Retired in Philippines 800 USD Month Interview

Vagabond Awake

๐Ÿ“Œ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—œ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—œ๐—ป ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—”๐—ฏ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐—ฉ๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ผ:
https://vagabondbuddha.com/800-month-usd-cost-to-live-in-philippines/
๐Ÿ– ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฑ๐˜„๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ:
https://vagabondbuddha.com/

๐•๐€๐†๐€๐๐Ž๐๐ƒ ๐€๐–๐€๐Š๐„ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐›๐ž ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ง๐ž๐ฅ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐•๐š๐ ๐š๐›๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ก๐š.๐œ๐จ๐ฆ

Facebook Page for Vagabond Buddha:
https://www.facebook.com/vagabondbuddha/

๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป ๐๐‹๐„๐€๐’๐„ ๐’๐”๐๐‚๐‘๐ˆ๐๐„ ๐“๐Ž ๐๐ˆ๐€๐๐† ๐‚๐‡๐€๐๐๐„๐‹๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป

๐Ÿ’๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ ๐‡๐Ž๐๐Ž ๐•๐„๐๐“๐”๐‘๐„๐’ – ๐๐ˆ๐€๐๐† ๐‡๐”๐ˆ
ใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธ
๐Ÿ“น ๐™”๐™Š๐™๐™๐™๐˜ฝ๐™€ ๐˜พ๐™ƒ๐˜ผ๐™‰๐™‰๐™€๐™‡: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXq0ZRIyR3eX9OhTrNHisA
๐Ÿ“Œ ๐˜ฝ๐™‡๐™Š๐™‚ : https://hoboventures.com/
๐Ÿคณ๐™„๐™‰๐™Ž๐™๐˜ผ๐™‚๐™๐˜ผ๐™ˆ : https://www.instagram.com/qianghui
๐Ÿงถ ๐™๐˜ผ๐˜พ๐™€๐˜ฝ๐™Š๐™Š๐™† ๐™‹๐˜ผ๐™‚๐™€: https://www.facebook.com/qianghui.hoboventures/

๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐’‡๐’๐’๐’๐’๐’˜๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’๐’Š๐’๐’Œ๐’” ๐’˜๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’„๐’๐’”๐’• ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’๐’๐’•๐’‰๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’†๐’™๐’•๐’“๐’‚ ๐’ƒ๐’–๐’• ๐’˜๐’† ๐’˜๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’†๐’‚๐’“๐’ ๐’–๐’” ๐’‚ ๐’”๐’Ž๐’‚๐’๐’ ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’Ž๐’Š๐’”๐’”๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’•๐’ ๐’‰๐’†๐’๐’‘ ๐’–๐’” ๐’Œ๐’†๐’†๐’‘ ๐’•๐’“๐’‚๐’—๐’†๐’๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’˜๐’“๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’•๐’“๐’‚๐’—๐’†๐’ ๐’ˆ๐’–๐’Š๐’…๐’†๐’”.

โœˆ๏ธ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜ ๐—™๐—น๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜๐˜€ ๐—”๐—ป๐˜†๐˜„๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—œ๐—ป ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฑ:
https://vagabondbuddha.com/Skyscanner

๐Ÿ› ๐—”๐—ฐ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—”๐—ป๐˜†๐˜„๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—œ๐—ป ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฑ:
Booking: https://vagabondbuddha.com/booking
Hotelscombined: https://vagabondbuddha.com/hotelscombined

๐ŸฅŠ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ ๐—ง๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฑ๐˜„๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ:
Getyourguide: https://vagabondbuddha.com/getyourguide
Viator Tours: https://vagabondbuddha.com/viator

๐‘ป๐’‰๐’‚๐’๐’Œ ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’‡๐’๐’“ ๐’˜๐’‚๐’•๐’„๐’‰๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ,
๐‘ซ๐’‚๐’

๐—–๐—ข๐—ก๐—ง๐—”๐—–๐—ง ๐——๐—”๐—ก : https://vagabondbuddha.com/contact/

๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง ๐— ๐—ข๐— ๐—˜๐—ก๐—ง ๐—”๐—ช๐—”๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ก๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—ฆ ๐—ฉ๐—œ๐——๐—˜๐—ข๐—ฆ
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAVbRUbuq1ZekZoOfUZzesw/videos

112 comments

  1. ๐Ÿ“Œ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—œ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—œ๐—ป ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—”๐—ฏ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐—ฉ๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ผ:
    https://vagabondbuddha.com/800-month-usd-cost-to-live-in-philippines/
    ๐Ÿ– ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฑ๐˜„๐—ถ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ:
    https://vagabondbuddha.com/

    1. I think you may be right That Guy. General tourism might stay closer to home for the first few years. But with many retirement nest eggs taking a beating in the stock markets, retiree’s masy show up a little sooner to reduce their cost of living to coincide with their remaining assets? Best, Dan

    3. Hard to argue with that logic. So far so good. It is a big world though. I have 50 retire cheap recommendations. So many to choose from. I like them all soi will keep moving on. As soon as the quarantine lifts, we are headed to explore more of the Philippines. It took Thailand 25 years to become less friendly to expats.

    5. @Dennis Hassler I agree, I just heard about Thailand becoming more expensive and retirement visas being changed from favorable to the expat to not as friendly as it once was, just my 2 cents respectfully

  4. Thank you for the perspective on the Philippines. I appreciate your comments. I think 800 USD is about right for living there making it one of the cheapest places to live and, also, it has amazing scenery and outstanding people along with the English language. Yes, it can be even cheaper according to the interview, but many places can be cheaper, too, once you live the way locals live. The one issue for many is the huge distance to and from the Philippines – travel can be more expensive. Certainly, it can be a bit primitive when living further out in the cheaper areas. My take is it’s very interesting to be part of the local culture and learn from others another way of life. Some travelers are going in groups or cruses – it’s so much more inspiring to enjoy the locals and gain insight into their culture. My brother enjoys Dumaguete and it’s inspiring he fell into an excellent place in the Philippines !!!

    1. Well said Dennis. The closer you get to the the rhythms of life in the world the more you understand and learn about the world outside you present view. And the closer you get to the local budget. There is little incentive to leave home if you try to recreate your past in the future. Education and wisdom comes from embracing the unknown.

    3. Mark below got it right. It is san carlos in negros occidental. Everything is in the notes. Just click “More Information” below the video. Thanks for asking Von. Best, Dan

  6. Dan did you take the close shot of that Sea snake yourself? You do know it’s a very poisonous one right? I mean they are not agressive but still would keep good distance ๐Ÿ˜Ž

    1. Thanks for the tip Von. I am with you on this one. I didn’t know if it was poisonous or not when I saw it. But I follow a rule when I am in nature, don’t touch anything beautiful unless you know for sure it is safe, especially colorful reptiles. It was the hometown snorkeling tour guide that took the GoPro from Qiang and got that shot. Thanks for teaching us about the danger, Best, Dan

    1. That has been my favorite part about giving up on the “things” life and embracing the “experiences” life, Gwai. There is nothing around me to maintain or protect other than Qiang and my peace of mind. Best, Dan

    1. Thanks Guy. I knew you guys would love it when I heard the data he was sharing. Talk about hope for people at a time when retirement assets are dropping. Loved it. Thanks for commenting! Best, Dan

    1. Your wish is my command Ellan. Look for it early next week. I’ll play the second half of the phone call and I’ll bet when Calvin hears the call he may remember other things he wants to share with you about his the last decade in the n the Philippines. Thanks for the great idea and for commenting. Best, Dan

  12. Didn’t even watch your video as your title inscription caught my eye. 800.00 dollars living in the Philippines? Rest assured, you are only existing and not living. Maybe in your video you have a better explanation but the title caught my eye. I lived in the PI in 2000 on 1800.00 US a month and I wasn’t living it up to no means. Of course, I take into consideration that the dollar to piso rate was less at the time.

    2. @Calvin Roach Criteria I set forth??? Are you faulting me because I prepare ahead of time? My friend, I worked 45 years with 3 nice pensions! What did you do? Nothing was given to me!

    3. @JJason406 Didn’t say it did, did I. I put it to you this way. I’m fully insured and my health insurance is excepted at many Philippine hospitals with me paying 25% of the bill upon discharge and they will file the claim. You can choose to live on anything you want. If $1000 a month works for you so be it! Thank God we are not all the same! My choice will be to live on 2 to 3k a month and save 1 to 1.5k a month into savings. That’s US dollars! Whatever works for you!

    4. @Calvin Roach Misery!!! You are totally hilarious because you know absolutely nothing about me. Your misery my friend is looking in the mirror. Your misery is hidden in plain sight.

    5. @Calvin Roach That’s totally up to you if you want to concentrate on living in the moment. My vision lets me see into the future so I can be prepared for that future event if the need arises. Heard the ole saying, better safe than sorry. You do what’s you think is right for you and I will do what I know is right for me. It’s quite obvious we come from different backgrounds and opposite sides of the tracks.

    1. I felt the same way Gianni. Big help hearing the numbers. Better yet, the rhythm of life in the Philippines that comes through his voice and tone. Best, Dan

  15. Thanks for the interview Dan. I hope by sharing my limited knowledge about living in the Philippines it may help others who are thinking of coming this way. Iโ€™m a big fan by the way. Youโ€™re a classy guy, no T&A in your videos but good information. Take care!

    3. @Calvin Roach lol, I can believe that. Stay safe my friend. 90% fine there but 10% of the time…..oooo lord, careful. We foreigner stick out too much there and some there have extreme views that don’t mix with us being safe there imho.

    4. Inspired Retired Expat I was visiting family and got stuck here when the quarantine started. Zamboanga is one of my least favorite places to visit in the Philippines.

    5. Good info. Thanks for sharing. I was stationed in Zambo for 6 months in 2007…. not sure I would visit there but hey, to each their own. Keep safe and appreciate you sharing. Thank you for your service

    1. @Vagabond Awake No, I just rely with the other peoples success of having a simple business and they become successful business owners in the Philippines.

  17. Take a consideration of cost of hospitalization or just a visit to any doctor is much cheaper than the American and European country even if you do not have health insurance they will accept you. If you prefer to have one it is up to you.

    1. I just pay as I go with doctors. Its cheaper than premiums alone in the USA. I paid a friends doctors bills in Thailand once. 3 days in the best hospital in the country, two doctors, 2 MRIs, IV drips, food, nurses, room, everything … $3600 USD. It would have cost $30,000 in the USA. The $3600 was less than the deductible in the USA if she had gotten sick . in the USA … and that doesn’t include the $500 per month should would have been paying in the USA.

  20. I LIVE ON SIQUIJOR ISLAND AND HAVE FOR 4 YEARS. I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL OCEAN FRONT BEACH HOME AND A NEW HOME IN VALENCIA.
    LIFE HERE IS REALLY CHEAP BUT YOU HAVE TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.
    YOU WOULD REALLY NEED AT LEAST $1,000 A MONTH TO LIVE COMFORTABLY.
    YOU CAN LIVE ON LESS IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN DUMAQUETE.
    IF YOU GET SICK YOU ARE IN TROUBLE.

  22. The feedback i get from expats other than what you discussed , is health, at a certain age, do you need your own health insurance or can you get insured locally , regards

  23. Your channel is great. Very informative. I’m from Ohio and I have traveled a lot southeast Asian and latin but it’s time to visit the Philippines soon.

  24. I lived on Palawan for the best part of 3 years. $800 USD a month. Yes,it can be done,but you have to be very frugal and watch every peso. I left and returned to Canada for several reasons. One of which was the poor quality of food. Fish and rice palls after awhile. Go ahead and try it,but be prepared for a few eye openers. I have also lived in Chiang Mai Thailand. English is not as widely understood as the Philippines,but the food is far superior. I also found Chiang Mai generally safer and the corruption is not “in your face” nearly as much.

    1. @Calvin Roach Hi Cal, my time in the Philippines is pretty limited about 4 months. Once 8 years ago to meet my wife and just returned recently. I spent most of my time in Palawan because the first time I was there i fell in love the beautiful nature. I did visit Mindanao where my wife was born and i do believe it would be the least expensive….I understand the diversity, i plan on coming next february and will check out Visayas. I would love to move to PH but my main concern is saftey because i do not want to live in city limits but in the mountains. My wife thinks it could be dangerous for me…and i think she is probably correct. If she had relatives around where i would live it would ease my concern but that’s not the case. I’m not trying to live on $800 a month $1500-$2000 i can afford. I live simply but buy the best foods. I’m thinking i could have one worker and when i’m not around maybe they could watch my place but as you well know that could go south. I love the Filipinos in general and feel more happy there than in US although i have it good here in the Ozarks where i live, very peaceful and no one bothers us. When i’m in the PH i do spend most of my time near and on the ocean…i’d love to find a quiet seaside village but it seems to me all the really nice ones are being discovered and then the tourists come….Also i want to go to Batanes but i know the weather there is much different. Take good care the Philippines is always in my thoughts.

    2. joe bruhin which Philippines? Luzon? Visayas? Mindanao? One thing that I love about the Philippines is its diversity. Not trying to be a smart ass but those 3 regions are as different as night and day, even the language. $800 will go alot further in Mindanao as opposed to Luzon. Thanks for your info sir.

    3. Thanks for sharing your ideas everyone. I am also a big fan of Chiang Mai. I look forwarde to seeing Palawan once the lockdown is lifted. Best, Dan

    4. @Calvin Roach I built my on house more than 30 years ago in the Ozarks on 40 acres…I can get by on $800 a month but since i remarried $1500 is better….I really think for me the money would be the same in the Philippines as USA….also i really think most places in the Philippines his changing…my filipino wife thought so after being away for 7 years. I would love to move there but with times being as there are now i don’t think it is a good idea for me…if this were back in the 60’s or even the year 2000 i’d be there now, no question. For me the Philippines is a wonder vibe but you do have too careful.

    5. @David Giles I was in Port Barton in February and i liked it there very much …i may go back there and look around a few miles outside town limits. If Port Barton was like it was 10 years ago i may never have left. A lot of bars there now and it can get pretty loud.

  25. Where we often go in Mexico, expats are very welcomed. I think that will continue longer term. Often, expats contribute to the local economy AND tourism might be 1/3 of the economic activity in the overall community – many would not even have jobs without the tourism. Moreover, the virus caused a huge drop in the tourism so businesses and the overall economy is suffering a huge consequence. This drives home how important tourism is; thus, when living there I really feel welcomed and I’m very uplifting for local people, too, so (if anything) I’m very welcomed in that country and probabley more appreciated than I would be at home – I always feel like I’m higher class appreciated given we have more disposable income than most locals.

  26. Yes, and I agree that Filipinos do not hate you because of the color of your skin as a black person imho. Same same in Thailand imho.

  31. With only 800 a month in any major city there in the Philippines apartments are 500 us dollars plus electricity over 10 yrs ago. If you can survive and live in a rural area is the only way anyone can survive on that amount.

    1. Thanks for the data point Target. Big cities cost more. No doubt about it. If you are trying to stay below 1000 USD in a larger city, you may want to get a 2 or 3 bedroom and get a roommate or two.

    1. Thanks for commenting. It helps our business. Qiang is just living her life. She is not trying to manage everyday life and appearance. She is not so self-conscious. Have a great day. Dan

    1. People may laugh, but I was told by a guy in Thailand that $1500 a month is what he pays for woman. Any less and he would be getting lady boys. Such an odd way to view humanity. You only need one great love. The rest is hurdling cattle. Not my thing.

    2. Aaron Soken not smart to be over here negotiating. Let your filipina do that. But that would probably only affect your rent some because thereโ€™s no foreigner price for utilities. Its old news that you can live pretty good here for $1000/month. For some that will only pay their bar bill but for me Iโ€™m able to save almost $1000 every month.

  40. If you know how to manage your money you can survive in the Philippines here in the U.S if your social security money only one thousand dollars itโ€™s not enough especially here in New York

    1. So true Nelly I have been to a few cheap areas in the USA, but I wouldn’t want to live in those areas. Your comments help our business grow, so thanks! Dan

  41. I’m a Filipino living in US for almost 20 years and me and my wife always have plans to go back and retire in Philippines. We already did the math long time ago and you can really live off of $800USD a month in the Philippines (outside Manila) and will still have extra money in your pocket. You need to consider the health system though like hospitals, etc. Cebu has good hospitals around but other places you will need to do your research.

    2. Doug Gardner my rent is 140 USD, electricity is another 20 and water is 3. Add the 400 for food and you get $563 USD. Add in about 30 each month for immigration another 30 for transportation costs and 11 for cable. Now Iโ€™m at $634 for my needs. Leaves me $366 for wants which is a middle class salary. Anymore questions ๐Ÿค”

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