Philippine Residency and/or Permanent Visa

[Sam 14]

<Snip> I would be interested to see what they would cut out / down and what that would mean for lifestyle. <Snip>

One thing they cut out is the ability to travel in and out of the country. And in an emergency they cut out their visa extensions. And then when things get really rough, like that medical thing you mentioned, allot become economic refugees. They're stuck in the country. Hopelessly overstayed visas. If they don't have good friends or family back home, no one else gives a shit. They just drink themselves to death, or otherwise die in the filthy street. Happens all the time in Phil and everywhere else.

[Dg8787]

I have fiqured it would take $3,500 to $4,000 per month for me to be comfortable in Philippines. That is not taking in to account additional travel expenses or medical costs. This would only be a decent lifestyle with part-time liveout housecleaner / cook.

[Dg8787]

I heard from USA Embassy man that there are 300,000 retirees in Phillippines. 200,000 in the surrounding Cebu reporting area. What is interesting is major companies are building quite a few retirement and / or assisted living homes in the Cebu area. I am guessing the monthly costs are $1,500 plus or minus.

The other interesting thing is when I deplane in Manila from my flight from USA there are about a dozen wheelchairs and handlers waiting. Also there is a special immigration line for the wheelchairs. The people in the wheelchairs are 80+ yo Americans. I assumed they are headed for assisted living care facilities in the Philippines. Just an assumption on my part.

[Asian Rain]

Really interesting to get that breakdown Huts. That's reality. For the guy who is going to live on half of that, I would be interested to see what they would cut out / down and what that would mean for lifestyle. Although it seems a million years from now, I have begun to ponder retirement and the lifestyle I would want to have. The "others" you mention at the end would add on quite a bit depending on personal lifestyle (e. G. Mongering habits, car, maid) and practical fate (e. G. Medical problems). And most guys who seem to be budgeting for far away retirement based on today's prices haven't factored in any concept of inflation. A venti latte won't cost the same 5 years from now.

Agree a million percent on one aspect: better to overestimate. I wouldn't want to find myself having taken a one-way ticket to the Duma Retirement Village at 65 only to find out that I have to make a daily choice between paying for aircon, paying for viagra or having clean shirts.

Really appreciate any other insights you might have on the cost of living elements. Enjoy the Philippines, AsianRain.

You would have to live frugally I think. And that ain't living.

My approximate per month costs in Makati / Pasay.

Rental of furnished 1 BR condo inclusive of association fees, cable TV and Internet: p25,000.
Electricity: p5000 (This could be cut a lot by turning off the AC).
Groceries: p16,000 (I don't dine out too often).
Mobile: p300.
Transportation: p4000 (Taxis for night-time outings at p250 roundtrip + whatevs).
Movies: p2500 (Two tickets 4 times a month plus snacks).
Partying: p18,000 (Nightclub and 1-2 bars at p3000 once a week and cheaper outings other nights).
Dining out: p6000 (Dinner for two at p1500 once a week. On occasion special dinners, ex. B-day, Xmas at p4000-p6000).
Laundry + Ironing: p3000 (Most of my laundry is done at home. This is for washing large items and pressing of shirts and trousers).
Dating site membership: p1000.
Incidentals: p15,000 (I reckon p200 per day. Some days I spend nothing, other days it'll be more. A venti latte w / 2 extra shots of espresso is p200.)

Many of the costs are a bit high, but I'd rather over estimate costs and come in under budget than underestimate them and be screwed.

That's about p100,000 which is approx. U$2250. You'll note I haven't included any other costs such as travel to other cities, sport fees, shopping, gifts, etc. Visa fees depend where you're from and at which 2-month period you are at your stay. And as others note, health insurance and medical fees / prescriptions. I don't have a maid. I don't have a car.

I'm sure I've forgotten many things.

[Sam 14]

Other than basic fruits and vegetables, You're going to find healthy food ranging from hard to impossible to find in many places. So if you want to postpone those hospital visits, you probably want vitamins.

A single low quality 1,000 mg vitamin C starts at 4 pesos each if you can still find it in those small "Health" booths in the malls. At the GNC's you can find more things, but the price tag might give you a heart attack. The point is if you have an interest in anything more than very basic supplements, you're going to have to import them. If you keep your order under $150 USD, you won't get hit with a big tariff, just p100. So there's a couple hundred a month right there because shipping is going to run $60-$70. You can find a US company that uses USPS, and that transfers to PhilPost once it hits Manila. It sits there for a good week, so you'll probably see it in 2-3 weeks time.

Same goes for medicine, expensive. You're going to want a line on that too if you need it. And don't be surprised if the local pharmacy never even heard of what you're looking for.

[Hutsori]

I saw this article on Yahoo today and wanted to get other's opinions on it:

http://www.investopedia.com/articles...00-savings.asp

What do you mongers think, is this doable with $200 K? The article says that will last 14 years, assuming you live on $1200 a month. Having said that, the article doesn't seem to take in to account inflation, or if the dollar weakens.

I'm in my mid-30's, so this doesn't apply to my age group, but I can dream, can't I?

You would have to live frugally I think. And that ain't living.

My approximate per month costs in Makati / Pasay.

Rental of furnished 1 BR condo inclusive of association fees, cable TV and Internet: p25,000.
Electricity: p5000 (This could be cut a lot by turning off the AC).
Groceries: p16,000 (I don't dine out too often).
Mobile: p300.
Transportation: p4000 (Taxis for night-time outings at p250 roundtrip + whatevs).
Movies: p2500 (Two tickets 4 times a month plus snacks).
Partying: p18,000 (Nightclub and 1-2 bars at p3000 once a week and cheaper outings other nights).
Dining out: p6000 (Dinner for two at p1500 once a week. On occasion special dinners, ex. B-day, Xmas at p4000-p6000).
Laundry + Ironing: p3000 (Most of my laundry is done at home. This is for washing large items and pressing of shirts and trousers).
Dating site membership: p1000.
Incidentals: p15,000 (I reckon p200 per day. Some days I spend nothing, other days it'll be more. A venti latte w / 2 extra shots of espresso is p200.)

Many of the costs are a bit high, but I'd rather over estimate costs and come in under budget than underestimate them and be screwed.

That's about p100,000 which is approx. U$2250. You'll note I haven't included any other costs such as travel to other cities, sport fees, shopping, gifts, etc. Visa fees depend where you're from and at which 2-month period you are at your stay. And as others note, health insurance and medical fees / prescriptions. I don't have a maid. I don't have a car.

I'm sure I've forgotten many things.

[Wicked Roger]

I agree 100% with RK's comments, the truth of which were brought home to me profoundly over the past 3 weeks. I was fortunate to have been able to access very good health services at both Makati Med and Davao Doctors Hospital, and also fortunate to have health insurance that covers me wherever I am in the world. As I age, this is becoming an ever more critical consideration.

GE.

A very good friend had a huge stroke in Makati 2 months ago, he fell on the street but the taxi driver was smart enough to take Hi to Makati Medical. There he received first class treatment and as he lives in Ortigas can access good physio. He was lucky to survive but is a fighter.

While he has insurance, the cost per day in the ICU unit was around 10-12 k PHP and on top were medicines, physio etc. He was there for 2 weeks just to stabilize his system. Think of the huge bill without insurance.

He is also a very nawty monger and his greatest concern was when and how he could shag. He asked the neurologist directly and received an equally direct answer LOL.

[FreebieFan]

I need to live somewhere that I can get a competent doctor who, in the event of an unexpected life emergency, can give me sufficient life support to allow me to be transferred to a top-class medical facility. There are several placed sporadically in the country (Manila, Cebu and Davao), but nowhere else.

It may be the health factor that ends up sucking up the full budget of any retiree who is not covered by adequate health insurance.

Totally understandable comments and totally correct. The reirement life looks great but access to first class, not third world class medical care can be the difference between a good few years or no few years. Bupa is expensive and worth every penny / cent / centavo as it covers and gives you access to a excellent care all around the world. Blue Cross, is a good Philippines version with no many places able to direct bill so no need for forms and lengthy waits for re-imbursements. PhilHealth which many retiress by virtue balikbayan or retiree visa 13 A etc status will grant you for a small monthly sum, will also give you what you pay for. And that in a nutshell is what medical insurance is. Something that you get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get. Save well potential retirees as medical insurance os going to be a bigger worry than the price of electricity or san mig or bar fines.

[GoodEnough]

The big "elephant in the room" is the level of health care insurance one has, and whether there is any reasonable health care facility close to where a person decides to live.

As I get older, this factor seems to concern me more than anything else.

I need to live somewhere that I can get a competent doctor who, in the event of an unexpected life emergency, can give me sufficient life support to allow me to be transferred to a top-class medical facility. There are several placed sporadically in the country (Manila, Cebu and Davao), but nowhere else.

It may be the health factor that ends up sucking up the full budget of any retiree who is not covered by adequate health insurance.

I agree 100% with RK's comments, the truth of which were brought home to me profoundly over the past 3 weeks. I was fortunate to have been able to access very good health services at both Makati Med and Davao Doctors Hospital, and also fortunate to have health insurance that covers me wherever I am in the world. As I age, this is becoming an ever more critical consideration.

GE.

[Red Kilt]

I don't claim any expertise on the cost of living throughout the country. However, my 11 years of living in Davao, coupled with long stretches in metro Manila suggests that living here in any degree of comfort for such a small sum would be almost impossible. I'm sure that life in a small town or village and living the life of a local resident would be feasible for $1,200 but to enjoy any Western amenities, have access to your own transport, and secure decent accommodations would require significantly more.

After living here for 18 years, I agree with GE that $1200 would require frugal living, but I note that he qualified it with ". . enjoy any Western amenities, have access to your own transport, and secure decent accommodations. . ".

I find that when I spend any extended time in my wife's province, I spend around 1/8th of the budget I spend when in Manila so it is probably feasible if you don't hanker after the "western" lifelstyle or want to travel much (especially out of the country).

The big "elephant in the room" is the level of health care insurance one has, and whether there is any reasonable health care facility close to where a person decides to live.

As I get older, this factor seems to concern me more than anything else.

I need to live somewhere that I can get a competent doctor who, in the event of an unexpected life emergency, can give me sufficient life support to allow me to be transferred to a top-class medical facility. There are several placed sporadically in the country (Manila, Cebu and Davao), but nowhere else.

It may be the health factor that ends up sucking up the full budget of any retiree who is not covered by adequate health insurance.

[NTambay]

assuming you live on $1200 a month.

That amount is too small. That is roughly Php 52,800. 00. As the article correctly states, inflation is not accounted for.

GE is right in pointing out that it's insufficient to enjoy a similar Western lifestyle (own vehicle, decent accommodations not prone to floods or near squatter colonies, etc). One of the biggest expenses for any resident in the country is energy, whether gas for your car, electricity for your house and LPG for your stove. Power rates is what cripples the potential of the country.

If you regularly go after the ladies, you need more funds for your war chest.

[GoodEnough]

I saw this article on Yahoo today and wanted to get other's opinions on it:

http://www.investopedia.com/articles...00-savings.asp

What do you mongers think, is this doable with $200 K? The article says that will last 14 years, assuming you live on $1200 a month. Having said that, the article doesn't seem to take in to account inflation, or if the dollar weakens.

I'm in my mid-30's, so this doesn't apply to my age group, but I can dream, can't I?

I don't claim any expertise on the cost of living throughout the country. However, my 11 years of living in Davao, coupled with long stretches in metro Manila suggests that living here in any degree of comfort for such a small sum would be almost impossible. I'm sure that life in a small town or village and living the life of a local resident would be feasible for $1,200 but to enjoy any Western amenities, have access to your own transport, and secure decent accommodations would require significantly more.

GE.

[Ezinho]

I saw this article on Yahoo today and wanted to get other's opinions on it:

http://www.investopedia.com/articles...00-savings.asp

What do you mongers think, is this doable with $200 K? The article says that will last 14 years, assuming you live on $1200 a month. Having said that, the article doesn't seem to take in to account inflation, or if the dollar weakens.

I'm in my mid-30's, so this doesn't apply to my age group, but I can dream, can't I?

[KongKing]

In today's national newspapers there is a full page advertisement by the Bureau of Immigration announcing it's Alien Registration Project (ARP).

"All foreign nationals are required to present themselves before the Bureau of Immigration for biometrics capturing and issuance of Special Security Registration Number (SSRN) 01 October to 30 September 2015. ".

There is a 5-step process with step 1 being to download the application form from www.immigration.gov.ph Step 4 is to pay the necessary fees ranging from 500-700 p depending upon holding of ACR I-card.

From the BI Frequently Asked Questions:

What happens if I do not participate in the ARP? "Liable to arrest and deportation if found in violation of immigration laws".

What happens if I do not participate in the ARP within the compliance period? "Penalty of Php200 per month but not exceeding P2,000 per year".

If I am an illegal foreign national, will I be deported if I participate in the ARP? "No. Those illegally staying will be advised on the process to comply with immigration laws".

Exemptions:

-Those with valid ACR I-Card (except tourist ACR I-Cards).

-Tourist whose stay has not exceeded 59 days.

-"Those who are exempt from registration pursuant to law".

It doesn't specifically say so but I have enquired and found out that if you are here and registered under the Philippines Retirement Authority SRRV Scheme you are also exempt.

KongKing.

[Questor55]

Murphy's Law is always in play in this country."What can go wrong, will go wrong." At least, it's always lurking, ready to bite!