Cost of living in dumaguete? ($860 VA disability pension enough?)

Then rejoice in your achievement and not let comments (they are only WORDS) get to you. There is enough wrong with the world so let us all try to take words in one ear and out the other.

 

Depends on which additional aids you will get in the US if being on low income it could be better to stay in the US or searching a cheaper country. BTW many people even with good salaries have to live in trailers in the US because the rental costs of apartments and houses are exploding especially in the California area.

 

What is your alternative? You can do better on that here than you can in some other places.

I would suggest that if you are in a country where you can get more income then staying there is likely your best choice, unless you have figured out how to make money online. Some do.

 

I think he is in the USA. With all the social assistance money and safety nets available, plus the opportunity to find employment as a disabled citizen where he could build a retirement as Wrye said he really better off to stay there in terms of economics. But his question really was, could he survive here. My opinion is, yes he could live on bananas and coconuts and street food, rent a cheap non-air con room, mostly abstain from beer but drink the cheap 50p poisonous Tanduay, probably have no GF due to lack of $ and live in a place less boring than the USA but very much in trouble if a medical emergency, which is likely.


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Yes, you can live in the provinces of PH with $860, although with all the gummint goodies that are available in da US, it might be easier to stay there, it's a trade off, depends on your standard of living. Visit for a few months and see, although it took us a year to decide to stay. The situation in the US made the decision a bit easier, and note that the next target of the new administration after the middle class is the entitlements and goodies of their supporters .

Dustin, Dustin, Dustin, why are you so cranky these days <grin> ?????? We have to remind ourselves, there are problems everywhere in the world. As i used to say in California, "BCDWI" or "Big City, Deal Wid It." ....

 

I guess the above post covers a lot but the original question asked is; can he do well here on $860=p40,000,
In my experience here; that is a definite NO! you can only survive if you are prepared to give up Wine, women and song. most men of any age could not resist the women here they are just so available and can be as young as you want them to be, a man of 26yrs would go crazy trying abstain from the ladies here.
Something I never see mentioned here and on most other Ex-pat sites is; it takes time to acclimatise here, in my case I was ill or had some form of health problems 4 or 5 times in the first 6 months here.
There is one other option to live here on a limited income and that would be to find a single woman to have a relationship with, that has a business or employment and is already self sufficient, but I guess she would be difficult to find at an age of less than 26yrs, if you would be happy with an older lady I would say it is doable and there are quite a few in that category, expect their income to be less P15,000 a month, but they know just how to live on such a low income and could do a lot for you both with an added P40,000.

 

Yes it is very possible for a single man to live on $860 per month here. Dumaguete prices are inflated. You will also find that the prices on the internet are inflated. You can find a very reasonable rental outside of the city or in another city which is close by. You do not need to live poorly or to make many sacrifices as some would lead you to believe. You do not need to live way out in a rural area.

You need to find a Filipina (or Filipino) that you trust to find things for you. Once someone sees a foreigner, the price goes up. The Filipina would set the price and then you would show up.

Many foreigners want to be around other foreigners. But why come half way around the world? You will find that the people here are very friendly and accepting. There are scammers but just avoid them and you will be fine.

Yes there are some things that are frustrating like brown outs and corruption, but this a unique and wonderful place. You will find that your money goes a lot farther here.

 

If your VA disability requires you to go to the Manila or Guam VA centers or if you need to hire a helper, that could eat into your budget. Not a lot for a 26 yr old guy with limited funds to do here. The reality is many of the young chicks here will go for a fat old foreigner with money to help them and their families so unless you get lucky you might not be satisfied with your lifestyle here.
My suggestion would be to find a match on one of the Philippines dating sites, explain your situation, and hope for the best. Proceed with caution and good luck.