| The answer to this question begins with a question - | | | | 2. On the moderate level are Davao City (in the |
| what kind of lifestyle do you want? | | | | southern area of Mindanao) and Cebu City in the |
| Do you want to live in the big city of Manila, with all | | | | central area of the country. Housing in these areas |
| the hub bub, congestion, night life and congestion? Or | | | | will tend to run between $300 and $900 on the high |
| would you prefer a mid-size city such as Cebu City | | | | end. |
| or Davao City? Do you prefer a more rural lifestyle, | | | | 3. In the rural areas of Butuan City (northern |
| like in Subic, Butuan, or Dumaguete? Or perhaps a | | | | Mindanao), Cagayan de Oro (north Mindanao), |
| resort lifestyle, such as in Boracay, which arguably | | | | Tacloban (Leyte), or Dumaguete (Negros Oriental) |
| has the most beautiful beach in the world? | | | | housing will cost you between $200 to $700. |
| Regardless of which location, you will find that it will | | | | Other living costs, such as electricity, telephone, cable |
| cost you about one-fourth to one-fifth of what it | | | | TV, medical/dental, groceries, eating out and |
| would cost you for the same lifestyle in the Western | | | | entertainment, household, maids personal care and |
| world. In the Philippines, on a modest monthly pension | | | | other miscellaneous expenses are pretty much the |
| or annuity of between $1,000 to $2,000 you can find | | | | same regardless of which part of the country one |
| a location to fit your budget and find youself.o | | | | resides. Taxis and public transportation are readily |
| Retiring twice as rich and five times happiero | | | | available and cheap, so you may not wish to |
| Escaping those cold US Winterso Escaping the | | | | purchase a vehicle and therefore not have the need |
| rat-race America and the UK have becomeo With 2 | | | | for a driver. However, should you wish to purchase a |
| maids and a drivero Not running out of money before | | | | vehicle and have a driver, that would cost you from |
| you run out of montho Living healthier with less | | | | $60 to $100 monthly for the driver, repairs, and fuel. |
| stresso Living with a beautiful and exotic Filipina ladyo | | | | One of the beautiful things about the Philippines is |
| Starting your own businesso Traveling and making life | | | | you can truly design you life to fit you income |
| one big adventureo Being financially free | | | | budget. There are many happy Expat retirees in the |
| As in the Western world, your single biggest expense | | | | Philippines living on monthly incomes in the $800 to |
| in the Philippines will be housing, and that cost varies | | | | $1,000 range. Of course, there are others who have |
| tremendously depending on which city you chose to | | | | chosen to supplement their pensions with a business |
| reside, and the type of dwelling you chose (studio | | | | in the Philippines and are living lavish lives "fit for a |
| apartment, townhouse, high rise condominium, or a | | | | king" on monthly incomes in the $2,000 to $2,500 |
| detached house) and what degree of security you | | | | range. |
| seek. Examples by cost levels are: | | | | The important thing in planning retirement in the |
| 1. On the high end of living cost is Manila, the capital | | | | Philippines is to do your research, based on your |
| of the Philippines. There is a great range of housing | | | | wants, needs and desires, and tie into someone who |
| costs in Manila, but in general one will pay between | | | | has gone before you and can provide you wisdom |
| $500 to $1,500, with $1,500 being in the upscale, | | | | by charting through the minefield alongside you. |
| modern, hip area of Makati. | | | | |