It seems that one of the big motivators for Westerners who want to move here can be summed up in one word: CHEAP. Living in the Philippines is cheap, that’s the common belief. Well, it is cheaper to live here than in the West, however, as I’ve written several times recently, that gap is closing to some extent, and living here is not as cheap as it once was.
However, the cost of living being lower can actually lead to two different ways of thinking. The most common, as I mentioned, is that people think that they can come here and live for a very low amount of money. That’s not the way I thought about it when I moved here, though. The way I thought was that for the same amount that I was spending in the USA, I could come here and live the Good Life.
So that sets up the battle: The Good Life vs. The Cheap Life.
Which one is for you?
I know of some westerners who come here and live on $500 or so per month. They live a rather spartan lifestyle, though. These guys do whatever they can to save a few pesos, and if they saved P5 on something, they are very proud of the fact. Corners are cut on virtually every aspect of life. Heck, if you save P3 here and P5 there, pretty soon you’ve saved a dollar! It’s not an easy life, though, and if you see these people after only a few months of living the cheap life here, you can see on their faces just how hard their life has been.
Other people (myself included in this group) don’t care so much about keeping their budget so tight. If they can save P3 on a bottle of coke by going to the store across the street, well, it just isn’t that big of a deal. So, if they lived on $4,000 or $5,000 per month when they lived the States, that was OK, but they also feel OK if they spend that much (or at least considerably more than the $500 per month guy) here in the Philippines. The difference for this guy is that in the USA he was paying that amount of money and still leading a rather conservative lifestyle. Just paying the bills and maybe doing a few things for pleasure or enjoyment per month, but not much. When he moves here, and still has that kind of money available, he can do so many things, and truly enjoy the Good Life. Want to go out and eat at the best restaurants in town? No problem, it is well within your budget. Want to go for a massage daily? Hey, for that kind of budget you can go to the best spas in town daily. Whatever you like to do to pamper yourself, you can do it here, and remain well within a reasonable budget.
Now, the low-budget guy is probably enjoying his life too (hey, these guys get a lot of pride and enjoyment out of their ability to live on the cheap), but it’s a different kind of pleasure than the guy who is really living life to the max.
I have to say, in the 8 years that I’ve been living here, I have really learned how to take better care of myself, how to pamper myself, and live a life of comfort. When I lived in the States, I was a working class fellow. I had a job where I was on my feet 12 hours per day, and at the end of that day, I was tired, and needed to rest so that I could go do it all again the next day. It wasn’t an enriching, fulfilling life. Here, though, I have turned that all around. I get up in the morning, and I work for about 2 hours, taking care of my websites, responding to e-mails and comments on my blogs and such. By the end of 2 hours I have all my work pretty well caught up for the day. At that time, I go for a walk to the Health Spa and I swim for an hour, then I have coffee for 30 minutes to an hour at the Health Club Coffee shop. Next, I go home, and if I want to work on developing some new project (a new website, some new business, etc) I will spend a few hours working on that. If I don’t feel like working anymore that day, I don’t. It’s that simple. I can spend the rest of the afternoon doing any of a number of things. A massage. Go to a movie. Catch some TV. Take my camera out and do some photography. The list of possible activities is almost endless.
For me, the contest between Cheap Living and Good Living is no contest at all. I choose the Good Life every time. How about you? Which way do you want to live in the Philippines? Do you disagree with my assessment? If so, how about writing a post for the Guest Blog and sharing your dream life here.
Bob – I've been thinking about what you wrote and trying to determine my motivation for desiring to retire there. I guess "Living the Good Life" as in most things, is a matter of perspective. Given the choice I would think MOST people would choose the Good Life versus Living Cheap. I think the real point is that, at least financially, whatever I have to get by on here when I retire will go further there. It will be a better life in that regard.
But to me it is more than just the money aspect. I like the laid back lifestyle, the tropical atmosphere, the English speaking population, among other things. It is a combination of being of it being affordable and the other that is driving my desire at this point.
Hi Randy C – You make a good point about tropical lifestyle and such. I do consider that part of living the good life, myself. Most of the guys who really try to live on the cheap head way out into the boonies and live in a nipa hut type of structure. In those areas there is not much English spoken either.
I have led the american dream Bob, have my own business, nice house, nice this , nice that…even my own plane..well almost ..have a partner on that, but what I'm driving at is I have done ok here but am tired of the rat race, I yearn for a simpler life where time slows down a bit. All the crap I have here I could walk away from in a second. I have discovered that the american dream can also be a nightmare. If your a materealistic person its a great place, me…I discovered the Philipines 10 years ago and have made the decision to relocate my family there ( wifes from Davao) we both are looking fwd to it but I picked a bad time to sell my buildings…it is taking alot more time to do but as I tell myself, it took me 20 yrs to buy all of em, it'll take me a few to sell em. Your articles are often an inspiration Bob, I thank you for your effort.
Hi Bob, I always dreamt about a lifestyle as I am able to live it now and as you explained in your great post for yourself. Unfortunately a lot of ex pats are not able to adjust the "tropical lifestyle". Very good explanation Randy C.!
I think there are so many variations on this theme, but it's a good one. I think I am in the happy medium of your so called "cheap" life and "good" life and I call it the great life. I think it really depends on your enjoyments in life. I'm in my mid-30s and I have young children so running off to a massage is definitely not what I am interested in. I live on the cheap side, but for my income now that I get in just 4 to 6 hours a day, I am living a much better life than I could on twice as much income back in the states.
Hi Brian – Thanks for your kind words, they are much appreciated. You certainly have lived the American dream, and had a good life there. I understand perfectly your desire to come to the Philippines for a different lifestyle. It is something that I am so happy that I chose to do too.
Hi Klaus – Yes, adjustment is not always easy.
Hi McKenzie – I hear you! I agree that there are lots of variations on how to live life here. We are all probably somewhere in the middle. 😆
Hi Bob – Like others, my choice lies somewhere between the two options. I've called it, "The Simple Life." 🙂
I don't "need to do" anything, and have few "wants" as well. Agreeing with Brian and McKenzie, I've no use for the rat race and materialistic lifestyles. 😉
42 years in the work world without my American dream producing anything more than a extremely complex and totally tiring way of life makes me ready to live a simpler and more fulfilling lifestyle. I'm ready to enjoy a sunrise while standing in the spot of my choice, not through the windshield of my auto while sitting in rush hour traffic. I'm ready to enjoy a light lunch in a small, out-of-the-way spot without having to discuss whatever business I'm currently engaged in. I'm ready to spend time doing whatever my asawa would like us to try without having to make a business-related excuse or put off that "quality time" until that one free moment on my calendar! 🙄
I'm ready! Oh yeah, I'm ready!! 😆
I am a workaholic here in the USA, I get like two months to spend with my precious filipina asawa a year. We spend our time together in this little village on the Samar coast NW of Calbayog. I have never seen a more peacful place. I don't think heaven has much more to offer than that little village. It is such a beautiful place exploding with dazzling color. The people of the village are so gentle and friendly and sharing. It is so much like what I would imagine heaven to be like. It is amazing how little the people seem to worry about things. I'm not kidding if it weren't for the fact that I know I'm alive and have my worries still to deal with I would think it was heaven. It is hard to leave and go back to work. I LOVE that place alot.
I guess what I was trying to say in post 9 is, do we call it the good life or the after life? Ha Ha!
Hi Bob. Living in the Philippines or anywhere else to retire or escape the rat race in their home country may not be applicable to everyone. It maybe possible for some to just stay where they are and live a good life especially if one is already making good money from his or her current income or business. All he or she has to do is stop making more than he or she needs, downsize and stop buying unnecessary toys so he or she can cut back on his or her working and business hours. I know quite a few people personally who are stressed out just looking after their cottages, condos, boats, cars, etc. Why buy when you can just rent when you need them? I live in Canada but I dont have much stress because I have decided not to join the rat race. I live within my means so I dont have to work multiple jobs. I just prefer to rent an apartment and just buy what I really need. I dont even have cable, digital camera or videocam. I just feel I dont need them that much at least not yet. Why buy a Lexus car when a Honda Civic can do the same job, why own 5 cars when 2 are enough, why buy a 5-bedroom house if a 3-bedroom is enough, etc.?
Hi Paul – Make the jump! If you are ready now, don't wait! Believe me, you will never regret doing it earlier!
Hi John – That spot where you plan to live sounds like a wonderful place! I hope that it always remains as nice as you are envisioning now!
Hi Eric – I hear what you are saying. The rat race is something that I am so happy to have escaped myself. Competing with the Jones' is a never ending part of life in the west! 😡
When I was in my 20-s I lended in India with US$1000 and a year later I had to ask my father for some money for a plane ticket to get back home. Those were good times, following gurus and all the flower power!!, Now I do not think $1000 will last for a year in any country. Next year I will be 60y.o. and as I see it, the most important thing in life is that one enjoys life and is not afraid of life. If you saw the film "Zorba the Greek" you would know what I mean, Just live like Zorba. Money is important of course, but more important is our approch to life. Some people have heaps of money but they are half dead, some have little money and live a fulfilling life.
Hi Richard – I agree with you about family becoming more important as we get older. As a matter of fact, I have a column coming up on Friday about that very thought! So, stand by for that! Also, my column today kind of deals with your point #3.
Hi Bob,
Like others I target middle lifestyle..What would make me move there is the proximities of so nice different country I had the chance to go around th Philippines on my previous trips and that's why when we'll be there, we plan to go around other country as well. When I went there last december-january, I passed by Hong Kong and South Korea and I just want to go back there. Of course I plan to go to the spa…and the beach…. anytime not only in june and july like here in Canada (we just receive 40cm of snow saturday) so far we received almost 4 meters this winter…you want to trade? Thank you again for all the info
Hi Bob, can't agree with you more. I'm tired of the rat race here at home in the U.S. I retired at 40 from the military with $2000 a month for the rest of my life and we (me and my filipinna wife) could retire comfortably in PI, but living here I've had to get another job, to be able to retire with another retirement check. I'm ready to live the simple but comfortable life there but she is hesitant. I try not to be pushy about leaving here and retiring for good there but I think she thinks we need more (or another retirement check) to be able to leave well there. I guess I'll just have to keep the status quo and keep hinting that it would probably be a better, simpler, healthyier life for us there, any suggestions???
Ed, my wife had the same apprehensions coming back to the Philippines after spending several years out. It took my wife about 6 months to get adjusted and enjoying the Philippines.
Out of opportunity, not not choice, we ended up living on another island from her family. Close enough to visit, but far enough way to have our own life. It means that she is not in the same barangay that she grew up in and she doesn’t have the same memories from the past. I doubt she could be happy now if she had went back to the same old, same old.
Hi Markus – Ha ha, I agree with you, the days of $1k per year are LONG gone! 😆
Hi Patrice – I agree that the Philippines is a nice base where you can launch all kinds of regional travel opportunities. Sounds like you have a good plan there!
Hi Ed – Feyma was also quite hesitant about moving back here, but eventually I convinced her. Now, she is very happy that we did it!
Bob, Thanks for your usual thought provoking and entertaing blog. thebloh stimulated me to clarify how retiring in the Philippines would lead to the "good life" for me.
1. Here (Texas)I need to work parttime now that I have retired to keep our middle class lifestyle.There my teachers retirement pension should assure a comfortable life without working
2. My wife and I have no children, and now that my parents are gone her family in the Philippines is the only amily I have. I find as I get older family becomes even more important.
3. My money and spare time there(Philippines) will allow me to help others.
Thanks, Bob and thanks Mckenzie. We live in Alaska and my wife thinks we will be able to do the snowbird thing in 20 years, you know, live here in summer and winter in PI. I don't think we will have that kind of money and who knows what the economy will be like then. I want to get out of the cold and the rat race NOW. I guess I will just have to keep putting a bug in her ear every once in a while and especially when she complains about how cold it is. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hello Bob. You speak of having everything you need and want and you only have to work 2 hours a day for this Good Life. I believe some of us retiring to the Philippines have already gained all the worldly-goods we need or want and are now ready for the Good Life that provides quality of life. My wife and I have talked of this and both agree that we have enjoyed a very prosperous and yes materialistic life and now only want serenity and a peaceful retirement. I guess when one has been blessed with more than one ever expected, material things are not that big a deal.
That it is a lot cheaper to live in Pi as compared to the US is a myth.
In either country it depends on your life style and your location.
Example: At todays exchange rate it costs the wife and I between
$500-$600 per month to live in PI in the states it cost us about twice that. Sounds a lot cheaper in PI but lets compare life styles.
Both countries we own our home free and clear so no rent.
In the US we have a car, in PI use jeepneys & trikes
In the US we have cable TV and Highspeed internet, in PI have 2 TV channels and use internet cafes
In the US electricity costs around $220 per month, in PI about $100 but
in the states have central heat and AC that runs 24 hours a day if hot
while in PI there is a small window unit in the master bedroom that is run
only at night.
I could go on and on but my point is, life in PI is only cheaper due to
a difference in life style.
Rick
Hi Ed – Good luck with everything!
Hi Lonnie – The difference is, and the reason why I work about 2 hours per day is that I was 38 years old when I moved here. Not of retirement age. I have to work if I want my family to eat! 😆
Hi Rick Austin – What you say mirrors a lot of what I have written recently. I believe that it is still a bit cheaper to live here in the Philippines, but the gap is closing rapidly.
Hi Bob,the rat race seems to be getting even faster in the west.Here in the Uk they are gradually increasing the retirement age to 70.Can you imagine working until 70 🙁 it may increase your pension payout,but you would be to worn out to enjoy it.As someone once said"Its better to be happily in love and live in a hut on the beach,than to live alone in a huge mansion house".
Hi chas – I hear you, my friend! Not only do I not want to work until I'm 70, I moved here when I was 38! I don't consider the things I am doing now to be work. They are an activity that brings in money, but also just doing things that I enjoy anyway. 😆
Hhmmm…It seems that it's mostly the Filipina wife that's hesitant to move. Odd–am I the only Filipina wife here? Is it because I'm scared to face the kind of life we might have coming back? I guess I need some more soul seraching.
Wonderful insights on all your versions of life in the Philippines!
I mean some real soul searching!
Hi Cecilia – It's true. In every case that I know of a Filipina wife with a Western husband, the wife is always the one who has a harder time in adjusting (or re-adjusting) to life here.
LOL…not so much for readjusting, just probably cautious of what could be lost or could go wrong. Sigh! Thanks…I enjoy the wide readership of this blog. I know I should really be working on my blog and how to improve it.
Hi Cecilia – I know that in Feyma's case, it was not a case of worry or fear, but just trying to adjust to the way things are done here, the attitudes of people here, etc. She had been away so long that these things were already foreign to her. I have visited your blog, by the way, you have a nice beginning there. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Thanks for the visit Bob…you're an inspiration here. I'm hoping I could do a little bit of internet writing when we finally retire. It's a good thing to at least mobilize the Philippine manpower. I'm not techie so it's a little bit of a struggle learning here. So much to do, so little time!
Hi Cecilia – Thank you very much for your kind comments! Good luck to you with doing some Internet writing. Don't worry, you really don't need any tech skills to do that. Blogging software that is available these days makes that a very simple task! 😀