The Cost of a Luxury Lifestyle in Manila For 2023! 🇵🇭

If you are new to the channel, welcome! In today’s video I update my cost of living and expenses compared to the last video I did in 2022 regarding this topic. My expenses are higher even though my overall rent is lower. Watch the video to find out why!
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Who Am I?
Hi, I’m Justin! I like to break patterns, try new things, stretch comfort zones and grow.
Follow Me On IG: / itsjustinspencer
For Business Inquiries: [e-mail]
#Manila #Makati #Philippines

[@billionaireZoneX]

Wow, this video has exceeded all my expectations! The visually stunning shots combined with the luxurious surroundings make for an incredibly immersive experience.

[@user-zx5fc5th1p]

I like this kind of video because you covered everthing for us planning to live there. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@itsJustinSpencer]

your welcome

[@PinoyFamilyInFlorida]

very interesting video, thanks for this information Justin, looking forward for our vacation in the Philippines

[@cridecar]

Very helpful breakdown. My expenses are through the roof here in NYC and I don't even have the comforts I see in your videos

[@007thematrix007]

get ur passport and head on ovr there 🏖🌆🏝

[@brianlloyd5005]

Love the video heading to the Philippines myself to see my Filipina girlfriend and get a condo near the SM Megamall

[@johnny_bravo9990]

How did you meet your girlfriend

[@lucillegil5306]

Love your content Justin, thank so much

[@screwupkiddy]

Very helpful video! Muchas gracias.

[@hurleywilson7246]

Thanks for the info!

[@keyboardwarrior5315]

if you live in the provincial part of the Philippines which also has big SM and Ayala malls connected to their condos you would spend way lesser than those in the big cities of Manila and the prices in the province in terms of fresh produce and groceries are cheaper.

[@VegasNegus]

Can you give some examples of province living with luxury condos and large malls in the provinces please?

[@IbnAlDaoudi]

@@VegasNegus yeah that would be helpful

[@itsJustinSpencer]

@@VegasNegus In the future

[@macscotty9997]

Big Malls in the Provinces? I have never even seen a shopping center in The Provinces!

[@John-vh3ig]

Great advices!

[@johnbaylouni8326]

Thank you for the great video.

[@williammaverick]

On the flip side, your Arizon expense is 200% more than your luxurious expense in Makati. Rent is direct cash outflow. Mortgage goes toward your equity.

[@upsurgeagency3593]

Justin "Thrilla in Manila" Spencer! Awesome upload!

[@daynevickers1079]

Thanks for sharing your expenses, I enjoyed the details you discussed. I had to chuckle when you talked about the noisy a/c... I have horrible tinnitus (ringing in the ears), so I actually enjoy a loud a/c to help cover it up. To each, his own, I guess!

[@rayray_x2]

I been subscribed 😊

[@rayray_x2]

Good info thanks

[@chiefcarterphillipines]

Excellent video, hey Justin, missed you on the escalator at Powerlant Mall the other day. 63, retired Navy. Living the dream in makati. I could cut my expenses, but I'm choosing to start with airbnb for a month (3 months so far) And then negotiate with owner for cash month to month. That usually gets me around 20% off airbnb price, with the ability to move after a month if some issue arises. But I'm in that $2200 range, in a 56 story condo, next to Century City mall with all the amenities.

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Awesome, thank you for your input, glad you've got a good deal locked in on airbnb.

[@arniehere]

Thanks for sharing

[@user-bd8zh3wj3z]

Thanks for the info! I'll be coming in a few years and my SS should be over $2K net, with investment income subsidizing an additional $1K per month, >$50K in liquid saving in PI and >$50K liquid savings in the US, so I'm thinking I should be alright!

[@keith4826]

After 2 years in Makati I will say you are correct. Very similar cost of living and budget. I am not trying to get by on 1k. Love the condo lifestyle. No barking dogs and no roosters. Walk or taxi. I was able to set up and be verified by Gcash but it took a few times. Handy for buying utility bills. With this budget it includes going to nice restaurants when I choose to. Hard to get a good steak here so I go for a Kebab Platter when I need a meat fix.

[@whitedragon153]

Nice info

[@redg3530]

i enjoy your vid; very detailed. better than other vlogs. they suck ass. i'll be moving there to bgc on the month of april. i can't wait. i'll be also an expat. question, is there a laundrymat around bgc? thanx man. appreciate your vids. when i move there, i hope i run into you & say hi.

[@donfacundo8]

Yes sir, laundrymat is almost available in every condo bldg.

[@cjcrystal1726]

pretty accurate i would say

[@Davirdcarrol]

Justin you liveing the life a beautiful young flipino woman who you are in love with and you get be one best places on earth live it up and enjoy life sir we as many need to stop stressing and enjoy life but liveing in West is kind of stressful

[@JeffMathias]

Fascinating watching budget Ph KZbinrs vs bougie Ph KZbinrs. I admire westerners who go local and spend under $1k USD/mo to live somewhere other than BGC/Makati. But I have to confess I would probably start bougie in BGC and get comfortable with “Philippines light” and then see if I want to try other locations like cooler Tagaytay. It might be a sort of advantage to be on a tight budget in the Ph even as a westerner. So going local, adapting to warmer temps, embracing local eats and becoming more enmeshed in local culture. Affluence can be too isolating.

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Its never an advantage to be on a tight budget as a foreigner. You will waste endless amounts of time trying to do the most basic things possible.

[@joelrybin]

There is two main reasons why you come here to the Philippines. Reason one is to learn about different cultures and you can do that by living like a local, but of course you will still not live like a local because as a foreigner you will always have a higher standard, so you will always slightly live above the local standards. Reason two is to experience the life you couldn't have in your home country because everything is more afforable in the Philippines, so you will live in a big city, in the best neighborhood possible, which is understandable because everyone wants to have a taste of the "rich" life. You can spend your money quickly even in a cheap country, if you are not a wise spender. I am living a little above as a local here in the province, and i have everything what i need. I have a beautiful condo, 5 minutes from the beach and always hot (sometimes too hot :D ). I've never experienced traveling to another continent, but i am glad that i did make this choice and to learn more about Asia, especially about Philippines. I am more happier than back in my home country and there is alot more opportunities out here. You can learn more about yourself and appriciate the little things more, which i didn't do in Europe. Overall, appriciate what you have, and dont be afraid to take action and do what you want to do in life, because life is precious and the years goes by quickly.

[@wilbertmonroevilaga9214]

👍

[@jonb3189]

Quick note: You mentioned rent in Snottsdale (SIC) at 3000 sq ft at around (as I recall you said) at $3000. You might mention you can rent a smaller apartment of say 800 sq ft in that area in the $1500 range. Reason is that it's more to size of where you're at now.

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Right, in the USA they pretty much never offer offer super small apartments like they do here in Manila. The price per square foot for a rental here is obviously still less, (whatever I said it was in the video, and I was comparing the cost in Mesa, not scottsdale for this one, so, the cost of scottsdale would be significantly higher), rents in general per square foot of risen a lot as I'm sure you know of course, post panademic.

[@jonb3189]

@@itsJustinSpencer One of my units, a condo in Mesa, just outside of Tempe, 1100 sq ft and rents $1,600.

[@mixnmichael1]

I live in Gilbert Arizona and I need to move to BGC! When you move what do you do with those appliances and furniture?

[@AL-hc8id]

Nice video. I expected more Luxury tho. Mansions, nice cars etc

[@cornflake40]

Brio Tower is not a luxury condo. It's for the middle-class Filipino. But it's still nice. And certainly, Makati is 50% cheaper than the US, and 35% cheaper than NYC.

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Title of video is luxury lifestyle not luxury condo, I take into account all the advantages of the lifestyle, tax savings, cost of living savings, etc, etc, but I hear your point. Some higher-end luxury condos in excess of 75k+/monthly are not as good as these lower cost ones in many ways. It's actually quite funny.

[@martinmmmm]

Hi Justin, did you rent the place in person or did you use any booking sites like Agoda or Airbnb?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

In Person

[@hertzblasterx]

Go to Nuvali Laguna. It will change your perspective. 7 times bigger than BGC and modern community.

[@healthy4mj593]

What are the requirements for a non-Filipino citizen to operate a business in the Philippines. What are the tax implications (locally and US)?

[@user-qs2br2jl4x]

I was never visited Philippines. But I personally know someone who moved to Philippines. He retired from big US oil company. He retired from manager position. He was 66 years old. Hi divorced his American wife. He married 24 educated Phillipino women. They moved to Phillipines in one of big city. They have bid property with big house with all western modern appliances, Central AC which runs all time due heat, big in ground pool. They don't drive theirs cars. They have private driver, personal chefs, 24 hrs around clock maids service, landscaping crew, pool maintenance crew, people who runs errands and buying groceries for them. They told me their monthly expenses are about 5000$ per month. By the way they moved there few years back.

[@BUTT-HEAD666]

That's cool Justin I can't even live in BGC it's way too expensive for me LoL 😆

[@brucehuddler7518]

Nice video, I have a scooter and go wherever or whenever, but I’m comfortable with motorcycles. It seems the Grab is somewhat inconvenient and expensive for you? Your spending way high for grab transportation as supposed to a scooter. Dinner after 7 pm because of Grab traffic? I’d save on transportation and not worry about a haircut or teeth cleaning cost, JS, tons of cheap barbershops all over.

[@makeyourlifeeasier5794]

Well done detailed video Is there cheaper street food & is it safe to drink. Also is the water safe?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Water is safe 👍🏼

[@makeyourlifeeasier5794]

@@itsJustinSpencer great! Thanks for responding.

[@jonb3189]

Never drink the tap water. Bottled and water in restaurants is fine. Always look for the rounded ice, not the chipped ice.

[@makeyourlifeeasier5794]

@@jonb3189 thanks for that info.

[@poetwarriorrare9489]

I have 25 years of experience with the Philippines, married 2 filipinas, one bad the current one, awesome. Owned successful business's there etc etc etc...confused, 1st you said 37 sq meters and then 485 sq ft...those are not the same...I really could not live in less than 75 sq meters there, but thats your choice. Also a question.....about your helth insurance, I was going to get blue cross affiliated insurance until i learned that I needed to pay ALL my medical bills 100% and then get reimbursed by the insurance company. NEVER TRUST A FILIPINO CORPORATION TO REIMBURSE......EVER. Trust me on this, any company there will rip you off BIG TIME. Other than your small place I think you're killing it...I love the Phils and Thailand. Rock on!

[@esteladalipog864]

Hello Justin good morning.....

[@williamyoutube9223]

Hi, very informative video, I have a job offer in Manila but unsure of the lifestyle there, how has your experience been living there?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Bgc and rockwell make for a great lifestyle

[@Asia-dr4yj]

"500 -100 pesos haircut" ouch - I pay 50 peso and they even shave the sides and back of my head, so I tip them another 50 peso which they appreciate - but I use places average locals use - been in Manila over a decade.

[@Top5_Pilipinas]

DMCI Brio Tower is not a luxury condo, but it's still better than other non-luxury condos like those made by SMDC or Century Properties. A Luxury condo is categorically and technically luxury if the size of its 1 bedroom unit is at least 60 sqm (645 sq ft). Proscenium is definitely a luxury development by Rockwell as the cuts of 1BR and 2BR units. It just so happened that they also made a few studio units there but other luxury developers such as Ayala Land Premier and Shangrila Condos, never offer studio units in the mix. Your view on your balcony doesn't make your condo a luxury development. :) However, you could be right subjectively if you have never lived in an apartment with such view and so you consider it a luxury in your case.

[@Top5_Pilipinas]

Brio Tower looks luxurious due to the design theme of DMCI in all their condo projects and that is the resort lifestyle. You are like living in a resort and their interiors are really eye candies. Still it cannot be included in the list of luxury condos as looks alone is not enough for it to be qualified as luxury, it has to meet the unit size requirements, how wide are the walkways, the number of neighbors in each floor, etc.

[@jackbaldwin3649]

About how much does a 2 BR unit cost in a luxury building? Thank you!

[@Top5_Pilipinas]

@@jackbaldwin3649 at least Php 300K per square meters

[@Top5_Pilipinas]

@@jackbaldwin3649 a 2 bedroom unit in a luxury or high end condo here must be at least 120 sqm. If it is smaller but calls itself luxury condo, it's a wannabe.

[@undercover1968ru]

Gcash changed in 2020. Maybe that's why you can't get it, but I had my gcash set up an lverified within my first 2 months in the philippines. I hated standing in lines to pay Melraco and water bill

[@axizcorp]

Why does your water cost 1800? Does that include the filtered water or just from the tap water?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

This is a top-line estimate. It could be a little less than this. If you add in what I spend on bottle water, it's probably about right.

[@TopBeatz00]

What are some of the condo names of the buildings that are outlined with lights at 0.25 seconds in the video?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Joya lofts and towers, proscenium at rockwell, powerplant mall (rockwell area)

[@grinbuddy7944]

The GCash and PayMaya thing…such a major pain 😫…you should do a video on this if you can ever get through 😕

[@user-lw3vd9ko8e]

why a major pain can you please elaborate about your comment here I am very interestwed because I don't yet quite understand how that works but I heard from another you tuber that the safest way to have access to one's money if you are in the Philippines is by getting a digital wallet and then you can send yourself money from your account in the U.S. but he also did not explain the process to do all that

[@keith4826]

@@user-lw3vd9ko8e In addition to a debit card or 2 , I would suggest Wise (formerly transfer wise) The Wise card is an online bank that allows you to convert USD to Peso or others. It or something like it is a good idea. Some US banks get nervous sending money to the PH. I use Gcash as well but only for paying utility bills and Lazada deliveries. I did not tie a credit card or account into Gcash. I go to a kiosk and put 5-10k Pesos when needed.

[@187cake]

No bolt or indriver instead of grab?

[@Karetov]

I subscribed to your channel and think I have watched them all. Your videos are helpful in many ways in determining how expats can live in the Philippines and what they can expect to pay. I follow several other vloggers in the Philippines and nobody ever talks about their income stream, where they get their money. Several of these vloggers are up in their age, so it can instantly be believed that their income comes from Social Security. The younger vloggers never seem to mention where they get their money. You seem to live quite the lavish lifestyle for someone so young, at 31 years old. Just curious… Where does your money come from? It can’t all come from monetized youtube videos…

[@itsJustinSpencer]

I made large amounts of money in my 20s running a marketing agency, coaching business and selling my real estate right after the insane surge in home prices that covid brought on

[@Karetov]

@@itsJustinSpencer Thank you for clearing that up and being honest. My wife and I are planning to retire to Legazpi City, where she is originally from. She has a two story, five bedroom house that we recently had renovated and remodeled. The work was quite extensive and cost close to $100,000.00 but now looks like a five star hotel. We will live off of our Social Security benefits and the sale of our house in Lake Tahoe, which we sold last year and included a one year lease which ends in August. I inherited a house from my Mom in Prescott, Arizona which we will live in and fix up to sell before we move to the Philippines. I don’t plan on vlogging, just living well and traveling quite a bit… Thanks for the informative videos…

[@itsJustinSpencer]

@@Karetov Awesome! Stay blessed my man!

[@adamlook798]

Bro BREATHE!

[@arieltrajano1864]

You need to be humble. You probably came from a fam that's mid to high income fam that's why you cant live lower than you current life style. Most Americans don't live as your life style as an expat. I do appreciate you sharing.

[@larrykarger6930]

How far are you from Makati Blvd/century mall? What’s that? What’s my century city mall/ A Venue

[@mikeealtiveros137]

😱🙀

[@dr.michaellittle5611]

Hey guy. Haven’t seen you post in a while. You still in Makati?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Hey Dr Mike, back on the states for a bit, may return to PH though at some point in the future

[@KinokoCardano]

#Cardano #WorldMobile

[@mikes352]

Barbershop in Manila that I went to cost 80 pesos

[@jonb3189]

Me too

[@Robloxgamer-ol9iw]

Hi

[@richardcsillag2459]

Your medical insurance costs look a little high for overseas. Can you give more details?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Is a US policy for expats (true coverage)

[@jonb3189]

@@itsJustinSpencer For medical ins, you may want to look into Phil Health combined with Pacific Cross or Pacific Prime. This assumes you do not need to return to the US.

[@bitemenow609]

I have been to Manila and looked at the $25000 condo's (Furnished) And they were not very nice. Smelly and dim. I can afford $40,000 easily but did not look into it. How much did it cost to furnish your Condo? Any thoughts for me? I would like to be center of Makati or BGC???????

[@user-tl5pv6xd2m]

Dude angeles city 800 a nonth that with rent! 1,000 if going out eat or party!

[@user-lw3vd9ko8e]

what do you mean that foreigners can not get gcash ? could you reply to my question here please and let me know if you find out for sure if that is the case please

[@itsJustinSpencer]

So far, this has been the case. Non-Filipinos have a hard time getting approved for a full account status with it.

[@user-uc1iz2fy7t]

Do you have to pay for Phil Health?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

No you can have a health insurance policy within PH or not within PH

[@user-uc1iz2fy7t]

Do you pay tax on your income in the Philippines, or in the USA?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

USA (with limits) based on type of income and how long your outside of the USA, only PH of income is derived from within PH

[@jannarkiewicz633]

All of the old retired guys do not lead my life. You are fairly close... I was Joya Lofts in Rockwell but I've settle in Eastwood --- the family guys. Dental is cheap. BTW: you should have broken down the streaming costs :-) You did not show people how freaking cheap the services are. Put a decibel app on your phone :-)

[@macscotty9997]

A luxury lifestyle in Manila requires $4,000. per month!

[@tonyy2100]

Crazy, by a condo

[@macscotty9997]

AFTER REASSESSMENT, a single person needs $5,000.-$7,500. per month for luxury living in Manila and to cover health insurance plus inflation. @

[@tonyy2100]

There no way on earth would i move to the Philippines to live in an air pollited conjested city, you need to step out of your comfort zone as a young man, beaches, snorkeling, hiking, exploring, looking for business opertunities if you want to make some money

[@TheBigBananaaa]

🙀

[@maxandmaggie2010]

Water pick/ flosser will save you a visit to the Dentist.

[@prestonphelps1649]

Justin isn't paying what can be the big expense in the PI. Shagging costs.

[@houseaccount3293]

This man is living in the most affordable oriental country for the cost of living in Dallas. There are other Expats in the PH living a lux life style for half the cost of this guy lol.

[@itsJustinSpencer]

I don’t think you can rent a decent high rise condo in Dallas for $455 / month there champ

[@Torchiefied]

I'm totally gobsmacked on how much water and electricity cost in the Philippines. Even in England, you pay way less than that. With the amount of money you pay, that is already both your gas and electricity combined. Even the slow wifi is unjustifiably expensive. Fucking hell! How can the power companies justify their rate? They're taking the piss. It's not value for money anymore. I'm lost for words on how expensive it is to live in The Philippines.

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Water is a bit less than illustrated. Electricity is high because Philippines is a tropical country unlike the UK and central AC, window AC or split ACs are used 24/7/365 here. Hotter weather means higher electricity costs to keep things cool. Unless you use a fan.

[@Amen.22]

You need to look at total monthly costs. If you live anywhere outside of Manila you can live good for about half of what he’s paying. He lives where he wants and pays for whatever he wants. When I move there I will try different places until I find something that works for me. The electricity is expensive mainly because it’s a Japanese company.

[@chicanoonthego]

You said you get 60 day extensions every time you update your VISA, yet you are paying $45 every month for the extensions, that doesn't make sense🤔 And I would have kept those AC units because they emit ambient NOISE that helps me sleep, and they mask the sounds of the TRAFFIC noise and honking horns outside😳😄

[@itsJustinSpencer]

It’s $90 every two months, divided by two = $45

[@dominikkomorowski7906]

Lool this is not cheaper than the eu,is same

[@liv9534]

Why not just buy instead of throwing rent money?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Buying as upsides yes, but I'm very risk averse the older i get.

[@renzclete4868]

Ask Mergim how he got his Paymaya

[@itsJustinSpencer]

🤔

[@raudi]

Maybe it's just me, but that doesn't seem very "Luxury".

[@senorhyperface]

45sqm is not luxury. But thanks for the video.

[@Krishny]

this is not luxury living

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Depends on your definition, i think it's luxury all-around to have such low costs in exchange for so much value, plus the foreign earned income tax benefits you can get as a US expat

[@007thematrix007]

+C N ..... it's luxury living once u factor in the fact he can access all kinds of amenities at really affordable price(s), not to mention access to beaches/isles 🏝 which can rival the maldives and bora-bora @ about 1/3 of the price [*can't beat that bruh]

[@Amen.22]

@@itsJustinSpencer Did you do a video on the foreign earned income tax benefits or banking and credit card information.

[@charlesstanfa3969]

Hi Justin, I am new subscriber, great video thank you very much, I know you trying to get all the content in 1 video please slow down and talk slower please

[@michaeltelesio6267]

Are you still living in BGC ?

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Never was, although I'm not against it. I was in rockwell/makati and I'm still basically in the same area

[@michaeltelesio6267]

Yeah, I was just watching the episode where you moved and bought your own appliances

[@OfficialJackChristensen]

Dude says luxury lifestyle then proceeds to tell us about a 45 square meter apartment. Buddy I’m looking at moving there hence the video but I want a 5 bedroom penthouse not a 45 square meter cluster 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@itsJustinSpencer]

True, luxury is subjective. I also prefer penthouses, I’ve rented a couple, but they are not featured in this video unfortunately. Wasn’t YouTubing during those times.

[@user-qs2br2jl4x]

Dude you need check yourself. Something is wrong.You saying this is luxury living. Dude that is basic simple living..Something is wrong if you think you living in luxury. You living basic simple life.

[@jackbaldwin3649]

#8 No one should ever clean their own teeth. lol.

[@sweproductions1]

What’s your plan for when China invades Taiwan

[@itsJustinSpencer]

Going to jump on a Space X rocket to mars

[@007thematrix007]

@@itsJustinSpencer ..... 🤣

[@Amen.22]

I’m just waiting for the rapture.

[@mr.smithers5831]

Luxury??? Far from a luxury lifestyle lol😅

[@thomasabe77]

WOW that's a whole different class of expat $$$ LOL Funniest part is I wouldn't live in Manilla if you paid me!

[@AL-hc8id]

Nice video. I expected more Luxury tho. Mansions, nice cars etc

[@user-qs2br2jl4x]

Me too. Something is wrong if people consider this luxury living. This is basic plain living. Something is wrong with this dude .He consider this luxury living.SMH