Suggestion Best Posts in Thread: Living on the Australian OAP in The Philippines

Hi Shawn whilst i share your concerns and Appreciate your comments I feel the best way for me is to Rent say an upmarket unit but away from a tourist area 18,000 peso plus power is doable from my research this is roughly $550.00 AU about 25% of my funds, Visa costs are basically the same as Thailand counting Letters from Embassy ( now no longer available) In fact I woulld have to leave a house full of furniture behind and with expats leaving in droves no real chance to sell. At least if I rent a fully furnished unit I can walk away OK I accept I may have to buy a few items, Microwave, Decent mattress small electric stove and so on.
Reekay who posts a lot of blogs and is on the move every few months seems to make that system work for him. any way I hope to do a recce in march and find out if I am on the Mark or a dreamer boots on ground is worth the effort for good intell

 

Hi Philpots greetings from a fellow Aussie
I have been out of Australia a long time so my pension is stable, and should not be reduced. I have based my figures on what i get in Thailand and converted that to Peso's
Interesting point about No direct deposit from Centrelink, the main issue might be about opening an account at a local Bank. I guess if one shopped around some banks would be pro-active to opening an account. Transferwise and Orbit are very similar in what ends up your account, at today's exchange rate about 68.000 Peso.
I am thinking i should upgrade my Budget to $2000.00 that would bring in 75,76 thousand peso PCM
PS do you have a brother in Sydney? Part of my Brit family are Potts from the midlands take care nice to receive your post

 

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).

 

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