Housing Costs

[robbo462003]

Hello everyone this is my first post,so please bear with me.I am in the UK and retire at the end of 2011,I have been visiting the Phil since 1996.Now i have to decide if i can retire to the Phil,I have just rented a condo for my g/f in baguio for 10,000 per month,after only 3 weeks we (she) has spent 45.000 pesos,which includes advance rental 11K refundable deposit, her living expenses food,water etc;and some household items not included in the rental,rice-cooker etc.I was shocked 23 k has been spent so quickly there,my g/f says its expensive in baguio,I have to agree,anyway we have agreed a new budget.The climate in baguio was my primary consideration low humidity,average temperature of 23c and not too many people.I did not reckon on the long journey from manila 7 hours by bus,5 at least if lucky to get a De-luxe bus(non-stop).So when i go visit in june I will be looking at an alternative in Tagatay. I have read posts here about cost of living and expected baguio to be cheaper than manila.

[BJRuth]

Welcome to Mabuhay! Forum.   Just as in most Western countries, it is not unusual for the start up costs for a new residence to be high.  Baguio is less expensive than Metro Manila, especially when it comes to housing costs and food.  Where we live in Rizal Province, the monthly rent for a nice unfurnished condo starts at about PhP15,000, so the PhP10,000 you are paying is reasonable.  Remember, the less expensive housing that Filipinos generally occupy is not of the standard most foreigners can be comfortable with.  The question is whether or not your g/f can live under the new budget you have agreed to.  From past experience I have found that to be a problem area that you have to control from the start.  In a relationship I had before meeting my wife, I found myself sending the equivalent of PhP50,000+ each month to support my then g/f and her kids.  If that had continued, I probably could not have retired.  Only much later did I find out that some of that money was not being spent, but was being put into a savings account.  So be careful.  Baguio is a nice place to live, although there are problems during the rainy season.  Often the roads are impassable and you cannot leave or return to the city.  The airport that use to serve that area has not been open to commercial flights for well over a year as I recall.  Tagatay is also a nice place to live and does have a cooler climate.  However, again, because of the large expat community there, for a nice condo or house rents may be on the high side (although, again, not as high as in Metro Manila).  It will take several months to determine how much it takes to live your standard of living.  Until you actually get here, you will have to accept your g/f's word, but PhP40,000 to PhP45,000 each month is probably not out of line for a foreigner, but is well above average for a Filipino.

[robbo462003]

I want to thank you for your frank comments BJ,it is reassuring to know others have experienced similar situations when choosing a location for retirement and how much lifestyle expectations differ East & West.The relationship factor is as you have highlited crucial when taking the initial steps of committment on location.T he next few weeks will be interesting.

[bestvue]

I think 10k peso/mth for accommodation is quite reasonable. I have (Fillipino) family in Pullilan (Bulacan) that are paying the same. For that they get a 3 bedroom with Kitchen and small lounge and bathroom on 3 floors ( a terrace ) house.
Take care with "extra" costs. The more you "give" the more will be needed.

[Miles]

@TS..Hello, i'm from Baguio and would just want to share some infos to you, 2bedroom apartments here with private bathroom, kitchen and living would cost from 5k-7k a month depending on size, construction and location, I am now renting a 2bedroom apartment in La Trinidad area at 6k/month. For my living expenses (Electricity, water, internet connection, food, and transportation allowance), i usually incur around 7k-8k/month, and i usually spend times eating out specially when i have hectic working schedule. It takes time for one to find a place where you can be satisfied with things in it so i suggest try to keep looking for other places for rent every time you visit Baguio.