You Too Can Live On A Budget in BGC, Manila Philippines

What am I looking for in a new place to live, searching in Manila Philippines, BGC, Makati, Mandaluyong, and Pasig. I'll go over my new monthly budget to see how 2024 compares to 2023 living in BGC.
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Feel free to reach out to me at: [e-mail]

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I forgot to include health insurance. I pay $114 a month for that. If you stay on a tourist visa you will pay about $29 a month to extend. If you leave and come back like I frequently do, your 30 day visa free period starts again.

[@StormbladeX69]

Still VERY doable for me! 🎉

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

JJ also you should include the fees to stay in the country,you know what type of visa your on ok thanks.

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

JJ,can you recommend a few heath insurance policies and which ones are worth getting?

[@darthvader-rr27888]

BGC has all my check list modern living, walking distance to restaurants ,bars, cafe supermarkets, mall, park,good hospitals, side walks are wide, pet friendly, bike friendly, lots of security and ccv camera very safe and no crazy electric wire cables above your head.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Exactly. Dave here. Thanks for watching

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

J.J. I'm surprised that it's so affordable in the B.G.C .area .Keep on keeping on JJ good to see that you are well my friend.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Thanks. And thanks for watching.

[@Filippines.FeverDream]

You make a great point about the vagabond channel. It sounds cool what they do but few of us are programmed that way. We want a home base/nest to go to between adventures.

[@Call_Me_Troy]

Good budget. Thanks ~

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@Call_Me_Troy thanks

[@tedjohnson4451]

I'm planning to be in Cebu City [IT or Business Park] by November. Much nicer than my "High Assumptions" Budget of $2000us.

[@DanielAdisi-ps6wq]

Brilliant video. I am loving it.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Thanks for watching.

[@StormbladeX69]

Fantastic Budget! I'm planning on moving to the Philippines in 3-5 years, and I know things change, but so will the amount I have coming in... If I moved RIGHT NOW, I'd have right at $2000/mo. VERY Doable. Especially since I'd probably be more of a semi-Province area kind of guy. I'm so excited!

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Hope to see you when you get here. Thanks for watching.

[@StormbladeX69]

@@JJthelonelybullinasia Planning my first trip there later this year! 🎉

[@ChillaxinwithTommythefed]

I’m in the same boat as @StormbladeX69 Trying to decide to retire in March with a monthly of $2600 or what 3-5 yrs for more coin but after listening to your budget I could live on the same budget and still save some coin 🤔🤔

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@ChillaxinwithTommythefed everyone has different needs. My budget might not work for everyone. I really think you have to come here and see for yourself what the cost is like. Thanks for watching.

[@chaddavis6230]

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Thanks for watching

[@floradeocampo5039]

Wow great budgeting you had think about sir 👏 😊

[@davidmcfarland2531]

I was fortunate enough to have several work trips to Makati and BGC. I’m glad to see someone discussing living and costs in BGC. This is where I’d like to live. I don’t think the provinces are for me

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I agree. Thanks for watching

[@paulpenders3092]

really a very nice video, good info,, I enjoyed as I am one currently looking to live there long term too. Hope one day to have a cup of coffee with you, one of the upbeat, positive expats. We need that, thank you again!!😀😍😀

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

That would be great. I'm a big coffee lover. Hope to see you soon, and thanks for watching.

[@gennelynreubal5996]

Love it there in BGC♥️ nice video

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Me too. Thanks for watching

[@kahawaiihele]

I have a condo in Uptown. I don't go clubbing but the largest variable in BGC will be food and drink. Having said that, I'm not sure what my monthly budget would be as I don't stay in BGC for more than a few days at a time. I spend as if I am on vacation, so not a fair comparison. If I had to make an estimate, I am quite certain that if I were to live permanently in BGC (which I wouldn't), I would require at least $3K for two people. However, this would still be much less expensive than what it costs me to live in Hawaii. I would estimate that your budget is about the minimum that is doable for two people in BGC.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I am more of a minimalist, so my expenses are very low. I don't need to eat out all the time, or eat expensive dinners. I shop for good deals, like at the wet market in Guadalupe. The money I save gives me extra money to travel to other Asian countries where I spend more like a tourist. Thanks for watching.

[@daviddarden1915]

Interesting information 🤔. Having lived in Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Marshall Islands and my favorite the Philippines 🇵🇭 ❤️. I lived over 18 years overseas. I was stationed at Clark Air Base, Philippines 🇵🇭 back in 1991 at age 28. Now, I am age 61, widower and all my children are grown now.. Next at age 62. I plan to return and retire in the Philippines 🇵🇭 by end of 2025. Eventually utilizing the American Military 🪖 Philippines sponsored SRRV program. I am glad your are straight up with real costs in the Philippines 🇵🇭 estimated. I do not appreciate Vloger talking about how expensive it' would cost to live in the Philippines. If it is that high as they're saying, then 🤷 it would be better to stay in America 🇺🇸. My future plans would be living in CEBU City primary and Makati, Manila area secondary. I subscribed and thank you. GOD SPEED PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Thanks for watching and thank you for your service. Hope to see you when you retire here next year.

[@RunsWithKnives]

$1600 a month is exactly why I'll be heading over in a few years. My rent here in Minnesota is $1240 a month alone.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

My rent in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a small rowboat was $1450 a month. Thanks for watching.

[@TropicalTim-nf4dm]

You can find cheaper rent?? Ot no

[@RunsWithKnives]

Not in my area, the lowest priced 1 bed room here in the Twin Cities is $1000 if you want something livable not a rat trap.@@TropicalTim-nf4dm

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@TropicalTim-nf4dm I can, but I chose this place, it checks all my boxes of what I want, and it works in my budget. Thanks for watching.

[@patd4u2]

my mortgage payment is $1840 a month. That does not include all the other stuff you have to pay monthly. And I am in Phoenix and in the summer I have my AC on almost constantly, I'm so tired of it I would love to move to BCG.

[@MattSchreier-ox8bw]

Hi J.J. I subscribed to your channel and have been watching many of your videos. They are very informative and helpful. Thank you for that. I live in Hawaii and I purchased an elite visa for Thailand in September of last year. After seeing videos of BGC that you made and videos from other people I really want to check it out. I am planning on spending a couple of months in Thailand and a couple of months in BGC a year to make sure it is where I want to live permanently. I am 68 years old and retired. I hope to meet you in BGC when I get there and I will treat you and your girlfriend to a nice dinner in appreciation for the helpful information that you gave me.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Thank you for the kind words Matt. I love it here, but I also love Thailand. I'll actually be going back there in February for a month. Feel free to look me up wherever. You can reach out to me on my email at: [e-mail] Thanks for watching.

[@MattSchreier-ox8bw]

@@JJthelonelybullinasia thanks for the quick reply JJ. I can’t wait to get there. The United States is no longer a place where I want to live. The cost of living is getting out of control and there is too much division among the people. It’s sad that these days most people are miserable here in the United States but are unwilling to make a change in their life. You made the right choice to leave the United States and I am going to do the same. I saw your interview with Gio and I commented on one of his videos. He seems like a good guy and he is thinking about going back to the United States for a few years and I told him that he has been away from the USA for 7 years and it is not the same place as it was then. He is going back there in a week or so to visit his sons and I think he will see it for himself.

[@Mabuhay6835]

Hi JJ Another good post 👍 Good point about not facing east Referencing your building wondering the name of the builder? Because at 50 sqm with floor to ceiling and then a corner unit with no associate costs for 35K is super good. Also can uiu let me know is it necessary to deal with a real estate agent or can I do walk ins building to building. I also don’t want to view more than a dozen buildings if I don’t need to. Appreciate to hear from you Cheers

[@JamesIsHereRightNow]

That’s an awfully tight budget, congrats. My fiancé and I eat out here in BGC a bit more than you, and also there are many higher end restaurants here that are bit pricier than that. I agree that your budget is doable, it just takes some discipline. 😅

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Like I said, one could spend a much as they want on restaurants. I choose not to. Thanks for watching.

[@Ihateporn2023]

You cracked 2200 good for you .

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Thanks. My goal for 2024 is to reach 5k. Thanks for watching

[@quantum273]

JJ, would you prefer your BGC Condo over Mactan Newton Condo with Infinity pool ? I seen a Video from Gio where he helped a Senior of about 81 years old in getting situated, Thanks !

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I think I would prefer BGC and all the conveniences. But Mactan Newton is nice

[@FritzTemplin]

Great video, good information. What are you doing for health insurance. Are you covering your girlfriends health and dental?

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I forgot to mention health insurance. I pay $114 a month. Thanks for watching

[@Ihateporn2023]

@@JJthelonelybullinasia does that cover everything even hospital stays ?

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

$50,000 coverage, $500 deductible. Has some other services too like $5,000 emergency medical travel back to the US, etc.

[@saleemakhtar87]

Can you make a video on how you manage transfer of funds from US to Philippines every month...enjoyed your costing from Toronto Canada

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Sure. Thanks for watching.

[@AthenHound]

What industry were you working in when you worked in the Philippines? I ask this question because I’ve been looking for job opportunities in Philippines in the logistics and Port operation sector. Of course finding the job is one thing, but finding a decent expat salary is another 😊

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I was hired by a global online university based out of California to expand their market into Asia. Thanks for watching.

[@AthenHound]

@@JJthelonelybullinasia thank you for the reply 👍🏻 have a great day.

[@user-mb9xy9pe1c]

Hello. I’m planning my second trip to the Philippines and this time I’m going to start out in BGC. I’m looking for a regular hotel instead of Airbnb. Do you have any recommendations? I’d like to stay under $75 a night.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I use Agoda.com to look for hotels in the area. Thanks for watching.

[@user-mb9xy9pe1c]

Thanks for the quick response

[@arcade-o8816]

Can you do 1 or 2months?

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Do you mean 1 or 2 months rentals? There are some condos you can rent month to month in Makati. They are usually small studio units.

[@theswede5402]

Ah got a girlfriend now?

[@paella2012]

Do you get Senior Discount ?

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Yes, most places in BGC will give senior discount to foreigners over 60, if they have an ACR or SRRV card. This applies to bars and restaurants, not groceries.

[@edgarwangsmo6]

❤ My Peso-Budget : Living in a nice beach Hotel w/pool&breakfast for 2 :Peso 40k/mnd.(All inclusive :el. internet...ALL) . Insurance (Im 73) 20k/mnd. -Beer & sigarets 20k/mnd.(Im adict) ---The rest of my budget (about 35k) is for Fun&Food🙂 Its a good life here with about $ 2000 +

[@Call_Me_Troy]

Which beach hotel?

[@edgarwangsmo6]

@@Call_Me_Troy Sorry ! Secret .

[@Call_Me_Troy]

@@edgarwangsmo6 ~ 😎

[@Mabuhay6835]

Hi JJ Another good post 👍 Good point about not facing east Referencing your building wondering the name of the builder? Because at 50 sqm with floor to ceiling and then a corner unit with no associate costs for 35K is super good. Also can uiu let me know is it necessary to deal with a real estate agent or can I do walk ins building to building. I also don’t want to view more than a dozen buildings if I don’t need to. Appreciate to hear from you

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

The simple answer is you can work with an agent, the owner, or the building manager. Bottom line is all negotiations run through the condo owner. Send me an email at [e-mail]. I can help with more of your questions. Thanks for watching.