Hi Guys,

Thought I'd make a thread on this as frequently you always come across posts from Single men, or Men who have a Filipina gf/wife and want to move over to the PH.

I'm curious to know what is the least salary/income you would want to survive on living in Manila,

Personally I am earning $70,000 php per month then after tax its $60,000, I live alone in a relatively nice condo, life is pretty tight at the moment and I feel I need to be earning at least an extra 20,000 php monthly to be comfortable.

I'm living alone btw

Kind regards

It would help to see a list of your current outgoings.

I'm no expert on living costs in Manila but 60k a month amounts to around $1250. After rent, utility costs, food, transport, health insurance etc how much do you have left over for fun, toys, and travel?

I'm guessing not very much. Also, don't know about your age but what about pension contributions or savings for the future?

I'm going to stick my neck out here, but if you're over 28 and under 55 you're wasting your time. You're wasting your best working years for peanuts. Don't stay too long.

60,00hp a month for a single person is more than adequate in the provinces. Depending on how much you are paying for your condo In Manila is the main aspect of whether your income is enough. Most condos are reasonable, however if it is in an upmarket area then I would imagine the rent is very high for your income.Electric, utility, and transport costs would eat into your budget. If you eat out or buy foreigner food it would again eat into your budget. Your 60,000php is an existence salary, but certainly would not allow you much in the way of luxuries.
We live in the provinces and our budget for 2 works out, for one month, food 20-23k, electric 3k (we have solar power) internet/TV, 1.65k, water 350,
car expenses 5k, medicines 1.1 k, sub- division dues 1.2k. annual property tax 750php.
We own our house so no rent. Our eating out, alcohol, cigs are another expense. Holidays, any medical bills ( can be expensive) family donations , maintenance etc. are other expenses.
Obviously the need for extensive savings is a must, you never know what emergency or otherwise may become apparent. I would not advice anyone to retire in the Philippines unless they have a good pension and a six figure sum . Working here, forget it unless you have a high powered job and most of your expenses are met by your employer.