Welcome to the world of Digital Nomads in the Philippines....
AND LET'S START WITH SOME BASICS:
Moving on to the cost of living let me start by saying some survive on as little as US$900.00 a month even today with inflation, $1500.00 as a single person or couple let's you live very comfortably. $2000.00 and you can support a large family.
SO WHAT ARE THE MAJOR EXPENSE ITEMS (in order)
So to summarize housing. It's your choice and yes you can find nice places within a reasonable budget on or very close to the beach. I would also mention Condos, most, have pools and other amenities. A morning swim, back up for coffee and a roll before starting work is not a bad life style. Some other notes of interest. You can own a Condo, you can also Own a house (but not the property it sits on). You can though negotiate a 99 year lease for the property or whatever. We also suggest you speak to an owner directly. An agent often prices the property much higher than the owner is asking because they typically get the first month's rent as their commission. WE DON'T...we let you pick what you would like to see and then we put a plan together (more on this in person) but trust me it can save you A LOT. You do not need to pay “foreigner” prices.
OTHER EXPENSES:
I think this covers most of the questions you might have. And that brings us to how we earn a living. In short we are happy to help you with almost anything, from finding a place to live, getting you at least semi-familiar with the culture, introducing you to the sites and sounds of where you live and just chatting about whatever, answering your questions. We absolutely recommend a meet and greet. That is meeting you at the airport, getting you to your hotel and finding the closest place that will accept your credit card and then, over coffee or a beer, answering even more questions and / or accompanying you around town.
AND LET'S START WITH SOME BASICS:
- First and most important is almost everywhere we have fast Internet service, 150 MBPS is standard with our carriers..
- We here run 4 computers at the same time with music and even videos playing....no slow down and we have had up to 6, also no problem.
- Both wireless and Ethernet cable work equally well (in the house)..
- Does the internet go down? Very very rarely....but power (brown outs) do happen. What's the frequency? Perhaps once a month worst case for a half day unless there is a storm local to your location and then it could be longer, one to even two days.
- Yes, we have shops that can repair both laptops and desktops very affordably compared to western countries.
- And spare parts plus on line shopping sites that carry every conceivable electronics related item.
- Phone and internet service runs $43.00 per month (our current bill).
- Cell phone coverage exists most places but if you are backpacking on a mountain......probably not.
- Also you would need to buy a load.....a habit that can get expensive.
- Any negatives exist? Yes, server expertise is not abundant and finding knowledgeable trainees or experienced software people can be difficult if you need a particular skill set. Also long distance out of country calls are very expensive thru the local telephones, but we, as you, use a variety of other apps to communicate.
Moving on to the cost of living let me start by saying some survive on as little as US$900.00 a month even today with inflation, $1500.00 as a single person or couple let's you live very comfortably. $2000.00 and you can support a large family.
SO WHAT ARE THE MAJOR EXPENSE ITEMS (in order)
- Food may be your most expensive cost even if you eat like a local (which is actually a pretty healthy diet...fish, veggies and rice predominating) but if single or a couple probably not unless you dine out at middle class and above restaurants or need steak (imported) every other night. And a word on local beef and pork. They are both very very tough (and I mean tough). We solve the problem by pressure cooking both, saving the broth for a soup and using them normally, on the grill, in a curry, etc. For the family of 7 in my household we spend between $400.00 and $450.00 per month. We eat well but then again we are Filipinos, do not make meat our central course and I think I am thrifty AND I have a balcony garden which supplies a lot of our greens (and is very convenient). I buy in bulk and on sale. And yes.....we love ice cream.
- Rent can range from very very cheap (a room with a bathroom, place for a desk and a bed and maybe a small table, gas stove and a little fridge – the latter two you would probably have to buy): cheap means $100 per month or less depending on location plus utilities to luxury places at exorbitant prices. Exorbitant means Overpriced...but don't worry that will not happen if you do some comparative shopping or we are around.
- So what should you pay for rent as a single Nomad? If a condo, 2 bedroom (one for the office) with a view no more than $250.00 per month but shop around a bit (always) and don't sign a long term lease until you have lived here for 6 months....in fact don't even think about buying or renting long term.
- An alternative is a house, in or not in a gated community. These can cost as little as $200.00 per month to a lot more. A potential disadvantage is location....and SHOPPING for food.
So to summarize housing. It's your choice and yes you can find nice places within a reasonable budget on or very close to the beach. I would also mention Condos, most, have pools and other amenities. A morning swim, back up for coffee and a roll before starting work is not a bad life style. Some other notes of interest. You can own a Condo, you can also Own a house (but not the property it sits on). You can though negotiate a 99 year lease for the property or whatever. We also suggest you speak to an owner directly. An agent often prices the property much higher than the owner is asking because they typically get the first month's rent as their commission. WE DON'T...we let you pick what you would like to see and then we put a plan together (more on this in person) but trust me it can save you A LOT. You do not need to pay “foreigner” prices.
OTHER EXPENSES:
- Yes you can get health insurance...it is not terribly expensive and is suggested. Plus there are world class hospitals depending on where you live....but smaller hospitals and clinics almost all over.
- Utilities depend on water usage and electrical consumption. For electrical we can give you some comparative numbers when we meet but fans are much cheaper than AC (did I say much..let me say it again, MUCH!)..and if planing on living in a fully air-conditioned place your electrical bill can go up 400% or MORE. Water, if you have veggies in pots on a patio or balcony (or land if you have a house) can be almost free plus it reduces trips to the market for “fresh”.
- Bottled water is inexpensive (used for cooking and drinking) and delivered to your door step, but of all the places I have lived I have not bought bottled water. Here's why. If it comes from a local water company outside a city it is most likely well water. And while I tested the first two places I lived, I did not after that – no ill effects. City water though I would check for the simple reasons, it may come from a reservoir, pipes may be damaged and so on. But getting the water checked is not expensive and there is more than a reasonable chance it's good. Final note: IT IS NO FUN LUGGING 5 Gallon jugs of water to inside the house..
- Another expense is immigration and the least expensive, which is recommended initially, is to use a tourist visa. They are good for 6 months, renewable until 3 years have passed, at which time you need to leave the country (overnight to Singapore as an example) and come back in (starting another 3 year cycle). The every 6 month cost is $140.00 roughly (and there are some other charges).
- Transport consist of jeepneys, electric buses, tricycles and motorcycles (you ride in back) within a city.
- They are not expensive and you can ask someone on the street how much to go from A to B. Do ask by the way as tricycle and motorcycle drivers may charge a very high price if you are a foreigner. If they do, and you know the price, you might want to familiarize your self with, “you my friend, are a thief” and walk away. Google translate will give you the translation....and it helps stop minor corruption. Taxi's for one can be a bit expensive but if 3 or more of you it's a lot more comfortable than a jeepney as an example and not terribly expensive. BUT odds are it will not get you there faster if traveling inside a city. Traffic, particularly, at the work rush hours, is or can be daunting.
- Big buses and ferries also exist (and buses even go on the ferries). They are not expensive assuming you are going somewhere reasonably close. If a long trip; more than an hour, or so do yourself a favor and get a bus with air conditioning.
- Corruption can also be an unanticipated expense. Here is the simple rule.....give me what I bought and I will pay you. NO ADVANCES EVER. And please do not sign agreements without letting us or a lawyer check it first. Lawyers are expensive. We are not.
- To buy a car or motorcycle or not? Wait until you know where you will be living then decide (and ask us for a recommendation if you like. (There is a reason you will find out later if you don't.)
- Kitchen appliances you can bring with you but if not 220V I personally would not. Appliances here can be okay (but frankly most are not and last a lot less time than what you might buy in your own country). Why? Personally I am convinced that China sends goods either poorly made or designed to fail early.
- Clothing is inexpensive and we have commented on this under TIPS in another section of the site.
- Medications are available, some which would require a prescription in your country are over the counter here.....and vice versa. Drug stores are everywhere.....prices are okay but high compared to some other countries.
- Big note: Housing cost as well as many of the above costs can vary based on where you choose to live. This depends on what lifestyle you want.
I think this covers most of the questions you might have. And that brings us to how we earn a living. In short we are happy to help you with almost anything, from finding a place to live, getting you at least semi-familiar with the culture, introducing you to the sites and sounds of where you live and just chatting about whatever, answering your questions. We absolutely recommend a meet and greet. That is meeting you at the airport, getting you to your hotel and finding the closest place that will accept your credit card and then, over coffee or a beer, answering even more questions and / or accompanying you around town.