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

Dating sites? I personally would not recommend that due to the high probability of a scam. It is not like the old days of pen pals. The internet provides a lot of opportunities to separate you from your money. Half of those girls are married working in conjunction with their husbands. I have no alternative solution.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

livee well? no. live? yes. my suggstion would be finds an online income to supplement your disablity, but get it working before you make the leap. if you can just earn another $500/month it will make a huge differnece in your lifestyle here. and have some savings to, say $10,000 wouold be good. don;t give up on your dream, it is doable, just prepare better.

 

Dumaguete is not the right place for living with low income. Better go Bais, Tanjay or Bayawan for cheaper living or if it could be difference provinces with similar size city Ormoc city or Olongapo City. The latter city have the benefit that you are in 4 hours in Manila, while not have to rely on the weather. And there are the possibilities for cheap shopping in the Royal Duty Free Mall.

 

The simple solution and Golden Rule on the internet is do not send money to anyone for anything. If you follow that rule then you cannot lose money. I fail to understand the mentality of people who send thousands of dollars (for example) to people they never met or to obtain a 'benefit' of millions in return! The scammers have all the time in the world to keep plugging away, so stay resolute. In fact, at the first mention of sending money, use the delete button.

 

I agree 100% that Dating sites are what they are a chance to meet people in your own country and most countries throughout the world, I have a bit of experience with them, not saying that I am an expert but maybe had as many as 10 different experiences with women from various countries, during that time I have come across various scammers but I soon sussed them out and turned the tables on them, The golden rule as mentioned before is; never ever send any money to anyone no matter how desperate their situation seems, also it is essential to talk with them live on Skype or other such service with live Cam and plug away at this for a time to really get to know the person, if they soon volunteer to show their naked bodies it is likely they have done this type of thing before, genuine girls are not likely to do that.

 

Depends your disabilty ! If you are not too social better stay away from southern Negros. Helps you also to associate with Pinoys. About women or girls/your age. Watch family behavior when money is involved. I would say you can live on that amount. Better than most in rural areas/province, just have a back up for ticket and settling when going back when serious medical is needed. Enjoy life, you are still young. Lived Phils on high incomes and almost none since 1979. In betweens you might have to leave asia, prepare for that

 

Well I read through all of the posts here in this thread and was amused by many of them...

Now; I am disabled (Broken leg for 33 years) and live on an Australian Disability Pension.

I am not a Party Animal & prefer the quiet life at home with my Wife & Daughter. (No Bars - NO Sexpat activities etc... Yes some will call THAT BORING but I am Happy.)

I live in South Negros in the province (Maluay, Zamboanguita) 25KM's from Dumaguete in the bamboo, in a Nipa Hut, & pump water by hand (no running water here) wash Clothes by hand, shower from a pail etc & I have Electricity, Internet, Pay TV which I consider necessities & I am extremely HAPPY with my lot in life.

Now; my Monthly allowance I give myself for Bike Payment, Electricity, Internet, Pay TV, Grocery Shopping at Hypermart, Fresh Meat, Fresh Vegetables, a few Treats, occasional clothing (from Ukay Ukay) Travel expenses catching Jeepney or Tricycle to the City and Home etc is $600.00USD a Month and I do not feel that I am missing out on anything here. Yes I have money left over and that is for myself, my Wife & our 10 year old Daughter who also incurs expenses at School & whatnot's...

I do not pay Rent because I live with the Family here so factor that in depending on what you need. Many come here shitting their pants worried about Terrorists. Sorry I laugh my @ss off at them! Dumaguete is not Manila or Mindanao! (And MANY Expats are living there just fine also!) I have lived here for the past 3 years with out so much as a scare from any of the locals, no gated community, no high walls, no Guard on duty, anyone so sh*t scared should stay in their own country in my way of thinking, in fact I am more relaxed here than I was back in Australia!

I have seen places here for 4,000 pesos a month I would live in, mind you the 8,000 a month Unit was nicer. If you adapt, eat the local foods, do as the locals do, you will do just fine! You will be able to afford to eat out daily unless you go to most of the local expat hang outs and pay the long nose prices for food! If you come here & wish to live with a Western mind set then you are better off staying where you are. I mix with very few expats for reasons much the same as Wrye pointed out, most I have met are down right losers here and no doubt back home, but I have met a select few who I think are very nice people, I just wish I had a car so I could visit them a little more so I had some outside contact here.

I honestly believe you can do it on $860USD a month as long as you are not what they call 'maarte' here. (Artista/ up yourself/ live beyond your means/ think you are better/ nothing is too your standards etc...)

If you are prepared to try & fit in, adapt to the local culture & foods & learn to experience life here, then you will do just fine here. If you are full of yourself, like to live the high life, like to be a boozer or womaniser & like to p*ss your money away, then better to stay where you are. Many here do just fine on a low income by adapting and learning how to budget correctly.

 

Well, ok, no rent and I suspect no aircon. No car expenses, small utility bills and no water bills. The one big problem I would have is no aircon, that’s just the way it is. I lived in NC and FL and always needed aircon & I need it here. When I grew up in WI I didn’t need it. So, aircon costs about $200-$300 a month between DGTE and Siquijor. That would pull a big chunk out of the $860. Helper costs about $80.00 per month for 1. Adding rent for a house, gas/diesels for cars, water, cable, globe@home, $100.00 per week for for food (2 plus helper), going out to eat and I am way over $860.00 and not by any means extravagant. Brian can do it but I could never be as minimalist as that, nor, do I think, could a 26 yr old kid who is looking for the stimulation in life that youth usually expects


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have to say that I was probably 95% as boring at 26 as I am now to most with my chosen lifestyle being a stay at home type of guy when I was not working. It would be good if @Rets12 could give some more feedback as to his position and expectations, it would help to narrow down just how long this piece of string is...