[Admin]

TOPIC FINAL UPDATE: Saturday, April, 26, 2008

PLEASE NOTE: This thread will no longer be updated, as I moved from this home on April 15, 2008. However, I hope the information contained here will be helpful for those who seek cost of living information regarding living in the province of Cebu.

2007/2008 Rent & Utility Costs to live in Cebu Province

View the photos in my Provincial House Photo Gallery, or download each of the zip files, which will contain a pdf offering additional information:

Click to download:  provincial_house.zip (988.01K)
Number of downloads: 1532 (Previous downloads: 476)

Click to download:  dirty_kitchen.zip (239.5K)
Number of downloads: 719 (Previous downloads: 89)

Updated Zip Files: December 27-28, 2007

February 23, 2008: I have been asked, by a few visitors and members of this site, to convert the entire writeup into a document or pdf file, and attach it to the thread. I will consider doing that in the future, to make it easier for visitors wishing to download this information. However, this entire thread may be downloaded, in a few different formats, simply by using the appropriate feature in the forum software.

At the top of this thread, you will see an "Options" button. Click on it. Then, click on "Download this topic". Choose the format that you would like to download the topic in, and then save it to your local drive. It's as easy as that. :)

Current information regarding costs to live in Cebu Province:

Main House Sample Photo:


Dirty Kitchen Sample Photo:


Instructions: Download the zip files to your hard drive. Unzip into a separate folder. Once extracted, you may open the attached PDF file which will offer additional information to what I have listed, below:

Rent Payment

• Monthly: Php 12,000
• Deposit: Php 12,000 (upon move in)

Cable Bill*

• Monthly: Php 360

* For additional cable connections, we would be billed Php 50 per connection per month.

Electric Bill

• May 07: Php 1,166
• June 07: Php 3,584
• July 07: Php 5,275
• Aug 07: Php 4,755
• Sept 07: Php 4,347
• Oct 07: Php 3,623
• Nov 07: Php 4,945
• Dec 07: Php 5,669
• Jan 08: Php 6,443
• Feb 08: Php 3,559
• Mar 08: Php 4,846
• Apr 08: Php 2,204 - Final bill.

NOTE: Home electric costs reflect the operation of:

• 2 each - Window Unit Air-Cons (3/4 horsepower)
• 1 each - Refrigerator - Freezer (145 watts)
• 1 each - Upright Freezer (278 watts)
• 1 each - Microwave Oven (1300 watts, input)
• 1 each - 1.5 Liter Rice Cooker (500 watts)
• 1 each - 2-Slice Bread Toaster (500 watts)

NOTE March 3rd, 2008: As predicted in a previous statement here, the electric usage dropped considerably, after my friend moved into his own place. My friend who rented the mother-in-law suite is still here, and has been since November 1, 2007. He runs a rice cooker (600 watts), a hot water kettle (electric, 2,000 watts) and a refrigerator (135 watts). However, he stays on his boat as much, if not more than he does in the mother-in-law suite. So, as of this time, there are really only three (3) adults who are here, full-time, or at the moment anyway.

City Water Bill

• May 07: Php 422
• June 07: Php 404
• July 07: Php 404
• Aug 07: Php 541
• Sept 07: Php 146
• Oct 07: Php 195
• Nov 07: Php 423
• Dec 07: Php 480
• Jan 08: Php 366
• Feb 08: Php 261
• Mar 08: Php 404 - Final bill.

City Trash Pickup

• Not charged to me - Perhaps included in the landlord's taxes?

Globe Lines Telephone & ADSL Bill

• Monthly: Php 1,995 - Flat Rate

Grocery Bill - This is for 2 people in the main house.

• Weekly: Php 2,000

Bottled Water - 5 Gallon

• Weekly: Php 60 to Php 90
  Php 30 per 5 gallon bottle, including delivery to the house. Our last usage was 2 to 3 bottles weekly.

[Admin]

Below is a budget I posted on another LinC Forums thread. It reflects a budget you can live on, around $500 USD. This was originally posted on September 05 2006, later updated on September 15, 2006. So, the costs will reflect the USD to Php rate of that time.

Read on:

Now here is my input. How much you live on depends, well almost entirely on you. That is, it depends on what sort of lifestyle you desire to have. For example, when JJ and I were together, we lived (for more than a year) in a bed spacer room: Simple Living In Cebu

We lived in that room for about fourteen months, located in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City. I loved that little room, believe it or not. Anyway, we lived Cebu for a long time afterward on less than $500 USD per month. This was living inside Cebu City Limits, not in the province.

In the province of Cebu, we could have lived even cheaper. I would say that I can still live in the province of Cebu for less than $500 USD per month, in a furnished apartment, with an air-con in the bedroom. In fact, I paid less than that for a furnished house in the province of Cebu (all living expenses inclusive) located about 2.5 to 3.0 hours south of Cebu City:

• Rent: Php 5,000
• Electric: Php 1,000 (sometimes more)
• Food: Php 5,000
• Maid: Php 2,000
• Misc House: Php 2,500
• Others: Php 2,500

This comes to a total of Php 18,000, or ~$450 USD, currently.

So, figure in another $50 USD (for whatever you wish) and you are at the $500 USD per month budget.

Forex conversion updated March 3, 2008

Folks, in the Philippines you CAN live on very little, depending on how simple you are willing to live.

[Mike S]

Paul, on Dec 28 2007, 12:39 AM, said:

Updated thread and download files, today, December 28th, 2007.

Thanks Paul ..... this is a real help to those of us coming over soon ...... gives a real perspective on living in your area ..... even though we know each persons living requirements will not be the same you supply the actual cost of items which we can increase or decrease according to our needs ......... please continue

[Admin]

No worries, Mike. I'm happy to do it. In fact, today, I added the current costs of various LP bottle suppliers in the area.

Perhaps I should have left this thread open, for others to comment and ask questions.

Hindsight being 20/20 and all... I guess I will open it up now.

[Cebuned]

Very nice Paul, and very informative. Couple of questions. How hard is it to come across a rental like yours, outiside of city limits. And if you don't mind, how did you find your place?.....


I would be very happy myself with a place such as yours.

[Admin]

If you are coming soon, you may be welcome to take it over. LOL
Seriously, the only issue I currently have, is the landlord has not done as she stated she would. This was to replace a gate that was removed in late November or early December, 2007. Otherwise, I like it.

Anyway, I happened to find this place by asking another American who lived here at the time and had little "American-style" restaurant in town. There are a number of larger homes available in the province. You just have to find them. Honestly, this place is too large for us, which is why I sub-let the bottom (mother-in-law suite) to another friend, back in November. But, I can appreciate the dirty kitchen, which serves as more of a generator room, these days.

[twostrokes]

Paul, on Feb 27 2008, 02:55 PM, said:

If you are coming soon, you may be welcome to take it over. LOL
Seriously, the only issue I currently have, is the landlord has not done as she stated she would. This was to replace a gate that was removed in late November or early December, 2007. Otherwise, I like it.

Anyway, I happened to find this place by asking another American who lived here at the time and had little "American-style" restaurant in town. There are a number of larger homes available in the province. You just have to find them. Honestly, this place is too large for us, which is why I sub-let the bottom (mother-in-law suite) to another friend, back in November. But, I can appreciate the dirty kitchen, which serves as more of a generator room, these days.

just wondering, since I don't know Cebu at all, I have looked at the map and see you are pretty far away from Cebu City. How long does it take you to drive or take a bus to Cebu City??
Jim

[Admin]

twostrokes, on Feb 27 2008, 08:40 PM, said:

just wondering, since I don't know Cebu at all, I have looked at the map and see you are pretty far away from Cebu City. How long does it take you to drive or take a bus to Cebu City??
Jim

Hi Jim,

Here are close estimates:

2.0 hours to drive either way, typically.

2.5 hours to go by bus either way, typically.

[softail]

Thanks for the great information. Sally and I will be moving to the Phil in about a year and a half. Will have about 2000 US to live on per month. Have been a little worried about the life style we are going to have with the peso so strong and getting stronger. Again thanks for the info
Doug

[Admin]

No worries. My monthly budget, even at 40 / 1, is still well under $1,000 USD per month, or Php 40,000.

P 12,000 rent (Php 5,000 paid by my tenant)
P 2,000 dsl/phone
P 360 cable
P 16,000 food
P 4,000 (new average for electricity)
P 350 (new average for city water usage)
P 3,000 miscellaneous (to offset infrequent costs, thus averaging them out)

P 37,710 is my current (monthly) estimate for general living costs.

So, at $2,000 USD per month, you should still be fine, depending on your budget of course.

[twostrokes]

Admin, on Feb 28 2008, 10:20 AM, said:

No worries. My monthly budget, even at 40 / 1, is still well under $1,000 USD per month, or Php 40,000.

P 12,000 rent (Php 5,000 paid by my tenant)
P 2,000 dsl/phone
P 360 cable
P 16,000 food
P 4,000 (new average for electricity)
P 350 (new average for city water usage)
P 3,000 miscellaneous (to offset infrequent costs, thus averaging them out)

P 37,710 is my current (monthly) estimate for general living costs.

So, at $2,000 USD per month, you should still be fine, depending on your budget of course.

Yes, that is good info. And, now I have some reference to distance/travel time...I am still thinking that I may prefer to live in the province were I can get a little more property with a house...I like to grow my veggies...and have not lived in the city since I left Angeles in 94...I woluld really like to be able to find about 1/2-1 hecter with a 120-150 sq meter house on it to rent for $15,000 or less.
jim

[softail]

Thats great info. This forum has been a god send to me. A wealth of info, answered so many questions for me.
Thanks again Doug

[Admin]

twostrokes, on Feb 28 2008, 08:55 PM, said:

Yes, that is good info. And, now I have some reference to distance/travel time...I am still thinking that I may prefer to live in the province were I can get a little more property with a house...I like to grow my veggies...and have not lived in the city since I left Angeles in 94...I woluld really like to be able to find about 1/2-1 hecter with a 120-150 sq meter house on it to rent for $15,000 or less.
jim

Well, the only major concern that I make it a point to mention to those wishing to come here and retire in the province, rather than the city, would be health. How is your health? Typically, you would not want to go to a hospital in the province. Rather, you would want to be in a larger city where the medical care is much, much better. Otherwise, knock yourself out and hang out with us "provincial" folk.

softail, on Feb 29 2008, 05:09 AM, said:

Thats great info. This forum has been a god send to me. A wealth of info, answered so many questions for me.

No worries. Happy to do it. I'm glad you are finding information that is helpful to you, here.

[wallyperrier]

ok, you guys,

i always thought, i have to be rich, to live in phils, but here is my monthly spending

renting room 3500 P
water/electricity 500 P
food for 4 persons 9000 P

THATS ALL so, cost me 13000 P

my gf earn 15000, so we can save 2000 a month
enough for paying the prices in immigration office

so, my money, we dont need, can grow and grow and grow

living cheap is possible, and remember, some family's only spend 5000 P on food

[the_nanny]

wallyperrier, on Mar 2 2008, 01:57 AM, said:

ok, you guys,

i always thought, i have to be rich, to live in phils, but here is my monthly spending

renting room 3500 P
water/electricity 500 P
food for 4 persons 9000 P

THATS ALL so, cost me 13000 P

my gf earn 15000, so we can save 2000 a month
enough for paying the prices in immigration office

so, my money, we dont need, can grow and grow and grow

living cheap is possible, and remember, some family's only spend 5000 P on food

i agree...u dont need to spend much here in cebu as long as u know were to go...

but if want to go living with style and class then u must be spending more than P50K a month

[Admin]

wallyperrier, on Mar 1 2008, 09:57 PM, said:

ok, you guys,

i always thought, i have to be rich, to live in phils, but here is my monthly spending

renting room 3500 P
water/electricity 500 P
food for 4 persons 9000 P

THATS ALL so, cost me 13000 P

my gf earn 15000, so we can save 2000 a month
enough for paying the prices in immigration office

so, my money, we dont need, can grow and grow and grow

living cheap is possible, and remember, some family's only spend 5000 P on food

Of course, how and where one chooses live, is totally up to the individual, and his budget of course. Upon returning from Dumaguete to Cebu, to live, I moved into the beds pacer room where I (and my former wife) stayed for more than a year, it was simple, but clean. The guy who originally showed it to me, made it a point to tell me that he could not, would not live that simple.

I have always looked at it like this. I choose to live in the Philippines, because I love it. It is my home. Whatever income I have, will dictate on what level I will live. If I can only afford a bed spacer, than that is where I will live. No matter how I live in this country, I am doing something that many others wish they could do.

The problem is, many guys are too nervous to take that first step, crossing over into the land of smiles. Only after they have done it, will they realize that they made the right choice, for most anyway.

[twostrokes]

Quote

Well, the only major concern that I make it a point to mention to those wishing to come here and retire in the province, rather than the city, would be health. How is your health? Typically, you would not want to go to a hospital in the province. Rather, you would want to be in a larger city where the medical care is much, much better. Otherwise, knock yourself out and hang out with us "provincial" folk.

I know about the hospital issues...Most of my health issues are chronic taken care of with meds. As long as I don't have heart attack #3 I think I would be ok at a couple hours out. I am nearly an hour out as it is here in the states. It will be something that I will really look at...I may even consider Bohol from what I am reading about it.. might be more my speed. Right now all I know is i want to get back to the PI...Where I land will work itself out.

The more time I spend on this forum the more anxious I am getting. The liquidation continues, one Jeep gone yesterday. Only 5 more vehicles to get rid of and about 10 tons of other junk....

If I can get rid of the high dollar items at reasonable sales prices, I'll take all the other stuff to the local aucton and dump it.
Then I can be on my way....
Jim

[Admin]

Updated electric billing, today. Take a look at how much the electric costs dropped this past month. I look for March to even be cheaper, but perhaps not by much.

Updated LPG pricing as well.

[Admin]

Okay, the final update has been made to this thread. I moved from Bogo on April 15, 2008. I hope the information contained will benefit those who access it. I will keep the attached files in the thread as well. If you have questions about this thread, please feel free to contact me regarding them, or post a reply here.

Thanks,

Paul

[Mr. Lee]

Admin, on Apr 26 2008, 11:47 AM, said:

Okay, the final update has been made to this thread. I moved from Bogo on April 15, 2008. I hope the information contained will benefit those who access it. I will keep the attached files in the thread as well. If you have questions about this thread, please feel free to contact me regarding them, or post a reply here.

Thanks,

Paul

Yes Paul, but you forgot to tell everyone that you can live on love alone for days at a time.

[Admin]

LOL. No comment.

[chop]

Hello! Great Site! Love it!

Yes, I'm thinking about moving to Cebu. Surety is about 98%.

I've taken the great information in this thread and entered into a slick little Excel sheet. Hope it helps. There are also some macros that allow you to enter in your rent, and it generates the salary you need to break even, or you enter your salary and it spits out your maximum affordable rent. In our case, it looks like health care and education are the two largest cost drivers in our budget. Any thoughts on sending two young kids through school in Cebu is greatly appreciated.

Our plan is to rent for the first year, get a sense of the market, and see if my crazy plan actually works. So far it seems to work. However, I have another 13 months before we execute what I'm learning to call as "one crazy plan."

The only currency this sheet works with is USD to PHP @ 41.7. The next one I post will allow you to enter whatever currency you want converted, and adjust accordingly.

Please give me some feedback on this and whether you guys like this stuff. This is a very basic example and I will add charts and graphs and other stuff if there is any interest in this.

Attached File(s)

•  budget_tracker.xls (39K)
  Number of downloads: 461

[Bankokbob]

Hmmmmm, well I steered myself here on a whim because I was reading a post on another board regarding cost of electric and some approx rent quotes. I have only visited Angeles and Subic over the past 10 yrs.(30+ trips) I have a GF of 4 yrs that lives in the Visayas and she has mentioned Cebu for various reasons at times. I have heard the pros and cons from an Angeles point of view(not really many cons) and was wondering what your comparisons would sound like. I'm sure those opinions are already present somewhere on the board, but hey...you know how us newbies are......hehehe.

[Admin]

If you would, please post your questions / concerns regarding comparing cost of living in another thread. In fact, now that I no longer update this thread, I will close it again, permanently.

Thanks for understanding.