Suggestion Living on the Australian OAP in The Philippines

Hi Folks
The Australian pension if living over seas is around $1,800 per calendar month. this roughly $1300.00 US or about 70.000 Piso or Peso.
In the event i came over to settle my intention would be to Rent a fully furnished unit possibly similar to a holiday apartment with perhaps a spare bedroom, At this stage it seems for a long term rental would be around 17,000 or about 25% of my funds.
Question i understand location is a major part of this equation however is this doable or in the ball Park? I am also considering having a maid either part time or live in if the accommodation is suitable, Not interested in getting married as i have nothing to offer in the long term. Not really a butterfly though a friend or companion would be nice.

I have posted this in good faith so i hope not to many flamers or keyboard warriors will respond Note I am aware of the lower standard of hospitals and make the point unless you are very well of financially hospitals in Thailand are not available to us and health insurance is not available here.
Looking forward to some genuine feedback that gives Genuine information.

Note although a Newbie to this Site i have lived in Asia for nearly 20 years
Regards Brian

 

My first suggestion would be cut that 70k peso's to 60k. You want a cushion for immigration costs and having to leave every 3 years along with whatever unexpected may come up.

But at 60k peso's yes its possible to live off of that but you won't be traveling much or wining and dining so much. You can find someplace for 15-18k that is fully furnished. However the furnishings won't be that great... small ref, small tv (if they have one), no microwave, foam mattress, and so on. If your standards aren't high you'd be fine. You will want some sort of small nest egg to set yourself up with though.
Consider costs:
18k furnished apartment
3k electricity (can go cheaper or more expensive depending on aircon and other electronic devices (most expats though)
1.5k a month visa (my guesstimate when its all added up)
250p month gas
1k month internet
800p month cable tv
etc etc etc. In the end expect 30k to go towards your basic expenses minus food give or take. The rest is for food and whatever you do on the side.

Nest egg I mentioned probably 50-100k available if possible. This is due to often 2 months deposit and 1 month rent contract (1 month deposit can really only be had for unfurnished). Maybe buying a motorcycle or tv along with installation fee's for internet, cable, and a few other one time move expenses / comfort expenses.

IF your standards are low there are a few places you can find furnished (poorly furnished) for 10-12k but they go fast and are hard to find.

 

Yes you can if you watch your expenses... I noted that you have lived in Asia for quite a while so you are the best judge... many are here on 70k and doing just fine

 

I can tell you, I know there are guys who live here with 50-60 k pesos a month. I talk with one of them and ask about his lifestyle. Rent was if I remember right 6 k, I know it's possible to find a place to 5-10 k pesos but not easy for sure. He told me that he doesn't go to a restaurant or coffee shop often. When he goes visarun every third year, he gets a cheap ticket like 7 k to Singapore to stay overnight in the airport and the next day takes back to the Philippines. Where the chain falls off to me is if you have a medical condition or get an accident, hospital are cheap compared with a private hospital in the west, but I have had 2 accidents on the bike and know what I talk about. I paid 2-300 k pesos each time and was lucky could have been worse. No money, no treatment, honestly people die in the corridor at the hospital because they can afford to pay. Hospital wants to see the money before they do anything to you. Will you bring yourself in that situation? Did you consider the move to Cambodia? The only place I been where basic living rent/food/visa is cheaper than in the Philippines and easy to get a working permit, you can get it at arrival. You don't plan to work online for example as an English teacher? I wish you all the best, my concern for you is mostly about health care but again many take the chance to live without insurance because we can't get one, because of age or past injuries

 

Interesting comments however i would have some money put aside if needed to fly home, and I am already living on that amount here with a Paid career, Note centrelink reduced your pension if she is described as a companion. I am on the OLD age Pension not a disability and so it is fully Transportable and does not need an assessment. I get similar comments as yours about Thailand and yet I get by | many of your points have merit Hence my thirst for Knowledge as to the suitability of making the move.
All of my Options have pros and Cons Ie Free health care in Australia yet Rents are high and food expensive. thank you for your input

 

Greetings
a good point about accidents and we have the same issues here I have an accident policy that only applies say you are in a m/c accident or fall over in the shower ETC
Re Cambodia they are tightening up with the work Permit as is Vietnam In fact it is difficult to stay long term any where. one solution is 3 months in Vietnam, Penang, The Philippines and of course Thailand. That seems to be a practical solution to the Visa Issue. I agree on the health issue and when i stayed in the Philippines a few years back the solution was if in Pain catch the Plane Thank you for your input Regards Brian

 

I assumed wanting the basic most westerners want along with furnished since doesn't likely have the money to buy his own furnishings. I haven't seen any furnished places at 5-6k myself but generally a tiny concrete block house in some obscure place and completely empty including light bulbs (and sometimes light fixtures). But maybe I just never noticed as it doesn't meet my bare standard.

But like everyone else said your main concern will be medical costs. You MUST be able to have some sort of nest egg available to pay that along with considering exit trips every 3 years. If you can't manage that then don't risk it. I know a guy who manages on 50k and he's very tight on ever eating out and super cheap but that's what you have to do. But do expect to be cooking at home a LOT and simpler foods (no steak and lobster dinners).