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Cost of Living: $10K USD / yr
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How do you live comfortably on $10,000/yr in the Philippines?
tizonrex
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How do you live comfortably on $10,000/yr in the Philippines?
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The key to your question is the word "comfortably". It really does depend on your definition of 'comfortable'. I maintain a small, two-bedroom house in a small town in the province. I pay 3,000 php for the rent, 2,000 for the electricity (fan, no aircon), and an average of 600 php for cooking gas. I add in 500 a month for cable television and 1000 a month for WiFi service (through Globe). Food, even though reasonably inexpensive and fresher than anything I could get in the USA, it's also my biggest expense – around 4,500 php a month. However, when I stay there (I'm in the US more than in the Philippines), I live very frugally, driving a small motorcycle and shopping at the local market. I don't travel around too much unless I need to go to the 'big city' to buy something I can't get in the market. In all, I live on less than $500 usd per month. I consider my life there as 'comfortable' — but I know that many foreigners would turn their nose up at my living conditions. My furniture is native bamboo, I have a couple of fans but no air conditioning. There is only cold water for a bath, but I find that to be more refreshing than a traditional American hot-water shower. I do have a bed with a thin mattress — I've slept on the floor before when visiting friends, and that's not something I want to do on a regular basis. I have someone who does my laundry each week — the service is cheap (around 300 php week) and my clothes are cleaner than my washer and dryer can get them in the US (also folded, hung, ironed . . .) If by 'comfortable', you mean living like the average American lives, you'll need more than $10,000 a year. An American/European home will cost you a minimum of 20,000 php per month, and if you use air conditioning throughout the day, your electric bill will be shocking. Most mid-sized automobiles will eat up a lot of gasoline, which is currently running around $1.20 per liter. Eating at restaurants is still cheaper than anything in the US, but if you're wanting steak and fine wine, you'll find it a little pricey for your $800 per month budget. If you're wanting high-speed internet, you'll pay a lot for that too. A housekeeper is a reasonable expense — but the added costs that often arise (paying for her children's school needs, medical expenses, and many unanticipated 'problems') may be more than you want to take on. Having someone do your laundry is another worthwhile expense, but if you're living like an American and want a washer and dryer . . well . . you'll pay for that too. And if you insist on living in the city, you can nearly double most of your expenses. But if you can tolerate living more like the locals do, you'll be surprised how comfortable your life can be. Look for the simple life and you'll find life to be relaxing and enjoyable. But that's just me . . .
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$10,000/yr = Roughly PHP 419,006/yr or PHP 34,000 a month Define: Comfortable? I. Accommodations:Option 1. Apartment/Condo – Apartment/Condo in Makati CBDPrice range: PHP 20,000 to sky is the limit…http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/classifieds+directory/q/condo+in+makati+for+rent Even then, comfort is not guaranteed due to constricted spaces. Option 2. Single Detached House, outlying cities and municipalitiesIn my experience, I've managed to find a house that costs PHP 8,000 a month, in the Las Pinas area – but that was a long time ago when we were still renting. Price range: PHP 10,000 above *not in Makati CBD Option 3. Provinces- Highly inadvisable for security concerns, but some do survive here, specially in "urban developing" provincial centers. Price range: See real estate listings. II. Domestic Staff:As Dick mentioned: Domestic Staff can cost you 3,000 to 4,000 a month, depending on how generous you are. You can hire as much as you like. Personally, we hire 1 laundrywoman who is stay out and 1 maid who is stay in. III. UtilitiesMy general rule is – as long as you don't turn on the airconditioning unit – your bills would stay below PHP 5,000 a month. With wall mounted airconditioning add PHP 1,000 to PHP 1,500 a month. IV. Food:A. FamilyIf you have a small to medium sized family, food prices are periodically rising specially in the groceries. If you are a Caucasian male who stands out in a crowd, best stay away from the public market even though the prices are low. Or when you do go to the market, have a local friend accompany you. Prices are lower by 10% to 20%. You can make do with PHP 2,000 a week and have a balanced diet. B. Eating OutFor couples, you may be able to eat out at least once every week if you're going to the fast food. If you're looking to high end dining, be prepared to shell out PHP 3,500 to PHP 5,000 depending on where you want to eat. V. SocializationI personally have 3 stereotypes of Western foreigners who live here in the Philippines. 1. Married to Filipina or have a Filipina GF, hangs out in bars at least 5 times a week or runs a bar himself. 2. Married to Filipina, goes to Christian church and socializes with decent people, both expats and Filipinos. 3. Here on business, no GF or Filipina wife. Stays inside house 90% of the time. Cheers!