We forgot one item, we didn't include the Immigration costs we have until she has her citizenship. Cost is P3300 per month ($66 each) but soon this will change for us
Your girlfriend had a balik bayan previlage..she doesn't need to pay every month. And if she bring another friend what I know it also should be free..it's in law.. immigration should know that even from the start...
@@BiancaBeyond yeah..hope u fixed everything soon..she can be dual citizen here.. apply her Philippines passport and buy a property.. there's a lot of cheap location.. Boracay is a prime location..that's why it was expensive..but their beer and tanduay is not.!thats the best thing I've seen in this. episode.awesome
Hey Mike, I agree with your comment that budget will differ with people's lifestyle and preferences. I must admit, being in Boracay is quite expensive, similar to living in the Caribbean or any popular coastlines around the world. In short, you're way ahead in terms of budgeting and cost of living. Just to give you a quick idea on the heating and electricity I pay each month in New York will blow your mind. Let's just say, it's more than half of your budget as a starter. So, imagine the cost of the other expenses each month. In short, I envy you. Paradise, warm weather, best beach in the world and Filipino hospitality. The grass is definitely greener on your side, Philippines. Good luck buddy!
Airconditioners usually consumes a lot of electricity coz it's really hot here in the PH. Had the same prob before so we invested on an LG Dual Inverter split type. It's quieter and it's cooler which is what we need since me and my partner are both working at home (and for our furbaby as well). Also, it has a feature to bring down your consumption to just 40%. Put insulation foams for your ceiling, and blackout curtains or sticker shades for the windows to keep the cool air longer (even after turning off the aircon) and not to workup your aircon that hard. I also installed some rubber sealers for the spaces at the sides of the doors and windows, all from Lazada. You can find a good deal now that they have the mid-year sale just make sure to read the reviews with pictures so you're sure they're legit😂😅 Solar panels are good investments too! Enjoy your new home!😊
That's good to know, I'm planning and trying to convince my husband to retire and lived in the Philippines , when I was there visiting, sometimes I don't evening know where the money went, specially if I am the person who needs to pay for everything, so thank you for that. Enjoy and be safe always 😊
Boracay to the Philippines is sort of like living in Hawaii if you were from the mainland. Everything is much more expensive due to most things being brought in from the mainland. One thing I heard a lot in Hawaii is " it's the cost of living in paradise"... In a lot of ways Boracay is also like that.
Rental may vary from one house to another. Electricity in western visayas is higher when a house have aircons, fans, electric appliances. Aircon can be centralized, or maybe, open the window and experience the free wind blow. There are a lot of options to save electricity bill.
depending on how long you'll be staying, try to think about having some solar panels to run the AC...in the long run, it'll be a good investment. or totally going off-grid
Wow! You've got an over the roof expenses there. It's a good thing to do cost cut with your electricity bill by skipping aircon usage. You might want to learn to cook your own meals everyday, just like the typical Filipino family does. Try to buy your goods in a local wet market instead of a grocery store. It's much cheaper. And, also, since you're at Boracay, you can set up a small business there that can go with online transactions to deliveries. Just saying. Enjoy. Stay safe and blessed.
I think it still worth it especially in Boracay. Let's say your total is $1200/month but that is two of you. So each will be $600. I pay $2,972/month for my house here in California but my 200Mb internet is only $54/month. Of course, we can't compare apples to oranges. I think if you live a decent budget in P.I. it's worth it. Probably when I'm no longer having high wages, high tax, high gas ($6.35/gal) then I might say goodbye to uncle Sam as some retired people do.
Much gratitude for this! It provided a somewhat comprehensive view of COL overseas. Though finance is not my strong suit, your monthly budget is just one fourth of my monthly rent here in San Francisco. It makes sense to retire somewhere else. Looking forward for more vlogs. Cheers 😀
Electricity consumption will be less if the owner of the house will put an insulated ceiling on the roof instead of just a bare galvanized iron roof. It will be really warm inside the house when it's daytime and if you are using air condition it will consume a lot of electricity.
Check your electric connection might be one of your neighbors might be connected in your line, how to find out? turned off all your appliances and gadgets charger everything that consumed power then check your meter if it's still running then somebody has a "jumper" to you electric line meaning they're sharing the consumption of your electric bill, you can report that to your service provider
I have a house there so 600 euro a month, but the electricity is only 1800 pesos a month, when I am there it will be higher due the aircon. I will put solar panels later on it.
My girlfriend and I are actually planning to move to the Philippines so this video is perfect. We currently live in San Diego California so being near the ocean is a must. $400 a month for that location is a great deal.
that's amazing just how affordable it is living there! you cant find decent furniture here for that much let alone rent! So amazing! much love!❤️🇺🇸🇵🇭🇦🇱💕
some helpful tips: 💸💸💸 cook more at home, plan some day trips to some local markets and malls for a big grocery haul on the main island of Aklan in Caticlan or Kalibu once a month (additional vlogging content), minimizing the use of the Aircon only on the hottest peak of the day for a couple of hours, unplug the fridge daily from 12mn till 6am and look for a cheaper internet provider.
@@BiancaBeyond i only cook enough food for every meal - NO leftovers, fresh produce don't go bad as long as they have good qualities, fish and meat in the freezer stays frozen in a couple of hours.. just to be safe you can unplug it to a max of 5 hours.
I think the cost of rent is a lot higher as well as the electricity bill per month. The electricity rate in Western Visayas is assumed to be lower than the city rate. But as you said, this just seems costly for low-income people. Nevertheless, so glad that you feel comfortable living here in the Philippines. My only suggestion is to please support local sellers instead of purchasing things in department stores or supermarkets. Stay safe!
Thank you and last part there is only one supermarket and in over there months we have been to it 3 times (there are no department stores here other than Ace Hardware).
Here in California, water alone costs us $40. The power bill $300, even though AC is only on at night. We don't eat out, we buy $600-$700 worth of groceries per month. Rent is around $1,875 a month. We filled up our car twice or 3X a week, $60 per car or $240 per month. Our monthly bill is about $3,000.
Really not too bad for the 1st month! You can make adjustments on it too. I've watched several vloggers who think their electricity is very high. I l8ve in Florida, spent 5 years there in the Philippines back in the 80's. Our climate is very similar here in Florida during the summer months and my electric is about $260.00 a month so you're doing better than I am. Enjoy your videos just found you! Take care!
after the summer, once rainy season starts around june, your ac usage will surely be lessen. it's really just so hot in ph on summer. coldest months right now in ph are around dec to feb.
Thanks for your honest assessment. We are Expat. Watching from the Province of Batangas. We have a maid and a gardner. We live in my American SS of $1600 a month. But we own our house so no rent expense 🇵🇭😁And since we are both seniors we don't spent a lot on entertainment. But we do go to Boracay every year for 4 years except 2021.
@@BiancaBeyond we were there last March. We been celebrating my wife birthday in Boracay. She love the Boracay atmosphere. Plus the food is great. We stayed for 4 nights in one of the Hennas this time. And we enjoyed the land tour's. That's something new. 😎
Batangas is a nice option. I grew up in Italy and New York City, both are expensive cities to live in. Now my family and I live about 9kms outside Batangas City and about 1.5 hours drive from Manila. Batangas is laid back enough to enjoy a quiet life away from the big city while being close enough to nearby beaches and other outdoor attractions and still being very accessible to Manila.
That is so cool to hear. Affordable housing and help with a $1,600 budget. Money doesn't get too far in the U.S. with infinite amount of taxes being levied on the middle class. Now, inflation and energy is killing everyone. It's really time to rethink where the greenbacks can have more value. Philippines is definitely a good choice.
@@erikmichael3493 Yeah your monthly pensions go a long way here, I had a drinking buddy once who also spends his retirement here. Got Medically discharged from the US Military after his whole crew got blown by an IED in their humvee in Iraq. He now enjoys his retirement here. Gets less aches for his surgeries coz no winter here. Haha.Also gets around $2,000 /month.
Hey Mike, Found your channel recently. I'm from Panay Island the mainland of Boracay. If you guys get the chance of going to the mainland please try out Ramboy's Lechonan it is a local restaurant serving charcoal roasted pork it is very famous among mainlanders. There is a branch very close to Caticlan port. Cheers
WOw ! For 2 people per Month you save a lot of $$! Really amazing keep your budget stay as it is or lower it down! Save every penny you had but stay healthy and happy!
Thanks for the info , this was important to my wife and I since we plan to retire there in 3 years. We were born in the Philippines so we intend to have dual citizenship US/Phil. before settling there. Like you said, its different for some people, so that budget is like music to our ears. Amazed at the internet price though, for $70/month here I have a gig speed connection thru fiberoptic line. I’m originally from Cebu so we are planning to buy a nice condo there. Figured I worked my ass off here for 35 years and we want to retire comfortably. Leaving our home here to our daughter, this way we have a place to stay when we come back to the states. I am subscribing to your channel. I dabble at vlogs too as a hobby and just for stress relief…. Its fun. Thanks again buddy.
You can get 100mbps Fiber plans at $35 here. In Cebu, its usually very accessible.Well developed City with great beaches too. I guess the reason why it costs a lot in Boracay is because its an island. Materials cost double there.
@@lex4422 Hey thanks for the info, yes Cebu is very progressive city in the PI. It will be around 2 to 3 years before we settle there, but we are going to Cebu early next year to visit family and basically scope out the place and options for my early retirement.
@@usersubscriberSC Yes indeed, we plan on the top tier medical insurance ,then there is Medicare for us when we go back to the US for vacation. Will be staying in my hometown of Cebu where Chong Hua or Cebu Med center hospitals are close by too. I come from a family of physicians originally from Cebu so we should do Ok. We should also be dual citizens by then.
I'm in metro manila lets see. 3k to 4k electric bill (we use aircon double inverter, so it saves electricity, 4php per hour) 2600 for the internet 15 to 20k monthly on groceries i have a kid so milk,diapers and baby wipes included. 300 on water bill 300 php on drinking water 500 on dog grooming 7k on house helper salary 1,000 on gas maxed out and rounded off (no rent) more or less 35k to 36k per month.
Local electric cooperative in the Philippines sometimes don’t read the electric meters they only estimate it. Corrupt cooperative. They survey what appliances does the consumer has.
Very informative as always, I started following you when you were in Albania. I am in Albania now and I am will be in the Philippines in about 5 weeks.
Filipino house ... Only use ac in the bedroom .. Open every window of the house even doors if youre not too exposed ... Use electric fan.... Give it a few days youll adopt to the temp
We have no screens in the windows. My wife is a mosquito magnet and gets huge welts, so we have to leave everything closed for now. Humidity is too high currently to open them as it's hotter outside even in the shade.
Electricity cost a lot in the Philippines. That's why Baguio and Tagaytay are popular for their cool breeze. And also high speed internet too. I believe it is best to cook to save money. You have the refrigerator and its consume electricity. And maybe cook good for 2 days to save like Filipino ways😉
Here in my place in Bulacan, Luzon Philippines, the Rent for very small apartment is around Php 5,000 - up or $100 US Dollar only. Fiber internet is around $30 only with 100 MPBS download speed. Electricity is around $20 - higher it depends on appliances. There are many Resort swimming pools here in Bulacan, Luzon, Philippines instead of Beach.
I am also in Bulacan, no rent as I purchased the house I live in, internet $34, Electricty $57, (water heaters for shower & kitchen sink, food for myself & 6 cats $135, car & motor costs about $10 month. Overall I average out about $450 a month (just outside San Miguel)/
@@ianyoung9539 Yes $170 - $450 it always depends on what kind of appliances you are using , your location and and what kind of internet and apartment , it always depends.
@@kratosgod-of-war6276 Yes 1899 pesos, my current internet connection is Converge Fiber internet and it cost 1,500 Pesos for 50 Mbps - 100 Mbps. You can speed boost if you want more speed.
Hell of a lot cheaper than here in the US. For example I live with multiple people and expenses for the house per month my cell phone $200 internet/cable/landline bill is $380 on it's own, water $350 electricity over $200 and the mortgage is about $2000 this isn't even counting food. And I live in Central Florida. Sorry but I need air conditioning because of my health condition and the other people in the house as well. Philippines is looking better and better everyday.
@@dennispador493 I know. I'm considering a move though. I'm sick of certain thinks about America. There are parts of my state of FL that can mimic a tropical life. There are islands of the coast and at the very bottom called the Florida Keys but it's SO expensive. The very wealthy live there
@@dennispador493 I'm hoping to save to vacation there for a bit. See if I like island life which I think I will. The issue is then getting a visa to stay permanent.
@@joehinds29988 I'm fluent in Spanish and Mexico is high on my list of places to check out as a new home. Mexico is actually part of North America, not sure where you're from so just dropping a little geography knowledge, that's it no argument. (I'm very chil and respect Michael & Bianca to never argue with people on the channel.) But I love the Mexican culture and moving there would be way easier than the Philippines. My current partner is originally from Mexico but a US citizen and we're seriously debating. It's funny he's from there born and raised in Acapulco with both parents being Mexican, but doesn't speak the language. The only issue is he's got 2 kids, they don't speak Spanish either and are still in school. So there's some decisions we need to think about but we're not married and if it doesn't work out... ¡Hola Viva México, Olé!
5k for internet was quite expensive coz you can have it here in manila, 100mbps for 3k at most.. the rent was also expensive but still that's a nice play to stay than staying at condominium with that amount you can only have 20sqm place so thats good place for 20k.. but still i think everything so far that budget was way cheaper than you usually pay than Albania you say.. welcome here in the Philippines, soon you'll used to it and can cut the cost more cheaper than the 1st month 😊😊
Hello Mike, nice video content, it's very informative, especially the cost of living in Boracay. Your electricity consumption is a bit high, try switching your AC from the traditional window type to an Inverter split type.
We have one inverter for the main part of the house, we switched to using it and fans at the bedroom doors for the next month. Sadly the bill was exactly the same 😂 we now also run at 27 and 28 degrees and turn everything off when we go outside. This month is only P4000 but we were gone 16 days of the month with it all shut off.
Thanks so much for this! I'm from California but looking to relocate to the PI as well. Much appreciated! Love watching all your guys vlogs, keep up the great work!
You should get a 2 hp Inverter aircon and a small fan instead of using 3 aircons. also use inverter fridge to lessen your electricity consumption it really helps a lot.
Nice budget for living so near to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Can't really save too much on electric.. Gotta have A/C or life will be miserable there... I love the free things of swimming in the surf, and walking down the beach... So cheap to get Filipino Barbecue and watch the wonderful sunset on the beach... Great healthy life there! Fresh ocean breezes! Enjoy!!!
the price of electricity is a gen.problem here in the Phil. thats why all we filipinos grant for our new pres. to lower the cost.....bec we have no nuclear power plant all power sources produce by dam coal and fuel
I move to Canada when I was 13 and I'm 40 now.. I haven't gone back yet!! Planning to take 2 months off from yet next year and check out the Land that we bought in LUCENA CITY. I keep hearing it's going to be a tourist attractions soon!!!
@@BiancaBeyond If Bianca's mom left the Philippines at age 28, she should have a record at the PSA. Else she can't get a passport since PSA stamped birth certificate is a requirement in order to get a passport.
+ life insurance, + plus dental, + health insurance plus + an average of consumables vs not counting them + misc repairs/replacement of "stuff" should all be included in a "real" budget. But thanks for the breakdown it's a good starting point. I might also mention each month is really 4.33 weeks, so by the end of the year add another 33% to all of the above. That will put you what your really at 🙂
We did a whole episode of health insurance and the price ranges wildly depending on health and age so it's not an easy thing to guess. Ours is P18k per year total for both
the rent is high, if you could decide to settle down in the Philippines and built your own house monthly mortgage will only be the worry, electricity could be cut down with reasonable solar panels.
The reason why Boracay is so expensive is that, Boracay actually belongs to the 7th beautiful beaches in the world according to the Guiness world of record, the island itself is made for tourism.
Thank you for your update Philippine Life, certainly looks like you have found a great place to live for a very attractive price. But as most expats should have the protection of health insurance just in case something may occur. Phil health is good but. If you have any comments on this topic it sure would be appreciated.
That is a first class island paradise. Everything you're buying is being transported from island to island that's why it's pricey. You can live comfortably in Ortigas Center for $800 and maybe show the beaches, museums (yes we, have tons of it,) golf courses and mountains with staycations of Rizal, Laguna and Batangas. Why not explore Laguna Bay and the small islets in the middle of it!
I can't wait to see somebody drop $1,000 for solar and just be done with it. I have solar on my RV here in the states and never worry about electricity. It is heaven sent. Had to subscribe, awesome channel, brother! - Kevin Venture
Hah everyone says that is expensive. So cheap compared to Thailand, Vietnam given that you have a 3 bedroom house and a yard, not a little apartment. Plus you need extra internet for your business. And famous Boracay. Great vlog. Subscribed.
back in the 80's,before Boracay really became popular, the go to place here would have been in Batangas (nasugbu area) or mindoro (puero galera). While the beach isnt as nice as Boracay, the sand is fine and white. Nasugbu should be very near Tagaytay (30 mins away or so. Tagaytay is one of the colder places here near Manila. You can get a cheaper place there ( electricity shouldnt be a problem and would save a lot of money since you wont be using ac a lot.) Plus English & Tagalog are the 2 main languages that people here use.
To save money with transportation, you can buy a motor cycle (Scooter) around 76,000pesos. You don't have to pay for transportation plus it's an investment while you're there in boracay.
i think you need to talk to ùr Landlord and suggest it to them that if its possible to put/install ontop of the ceiling a insulation, so that the heat from galvanised roof will not 100% go inside of the house, how’s that? i’m a Noypi too living here in Ontario but can’t w8 2 go back home🇵🇭..
Thanks for sharing your budget. Oh yes the Philippines you get far more for your money. And a better quality of life even compared to the US. $1,000 a month is not livable in the US.
Interesting list. I have a house on Cebu Island, so there is no rent. My electricity bill is 1500 Peso as we built the house in a way which does not require Aircon. My Internet is around 1500 Peso. We have a caretaker/helper/cook in one relyable person and still the cost is less than half. If you stay really long time, a self built house ist worth it. Of course it lacks flexibility.
Just starting to watch your blogs since yesterday while quarantining in my own house here in Orlando Florida. ( nice Florida shirt you’re wearing). My name is Rene recently retired hoping soon to relocate back to my native land the Philippines. You guys are fun to watch. May be we would meet some day.
When I lived in Philippines for 14 months, I used to pay 6K in electricity and 2K in a fast Internet a month, I also travel at least once a month for a week, so same as you I guess, but I had someone staying at my place so is like I was there all the time. So 15K for electricity and internet is a lot, you probably stay at home most of the time. Boracay is beautiful, alot of places to visit, do and discover, you should go out more often. When I was there for 2 weeks I never stayed at my place, only to sleep I guess. Once you meet more people and have more friends you will spend less time at home and your bill will go down, specially the electricity (air cond) bill.
You are so young. Our expenses in San Ildefonso are electricity, internet, food and our three motorcycles maintenance. Ever think about buying a lot and putting a house on it? This might be out of your comfort zone but here goes; real estate. I am not talking about a big home. There is a lot of money in land. Anywhere. They are building the new international airport just west of Mololos. Prices are going through the roof all over. We have some land in Bulacan and it has increased in value 500% in 4 years. I'm sure the land around your home is growing exponentially. Just a thought. Good Luck.
Agree with you it’s not cheap to live in Philippines it’s very expensive there better in Thailand much much cheaper. Sometimes commodities prices same here in California
It can be really cheap to live in the Philippines but we are on one of the famous islands in the country with tourists spots all over, you would have to compare it with the top spot in Thailand or anywhere else to determine
The start up costs for Starlink is about $500 usd isn't it? And the upload speeds on it are not great. I could be wrong but I think I read 20mbs max upload?
Sounds like you’ll save money when you move from Boracay, especially the electric bill. But you do get nice breezes being so close to the water. Thank you for these great videos. 😀
Living in the UK, my energy bills (admittedly it’s gas and electric, because apparently I get a discount for combining) is £400 a month. So about $500 or 26k pesos. So I apologise for not feeling sorry for you and your energy bills! 😄 Great video though - really interesting. You guys have the right idea!
Wow that is expensive... mine is £158 for gas+elec for a 3 bed mid-terrace... and I should be able to halve that... Maybe we our neighbours warm our house by being next door... hahahahaha. Actually I think most of the electricity cost comes from my sons computer.
@@imcaufieldholt yes, must admit I don’t know anyone in my area with the same size property that pays anywhere near the same as me. I think my property is just really poorly insulated. Mind, it doesn’t help that the kids can’t manage to turn a light off…
Concerning the water at Boracay. President Rodrigo Duterte called it a "cesspool" tainted by flowing from hotels and restaurants straight into the sea. How do you deal with it? Does the water at beach taste different?
We forgot one item, we didn't include the Immigration costs we have until she has her citizenship. Cost is P3300 per month ($66 each) but soon this will change for us
Your girlfriend had a balik bayan previlage..she doesn't need to pay every month. And if she bring another friend what I know it also should be free..it's in law.. immigration should know that even from the start...
@@aldrinpagunuran8688 not yet we need her mother's birth certificate from Canada (getting soon we hope) and then she can apply.
That amount is affordable and quite normal
@@BiancaBeyond yeah..hope u fixed everything soon..she can be dual citizen here.. apply her Philippines passport and buy a property.. there's a lot of cheap location.. Boracay is a prime location..that's why it was expensive..but their beer and tanduay is not.!thats the best thing I've seen in this. episode.awesome
wow ur internet is 5K? its to high just for the 2 of you..
Hey Mike, I agree with your comment that budget will differ with people's lifestyle and preferences. I must admit, being in Boracay is quite expensive, similar to living in the Caribbean or any popular coastlines around the world. In short, you're way ahead in terms of budgeting and cost of living. Just to give you a quick idea on the heating and electricity I pay each month in New York will blow your mind. Let's just say, it's more than half of your budget as a starter. So, imagine the cost of the other expenses each month. In short, I envy you. Paradise, warm weather, best beach in the world and Filipino hospitality. The grass is definitely greener on your side, Philippines. Good luck buddy!
Thank you! I remember in Canada how expensive it was also, agree completely (plus the grass actually stays green year round here haha)
Airconditioners usually consumes a lot of electricity coz it's really hot here in the PH. Had the same prob before so we invested on an LG Dual Inverter split type. It's quieter and it's cooler which is what we need since me and my partner are both working at home (and for our furbaby as well). Also, it has a feature to bring down your consumption to just 40%. Put insulation foams for your ceiling, and blackout curtains or sticker shades for the windows to keep the cool air longer (even after turning off the aircon) and not to workup your aircon that hard. I also installed some rubber sealers for the spaces at the sides of the doors and windows, all from Lazada. You can find a good deal now that they have the mid-year sale just make sure to read the reviews with pictures so you're sure they're legit😂😅 Solar panels are good investments too! Enjoy your new home!😊
Invest in Inverter appliances esp Airconditioning. It'll save you a lot in your electricity bills. Around 50% to 60% less
That's good to know, I'm planning and trying to convince my husband to retire and lived in the Philippines , when I was there visiting, sometimes I don't evening know where the money went, specially if I am the person who needs to pay for everything, so thank you for that. Enjoy and be safe always 😊
Boracay to the Philippines is sort of like living in Hawaii if you were from the mainland. Everything is much more expensive due to most things being brought in from the mainland. One thing I heard a lot in Hawaii is " it's the cost of living in paradise"... In a lot of ways Boracay is also like that.
Thats amazing how close your costs are to Albania but with all the added benefits. Weather, house & garden, community etc. Well done indeed. 👏
Rental may vary from one house to another.
Electricity in western visayas is higher when a house have aircons, fans, electric appliances. Aircon can be centralized, or maybe, open the window and experience the free wind blow. There are a lot of options to save electricity bill.
depending on how long you'll be staying, try to think about having some solar panels to run the AC...in the long run, it'll be a good investment. or totally going off-grid
Wow! You've got an over the roof expenses there. It's a good thing to do cost cut with your electricity bill by skipping aircon usage. You might want to learn to cook your own meals everyday, just like the typical Filipino family does. Try to buy your goods in a local wet market instead of a grocery store. It's much cheaper. And, also, since you're at Boracay, you can set up a small business there that can go with online transactions to deliveries. Just saying. Enjoy. Stay safe and blessed.
I think it still worth it especially in Boracay. Let's say your total is $1200/month but that is two of you. So each will be $600. I pay $2,972/month for my house here in California but my 200Mb internet is only $54/month. Of course, we can't compare apples to oranges. I think if you live a decent budget in P.I. it's worth it.
Probably when I'm no longer having high wages, high tax, high gas ($6.35/gal) then I might say goodbye to uncle Sam as some retired people do.
Your channel is yet to be discovered by a lot of Filipinos. Hope it will grow faster and sooner to contribute on your monthly expenses.
Glad to know the local cost of living in Boracay; be happy & stay safe!
That’s so helpful for those who wish to migrate in Philippines.
Much gratitude for this! It provided a somewhat comprehensive view of COL overseas. Though finance is not my strong suit, your monthly budget is just one fourth of my monthly rent here in San Francisco. It makes sense to retire somewhere else. Looking forward for more vlogs. Cheers 😀
Electricity consumption will be less if the owner of the house will put an insulated ceiling on the roof instead of just a bare galvanized iron roof. It will be really warm inside the house when it's daytime and if you are using air condition it will consume a lot of electricity.
Check your electric connection might be one of your neighbors might be connected in your line, how to find out? turned off all your appliances and gadgets charger everything that consumed power then check your meter if it's still running then somebody has a "jumper" to you electric line meaning they're sharing the consumption of your electric bill, you can report that to your service provider
I have a house there so 600 euro a month, but the electricity is only 1800 pesos a month, when I am there it will be higher due the aircon. I will put solar panels later on it.
its better to buy in local market.. n some veggies much cheaper... u can get some leafy veggies in neighbors
My girlfriend and I are actually planning to move to the Philippines so this video is perfect. We currently live in San Diego California so being near the ocean is a must. $400 a month for that location is a great deal.
that's amazing just how affordable it is living there! you cant find decent furniture here for that much let alone rent! So amazing! much love!❤️🇺🇸🇵🇭🇦🇱💕
some helpful tips: 💸💸💸
cook more at home, plan some day trips to some local markets and malls for a big grocery haul on the main island of Aklan in Caticlan or Kalibu once a month (additional vlogging content), minimizing the use of the Aircon only on the hottest peak of the day for a couple of hours, unplug the fridge daily from 12mn till 6am and look for a cheaper internet provider.
Sadly the internet we absolutely need and the only fibre to our area the rest sounds good. Food doesn't go bad unplugging all night?
@@BiancaBeyond i only cook enough food for every meal - NO leftovers, fresh produce don't go bad as long as they have good qualities, fish and meat in the freezer stays frozen in a couple of hours.. just to be safe you can unplug it to a max of 5 hours.
I think the cost of rent is a lot higher as well as the electricity bill per month. The electricity rate in Western Visayas is assumed to be lower than the city rate. But as you said, this just seems costly for low-income people. Nevertheless, so glad that you feel comfortable living here in the Philippines. My only suggestion is to please support local sellers instead of purchasing things in department stores or supermarkets. Stay safe!
Thank you and last part there is only one supermarket and in over there months we have been to it 3 times (there are no department stores here other than Ace Hardware).
Here in California, water alone costs us $40. The power bill $300, even though AC is only on at night. We don't eat out, we buy $600-$700 worth of groceries per month. Rent is around $1,875 a month. We filled up our car twice or 3X a week, $60 per car or $240 per month. Our monthly bill is about $3,000.
Really not too bad for the 1st month! You can make adjustments on it too. I've watched several vloggers who think their electricity is very high. I l8ve in Florida, spent 5 years there in the Philippines back in the 80's. Our climate is very similar here in Florida during the summer months and my electric is about $260.00 a month so you're doing better than I am. Enjoy your videos just found you! Take care!
This exactly why there had been talks about reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
after the summer, once rainy season starts around june, your ac usage will surely be lessen. it's really just so hot in ph on summer. coldest months right now in ph are around dec to feb.
Thanks for your honest assessment. We are Expat. Watching from the Province of Batangas. We have a maid and a gardner. We live in my American SS of $1600 a month. But we own our house so no rent expense 🇵🇭😁And since we are both seniors we don't spent a lot on entertainment. But we do go to Boracay every year for 4 years except 2021.
Coming this year? We can have a beer 🍺
@@BiancaBeyond we were there last March. We been celebrating my wife birthday in Boracay. She love the Boracay atmosphere. Plus the food is great. We stayed for 4 nights in one of the Hennas this time. And we enjoyed the land tour's. That's something new. 😎
Batangas is a nice option. I grew up in Italy and New York City, both are expensive cities to live in. Now my family and I live about 9kms outside Batangas City and about 1.5 hours drive from Manila. Batangas is laid back enough to enjoy a quiet life away from the big city while being close enough to nearby beaches and other outdoor attractions and still being very accessible to Manila.
That is so cool to hear. Affordable housing and help with a $1,600 budget. Money doesn't get too far in the U.S. with infinite amount of taxes being levied on the middle class. Now, inflation and energy is killing everyone. It's really time to rethink where the greenbacks can have more value. Philippines is definitely a good choice.
@@erikmichael3493 Yeah your monthly pensions go a long way here, I had a drinking buddy once who also spends his retirement here. Got Medically discharged from the US Military after his whole crew got blown by an IED in their humvee in Iraq. He now enjoys his retirement here. Gets less aches for his surgeries coz no winter here. Haha.Also gets around $2,000 /month.
Use inverter aircons and fridge, It will help you alot with your bills
Hey Mike, Found your channel recently. I'm from Panay Island the mainland of Boracay. If you guys get the chance of going to the mainland please try out Ramboy's Lechonan it is a local restaurant serving charcoal roasted pork it is very famous among mainlanders. There is a branch very close to Caticlan port. Cheers
Sounds amazing!
Just stare at the lovely beach & community & you will forget about the expenses. Live to the max!
Haha just don't go broke
WOw ! For 2 people per
Month you save a lot of $$! Really amazing keep your budget stay as it is or lower it down! Save every penny you had but stay healthy and happy!
Thanks for the info , this was important to my wife and I since we plan to retire there in 3 years. We were born in the Philippines so we intend to have dual citizenship US/Phil. before settling there. Like you said, its different for some people, so that budget is like music to our ears. Amazed at the internet price though, for $70/month here I have a gig speed connection thru fiberoptic line. I’m originally from Cebu so we are planning to buy a nice condo there. Figured I worked my ass off here for 35 years and we want to retire comfortably. Leaving our home here to our daughter, this way we have a place to stay when we come back to the states. I am subscribing to your channel. I dabble at vlogs too as a hobby and just for stress relief…. Its fun. Thanks again buddy.
Wonderful to hear from you, great plan
You can get 100mbps Fiber plans at $35 here. In Cebu, its usually very accessible.Well developed City with great beaches too. I guess the reason why it costs a lot in Boracay is because its an island. Materials cost double there.
@@lex4422 Hey thanks for the info, yes Cebu is very progressive city in the PI. It will be around 2 to 3 years before we settle there, but we are going to Cebu early next year to visit family and basically scope out the place and options for my early retirement.
Most important item is medical/health insurance plan.
@@usersubscriberSC Yes indeed, we plan on the top tier medical insurance ,then there is Medicare for us when we go back to the US for vacation. Will be staying in my hometown of Cebu where Chong Hua or Cebu Med center hospitals are close by too. I come from a family of physicians originally from Cebu so we should do Ok. We should also be dual citizens by then.
for electricity try to use solar panel,i know one foreign vloger in siargao in mindanao who use solar panel in their house
I'm in metro manila lets see.
3k to 4k electric bill (we use aircon double inverter, so it saves electricity, 4php per hour)
2600 for the internet
15 to 20k monthly on groceries i have a kid so milk,diapers and baby wipes included.
300 on water bill
300 php on drinking water
500 on dog grooming
7k on house helper salary
1,000 on gas
maxed out and rounded off (no rent)
more or less 35k to 36k per month.
Local electric cooperative in the Philippines sometimes don’t read the electric meters they only estimate it. Corrupt cooperative. They survey what appliances does the consumer has.
Here in Pagadian City we pay 2699 pesos for 300 Mbps. And for 600 Mbps it would be 3799 pesos. That's with PLDT. Greetings.
That's $1,186.27 Canadian per month. That's really good for sure. Plus your 3300p per month as well. $76.33 Canadian per month.
Very informative as always, I started following you when you were in Albania. I am in Albania now and I am will be in the Philippines in about 5 weeks.
Filipino house ... Only use ac in the bedroom .. Open every window of the house even doors if youre not too exposed ... Use electric fan.... Give it a few days youll adopt to the temp
We have no screens in the windows. My wife is a mosquito magnet and gets huge welts, so we have to leave everything closed for now. Humidity is too high currently to open them as it's hotter outside even in the shade.
Guys have a license and get yourselves scooters, open windows on both ends of the house and open the doors when you are not using airconditioning
Night breeze is actually more comfortable than ac especially if your inthe province with lots of trees. We usually just use ac during the day/summer..
why dont you use solar so you dont have to pay forthe electricity?
Electricity cost a lot in the Philippines. That's why Baguio and Tagaytay are popular for their cool breeze. And also high speed internet too.
I believe it is best to cook to save money. You have the refrigerator and its consume electricity. And maybe cook good for 2 days to save like Filipino ways😉
WOW... I LIKE THAT GREENY!
Good to see this video.Looking forward for more.
20,000 pesos a month for 3 bedroom house in Boracay? That's just incredible!
Here in my place in Bulacan, Luzon Philippines, the Rent for very small apartment is around Php 5,000 - up or $100 US Dollar only. Fiber internet is around $30 only with 100 MPBS download speed. Electricity is around $20 - higher it depends on appliances. There are many Resort swimming pools here in Bulacan, Luzon, Philippines instead of Beach.
Rent/Internet 100 Mbps/ Electricity/ Water Supply
= $100+$30+$20+$20 = $170 - up US Dollar only for whole Month.
I am also in Bulacan, no rent as I purchased the house I live in, internet $34, Electricty $57, (water heaters for shower & kitchen sink, food for myself & 6 cats $135, car & motor costs about $10 month. Overall I average out about $450 a month (just outside San Miguel)/
@@ianyoung9539 Yes $170 - $450 it always depends on what kind of appliances you are using , your location and and what kind of internet and apartment , it always depends.
i paid php 1899 for 90 mbps unlimited
@@kratosgod-of-war6276 Yes 1899 pesos, my current internet connection is Converge Fiber internet and it cost 1,500 Pesos for 50 Mbps - 100 Mbps. You can speed boost if you want more speed.
Right now, bachelor apt in Toronto is CAD 1300 plus hydro.
Change your aircon to inverters
Good show ... my wife has set us up in Subic . lot less cost than Boracay, but the expenses are proportional to yours. Good Show
Hell of a lot cheaper than here in the US. For example I live with multiple people and expenses for the house per month my cell phone $200 internet/cable/landline bill is $380 on it's own, water $350 electricity over $200 and the mortgage is about $2000 this isn't even counting food. And I live in Central Florida. Sorry but I need air conditioning because of my health condition and the other people in the house as well. Philippines is looking better and better everyday.
But u are in america far far from the beutiful island
@@dennispador493 I know. I'm considering a move though. I'm sick of certain thinks about America. There are parts of my state of FL that can mimic a tropical life. There are islands of the coast and at the very bottom called the Florida Keys but it's SO expensive. The very wealthy live there
@@dennispador493 I'm hoping to save to vacation there for a bit. See if I like island life which I think I will. The issue is then getting a visa to stay permanent.
@@joehinds29988 I'm fluent in Spanish and Mexico is high on my list of places to check out as a new home. Mexico is actually part of North America, not sure where you're from so just dropping a little geography knowledge, that's it no argument. (I'm very chil and respect Michael & Bianca to never argue with people on the channel.) But I love the Mexican culture and moving there would be way easier than the Philippines. My current partner is originally from Mexico but a US citizen and we're seriously debating. It's funny he's from there born and raised in Acapulco with both parents being Mexican, but doesn't speak the language. The only issue is he's got 2 kids, they don't speak Spanish either and are still in school. So there's some decisions we need to think about but we're not married and if it doesn't work out... ¡Hola Viva México, Olé!
I'm your new subscriber, enjoy your stay and I hope you'll get and have more subscriber here in the future.
5k for internet was quite expensive coz you can have it here in manila, 100mbps for 3k at most.. the rent was also expensive but still that's a nice play to stay than staying at condominium with that amount you can only have 20sqm place so thats good place for 20k.. but still i think everything so far that budget was way cheaper than you usually pay than Albania you say.. welcome here in the Philippines, soon you'll used to it and can cut the cost more cheaper than the 1st month 😊😊
Good to hear you are at the $1,100 a month mark for a couple... I would like to budget at $1500 solo (see how long that lasts ;-)
Hello Mike, nice video content, it's very informative, especially the cost of living in Boracay.
Your electricity consumption is a bit high, try switching your AC from the traditional window type to an Inverter split type.
We have one inverter for the main part of the house, we switched to using it and fans at the bedroom doors for the next month. Sadly the bill was exactly the same 😂 we now also run at 27 and 28 degrees and turn everything off when we go outside. This month is only P4000 but we were gone 16 days of the month with it all shut off.
Thanks so much for this! I'm from California but looking to relocate to the PI as well. Much appreciated! Love watching all your guys vlogs, keep up the great work!
You should get a 2 hp Inverter aircon and a small fan instead of using 3 aircons. also use inverter fridge to lessen your electricity consumption it really helps a lot.
We have one of those on the main room, just the two studio rooms have the small ones. Problem is we are mainly in those two rooms
Use a ceiling fan or stand fan, it can get a long way, specially during rainy season, you don't nees aircon. Just a fan will do 😊
Nice budget for living so near to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Can't really save too much on electric.. Gotta have A/C or life will be miserable there... I love the free things of swimming in the surf, and walking down the beach... So cheap to get Filipino Barbecue and watch the wonderful sunset on the beach... Great healthy life there! Fresh ocean breezes! Enjoy!!!
the price of electricity is a gen.problem here in the Phil. thats why all we filipinos grant for our new pres. to lower the cost.....bec we have no nuclear power plant all power sources produce by dam coal and fuel
I move to Canada when I was 13 and I'm 40 now.. I haven't gone back yet!! Planning to take 2 months off from yet next year and check out the Land that we bought in LUCENA CITY. I keep hearing it's going to be a tourist attractions soon!!!
Bianca's mother moved to Canada at 28 years old and one day we hope to bring her home to the Philippines too
@@BiancaBeyond If Bianca's mom left the Philippines at age 28, she should have a record at the PSA. Else she can't get a passport since PSA stamped birth certificate is a requirement in order to get a passport.
@@BiancaBeyond wow that would be great😊
+ life insurance, + plus dental, + health insurance plus + an average of consumables vs not counting them + misc repairs/replacement of "stuff" should all be included in a "real" budget. But thanks for the breakdown it's a good starting point. I might also mention each month is really 4.33 weeks, so by the end of the year add another 33% to all of the above. That will put you what your really at 🙂
We did a whole episode of health insurance and the price ranges wildly depending on health and age so it's not an easy thing to guess. Ours is P18k per year total for both
the rent is high, if you could decide to settle down in the Philippines and built your own house monthly mortgage will only be the worry, electricity could be cut down with reasonable solar panels.
Yes we are looking forward to that day ☺️
The reason why Boracay is so expensive is that, Boracay actually belongs to the 7th beautiful beaches in the world according to the Guiness world of record, the island itself is made for tourism.
Interesting thx for ur input iv been there its nice
Buy an aircooler, fan with water.
Thank you for your update Philippine Life, certainly looks like you have found a great place to live for a very attractive price. But as most expats should have the protection of health insurance just in case something may occur. Phil health is good but. If you have any comments on this topic it sure would be appreciated.
Hi there I did a follow up videos not long ago all about health insurance, check it out :) live to hear your comments on it
That is a first class island paradise. Everything you're buying is being transported from island to island that's why it's pricey. You can live comfortably in Ortigas Center for $800 and maybe show the beaches, museums (yes we, have tons of it,) golf courses and mountains with staycations of Rizal, Laguna and Batangas. Why not explore Laguna Bay and the small islets in the middle of it!
love your content.i enjoy watching you guys hope to see more videos in the future..more blessing to come
I can't wait to see somebody drop $1,000 for solar and just be done with it. I have solar on my RV here in the states and never worry about electricity. It is heaven sent. Had to subscribe, awesome channel, brother! - Kevin Venture
Solar projects are closer to $60k and up are they not?
Im using a cheap made in China clip on electric fan. Very Low in electric consumption.
Im part of Luzon Philippines, our internet is way much cheaper PHP 2000 for 1month. 200mbps
Hah everyone says that is expensive. So cheap compared to Thailand, Vietnam given that you have a 3 bedroom house and a yard, not a little apartment. Plus you need extra internet for your business. And famous Boracay. Great vlog. Subscribed.
back in the 80's,before Boracay really became popular, the go to place here would have been in Batangas (nasugbu area) or mindoro (puero galera). While the beach isnt as nice as Boracay, the sand is fine and white. Nasugbu should be very near Tagaytay (30 mins away or so. Tagaytay is one of the colder places here near Manila. You can get a cheaper place there ( electricity shouldnt be a problem and would save a lot of money since you wont be using ac a lot.) Plus English & Tagalog are the 2 main languages that people here use.
Eventually,your expenses will go down when you know how to adjust..this just an adjustment period so good luck..
Grabeh naman yung electricity 💡 10, 155 pesos woah magdamagan siguro ang aircon kaya ganyan kalaki ung kuryente..
here in manila/near manila you can get 100Mbps upload and download speed in just 1500 pesos
Wow I wish!
To save money with transportation, you can buy a motor cycle (Scooter) around 76,000pesos. You don't have to pay for transportation plus it's an investment while you're there in boracay.
We are looking into it :)
Hey!new subscriber and fan here,filipina but living in Sweden😊
Hello!! Thank you
ACU and Automatic Defrost refs consumes a lot of electricity
i think you need to talk to ùr Landlord and suggest it to them that if its possible to put/install ontop of the ceiling a insulation, so that the heat from galvanised roof will not 100% go inside of the house, how’s that? i’m a Noypi too living here in Ontario but can’t w8 2 go back home🇵🇭..
Our internet cost is P2, 000 ($40) PLDTFIBER 100mbps from Manila. Its super fast.
Thanks for sharing your budget. Oh yes the Philippines you get far more for your money. And a better quality of life even compared to the US. $1,000 a month is not livable in the US.
Interesting list. I have a house on Cebu Island, so there is no rent. My electricity bill is 1500 Peso as we built the house in a way which does not require Aircon. My Internet is around 1500 Peso. We have a caretaker/helper/cook in one relyable person and still the cost is less than half. If you stay really long time, a self built house ist worth it. Of course it lacks flexibility.
We are planning to look seriously around Cebu for a similar situation maybe next year when our lease is up
Even here in manila the internet connection is terrible. I'm working at home there so many times it's being cut off
Just starting to watch your blogs since yesterday while quarantining in my own house here in Orlando Florida. ( nice Florida shirt you’re wearing). My name is Rene recently retired hoping soon to relocate back to my native land the Philippines. You guys are fun to watch. May be we would meet some day.
Sounds great! We were just there in December for Christmas
When I lived in Philippines for 14 months, I used to pay 6K in electricity and 2K in a fast Internet a month, I also travel at least once a month for a week, so same as you I guess, but I had someone staying at my place so is like I was there all the time.
So 15K for electricity and internet is a lot, you probably stay at home most of the time. Boracay is beautiful, alot of places to visit, do and discover, you should go out more often. When I was there for 2 weeks I never stayed at my place, only to sleep I guess.
Once you meet more people and have more friends you will spend less time at home and your bill will go down, specially the electricity (air cond) bill.
Welcome to our Home sweet home🌴 Island of Boracay
Do solar, I guess it will help ur electricity bill to reduce
You are so young. Our expenses in San Ildefonso are electricity, internet, food and our three motorcycles maintenance. Ever think about buying a lot and putting a house on it? This might be out of your comfort zone but here goes; real estate. I am not talking about a big home. There is a lot of money in land. Anywhere. They are building the new international airport just west of Mololos. Prices are going through the roof all over. We have some land in Bulacan and it has increased in value 500% in 4 years. I'm sure the land around your home is growing exponentially. Just a thought. Good Luck.
We do plan for that one day yes, excited to be able to do this and Bulacan was a favorite place for her mother too
Install full solar power system that will really help to save 💸💸💸💸...
You will save more in some ways, the more you adapt to the island life. Then you'll be surprised that you can make it for less.
Agree with you it’s not cheap to live in Philippines it’s very expensive there better in Thailand much much cheaper. Sometimes commodities prices same here in California
It can be really cheap to live in the Philippines but we are on one of the famous islands in the country with tourists spots all over, you would have to compare it with the top spot in Thailand or anywhere else to determine
very helpful and nice video. thank you
Put solar pannel to lessens your electric bills
Soon as we have our own place we will, this is just a one year rental
Starling should be available in the Phillipines by now., Might want to look into it. Would be faster for the same price.
The start up costs for Starlink is about $500 usd isn't it? And the upload speeds on it are not great. I could be wrong but I think I read 20mbs max upload?
@@BiancaBeyond Just looked it up....your right...upload is an average of around 25. Nevermind 😉
@@happyguy7836 25 is great if only one of us is uploading at a time. So for most it's great
*_You forgot one item in your budget: Living in Paradise Called Boracay = Priceless!_* 😎😎😎😎
Hahah yes!
Sounds like you’ll save money when you move from Boracay, especially the electric bill. But you do get nice breezes being so close to the water. Thank you for these great videos. 😀
No breeze here too many buildings between us and the beach sadly
@@BiancaBeyond Bummer! You’re still in paradise and only a couple blocks from the beach, and your house is gorgeous!
I would prefer siargao or la union. Boracay is too crowded.
Living in the UK, my energy bills (admittedly it’s gas and electric, because apparently I get a discount for combining) is £400 a month. So about $500 or 26k pesos.
So I apologise for not feeling sorry for you and your energy bills! 😄
Great video though - really interesting. You guys have the right idea!
Totally don't feel sad for us but for the Filipinos making $8 a day working long hours trying to pay for it
@@BiancaBeyond oh yeah, I totally get that.
Wow that is expensive... mine is £158 for gas+elec for a 3 bed mid-terrace... and I should be able to halve that... Maybe we our neighbours warm our house by being next door... hahahahaha. Actually I think most of the electricity cost comes from my sons computer.
@@imcaufieldholt yes, must admit I don’t know anyone in my area with the same size property that pays anywhere near the same as me. I think my property is just really poorly insulated. Mind, it doesn’t help that the kids can’t manage to turn a light off…
Concerning the water at Boracay. President Rodrigo Duterte called it a "cesspool" tainted by flowing from hotels and restaurants straight into the sea. How do you deal with it? Does the water at beach taste different?
After he ordered the island shutdown and cleaned up, new rules things are apparently way different here. Bianca did a video on this exact subject :)
Just use 1 AC sparingly... would be good