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

Cost of living is deeply personal and not something you can easily debate. A lifestyle one is contented with might be hell for another. And these two can be at each other's throats for perceived failings in choices. There is no resolution to a thread like this. You have to tighten the thread to objective facts and then form your opinion elsewhere.

 

Okay, now here's my real answer, in bullet points even.

• I feel that if you have to ask about the cost of living or if your concern is about saving money, then moving to the Philippines is probably not a good decision. Moving to a foreign country either has to provide a huge upside with little relative downside (migrant fleeing a warzone or a broken economy) or you just have to be a little strange. Strange people don't ask questions, they just jump and then get into strange situations. The exception is those who have built up enough downside protection (savings and income) to where that downside is manageable. Again, if you have to ask about cost of living, then you probably aren't in that position.
• Citizenship in a country provides huge social benefits. These benefits include support of family and friends and social welfare provided by the government. If your only source of sustenance is one of these programs (as opposed to living off savings which is supplemented by a government program) then you belong squarely in this category.
• My suggestion is that someone in this situation would not move to the Philippines. Taking that advice is optional, and this person would be one of the strange ones.

 

$860/month is probably enough to live in the Philippines if you are willing to make radical adjustments to live more like a Filipino than an American. That means meals at turoturo food stands and not McDonalds, or any other modern restaurant, since those prices are virtually the same as the US. The US will offer you many "freebie" programs, but only if the pension is your sole money and you don't own $4 million in farm acreage, or have $1.5 million sitting in an IRA. In the Philippines there is near ZERO safety net, and even LESS THAN ZERO for foreigners. You will pay for everything here as the Philippines make their own people do. If you get sick or have a serious accident, you will die in the Emergency Room before anyone will lift a finger here unless they are convinced they will get paid (something that is illegal in the US.) So, if there are any health issues, this is not the place to be if you are only bringing $860/month. If you are going to attempt it, try to get at least US$3000 in a bank account and don't touch it. It is your lifeline home when paradise fades.

 

NYC said it exactly. And repeating what someone else said somewhere on the previous 9 pages, "You'd be better off in a poor state in the US with $860 and all the safety nets than in the Philippines. AND, you cannot get married or get a girlfriend, because you cannot afford her and her relatives, and there will be HOLY HELL when she finally figures that out...

 

We are currently looking to move house to a "newer" rental and are amazed at the price increases since last year... went to look at a house listed for 25k and the pics were not anywhere near the condition of the house... weeds a foot high in the front yard and the house was nasty, a 2 bed townhouse in Aldea homes that went for 10k last year is now 25k... so went to Bayawan to check out and found that the new mall being built is a least 6 months or more to completion so maybe Amlan or Tanjay...

 

That income is a VA pension, which means the OP is literally being held by that safety net. And in that situation, one safety net is usually just one component of a system of safety nets. By moving away from that system, you're breaking that protection.

 

I wonder if he moved to a crap apartment in Manila would be more workable. Close to the VA, multiple fast food, food courts, roadside eateries to choose from, surplus stores, etc.
Personally, I would check out Florida or Arizona, particularly if VA visits are required.

 

This is not realistic - the owner is 'fishing' for a newbie or a gullible (one who does no research). Good 3 bed apartments can be had near to the City Centre for 15-20k.

Here are a few examples I just found:

(This one is a direct, price-wise, comparison to the Aldea home you quoted): Unfurnished residential house for rent near to schools, shopping center and just a few minutes away from other points of interest in the city. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, spacious receiving and living area, carport, and lawn area. Floor area 150 sq m and price is 25k pm.

Duplex type 3 bedrooms 1 storage room 2 toilet and baths Spacious living area Kitchen area Terrace Parking area. P20k pm.

Fully furnished 3 bedroom (2 with air-con) 12k pm. (from Facebook). Available Jan 9th 2018 (it says! I think they mean 2019 ... but perhaps they work on Filipino time!).

Look at this site (as an example, there are others):

https://search.dotproperty.com.ph/searchRE/q-for-rent-house-dumaguete-negros-oriental

 

On my third rental in 3 years so am familiar with the rental sites.... should have stated that in my post... but thanks for your input just the same