Philippines Retirement Cost of Living for 2024 Expats

Lets talk about what I spent this June already. Its a baseline for what you will spend in Malaybalay Philippines.
#dumaguete
Living budget Philippines
life in the Philippines
retire in the Philippines
Expat retired in the Philippines
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[@tryscience]

Excellent, detailed analysis, thank you 👍

[@expatlifestyle2000]

My pleasure!

[@Gnihtemo]

I love malaybalay.. its cool weather

[@expatlifestyle2000]

It's great here. Thanks for watching.

[@Ryan-wi3ry]

Most guys who do the budget vids are older and in their budget are things like 300 a month to his girls parents then 200 extra for their load and whatever else. Good to see a budget from someone who is not a sucker.

[@hambone5547]

Yes but no mention of a single date. Not good either. Each to their own I suppose.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I like having a lady around but never needed one. I'm not going to start paying a full salary for one now. 😂

[@Ryan-wi3ry]

@@expatlifestyle2000 smart man!

[@philippine_phin]

Kalamansi juice probably the greatest refreshing juice on planet earth. I remember the first time I had it and everything I have it now its instant flashback.

[@philippine_phin]

Also, the ‘Honey-Mansi’ version is WAAAAAY better than sugar!!!!! There’s nothing like tropical honey.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Agreed!

[@BeerBikes]

Good to know, i knew it could be done, under $1k. Crazy how adamant other expats on the sweet spot$2-3k budget amount. Thanks man and Peace!

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I respect what they say and have continually lived under 2k in my expat lifestyle. I clearly demonstrated how they are wrong though. I have many friends who are under $500 a month but I think I am robotic enough and with no fluff to demonstrate what is possible.

[@sentinel80]

I’ve never heard anyone say you need $3-5K per month. Of course you can live on $1k but you will have to live outside the main cities and not spend very much that costs money. You could live on $300 but you’re not gonna have much of a life. My experience is of 19 years with the Phils. My opinion is to have $2-3K then you will be able to do most things without worrying. I like to do many things independently and believe it or not in my first year in 2005 was $2k+ even then.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Good viewpoint and I always will recommend people make more than they spend. One should never be in a deficit outside major unpredictable emergencies.

[@VittoShulman]

Saggy expat and Jasper from BGC and many others say you need minimum $4-5k to just survive in Philippines.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

@@VittoShulman and I say to them BS. I show exactly what things cost in my Malaybalay and Dumaguete videos. I CHALLENGE ANYBODY TO PROVE ME WRONG!

[@KB3TLE]

Where is the visa fees ? -- Does Malaybalay even have an office to renew ? - - - Obviously it will still be under $1000 total - but - that city is isolated from big cities ? Expenses for travel + visa fees add up over time ? - - - I would like it there - if - it wasn't so hard to get to ! -- Climate reminds me of Tagaytay - which is 2,000 ft. elevation. Cooler weather is rare in S E Asia ? Baguio of course and Da Lat Vietnam is all I know of ? - - - I certainly could do $1000 in many other areas. Many other expats do ! > Appreciate your efforts here in real life examples.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I paid for two months last month. It's 440 for a bus round trip and under $50 a month for the visa. I spend another $30 to spend the night in a hotel room. 😀 good noticing. Thanks for the kind words. I really like malaybalay and it's weather. (Even with the now daily rain) Hopefully I'll show you alot more you like.

[@gandorf401garyblue3]

You can actually renew your visa online now. ( as far as im aware)

[@MrJoe1199]

Awesome video, Nathan!

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Thank you.

[@thatkajunguy8029]

The more you show of Malaybalay the better it looks, pretty much everything you need nearby.... the massage business looked great Just as a dining out comparison I took my grandson to go have lunch at our favorite Chinese buffet during the week.... lunch for 1 adult, 1 senior, with 2 ice tea was $ 40 ... 16 months ago this same lunch was $ 22 Oh if you can show your gym

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Holy cow. That is an expensive meal. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back. I'll definitely do a gym video in the future. Thanks for watching my man.

[@thatkajunguy8029]

​@@expatlifestyle2000 I mean it's a good Chinese buffet with a nice selection but yeah, and add $ 5 per person for dinner....... Sadly the way things are going there's not going to be much left to come back to anyway... Enjoy your travels and see you soon

[@bluesart7]

Another really great and detailed video, thank you Nate, I'm learning a lot from you about Malaybaly, much appreciated Sir. Still quite a bit cheaper than here, I would add health insurance to mine, comprehensive with pacific cross. I dont drink or party so that's no problem for me. Would do a lot of cooking for myself too.Great having the professional massage place at low prices too, once every couple of weeks would be good. Obviously good gyms there as you have mentioned.The German spuds looked good too. Keep up the great work and take care Nate👍👍

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Thanks for watching. I'm glad you like the videos.

[@stevenr1354]

Always happy to see one of your videos pop up on my KZbin notices. That rotisserie chicken looks great! I think I could live on that, fresh fruit and San Mig. (And some scrambled eggs and tocino for breakfast). And the pizza! Wow. That expat get-together looked nice. Sure your weight drop and massages will help with back issues. And stretching routine. Malaybalay seems like a sweet spot between a "middle of nowhere" province town and the big city.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Thanks. I'm happy to be exploring the area for a bit everything lines up so nice here.

[@VittoShulman]

Because he is in Malaybalay prices are low there as it is a very remote area. Very good place indeed. If he was somewhere in Cebu or Duma his rent, gym, transportation would be double easily. Also you don't need a drivers license if you live in the province no one ever checks DL there and most people don't have any. You only need DL in Manila, AC, Duma. Even in Cebu I never heard anyone getting stopped to check DL.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Always best to stay legal. I've never spent more than $2k a month in the last year and a half. That includes all the plane tickets and constant hotels. Easy peazy.

[@faustinodibauda251]

Those are some good numbers. I can't remember if we had a chance to see your apartment or your living accommodations and how far you are from the action

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I havnt showed off my most recent place but the one I showed off before was the same price and right next to kaamulan park. Great locations....

[@davey_M]

Hey Nate, great information for those of us hoping to retire there. So is there a standard tip rate 10%-20%, and did you include that in the meal cost, or should we add like $100 to that $830 a month. Tell me, if you had were able to up your budget by an extra $500 a month forever what would you spend some extra money on to make your daily life even more enjoyable ?

[@expatlifestyle2000]

We don't tip here in the philippines. In the rare occasion you want to 10% is nice. Or 10-30 pesos for delivery drivers or parking attendants. Keep in mind visa costs, start up costs, and incidentals. $1000 a month is great here and at some point I'll start cooking for myself too so it will be cheaper. Other places in the philippines I've needed $1500. Thanks for watching

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I would do exactly what I'm doing right now with my extra income. Go traveling around seeing nature stuff and walking around cities. Next week I'll be on the beach in surigao island. 😀

[@riverpapa-gw2ey]

nice vlog......

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Thank you

[@mkaestn]

Are you heating water for bathing, and using the aircon in sleeping quarters?

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I only use aircon a few hours each day as the weather is nice. I do have hot water but sometime my water pressure is low so a few days a week I end up bathing with unconditioned water.

[@billlloyd9755]

I’m jealous. Nate you are living the dream. Hopefully next year bye this time maybe we can meet up ?

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Sounds good to me. Get yourself ready for quality living!

[@billlloyd9755]

Yes im working on it.

[@jlynnburton9718]

I'm curious if you don't mind, approx. 90 seconds into you video you mentioned allot of places are closed on Sundays due to church. Where do you go to church ? How far is that from your rental ? Also what all dedomination of church's are available to attend in Malaybalay ?

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Couldn't tell you tbh. I think a bunch of variations of Christianity are around here.

[@Badger345]

Just discovered your channel great info. Is it difficult to transfer your US driver’s license to Philippine one?

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Unfortunately, I let mine expire while I was living in Thailand. It makes it an even bigger hassle than just a transfer. They have my info all the way at the top of the chain of command in manilla because I think they are now realizing that the immigration laws don't work with the driving laws. We will have to wait and see if things stay difficult or change to be easier.

[@jamesalan1354]

No medical cost, insurance. Great video as always

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I self insure but I don't recommend that for others. In fact I am thinking about getting insurance...

[@bluesart7]

@@expatlifestyle2000 Pacific Cross seems pretty good, they underwrite a lot of other companies too, I will continue to research over the next few years 🤔

[@expatlifestyle2000]

@@bluesart7 I'll look into that. Thank you.

[@nathanielbarry]

Yeah after scouring KZbin, the average expat needs between 1500-2000 a month.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I did a video when I was in dumaguete, which was about $1700.

[@nathanielbarry]

@@expatlifestyle2000 Most expats are right about there at 1600-1700. And these are all common sense guys that for the most part have typical budgets and expenses.

[@stevesilver7437]

@@nathanielbarry They all seem to have a girl friend and give her an allowance! :()

[@roygoad2870]

A very low budget considering you’re not cooking for yourself, but boy I would get fed up eating chicken almost everyday!

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I still love my chicken.

[@robertwestlasvegas]

if your a couple you probably need to add another 50 percent.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

A lady always adds some cost. No doubt.

[@altonarm]

I want to see your place! How did you find a place to live for $150 a month?! Budgets are always dependent on the person that's why it's hard to tell people what it takes. I think having a base of $2000 a month is PLENTY if you aren't a bar hopping smoker.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I agree. $2000 was what I allocated in the beginning. It's good to see that $1000 is easily doable, though. I'll show off my place eventually for sure.

[@richardhowe5583]

How do you find a cheap place to live? Patience, persistence, networking through Filipinos, and riding around looking and lots of walking.. I have a two bedroom two bath with a front porch and a back porch and a covered place to park my car and the subdivision has a swimming pool and clubhouse and other amenities.. also have a small yard to plant some flowers and herbs, And a few vegetables. my Filipino fiance / wife and myself pay $160 a month rent for our house.. it is in Talisay City just a little south of Cebu City.."seek and ye shall find" "faith without works is dead"..

[@expatlifestyle2000]

@richardhowe5583 Judge a tree by its fruits. Your how to comment matches up with what you have found.

[@altonarm]

@@expatlifestyle2000 So you have a special arrangement then? It's not a common find? The best I could find for rent was $25,000 pesos a month.

[@altonarm]

@@richardhowe5583 That's awesome Richard. I did not look outside of Cebu. I'll give that a try next time!

[@Traveler-PKK]

can you show any good gyms in town

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I sure will. On the agenda for recording over the next few months.

[@billlloyd9755]

US driver’s license approved ?

[@expatlifestyle2000]

No. I got denied for my filipino license and I think they are going to try to keep the money I gave them. So probably end up paying 3500 for nothing in return. Might go back to Texas to get a license but I really don't wanna go that far and stay there for a few months tbh.... 27 hours of flights and having to deal with American prices.... yuk.

[@billlloyd9755]

@@expatlifestyle2000 No that would suck. If that’s what’s required 🙂‍↕️

[@expatlifestyle2000]

@billlloyd9755 it is what's required but hopefully I can put it off until 2025. We will see though.

[@billlloyd9755]

@@expatlifestyle2000 Good luck!

[@jamesalan1354]

Maybe invest in a scooter or a electric bike

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I don't have a drivers license. I'm trying to get one but it's a hassle on tourist visas.

[@geraldarrington9620]

🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱 sorry

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I understand. Informational video not an entertaining one. Feel free to check out my other videos.

[@philrose7716]

Living the dream. Love it. Do you have Fb messenger?

[@expatlifestyle2000]

I have one but don't use it. I'm just a youtube guy as far as social media goes.

[@Oscarcat2212]

You would have to be desperate to come here with only $1000 a month.

[@kikiandjasmine]

That's why those guys have no other choice but to go to a remote province. What happens when he has a medical emergency, of course that doesn't enter their heads.

[@expatlifestyle2000]

Luckily I have more but some people don't have other options. If I cooked for myself and didnt buy so many electronic gadgets I bet I could get down to $500 a month tbh.