Philippines Prices Aren't What I Expected

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

My Affiliate Link for SafetyWing! safetywing.com/?referenceID=travelescapes&Ambassador

[@wakiidude]

new subscriber here from 🇨🇦🇵🇭

[@OntoTheNextOFFICIAL]

Me too from 🇺🇸

[@DragonKingTheYT]

Do u have to go to the Philippines embassy to stay living in menila Philippines I'm American

[@DragonKingTheYT]

Let's collaborate

[@DragonKingTheYT]

That's global medical insurance I'll think of that one

[@LMW9269]

Hey Jonathan, shout out from Utah USA. I married my Filipina wife 37 yrs ago, we met when I was stationed overseas in the Marines. We love your videos and the style you use, we want more, more, more. Keep up the good work!!!

[@RaceMentally]

Philippine women love white American men don’t they?

[@OntoTheNextOFFICIAL]

We found your channel randomly and me and my husband have been watching it in our tv screen in the living room. We love the style of your channel esp when you talk to the local. I'm from Cebu originally but now in South Carolina USA. Thank you for your vlogs about the Philippines. I Surely miss home.

[@crashercrasher9696]

Buy, small rice cooker, buy 1 kilo of rice cook rice and buy 1 serve of viand from carenderia, solved whole day meal and very cheap

[@axdbag7705]

That's poor people's mindset, dear don't take it personally, but saving ur time worth morthan that small money .

[@crashercrasher9696]

@@axdbag7705 nope that practicality

[@VEra_PGR]

​@@axdbag7705 We all have our own preferred way of living so your opinion is useless. Don't force your own preference to other people cause not all people will like living the way you live.

[@Rainiebooba]

@@axdbag7705 If you lived in the Philippines with normal wages, you will understand why what they said is a nice way to do it.

[@ajpewding4058]

Rice is like 15p why waste an hour and the gas for a trip home?

[@mam7470]

Holy sh_ _ _! You have 95+k subscribers now wow! Huge support from Filipinos around the world for you Jonathan! I did not expect that! I am happy for you.

[@helenbeltran6420]

Yes, that's how Filipinos appreciate foreigners who promote their country with full support. 😊

[@oxoelfoxo]

Not prices in the Philippines but in Bohol. They can vary a bit per location.

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

Very good point!

[@roelmangubat5142]

Bohol is becoming expensive for locals :(

[@tman5634]

There's huge price differences for the same things, right through the Philippines. Prices are set on what the sellers deem right for the area they're selling. This applies to all sellers, big & small.

[@travisgoesthere]

and there is an added fee when you are a foreigner

[@therevjoshc]

Hey Jonathan, I just found you a couple of weeks ago and have binge watched all of your Philippines videos. You do a great job of making entertaining videos while showing the real Filipino people. Keep up the great work.

[@markledesma2396]

The prices for 7-11 and sari sari stores are a few pesos more but readily accessible, i buy food from a local karinderya too as i find it convenient, it's always more expensive eating out but having pizza is well worth it. The cost of living in the province is still way cheaper and i can really have clean air quality.

[@TonzLanggoy]

Prices in the Islands are more pricey than those in the main islands. In big cities, like manila, cebu, produce are expensive. But you can get around the pricing when you got to public markets.

[@bunnystrasse]

Where are the island VS the MAIN islands?

[@jimihendrixx11]

@@bunnystrasse I think he meant main cities. Davao is an exception

[@cherryperez2517]

I can retire early because I love the Philippines. Warm and low cost of living.

[@rusted5408]

Don't be fooled. Food costs more in the Philippones than for me here in Oregon. Don't take 1 man's word.for it. I was just all over the PH for 3.5 months. Food has doubled since the beginning of the plandemic

[@trevr1969]

​@@rusted5408what would you say the monthly cost of living in the Philippines would be?

[@lesliejohns5929]

Freah Food is more expensive in the Philippines than the UK. Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water) are a lot cheaper. But Philippines is not as cheap as people make out unless you want to live a very basic (boring) life.

[@trevr1969]

@@rusted5408 I agree... But that 1600 would be the bare minimum

[@trevr1969]

@@rusted5408 bothering you? Lol. You're taking it way too personal. I'm just looking for your opinion... Thank you for sharing

[@charliehustle2579]

Fil-Am here. I've been watching your channel lately. Keep it up bud i love the 🇵🇭! Cheers from Cali

[@justicetherott2509]

My magnificent Filipino wife moved to the United States last year. But in 10 years we were planning to retire early and buy a property and business in Cebu. I cannot wait!

[@fridz66]

As someone from Cebu, you are gonna have a great time spending your retirement there. Traffic is gonna be a headache but you’ll get around it in time.

[@rusted5408]

@justicetherott2509 what kind of business?

[@KevinVenturePhilippines]

I noticed you accidently put the price of regular gas at $1.76/litre and it is actually $1.26/litre. (I've learned how to convert the pesos in my head before I move there, lol). And in future videos you may want to mention that all the sunscreen there has a skin lightening agent, as you know they want whiter skin. Most people don't know that's in their sunscreen! Another amazing video, brother! Thank you! Salamat! (And what does "io" mean?"

[@helenbeltran6420]

Wow you do watch the video meticulously haha that's nice. ☺️

[@KevinVenturePhilippines]

​@@helenbeltran6420 I am moving there soon, I have to know what is accurate or not, so yes, I do try and pay attention, lol.

[@KevinVenturePhilippines]

@@bradleymiller7375 I am sorry sir, "Mind my own business" on a public educational video to a place I am soon moving to, on a platform I have been on for 16 years, and paid by KZbin over 10 years. I think is everybody's business. Yes, gas price is a big deal to some people, and being off by 50 cents a litre American, can be a deciding factor on monthly budget, and/or what vehicle to buy. And knowing what crazy chemical is going into your skin should be a big deal, and a "Whitening agent" is rare to basically...everywhere else. On Earth. And for all we know causes cancer. So, yeah. It is everyone's business. Thanks though!

[@KevinVenturePhilippines]

@@bradleymiller7375 Being jealous of people that are adding positively to the discussion to help more people is the weirdest type of jealousy I have ever seen. And you cannot write "ur" and then say you won't "Lower yourself". Wow, you are literally triggered that others try to share correct information to help the community. Unbelievable.

[@user-nq7zc2sh9t]

Hello Sir Jonathan! I’m Leslie California born Filipina. I just came across your vids two evenings ago and I’m literally hooked! Thanks to your recent blogs, I’m learning areas and words and food along with you. My parents are from Pangasinan. Visited PI maybe 4-5 times in my life. I really appreciate your vlogs and discovering the white sand and clear water beaches. Your giggles are infectious. Lol. Ingat!!!

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

Hi Leslie!! Thank you so much for watching and following along!

[@raydevera9636]

You got it right prices are much cheaper in the entire country compared to other countries..

[@unlirise5479]

I recently went on a vacation in Cebu Philippines. And I found out if you earn 2 grand a month, you can live like a king in there. Cost of living is so cheap compared here in US.

[@FC-oo2ud]

I am Filipino and this guy is teaching me about the philippines. Keep up the great work. Your videos are awesome. You have a great positive attitude

[@jambilardi]

You can actually get things cheaper if you head to larger groceries outside of Panglao. It may not cost a lot for you there since you compare prices to the US, but Panglao prices can be outrageous. Keep up with the vids, man!

[@helenbeltran6420]

True. Prices do differ depending on the area. It may be more expensive or less in other areas. Also depending on the lifestyle that one wants. City life is more expensive than living in the province. His is just a rough idea of the cost of living where he's at.

[@DigiMannen]

Staple groceries are much cheaper in US than here in the Philippines, I am talking about things like milk, butter, bread, potatoes, tomatoes, pasta, ground beef, bacon, cheese, onions...

[@alzacksd4761]

Bohol is a province but the cost looks expensive, prices is like you are living in a city , I live in a big city (Baguio City) the summer capital of the Philippines (we don't use air-conditions), a family of 5 people , my family monthly budget is 35k pesos. rent / food 3-5 meals a day / utility bills etc

[@wavemaker2077]

Bohol is a popular tourist spot. It's still a lot cheaper than Boracay.

[@egerajhonnamaet.2228]

Yes, bohol is just beside negros but the prices are twice as high

[@CoralCleland]

Thanks so much Jonathon. Your videos helped me navigate The Phillipines for my first visit. I was at that same 7/11 a few weeks ago.

[@alexjr.cavante3598]

Keep it up....we Filipino are very supportive,we love to watch video from different foreign blogger who love Filipino culture.😊 We appreciate that Bro.👍👍

[@nikkibelmont9199]

watching from san diego, ca. food cost is so expensive here in cali. can't wait to go to philippines to enjoy fresh seafoods and tropical fruits. 😋

[@itsyazzypoo]

first thing to do, grab loads of sweet mangoes and watermelons when you get back here!

[@nikkibelmont9199]

​@droneyas you betcha 😅

[@nikkibelmont9199]

​@@bradleymiller7375yep! gotta go to philippines; reasonable cost of living, delicious local cuisine, and stunning beaches ⛱️

[@lenseofanomad]

hell yeah bro! i was there last year in CEBU and Bohol, im going back this august again!

[@FactsJustFacts0522]

Love your contents. Thank you for enjoying here in our country. Take care always.

[@askbob2956]

Hey Jonathan, enjoying your videos. My family and I are at the Bohol Beach club til next week. Shocked at how much they charge now, driven by the influx of visitors from S. Korea and China, less so for the latter with current travel restrictions. Stayed at a cheaper location near Dumaluan, but the accommodations were subpar so we had to move. Most of the resorts are at full occupancy. Hope to see you around town and look forward to your next video!

[@CocoPanda-f1q]

I love watching your videos only good vibes not toxic. And i love how you promote our place and show the real beauty of our place and our people.

[@deemoreno21]

Panglao is a tourist destination so its comparatively more expensive than eateries here in cebu. You can buy a meat dish for 50 pesos

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

Very true! I should have mentioned that this is a tourist town and prices are higher here.

[@CoryR0691]

Thanks for the details of cost there... I'll be arriving to Manila September 13 23 so all of the details really help me out👍

[@alphonsoeiland3196]

Incredible how the countries of people with the least, always seem to have a genuine happiness 😊

[@benburns5995]

Hi Jonathan, thank for this video about daily living expenses in the Philippines. Everything is really reasonable for the most part. With driving a motorbike the fuel would be reasonable but if you have a car it comes out to about $6.67 a gallon. In the United States we are paying about $4.00 a gallon now. Have to say the Sunset by the sand and water was magnificent towards the end of the video.

[@venger910]

For a bit of perspective, Bohol has to have it's fuel 'imported' from other parts of the Philippines. Additionally, the gas station that Jonathan filled up was a Caltex station, which would be considered an upper-middle or lower-upper tier priced gas station. In Metro Manila, most gas prices here are significantly cheaper even for the higher octane fuels, with some coming to less than US$1.00 per liter. At 3.8 liters per gallon, a fair number of gasoline stations in Metro Manila can pretty much match the US$4.00 price.

[@mons938]

6.67$ if you go to gas station like Petron, Caltex, Shell, Etc. But theres alot of gas stations in certain parts of area where you can fill your car for 3.22$ per gallon

[@socorrobesas5465]

Hi Jonathan, congratulations on your 95k subscribers, wow almost 100k. Just keep up the good work. God bless you always. Ayo-ayo, amping 💕

[@teddedios991]

Jonathan, I suggest you make a card with your name and your channel with all those people you talked to sure they will subscribe.

[@arich_tv]

70.80 pesos per litter is pretty much the same here in Canada. That comes down to around $1.68 cdn. It's actually cheaper there right now. Our current gas prices in Vancouver is $1.97.

[@dustinlittle1765]

i'm in angeles city and street food like the beginning is cheap as well, but its the larger grocery where you get other supplies is where it gets kind of expensive. everything here is almost 3x as much as it was 7 years ago

[@honusblanco1259]

We use the same insurance! Nomad from Safety Wing. I just got back from visiting 4 Balkan countries making my total to 56 countries. I’ve used Safety Wing for the past 5 years and I travel 2x a year. Those 3 in 1 coffee sticks in the Balkans is .27 Euro/stick. I had a great time there.

[@Jun-dy6ht]

This is what i mean... There's some people selling their Items way too expensive for what it's really worth.. Look at the difference... anywho.. good thing you made a video out of this mate.. was commenting on your other video about the prices and some are bit upset thinking i'm making things up when it comes to it... And Again.. I'm Not bashing this people cause they're selling this items 2x its actual price... I'm just saying.. keep up the good work and your videos mate.. Keep safe out there...

[@randellt]

Thanks for all of your excellent info. I was in Bohol for 5 days in November and plan on moving there sometime around October. I have been many places in the Philippines and think Bohol is a great pick to live. I do not want to live Panglao-too many expats. I spent 2 nights in Loon which was amazing.

[@dklang]

Expats ruined it, and in not long they will ruin more places

[@michaeldooley2402]

Yay … good to see that they offer you the correct pricing 😊

[@johnrufino2259]

Hey Jonathan, its John...we met on May 20th and introduced you to my cousin at a restaurant in Bohol. Great meeting you dude! Keep up with the videos and hope to meet up again in November. I gotta know that secret restaurant though...you mind sharing?

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

😂 if you send me a message on Instagram I’ll tell you. I’ll always give the names of small businesses publicly on here to help them get customers, but a resort like that that already has plenty of business, I don’t want to contribute to overcrowding them and ruining the atmosphere. My IG: Jonathan_escapes

[@msgleetv1530]

Thank you so much sir for making this very informative video, it's a big help for our tourism here in the Philippines. I'm going to share your videos to my friends in there US.

[@GWMcD-s7y]

Great vid, Jonathon. Keep em comin!

[@tmb3131]

I will say in Manila the food prices have skyrocketed! Especially in Makati. In the last 8 months I have seen prices go up by 30%, easily.

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

I lived in the Philippines the last 14 years what helps is a chest freezer, buy when the prices are down and freeze, veggies very and always have a stash for the next lock down!

[@edsaintlouis9686]

Food Prices depends on provinces. There are provinces aside from Metro Manila that are expensive with a high cost of living. Take the province Angels Pampanga for example. Just like in the US where different States has different cost of living.

[@LookAtMe-C137]

Thanks Johnathan, this information is valuable cause I plan on moving there at the end of this year. Not only prices but things like banks, mail, that sort of stuff.

[@rastaman4087]

Yhheeww. So excited for this Boss Jonathan. its my second Comment here. One is Joalrick Ozarraga. hahaha . God bless Sir 🤙

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

Haha thank you so much for watching!

[@rastaman4087]

@@travelescapesOFFICIAL I'm from Philippines but I have never try goin to cebu and Bohol I'm just near to that islands I'm from Southern Leyte neighboring island but you inspire me to go there. Thanks Man.

[@logansellars8377]

I was there in April. And I’m an American and the prices aren’t bad but they aren’t cheap. Bohol was higher than the province.

[@Jason-47..]

Great helpful advice. I just landed in Manila yesterday and will be in Bohol in a few days.

[@dennyclosser8456]

I literally just came across you. You probably won’t see this since it’s a year old but well done. I have never been to that part of the world, but you certainly be intrigued.

[@firstnamelastname6717]

Hum?, the 🇵🇭 Philippines looks like a place where I could live and survive in 👌🏼 I’m an older guy with some US street smarts, if I lived there 😢with my pension and social security checks, I could live very comfortably over there, the only thing that my instincts would recommend is to find a nice honest, decent, good , fair woman who would teach me the ways of the filipino lifestyles to help me save my money and to get the most out of my money to live there and for my safety, a woman like this would be the topping of the ice cake 🎂, of course, she would benefit from my good life as a reward to her as well, and that could be a great 😅retirement plan!

[@supermochtin]

Another great video! I actually saw you yesterday morning in the resort lobby. Was too shy to approach you though. 😅

[@rlhouse3635]

Thank you for sharing. Curious if there are some islands that are more expensive than others. I worked with someone who was dating a Thai lady, and then he found out through vlogs about the Philippines so now he wants to retire there (on some island close to Cebu). Not sure how he chose his island/province.

[@JD_Nomad]

Been fan of the channel Jonathan! I’m an American who’s moving to PH in August. Have you considered traveling up north at all? There’s some beautiful places I’ve been. Baler is beautiful and the beach reminds me of the PNW, or Baguio City which is a nice break from the heat. Can’t wait to see more vids!

[@BearInThePhillipines]

In going same time.......will you start a channel?

[@JD_Nomad]

@@BearInThePhillipines No won't start a channel, but def will film and photograph, but solely for myself.

[@JD_Nomad]

@@BearInThePhillipines What about you?

[@BearInThePhillipines]

@@JD_Nomad I hope to be there August also. I will be to busy enjoying than watching youtube

[@agnescurrie697]

I just came across this channel and i have noticed that among your travel Philippines episode has the most views you have got.

[@MsVroege]

Jonathan you should try hunting for low prices goods so might other expat know where to get a cheaper prices.. Next theme for your vlog...✌

[@jenirmaimel9212]

Wow almost 100K subscriber's Yay this is Jen the one say hi to you in Alona beach and ask for a photo with you ☺️

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

Heyyy Jen! Good to see you here!

[@raymunddomingo6954]

I thought it's much cheaper in the Province than in Manila when you eat in an Eatery or Carinderia, but prices are the same. 1 meat item for 50 to 60 pesos and 1 vegetable order for 25 to 30 pesos 🙂

[@MsVroege]

Kasi ang mga karne at gulay siguro inaangkat din nila galing ibang probinsya kaya ganyan eh ang Manila doon lahat ang bagsakan..Gaya na lang ng mga damit mas mura sa Manila kumpara sa probinsya inaangkat din nila ang mga damit galing Manila..

[@lexlier8336]

you forgot to analyze he's on a touristy area😂

[@josephlin4431]

food in manila or entire luzon is SHIT dirty filthy unhealthy....its good for cats and dogs only NOT for human consumptions...

[@JoalRickOzarraga]

I've been waiting for this haha Finally, been watching your old vids. Quality vid Jonathan. Yhheeww 🤙

[@DD.freshstart]

Thank you for this video!! I’m retired and hope to get my dual citizenship in the Philippines. My ultimate goal is to live there. I appreciate these type of videos because helps me understand each area.

[@sfrealestatedealmaker6001]

If you were born in the PH it’s easy through the PH consulate.

[@roadi1983]

you get a lot of wrong information in this video. hes a nice guy, but a VERY incompetent traveler :D ...

[@mons938]

The Store owner Alvie can speak English very well and the way she speak in English is very smooth. I've seen a podcast where one of the girl there said that "Passport bros getting women over country like Philippines where women can speak little English and women that don't have education" and seeing women like Alvie speak English very well and very smooth is impressive and she lives in province where education is not that great compared to schools/university in Manila. Suck it you western ho3s Great guys are leaving you out there because on how you treat them then complaining about it and blaming other countries. For the passport bros out there leave the western life behind and come to Philippines where you can meet tradition women, low cost of living, and still treat you with respect and kindness even though you're not one of our kind.

[@d.f.9064]

One thing I like is that people speak English. I live in Ecuador. Almost NO ONE speaks English here. They'll say they do, but they can't.

[@floren879]

Food is a lot cheaper and can be fun to do a little shopping 🛍️

[@floribertosousa2251]

Great 👍 informational video. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@rogsolaris7411]

Great video! I've always been curious about the Philippines. And I already have that Schwab account. You have to open a brokerage account in order to open the checking account. But you don't have to actually use the brokerage account, it can be empty.

[@GDuncan8002]

Is there a minimum balance/fee associated with the checking?

[@rogsolaris7411]

​@@GDuncan8002 Not that I am aware of. I keep about $2-3k in cash in there to withdraw for daily spending when traveling. But sometimes it has dipped down to 1k, and I've never seen a fee applied.

[@cyril_bleh]

If you get those water dispenser jugs, you can refill the whole thing for P20-50 from drinking water stations to save you the cost of buying bottled waters .

[@JerusalemGirl]

Thank you jonathan for always loving and Adopting filipino nature❤

[@ofwgemini7488]

Hey Jonathan! Your YT channel grow up so fast, I'm watching your vlog since Sunday up now and I really like it. Working from HongKong but I'm a Filipina.❤😅

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

Awesome thank you so much for saying that!!

[@gerliegrino8126]

The foods in that carinderiya,are all price.Even more expensive than those being sold here in Metro Manila.The groceries are just the same prices compaired with the sari sari stores here.

[@helenbeltran6420]

Convenience stores are a dollar or 2 more expensive than in local groceries or supermarkets. That is because of the convenience of buying stuffs 24/7 nearest to the area and less busy.

[@bookemdanopinay7427]

SHOUT OUT FROM GERONA TARLAC. It's one thing to live in 1 place and travel around and know what things are like and then not to live in 1 place and just travel around. It's completely different animals

[@brew17]

i have visited paniqiu, are there many expats in your area?

[@bookemdanopinay7427]

@@brew17 no, not as many as the other touristy spots I live in the farmland 10 minutes from tarlake City. Beautiful quiet. I came here to retire not to retire with expats laughing out loud

[@bookemdanopinay7427]

We bought land and built a house and it's beautiful, quiet living, the dream, happy joyce and free

[@ChannelFredo]

it'll be cheaper outside the urban areas, but tourist areas are even more expensive than cities. good to keep that in mind.

[@radiobabylon]

i moved to the philippines permanently earlier this year, and have been shocked by how prices have changed over the last 10 years, and especially over the last 2 years. groceries are OUT OF CONTROL. i thought things had gotten out of hand in the states but it is even worse here, by a long shot. for example, ONE hand basket of varied groceries from SM (some meat, some dairy, some produce, some paper goods, some toiletries, a fair mix of items) was a little over 8000 pesos, around $160 usd! other things that used to be very very cheap, like san mig, are about 3x more than they were 2-3 years ago... a 6'er is still less than it would be in the states (for domestic beer, say, a sixer of bud), but not a LOT less the way it used to be. in truth, as far as most consumer goods go, they are on par with the cost in the states, and in some cases a lot more. electricity is about 2.5 TIMES what it is in the states, internet is about 1.5 times more. cellphone service is roughly on-par with the states... taxis are MUCH less than cabs or uber are. purchasing a car is cheaper, but only very marginally. really, about the ONLY thing that is cheaper here than the states is housing. the cost to rent a house here is about 1/4th to 1/8th the cost per square foot (depending on where in the states you are)... BUYING property varies a LOT on where you look. in the provinces, very cheap. in the cities, cheaper than the states by about half. in the BIG cities, on par with median prices in the states and sometimes more (sometimes a LOT more, especially for new construction condos). also, anyone from the states that plan to buy a house vs build one... there are some things you NEED to be aware of. first, overall construction quality with regards to the structure itself is generally better than in the states, fit and finish is VASTLY, GROSSLY inferior in even the most expensive homes in fancy upscale subdivisions. and i mean straight up TERRIBLE, from plumbing and electrical, to flooring, to cabinetry and fixtures, to doors and windows, you name it, it is just deplorably bad, especially for what it costs. if you buy an existing home, even brand new construction. expect to pay many tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades. it may look nice when you walk in, but when everything starts to fall apart after a month youll realize what a money pit youre in. second, filipino architectural sensibilities and requirements are hugely different than what westerners are used to. no matter how large of a house you buy in terms of floor area, expect very tiny living areas, very tiny kitchens (as in, efficiency-sized), one decent sized bedroom (as in, you could have a bed in there and still be able to walk around in it) and a TON of tiny bedrooms the size of closets. no matter how large it is, expect 90% of the floor area to be devoted to bedrooms. going up in square footage WILL NOT get you a more spacious home, it will only get you more tiny bedrooms. also, you generally wont get ANY closets (but thats ok, youll have a dozen bedrooms any one of which will be walk-in closet size and can be converted)... furthermore, markup on new construction (over the actual cost of the construction itself) is around 300-400%... yes, really. so given all that, my advice to anyone looking to move here permanently is to expect to have to find undeveloped land, a good architect, a good building engineer, and plan to build your own house. you should also expect to have to spend ALL day, EVERY day, from the first day to the last. on the construction site supervising. trust me on this. you MUST be there, you MUST be constantly moving from place to place inspecting the work, and you MUST be willing to either purchase materials yourself or inspect every single purchase and the receipts to ensure that the materials being used are the ones you selected. seriously, DO NOT IGNORE this advice unless you want a house that will begin to fall apart around you within 3 months. you MUST be prepared to inspect the fit and finish of every single nail, screw, tile, cabinet, shelf, door, doorknob, light fixture, electrical outlet, wiring run, plumbing run, faucet, ALL of it. if you dont, you WILL get cheated on materials, and you WILL have substandard work that is not up to the amount youre paying for. IF you do this, you can get a house built for about a quarter the cost of an equivalent property in the states... but youll pay for it in time and effort supervising. (youll also be the proud owner of a house you flat out CANNOT sell except to another westerner, unless youre willing to remodel it to turn most of the space into tiny bedrooms before putting it on the market, something you should keep in mind when youre working with the architect on the floorplan) none of this is meant to discourage people from retiring here... in fact, i really recommend it as a great retirement destination... but you do need to be aware of what youre in for, and have a realistic idea of what its going to cost.

[@holywood60]

Thanks for the detailed report, very informative. Are the quality products readily available? I'm guessing that there is no Home Depot or equivalent?

[@radiobabylon]

@@holywood60 actually, there ARE quality building materials available... in the city im in (cagayan de oro) there are actually several big-box hardware stores along the lines of home depot. selection can be somewhat limited depending on what youre getting, but for things like cabinetry and flooring youve got a LOT of options in various quality ranges... a little more limited with bathroom fixtures and fit and finish items like drawer pulls, doorknobs, etc... although depending on which big box store you go to, that can vary, some have better options than others. you can also source a fair amount of the small stuff like faucets, knobs, pulls, etc online for reasonable prices (although it can take weeks to get them)... the availability of things can be highly variable as well... if you see something you like, youd best go ahead and buy it, because it might be gone in a few days and may not get restocked for months... and if its something you need a lot of, get ALL of what you need along with extras for replacements, because theres a reasonably good chance you may NEVER see whatever it is again in the style you want. i imagine in bigger cities, like cebu and manila, there are even more choices available. however, pricing can be wildly different from what youd see in the states. some things are almost absurdly inexpensive, and others are WAY more, 3 to 5 times more... and to be honest, though ive tried, i cant see rhyme or reason as to why one kind of thing is cheap and another is expensive. i imagine it has a lot to do with what can be locally sourced vs what has to be either imported or shipped on a container from another island. ultimately, like most things here, its all about compromise and adjusting your expectations... youll find yourself doing a balancing act between cost, quality, and availability... and unlike in the states, you cant just throw money at it and get exactly what you want. youve got to do the best with the sometimes limited options available to you. having now gone through this myself, i am very strongly considering entering into a business partnership with a real estate developer to build 'expat enclaves'... smallish walled/gated/guarded communities of 8-20 properties built with western design and architectural sensibilities (and quality) in mind, and including the kind of amenities that people from the states take for granted that are typically not included in homes like central air, energy efficiency, radiant barrier, whole-house water filtration and purification, power regulation and step-down at the panel, etc... along with on-property services like laundry, mini-marts, business center, fitness center, car and driver service, on-site basic medical, etc... ive run the numbers and i am convinced i could build first-world-quality homes and sell them (or, more realistically, long-term lease them given the property ownership laws) at a price around a third of what a comparable property would run in the states (or less, if youre coming from somewhere like cali with an absurd real estate market)... basically all (or most) of the comforts of home at a dramatically reduced cost and with a much lower cost of living.

[@akak8299]

That's what Filipino get for voting the incompetent plunderers. Then complain how bad the economy turns out to be/.

[@kaohsiung99]

They should read it all @ahnonymuz9921

[@chefmastermikecmm8465]

Tldr houses are cheap but groceries are still higher than 3 years ago 😂

[@Anthony-Carlon]

We will be in Panglao in September. I can't wait. Thanks for the great videos Jonathan

[@mercenarymike1397]

The people are why I enjoy the Philippines.. So polite. Mabuhay..

[@epicriosonlinemoney3654]

A single guy needs at least $3000 per month to live a good life in BGC/Makati. If you are in the province, then you need at least $1000 a month.

[@hawkkim1974]

very good info. And it seems like we can cut down a lot from Dinner/Laundry/Misc., which makes it $500 a month on a tight budget. very nice!

[@dankerns171]

You make ur videos easy to watch. Im interested in moving to Philippines for a few months. Great information 👍

[@bernadetteoneill7014]

Great video Jonathan. Very informative for would-be expats. But prices are relative & subjective all over the country. Stay safe In Bohol. Amping gyud, ayo ayo!😅👍 6:22

[@MRBIGSLICK66]

2nd time I’ve watched this video Jonathan. It’s amazing how affordable it can be living local even in the tourist areas. Planning to be there within a year, would love to see bohol , would be more amazing to bump into you while there lol. ✌🏻

[@YantzkiGaming]

I love your vlog. Enjoy the philippines and the people.

[@johnmartin1849]

Hi just come across your channel think your amazing person.love the way you are with people when you meet them your so nice.godbless you love from UK🇬🇧

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

Hey thanks John! I appreciate you saying that!

[@johnclark1469]

appreciate the spreadsheet breakdown. Most is pretty consistent w other vlog budget items so its good to k so when visiting we k when we’re being skin taxed. Motor bike rentals on Negros are higher tho - $8-9/day

[@elinraoyus234]

Nice vid sir, actually a year ago before ukraine and russian war the price of gas is 20% lower and the import from europe is fertilizer is 50% lower.... It is a domino effect on all services and goods in Philippines.... example before the war in ukraine and russia the price of pork per kilo is 200 now is 250-280

[@arich_tv]

Good content buddy 👍 gonna be there in the Philippines in less than 3 weeks. ❤❤❤

[@ChrisB-sv1gz]

Best video I have seen yet on local prices! Thanks!

[@TheOnlyOneStanding8079]

Hi Johnathon. Im Joseph a Filipino American born from California and i never been to the Philippines. The Philippines look like a beautiful place to retire i might consider it 😎👍🏝🏖

[@evilkamatis542]

You also have to add in what kind of place or area you are staying. You really need to learn here how to distinguish if the place you want to stay is expensive or not by doing a bit of research if the place is within the range of a rest, a tourist destination or commercialized areas like near malls.. the cost of living near those placed are usually higher, even in small food shops (carenderia) and small stores like sari-sari store. But usually there are also stores that are cheap. The secret is to just ask the locals.

[@KrazyJohnny]

Everyone there is so happy and the workers show pride in what they do

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

That’s the best part about the Philippines… the people!

[@melvinlosaria8175]

Wow! This is a very nice video production you've done. You featured a superb visual presentations about beautiful sceneries in the Philippines. Very interesting and intertaining to watched too. I love it. You're absolutely brilliant videographic artist creating such a wonderful contents just like this. Bravo my dear friend. Thank you for sharing. All the best to you. I've subscribed to support your lovely channel.

[@neilparedes-chavez1688]

Like you, I'm a remote worker-but I can only work remotely in the Latin America or Caribbean area due to the time zone restriction, I'm based in Chicago, IL... Working remote and living in Puerto Rico, St Lucia, Jamaica, Aruba, Costa Rica, and Colombia, Venezuela nothing compared to living in the Philippines in terms of cost of living and quality of live. I tried requesting to work remotely in the Philippines but was denied by my employer due to time zone differences. Btw, born and raised in the Philippines here but immigrated to the USA at age 17, received my US citizenship about 5 years later and 5 years later-I got my secret clearance. I have to say you living the dream that I wanted-good food, great weather, and fine beaches. I have not seen the Philippines in over 20 years. I'm due to retire in 5 years from Federal Govt and I cant wait to retire and be an expat. I dont think I will ever return to the United States. Life too short, might as well enjoy it while I can.

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

I agree!! I was in Colombia for three years and Nicaragua for awhile as well. The hospitality here is unparalleled. Not to mention how much safer I feel here as well. You’ve got a lot to look forward to with your retirement then! Thank you for watching!

[@perlaaguinaldo]

Hello jonathan wow you are loved by many filipinos.Road to 100 subscribers wish you 200or more this year.👍🙏🇵🇭😍

[@missmarty]

Thanks for the tip re: Schwab and SafetyWing, always wondered how to tackle those abroad. 👍

[@A-RHINO-IN-THE-PHILIPPINES]

It is nice watching you. I see you also can feel the heart beat of the Philippines.

[@KB3TLE]

Appears as if the $1000 / mo. budget might be kept -- if -- you have a mind to ? -- Including the scooter rental ! > A good price in my opinion. -?- I'm a year later but doubt the prices have jumped up that much more. - - - A good taste of it when you were there.

[@raeshalgoul8505]

Informative, thanks. ✌

[@josephmontes4682]

Another great video 🥳 from the one and only. 👏👏👏

[@Someone-qz9kn]

The best things about Philippines they smile always respect and you feel home all the love from Saudi 😘

[@anthony031277]

i live in Cebu with my wife and daughter and this is our expenses as of nov. 2023... we spend about 10,000 php ($200) monthly on food, $60 a month on electricity, nothing on rent because we live on her family's land, $20 a month on gas, 20 usd for internet. all together its about 300-350 usd a month. but keep in mind our life is not fancy, we have just enough for the basics and I'm living mostly as many people here live. i eat what they eat, and live how the live. I let my wife of 17yrs do the shopping as she knows her own town and where to get the best prices. if you want to live more like an American lifestyle I would have about 1,000 usd a month for every month you are here so that you are comfortable. the closer you are to that number (or even over it) the easier you life will be.

[@RepubLICKa]

Congratulations on your 100k subs!!! God bless you sir! 👏👏👏

[@Larry-vc5qv]

I love the newbie, wide eyed perspective...

[@AnnK12-M]

U just gained a new subscriber 😊 Ejoy ur stay in the most beautiful country 🇵🇭 God Bless!

[@Thultarn]

My wife grew up in the Bohol area and Lived in BayBay City where we met ... The food is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ericjf5343]

I appreciate you breaking down the pricing and and the little food shops you do. You are a younger I would be curious to hear what your long term plans are. Really like the Turkey video. I had never heard of that place before.

[@tommerryman6647]

J, awesome video as always. HUGH props for not eating in your vids. You're in top 5 of vloggers I watch, top 2 in P.I. Be safe.