Philippines Cost Of Living: Living Like A King For $1,000

Thankfully, there are still places in the world where anyone can live for under $1,000 and one of these places is the Philippines. So, keeping in mind the Philippines cost of living, how far will your $1,000 go?

1. The $300 rent

It is possible to rent a nice apartment or a house for just $300 a month in urban cities like Cebu and Davao, excluding furnishings. You can rent a fully-furnished apartment if you're willing to pay for a bit more.

2. The $200 food budget

If you're living alone or with your Filipina wife, it is possible to have a food budget of $200 per month. Of course, this doesn't cover the cost of dining at a Hilton hotel (yes, there are Hilton hotels in the Philippines).

3. The $12 hospital visit

Forget the public hospitals, going to reputable private hospital in places like Cebu will cost you no more than $12 in doctor's fees. If you are on medication, there are chain store pharmacies that sell prescription medicine from the United States and other countries.

Summing it all, the cost of living in the Philippines is a lot lower than in other countries in Asia. The good thing about it is that the Philippine government has a special program for foreign retirees called the Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV).

Also, if you're married to a Filipina woman, you can apply for a 13A Non-Quota immigrant visa or 13B Quota immigrant visa if you're single and simply just want to live in the Philippines.