20 cent difference. But, throw in the currency changes in that time, and you are paying 72 cents extra now!
Let’s look at a more extreme example. Let’s say that you have a certain brand of mustard that you really like and it is imported from the USA. As far as I know, there is no mustard that is made in the Philippines, so for this item you are required to use an imported item, there is no local substitute. Let’s say that the mustard had a price of $2 per bottle back in 2006. The value of the US dollar has gone down more than 25% since 2006, so even without any inflation at all, the price of that mustard will have gone up to $2.50 here at the very least. On top of that, factor in Philippine inflation and you will now be paying $3.20 at the very minimum. This accounts for currency fluctuation and 5% inflation per year. As you can see, these two factors play a double whammy on your wallet!
Being an expat can be expensive. Everybody thinks that it’s cheap in the Philippines. There was a day when it was, but times are changing. There is one thing to remember, though… things could swing in the other direction too someday, though. I don’t see it on the horizon, but if the US ever gets it’s economic house of cards in order, it is possible that the dollar will appreciate again. If that happens,we may see a decline in the cost of being an expat in the Philippines.
Thanks again Bob. Perhaps a spread sheet of common home rental prices (2 or 3), home purchase prices (2 or 3), and select list of food item prices? Because I agree with you it’s probably a question that can’t be answered as different people have different wants/needs.
Hi Erie – Sorry, my friend, I don’t do those kind of cost comparisons, for the reasons that I stated. Keep an eye out, though, Feyma has an article on the way that has rental price comparisons!
Hi Bob. Awesome article. I moved to the Philippines in 2006 and it really has changed alot. I used to live mindanao and i got by with about 300 dollars a month.. I had more money than all my friends, but all the luxuries of the 1st world were not available. Since then ive moved to the ortigas business district and the quality of life is comparable to how i lived in Washington DC. About the same. The difference is the cost. For the same quality of life in Ortigas im struggling on about 12 thousand US dollars a month. When i lived in Washington DC it only cost me about 4000 dollars a month. So i guess what im saying is that the philippines is cheaper if your willing to sacrifice the quality of life, but if you want the same quality that you get in america its actually alot more expensive. Would you agree or disagree?
Hi Manny – You are right that things have changed a lot here since 2006, I can’t argue on that! But, you are struggling on $12k/mo? I can’t believe that. I have ten people living in my house and make it fine on about half that amount. That includes having 5 kids in private schools, including college.
I think that clown meant 12 hundred vice 12k.
Some of the peso appreciation has to do with the actual progress the Philippine economy relative to the rest of the world. In 2006 I was getting 46 to 1 to my Canadian dollars, now 41 to 1. The Canadian economy did not suffer from the 2009 onward mess, but did not grow at the same pace the Philippine economy has.
I am glad economically things are improving here, but a small guilty part of me wishes for the economy to take a swift kick to the nether regions and give me back my 46.
Your site is the second thing I read everyday, thank you for your and all your writers efforts.
Hi Kyle – There is certainly some truth to what you say. But, a good economy does not necessarily mean a strengthening Peso, though. Those two don’t necessarily go hand in hand. And, a strong Peso is, in some ways, bad for Filipinos. Two reasons that I can think of:
1. OFW’s who work abroad generally have their contracts in Dollars, and the weakening of the Dollar means less money being sent back to families who need it.
2. The strong Peso means that exporters here in the Philippines are falling on hard times.
HI BOB
I STILL THINK IT IS VERY CHEEP to live in the php and it is here at home where u can pay up to $9 for a beer and there may be @1.50 and a paked off smokes here is $ 13.00 for 20 ok and there for the same think it is about $ 2.00 and the rent here where u pay week by week at about $ 200 to $2000 a week and there it would be about $150 to $300 a mouth Bob so i think it is better there in the php and here at home and with food is the same ok so all in all we are better off living over seas and at home mate…..peter martin tassie
Hi Peterjoy – I understand what you are saying, but tend to disagree with you on this topic. For instance, I don’t drink or smoke, so those costs are of no value to me (as I said in the article, cost of living is different for everybody, and your listing of things that don’t apply to me illustrates that perfectly). You say that rent here in the Philippines is about $150 to $300 per month. Well, I pay $900 per month to rent my house, so this is another example of how it is different for every person.
Is it cheaper to live in the Philippines than Australia or the US or other such countries? Yes. And no. It depends on your lifestyle. I can assure you that I could live here in a much more expensive way than what you live on in Australia.
Yes BOB u are right but do u need to live expensive way i dont think so as i do smoke but dont drink and there is 5 off us in all and rent a home and are buying a home there in the php and there is no way i would pay $900 a mouth for a home but as u was saying we are not all the same and to that i say thank god for that or what a funny old place it would be and like u we have two kids still in school and all i get is a pension ok but we make it do mate ok……..peter martin tassie
You are sure right there, what a boring place this would be if we were all the same!
Bob: I largely agree with you. The few cost articles I wrote got comments like, “you spent ____? I only pay ___”
I’ve seen a few expat sites where some people make these long, detailed comparisons…. All of which are pretty much useless.
I also think that there are far too many people who move here obsessing about cheap. Honestly, if your financial position is so precarious that you cannot absorb a fluctuation on exchange rates, you probably should not be moving abroad where there are no safety nets. I gotta laugh a couple of sites that scream “DOLLAR FALLS! ” headlines every time there is a blip of ten basis points…. Always following in the comments is the bitching about the us economy, china, and dire gloom and doom predictions. An utter and complete ignorance of economics. Nice try bob, but I doubt many will listen
I fully agree, John. Some of these “cost of living” articles turn into not much more than pissing contests where everybody wants to show they live the cheapest. That’s why I detest such articles so much.
Is it some kind of a lazy nature, when people ask about living costs again and again ? 🙂
With a little research on the Internet people can find prices for rent, a lot of blogs about costs, prices for food and all kind of consumer goods. It is really not that difficult to see how much it costs to live here. As you say: it is very different from person to person. What is “your” needs? Do you need a car? Do you eat local food? Do you want a house – rent/own? Are you a “outgoing” person? And much much more. These things can only be answered from the one that plan to move here.
I know it is a big decision to make a move and some kind of uncertainty occur, so of course it is natural to ask others to get advice. I do understand that, but i still say that each and every one should do hes own research and maybe ask some other kind of questions that isn’t asked that much as “living costs”. It is easy to find information about “living costs” in general.
Just my opinion, in respect for those who ask, but also for those who use a lot of time answering questions, that has been answered many, many times before.
Have a great day
Axel
Hi Axel – You make some excellent points in your comment, points which I think echo much of what I say on the subject. I think that overall, if a person is thinking of moving to the Philippines about the best thing they can do is to keep in mind that if they have been making it in America, Britain, Australia, etc, then they can make it here in the Philippines too, and likely have money left over at the end of the month!
Hi Bob
You are right: If you can make in in US or where ever you come from, you surely can do it in Philippines too – when it comes to financial matters. I guess it is more important to research things like how it is to live here: The food, the culture, the traffic, the language, family matters, totally change of lifestyle. So ask your self: “are you ready to change you lifestyle completely?” I don’t see any point in moving here and keep the same kind of lifestyle as used to. To move is to make a change in all aspects. And by the way – thank you for a nice, decent, serious and informative blog.
Hi Axel – you are 100% right in my opinion, the lifestyle and cultural changes are far more important than financial concerns. I have known many foreigners who left the Philippines because they could not adjust to the culture, but very few who left due to financial concerns.
Thanks also for your kind comments about the site, this site means a lot to me and something that I work hard on, so I am grateful for your comment.
I think you do make sense Bob et others. I have been living outside the Philippines for a number of years and visit’s Philippines almost every year. I understand my £££ should go a long way when it comes to spending it there. However, I do find it not to so ‘cheap’ in relevance also how I spent my pesos.
I was doing research on rentals/ buying and I see not much difference on a type of property and the locations etc etc. So, yes what you were speaking about does indeed make sense. We all live differently with different needs/ wants and expectation. Mine happen to fall in the more than middle category.
Hi Corina – Thanks for your comment. You are right, it all just depends on the lifestyle that one leads, and we all live differently.
Hello Bob. As an ole Philippine hand, I am sure you are extremely familiar with what it takes to live in the Philippines, both finacially and emotionally. I remeand mber 3 years ago when I started to seriously prepare for my move, yours was one of the first sites I came across and I gleened a lot of usefull information from it. I urge you however to practice patience and tolerance with newbies to your site. Frankly money does make the world go round so it is only natural for almost every visitor to your site to have the cost of living foremost in their minds. I would be willing to wager that unlike yourself and a very few others, the vast majority of those readers who are thinking of moving here are approaching retirement age and a fixed income and they are looking for reassurance that they can live close to a level of comfort that they are used to.
Hi Scott, thank you for your input. I don’t think that I have been impatient with anybody asking financial questions. If I have been, I certainly did not intend to be.
i agree with you scott h. bobs view on the cost of living in the philippines sounds very grim for retired people like me who are on a small fixed income. I have done some comparisons for housing in other countries closer to america and there is no way I could afford to live in any of the major cities there and possibly not in the big city in the RP neither. but I cant afford to live in a big city here in the US either. but i believe there are many locations in the rp where i can rent a comfortable home for under $200 a month. i make it here on my limited income and i have confidence i will make it just fine there too. life is not all about money, the size of your house or the vehicle you own. i am excited about coming to the phils to live where there is so much availbility to fresh foods and friendly people.
Hi Donna – Keep in mind that our situations are very different. I have 11 people living in my home. You would not have that many, I suspect. Thus, your home would cost much less in rental than mine does.
Generally, it is somewhat cheaper to live in the RP than the US, whatever your standards are. I just and spent time in Makti and the Fort again and the prices for similar Western living are just a little cheaper than the US. Big city life is not inexpensive. Outside the big city, a person can live comfortably on a couple grand a month. Anything less than that, you should consider other options.
You really should have a purpose in moving to the RP. Think less about cost-of-living and focus on quality-of-living. More than likely, you will find the RP to be one of the best places to live on the planet! Just sayin…
You sure are right John. There are more important considerations than cost. Also living in a large city in the Philippines is not dirt cheap like many think it is.
So right, Bob! And ( for Filipinos) 10k every month is not even enough for a single person living in Manila.. especially if person is renting, paying bills, dining out, etc, giving extra so family. Some of my co workers give money to either parents or siblings to help out. For expats, well, maybe they can afford and it’s cheap.
Hi Sugar – Nice to hear from you, I hope you are doing well. I think that the days of expats who live here saying “it’s cheap” are gone already. Those who want to live here but don’t live here yet think that it’s cheap, but once they live here for a while they realize that it is not as cheap as they thought! I know that because I deal with lots of people who want to live here, then six months after they arrive they are telling me that their eyes are finally open. 😆
Bob;
It costs what it costs, there is no formula to predict what each person will spend while here, I think you presented the subject very well, and there is just no one answer. We know what we need but I’ll never guess what the next guy needs. Think long and hard when you move here as there won’t be many pay raises once you’re here.
Good way to put it Paul! Thanks for your comment.
From all that I have read and from what I have seen and experienced on my visits, I would say there is a ” Potential ” to being able to live less costly in The Philippines, ” If ” you are willing to adapt to the living style that your budget and / or income will allow.
Another consideration I would toss into the ” potential ” of living for less cost in The Philippines would be to considrer the possibility of differences in definitions of such things as ” House ” ” Apartment ” or ” Condominium “. As an American, automatically when I hear or read those words certain images come to my mind of what you would find in the USA. In the Philippines however there could be vast differences. Some could be good and some a lot less desireable than you may have first considered.
An apartment for only $35 a month ? Sounds like a real bargain until you actually go there yourself and take a look. Houses ? I watched a new housing development go up from pictures and videos on the internet. I was not intending to even attempt to buy or otherwise secure one of these for myself but just watched. hey, they looked very attractive from the pics and videos on the outside, including the setting in which they were situated. After most of this development was completed I took an in person look on one of my visits. Now, I don’t wish to knock or demean these particular houses as they were designed to sell at a cost to the market they were designed to sell to but to myself, I could best describe them as what you might call in the USA a slightly oversized garden shed with a decorative exterior. Minimal plumbing, cold water only ( if or when available ) . They would never qualify for a Certificate of Ocupancy in the USA but then again we are not talking about the USA. I think what it comes down to is your own personal definition of what your personal expectations of a ” house ” ” Apartment ” or ” Condo ” really is. You really have to go there and take a look for yourself, decide what modifications you would have to make to have it livable to your own personal desire ( at extra cost of course ) and then evaluate the cost of living for yourself.
At this particular point in time, all things considered, I really can not see that it would be all that much ” less costly ” ( cheaper if you want to phrase it that way ) to live in The Philippines, at least in the way that I would feel comfortable and I don’t live anywhere near what would be called extravagant here in the USA.
Lots of considerations, lots of variables which are too many to indicate on a web page.
Hi Bob – Good observations there. That $35 apartment is nothing like what a foreigner imagines an apartment to be. Those “cheap houses” end up needing lots of repairs, and on and on. It all adds up. Yeah, it is generally cheaper to live here, but not to the extent that it once was.
I think you will find most items are not less expensive in the Philippines than in first world countries. As Bob pointed out imported items are even more expensive. Electricity rates are among the highest in the world. There are some things that are less expensive in the Philippines. Almost all of them center around one factor: the cost of labor. Wages are lower so you can hire help for less. Ignoring discussions about the quality of services provided, hiring a maid, driver, cook, etc. is less expensive, by a considerable margin, than in first world countries. Most goods (not all) manufactured in the Philippines are less expensive due to lower labor costs. The margin on produce is less due to lower farm labor costs. A taxi driver earns a smaller salary and his generally lower fare reflects this. Doctors and Dentists charge less.
So is it cheaper to live in the Philippines…maybe. The advantage of the Philippines is that most of us won’t feel pressured to keep up with the proverbial “Jones”. We can live in a less lavish home, eat locally produced food and be able afford hiring help to make our lives easier. If you are not among the few who are able make the transformation from pure western style living to a life style which resembles the life enjoyed by 90 million Filipinos, then no, it won’t be cheaper to live in the Philippines.
Hi D Simmons – Thanks for stopping by, nice to hear from you. Yes, what you say is exactly what I am thinking. You are also the first to mention quality, which is a major concern. That computer accessory that is half of the price in the States may not even work when you take it home. If you are lucky and it does work, then it may fail in a week. Is a half price computer mouse cheap if you have to buy 2 or 3 of them to get a working one?
Good observations!
One thing you forgot to mention is the kano price when purchasing groceries and getting around on transport which exacerbates the cost of living even further
I pay the same price as local folks pay. Same price for taxi, jeepney, tricycle. Same price at the grocery store or the Palengke. Lighten up, Chris, you might enjoy life more that way! 🙂
Hi Bob,
You are dead on with your overall approach. I am a person who has been researching and researching for our move in 5 years. I would love to jump now, however I need my wife on US soil for 5 years so she can collect my social security in the event something happens to me.
I can say from what I have seen, it depends 100% where you live. We could live in Manila and it would cost us $1800-$2400 USD a month to live which also covers school for our child this gets us a very small house to rent in a somewhat safe area. We could live in the family village in capiz in a Bahay Kubo for $500 a month.
For people to except you to provide details is crazy, as the difference in lifestyle drives the price.
I have also learned that a lot can change in 5 years so for people that currently just getting by, don’t jump into a big move unless you have a back up plan and plan for cost increases.
Hi Dirk – thanks for your comment. Good luck on working it out for your wife to be eligible for your benefits, I hope that all works out. Gotta get over here as soon as you can.
Bob,
The way the ecomomy is now is mostly a boon for my fiance and me. It will affect my pension spending power, but overall it is good for us. Should be able to live comfortably. Meeting with HR next week to come up with a retirement date. Hopefully will be there by end of July or beginning of August. We want to visit you sometime too. Have a nice day.
Hi PapaDuck – You must have really found something recession-proof if you are thriving right not! That’s good and I’m happy for you! Good luck on the retirement!
I’ve been doing some checking into the cost of buying a home in the Philippines. I figure this would give me an idea about rental prices, should they be comparative to renting in the U.S. The percentages of the value of the house vs. the cost of renting the same house.
I watch online at various advertisement sites to continually monitor the housing situation for our pending move there.
I’m hoping to find something reasonable quickly, but don’t want to rush into it either.
Thanks for the article Bob!
Percentage wise, relative to the cost of buying, the cost of renting in the Philippines is way less than the “rules” would dictate. Glad you enjoyed the article, Scott.
Bob,
Interesting article and responses. The cost of living in the US varies quite a lot from person to person so why would it be any different in the Philippines. If one is content to live in a nipa hut in the province it will be much different than a big home in Metro Manila. No difference than here in that regards. I really think that people just get run down from the struggles of day to day living and want a way out. The grass is always greener some other place. I would guess that a large percentage of people that move to the Philippines or other lower cost country’s had their economic situation in mind. Well I can’t afford to retire here so if I go the the Philippines I can live better and retire now. I agree with what is writen above there are many other things to concider after all the finacial investigation available online. Would I be happy there has to be the number one. If I am not happy it really does not matter how much money I have life will still suck. The only way to find out is to spend as much time as possible there to see for ones self if the picture is what they imagined it to be. If I can only afford the nipa hut would I be happy with that or do I need more? The answer is different for everone. There is no way that you can explain the picture to someone that has not seen it can fully understand. Experience and seeing is believing.
You sure are right on the mark, Mike! I think your key phrase is about the grass being greener, might how true that is!
I do my best to answer people’s questions, but in the end everybody must answer for themselves!
The 2 of us moved to the PI in Aug of 2012, took 2 weeks to find a place in the Olongapo area to rent. Wanting to maintain a “US life style”, we found a rental in the old Navy Housing on Base now the Freeport. Rent for a beautiful US style completely remodled, truly “fully funished” 4 bed 3-1/2 bath with central AC $905.00 with so many amenaties! / Tap water $20.00 / Electric is going to average $250.00 mo…. cooler season now only $175.00 so I am saving the unused ballance for the hotter months / Good Cable Tv $16.00 / LL Telephone with DSL $57.00 === total housing about 1230.00/mo. As for FOOD now I am not a local eater but of course the wife is, we eat out a lot more then we should, and even so our monthly grocery (3/4 of which is imported food) and household consumables (no beer/cigs) are running us about $800/mo. SO FAR thats 2080 per month and that does not include the eating out and other out of pocket spending….. So anyone can see that $2,500 a month is not enough for the 2 of us and we don’t even have a car yet. Gas is about 4.75 a gallon can’t wait to get a car 🙁
“Moved here, but did not want to nor will I, go fully native” LOL
Hi Mitch – I hear you! Costs on these things are high, no doubt. I’m like you, I ain’t goin native! I enjoy living a comfortable life, just have to make sure I earn enough money to make that possible. So far, so good.
Things have gotten more expensive here but are still relatively cheap compared to the US. That’s of course if one decides to make some sacrifices and forego some familiar things. I haven’t gone native but I do eat whatever the rest of the family eats. We aren’t renting a mansion or in a guarded compound nor are we in a nipa hut like some of my inlaws. Rent for our little one bedroom concrete house just outside the town proper costs P4000 a month. Albeit the house is old and needs some attention there’s electricity and running water. Would it meet US building codes? Certainly not but it’s better than a lot of folks around here. Are we in a big city? No but we are in the largest city in Samar province. Fresh seafood and produce are very affordable and and we can get fresh meats, too, but they are more expensive. I’m not here year round but my wife and son are. At this point expenses are about P20k a month when I’m not in town. There are quite a few expats around as you can have all the amenities if you want but more affordably than in the big cities. Just my two pesos worth, lol. And Bob you forgot to mention that bottle of mustard is only 14oz now and not sixteen.
Hi Mark – You got me on that bottle of mustard! Ha ha… you sure are right, though, products are not only going up in price, but they are also shrinking in size.
Hey, it sounds like you are enjoying life, and that is the most important thing! Keep doing what you are doing!
Great thread–the ones most accurate state the fact that “it costs what it costs”. As an American living in Davao, no doubt I could live on $1000 a month or less with my wife and kids. Don’t want to and, by the Grace of God, don’t need to. After a few years of living here, what I can state conclusively, is that it costs as much or more to live a good Western lifestyle here than it does in the U.S.
I won’t count the housing expense, because we were able to purchase a very nice home in an upscale subdivision for cash. We have two nice cars; an Accord and a MR2 Spyder. Gas runs about $5.00 a gallon. Anyone ever hear of a Toyota or a Honda fuel pump failing at 50,000 miles. What about an oxygen sensor? Here in the Philippines, due to the filthy gasoline, it happens. The o2 sensor cost me $750.00 and the fuel pumps costs $700, and $400, respectively. Sure, labor is dirt cheap, but the price of parts is so outrageous is makes little difference. Decent tires cost $150 to $200 each, and the Third World roads eat them like candy. We do live about 18 miles from town, so relying on cabs is not an option.
As I mentioned, we do own our own home outright, and paid less than we would have in the States. Repairs are low cost, but there are many and come often. Quality is no where near what you have in the States, so again, the low cost of labor is offset by the mountain of “little” repairs.
We pay $1000 a year each for three kids to got to a private school. This entitles them to be in classes with 40 others instead of 60. Food for the wife, maid, and kids is really pretty inexpensive. My food, most of it bought at Swiss Deli and SM Market and Robinsons, costs about the same or maybe a little less than the States. Eating out does cost less than America, though if you go to fast food chain like Mcdonalds , Jollibee, KFC, etc. it is really about the same.
Electricity, as has been mentioned already, is much more expensive. We have six aircons in our home, but only use one at a time, and usually only at night except for the summer months (March-May). Average bill is about $200. We have inpatient, in case of emergency insurance that covers us as well for vacations in the U.S. Cost is about $4000 yr. Doctors services for basic illnesses, checkups,etc. are very inexpensive.
We pay, not including housing expenses, about $4000 a month for the five of us here in Davao. We live well, definitely what would be considered an upscale lifestyle here in the Philippines. In the U.S. we live about the same, and the cost is about the same. In the States it is called “middle class”.
So there you have it from one guy’s perspective. Not griping at all, and I love it here in Davao. Just sharing my experience and check book entries. Cheers to all, especially Mindanao Bob. Thanks again for the great website and info, Bob.
Hi Rick – Welcome aboard to LiP, and thank you for stopping by! I appreciate it greatly.
Like you, I live a nice life here in Davao. I don’t want to live cheap, and I don’t. You have summed up the costs that I see pretty accurately. Some of your costs are more than I pay, some are less, so it all balances out.
If you see me around town, please say hi!
I lived in the Philippines from 2001 to 2008 mostly in the Ortigas business district. Planning to make the move back in roughly 1 year, so while doing research for apartments I was surprised to find many of the buildings and unit prices have remained unchanged, or perhaps a little cheaper at times. I lived in 4 different buildings and all are large so there are always countless units up for rent and using sulit i have been able to find the same size/condition units i had previously rented and in every building i found at least 1 that was a better deal than i had during my stay in the philippines. Perhaps this is because more people post available units online then back in 2001, but it could also have to do with the fact that they have kept making more buildings witch keeps pricing competitive. I never lived like a native when I moved to the Philippines (perhaps part of the reason im back in the usa now ) but In my same area they seemed to have a larger selection of smaller but still nice units that were not previously in abundance when i lived there last. For example previously i lived similar to this:
2Br 2bath = 100 sqm = $750
3Br 3bath = 150 sqm = $1100
Those prices seem to be about the same for units i lived in back in 2001, but now i see some new buildings that perhaps are more attractive to asian cultures (koren/japanese) with less square footage, but less of a price as well..
2br 2bath 70sqm = $500
3br 3bath 100sqm = $750
Anyway looks like I will be able to knock my rent down considerably if im willing to live in slightly less space, but still be in a very comfortable building in the same area. Perhaps the weak dollar doesn’t affect unit rentals because so many expats live in these types of buildings so when prices get to high for foreigners they get to many vacant units and prices go back down in line with the $.. I think for high rise luxury apartments when comparing to the US, the prices are far less in the Philippines If you look around. In the Philippines you can get a 2br 2bath in a very nice high rise condo 100 feet from the toxic ocean for $800 a month I dont think there are many places in the US you could get a place like this for even $2500.
Cant really comment on much else as i haven’t been back in a while, but seemed like prices for Bar Hoping and girlie bars doubled from 2001 to 2008 even forced one of my friends to move from ortigas to angeles city so he could live the lifestyle he wanted.
Hi Mark – Your experience is very different than mine. That doesn’t mean bad or anything, just different. In Davao, where I live, you won’t find prices declining like that, just the opposite. If you can get it cheaper, though, nothing wrong with that!
hi sorry to jump in to post but i need to ask a serious question and i believe you guys may be able to help me, i have a pension that will give me 80k peso per month is this a realistic amount to keep a family of 4 in Iloilo in rented house many thanks
Hi Karl, I believe you could live a decent life on that amount.
Thanks bit of a gamble for me i have 2 children 11 and 8 and my wife of course.. don’t know about schools yet planning on doing a trip in Jan to get a full picture schools etc. I’m hoping it will be OK.. if not we can just move back plan on renting my house here in uk and storing all the furniture at no cost 😉 so safety net is in place.
Good luck on the potential move, Karl.
hi MindanaoBob. I’m an African planning to come into the Philippines for my masters programme at the Silliman university! I don’t knw what to expect as I’ve never traveled abroad all my life. I’m not an extravagant person; I just like my things in moderation. what i’m worried about is the cost of house rent, transportation ,telephone bills and food. Also,is it possible for foreign students to get work to support myself. thanks. keni