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DatingTHE TRUTH – What it Really Cost to Live in the Philippines (Not What You Expect) – Video
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Brandon & Arlene
THE TRUTH – What it Really Cost to Live in the Philippines (Not What You Expect) – Video
wise
Hello! I'm Wise, a Filipina with a deep love for my country and a passion for sharing its beauty with the world. As a writer, blogger, and videographer, I capture the essence of the Philippines through my eyes, hoping to give foreign visitors a true taste of what makes these islands so special.
From the vibrant streets of Manila to the tranquil beaches of Palawan, my journey is about uncovering the hidden gems and everyday wonders that define the Filipino spirit. My articles and blogs are not just travel guides; they are invitations to explore, to feel, and to fall in love with the Philippines, just as I have.
Through my videos, I strive to bring the sights, sounds, and stories of my homeland to life. Whether it's the local cuisine, the colorful festivals, or the warm smiles of the people, I aim to prepare visitors for an authentic experience.
For those seeking more than just a vacation, the Philippines can be a place of discovery and, perhaps, even love. My goal is to be your guide, not just to the places you'll visit, but to the experiences and connections that await in this beautiful corner of the world. Welcome to the Philippines, through my eyes. Let's explore together!
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You guys are too cute 😂 hello from southern Leyte! 👋
Omg your electricity is so cheap compared to our place! We spend like ₽10k each month 😢
Yes they are. 😊
Thanks is for watching!
Well, its just a tiny house 😄
Hello! Any advice for someone planning on moving to Manila for about 2-6 months? I met a girl, and we have been talking for a year and met her in October. She was super amazing and sweet. I have a remote job and bring in 2500$ after taxes a month. I appreciate any advice!
Nice remote job. Hopefully I can find one so i can start traveling. Good Luck with everything. 🍻
Have a good trip!
Yes, I would request more videos like this. I will be planning to move to the Philippines in a few years. They are very helpful! I watch a lot of vloggers and you two are my new favorite channel.
Also, if you could do a video on transferring money from the US to the Philippines at some point, that would be very helpful as well.
If the quality is what it has been, if you put it out, I will watch. 😊
You will be fine, more than likely unless you have really expensive extracurricular habits.
@Jora-tuber not really I’m fairly frugal when it comes to spending. I just don’t know what all to really expect. The woman I’ve been talking with has a decent job and doesn’t ask me for money. She says she will help me but I wanted a foreigner like me perspective.
What a beautiful woman arlene is. Incredible.
She really is. Brandon is a lucky guy!
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Netflix in the uk is £5.99 a month ! The us is expensive,I always love your videos !!
Oh wow, you are lucky. Yes, everything in US right now is crazy. Thanks for watching!
I love watching your vlog. You’re blessed for each other. Your silent subscriber from Malabon City, NCR Philippines.
There’s no truth to anyone budget it depending on lifestyles
He pretty much said that.
I know why he is showering so much😉😉😉😉😉
Thanks for watching 🤣
Good info brother, im at 100k here in Iloilo City but that includes tuition for the lady. I feel like thats super expensive, even with the extra cost of study. I cook at home and order my drinking habit using wholesale. It could be 65k, if we cut corners but my budget allows for comfort.
Awesome, thanks for watching
@@justlookinground1 I have watched many vloggers and Iloilo is more expensive, especially for rent. Living in a major city vs the province always drives the price up.
Time to put up the solar. Seems to be 40% off compared to the USA. Eliminate that $1152 a year, and not suffer a sweaty brown out.
Yup, coming eventually!
You both look happy and in love congrats . Few ?s How do u make a living? What are your sources of income . Do u plan to stay long term , you look young why would u leave usa and limit your income . Are u ok with being a poor farmer in ph forever . All for love ?
We are headed to the US next month. We will stay a few years before moving permanently to philly. Two decades of investing in the US provides us more than enough income for us to live off in philly. This isn’t our budget, this is just what we spent this month. We can live anywhere but prefer the province.
Greetings from Ireland guys 😎👍
Liked the video… do more.
I think she is right. You guys spent a lot of money and you not paying rent, health insurance and you not living in the city. My budget for for cebu city was $1300 that’s with renting a condo
Let’s Go Brandon! 😀….. great video and yes I enjoy that type of content. Keep them rolling.
Thanks! Will do!
I’m curious what does land cost Where You Are. Cuz I am looking more towards the country
Arlene bought it for 12.7K USD
we? I am sure it costs her $0
ARLEEN IS VERY PRETTY BRANDON ♥
It’s a great time having those US dollars in the Philippines with the exchange rate at a recent low of 59:1.
Other than the motorcycle, are there any other big purchases planned to take advantage of the better rate? New swimming pool or high-end karaoke machine perhaps? How about a pool table? 😊
Wedding next month! 🤣 thanks for watching as always!
Shared on my Facebook
I’d eat more like a local. I don’t need to eat out if I have food at the house. And if ibwas retired . I could just make my food instead of eating out all the time like I do here in the states. But thats because I get out of work late most the time
There are ‘many truths’ ? – – – Province living should be quite cheap – in theory – allowing for it anyway. -?- Rents in the removed areas from the city life can be had very reasonably in many areas. — I’m a single person – so your numbers are much higher than I would expect for just frugal old me – on a normal month. > Many somewhat frugal expats I have seen are living on about $800 — $900 / mo. basic expenses – most months – but are not wanting for much ! – – – Here is an example of the way ” you ” could live for $90 rent. — 15 minutes from San Pablo City and he’s 2 miles from Jollibee & McDonalds !!! https://youtu.be/0ejbyNopEUA?si=fvusJvuqlXTLknkT https://youtu.be/UvWNtNWPoi8?si=QYxVfiVNv2pR9nDq $635 CAD = $454 USD !!! That’s with a Filipina too ? — Seemingly — (?) — my $1600 SS should provide quite well for me (?) – near where Nelson lives ? 🤔
You could live on $300 if you want to live like a local. The choice is yours. If you subtract the repairs/upgrades to the house and we spent around 700 for a very comfortable western style living.
@@brandonandarlene Yes — plenty of people report being able to live in various locations – quite affordably ! Not sure ‘why’ some claim you need $2500 at least & $1000/mo. isn’t possible to do ?!? Several I know make $800 / mo. work for essentials – most months – even when not necessary (!) – and – they say they want for nothing doing it !!! – – – Lipa City area has several from the US living around there – very affordably. Trace Martires is another.
I love how frugal you Filipinas are! I’d also prefer to be in the Province with the luxuries you’ve got. and about 30 minutes from the city is not bad at all. cheers!
30 minutes is a lifetime in an emergency. You should plan where you live around any health issues you have or you genetically inherited. If you have a heart attack in the province, you aren’t making it. We had a friend die from an infection from a basic cut, so make sure you’re immunizations are up to date.
@@americanandpinay Good advice! I’ll keep that in mind! Cheers from the US!
I think budget for everybody is different, for us I’m 39 my wife is 37 and we got a son 5 years old, we live here now 10 months. We have a budget of 120k but spend only between 30 and 36k a month, we live in a subdivision with all amenities and my son goes to a private school.
What about health insurance?
I miss Philippines!
It’s better to own a farm in the Philippines 🙂
It’s way cheaper to live in the province there in the Ph.
Exactly!
No worries for the expenses coz living in the province is so cheap hahaha, u only pay for the bills like water, electricity and other ek² burik ek hahaha, but for the foods its already there if you are hardworking u can live here peacefully 😂
I think Brandon is sleepy🥱🤔🤣😂😂😂
Hi Brandon and Arlene i am a Aussie my name is Grahame i live in Southern Leyte i am two hours from Tacloban i have small Resort here in Hinunangan if you are go pass one day please call in and say Hi
Will do, thanks for watching Grahame!
You 2 look great together congratulations
Genuine assessment- thanks
Wow, thats really cheap! Thnx guys
Great video guys! I just feel since you do Youtube, tend to spend little bit more but still cheap as hell compared here in Cali.
Hi Brandon & Arlene, I enjoy your channel and appreciate the content you guys do–thanks for that! Just wondering (and not trying to throw any shade here), but do you advertise your videos? You get a ton of views and subs, but don’t have that much content (unless it was public and now it’s private) and I’m curious how that is! Was it because your first video blew up? Or something else? Thanks so much–just another friendly YouTuber here 😉
Yes, the meet-up video and house video gained most views and subs. Videos have always been public and never advertised or paid for subs/views. We have been very lucky and not exactly sure why. Keep creating, and good luck!
Great advice love the vibe well done ❤ so good to see you both having fun great life. Love the puppies.
Congrats on the new puppies, also appreciate the video gives me an idea of living out in the province.
I am also a country boy!Love your content!
Thanks for watching Richard!
As much as the province can be beautiful. There’s nothing there. No restaurants, no shopping (malls). Nothing . I built a beautiful house in the province in Cebu and couldn’t wait to get rid of it. Different strokes for different folks.
Thanks for sharing
The true cost of living anywhere is depending on each person and what they wish to spend and how they wish to live. No one person can say this is what it will cost you because this is what it cost me. If a person has A/C running 24/7 at 64 F then his bill will be a lot higher then if a guy didn’t run A/C at all.
I agree, but these budget videos from different people, different locations, different lifestyles can give you a rough idea, especially when they explain their lifestyle. This video helps me because we’re building very close to that area, about 40 minutes from Tacloban
You are doing it and doing it well.
Keep living the dream
12 a day for food for 2 people is cheap
I can spend 30 a day for food in Seattle or Tokyo for one person
Living on Camotes Island Cebu Philippines, we spend at least P120,000 a month, that includes a 2 day trip to Cebu for supplies.
Hi Brandon. When you bring your beautiful, soon to be wife back here to the states, I’d recommend taking her to a Seafood City supermarket. There is one in Tukwila. I take my wife as often as I can to some of the California locations. It’s like going to a supermarket in the Philippines. They’ll have all the food and ingredients from back home and they have plenty of dishes cooked as well. We stay on the road so the wife doesn’t get to interact with many Filipinas in person, so she loves going there. Also most locations also have a Jollibee or Chowking, sometimes both. Just a tip if you didn’t already know about that
Thank you for the info. i had no idea. Arlene and I will be back in the States next month for Christmas. Do they have maggi sauce? I love that stuff. Thank you for watching!
@@brandonandarlene Yes they have it. You’ve been in SM markets i’m sure there in Tacloban. Seafood City is comparable to SM. Probably a little bigger, but they have everything you would find at SM. You’ll feel like you’re in the Philippines when you go. I enjoy going myself
Seems like cool dude be safe out there.
I never get tired of monthly expense blogs in the Philippines. I feel I could enjoy reasonably on $1500 usd a month, but I’m shooting for $3000 usd to factor in travel, and unforseen events. Thanks.
Earn 3, spend 2, save 1. Don’t forget to adjust for inflation every decade.
After traveling to SE Asia several times I believe that’s a good budget plus need a $20K emergency fund.
@@americanandpinay plan for inflation every year if if another Biden type ever gets elected
So jealous of you and your Filipina we live in a gated community in Makati I have a payroll for 12 staff live in a monthly salary of 589,464.85 pesos my Filipina has her own electric bill of 10,898.25 pesos a month she has the house like a Arctic Tundra spin about 35 the 40,000 pesos a month in food shopping we make our staff join us at the dinner table every night that’s a rule of my house or you could find a job somewhere else anytime you want to switch your house in South Leyte find the first gentleman that will swap keys for a month if you’re interested That’s not including the expenses since the adoption papers of my stepdaughter her and I are blowing up the malls my first time ever being a dad and I love to spoil her
I am not American so USD means little to me. Having lived in Leyte for 15 years-Typhoon Yolanda survivor-HORRIBLE. Everything is in peso. The only time I refer to my old currency is when I am transferring money.
Visa? I have had my 13A visa for 14 years now.
the truth is there is a young lady behind every bloggers journey, lol…facts.
I’m a Aussie I built a house in Iloilo about 30 min drive from a McDonald’s hour from city when I move there I like to spend 1000 Australian dollars a month 39,000 pesos but problem is to many family members in province and they try to take advantage of u get free stuff
Much better if you live away from family so that they can’t take advantage of you.
@Alma88885 family not blood related only my wife
2200 usd a month..
I’m in pampanga Luzon and our budget for the 2 of us per month is about the same 50k plus a car payment of 24k so around 70k php.
If you own everything in an affordable province outside of a major city, you can easily keep your monthly expenses well under $400 per month for 2. Gifts, Vacations, upgrades, unplanned health care, etc. are not monthly expenses. So many people confuse that. Most monthly expenses in the west are easily eliminated by the extreme affordability of paying for cash up front. Find a Filipina with land. Be your own contractor and build a modest home for half the cost of an average car. But a maxiscoot for half the price. Buy a kei car for a few thousand. Maintenance is practically nothing. Dig a well. Collect rain water. Put in a filtration system. Put in solar. Get starlink and learn how to get APK packages and watch everything for free. Your only monthly bill is food and $36/month for Starlink. Insurance and registration per vehicle per year is about $20. Get permanent residency and pay $6 per year. Buy your cellphones and only purchase service when needed on a daily basis and hotspot the other phone. $5 per easily covers 2 per month. 90% of what i spend a month is upgrading our home and land and vehicles and personal items. Which are not monthly expenses.
Nailed it! Thanks for watching!
In the province on Bohol, we spend about $1200 a month for essentials. Farm expenses are more, depending on the season.
I prefer the Filipino lifestyle. Same as she said 15k -20k is good for a family in the province.
As long as you are open, willing to adjust your lifestyle, it will be easier
And think about it, if you could adjust and live a simple life.. In the end it’s good for you. Even if you go back or maybe live 50/50 split in 2 countries. If you can retain that simple life your expenses will be lower
94$ for electric ?
Nice video. I appreciate your breakdown of expense & lifestyle. The drone is a nice touch to see your property. Personally, I’d get bored that far away from everything, but you seem well suited. Best wishes.
Hello from Florida. Waray Waray ladies are the best! My wife is from Barugo/Minuhang.
we spend on average around 1300 to 1500 in the province a month. Have rent and not much travel outside of our island.
I’ll probably get dinged by other bloggers on this post but anyone that’s new to the Philippines is going to need a $5,000 – $10,000 startup fund, $10,000 emergency fund plus a $2,000 monthly income. After visiting there several times I expect to spend at least $2,000 to $2,500 a month while having an emergency fund of over $25,000 plus a startup fund of $10,000. Living on an amount like $1,200 is definitely possible I doubt the average person could do that short term. It may take them 6 or 12 or 24 months to fully get setup and living like what you show. Some things are cheap in the Philippines and some things are not. I found it very easy to spend $700 to $1,000 a week depending on where I was staying. Going on there on a shoe string budget is just asking to end up broke and on the street or e-begging.
I live in the province mountains with my wife and two teenage children and the cheapest month ive had is around $2,500. I do rent and my electric bill is always at least 10,000 peso about $175.00 usd. Rent is 20,000 peso about $350.00. I do live in a high end gated community and have 3bdrm 2 full bath full air con house. I would pass out, if my monthly expense was only 1,000-1,500 a month. My children do go to a private school also. But i didnt include that in my monthly expense since i pay the tuition yearly
Thanks for the great breakdown, you two! I’m heading to CDO next month to meet a pinay I met on CF, and to start scouting properties. Keep these vids coming please!👍🏻
Didnt realized James Caan son lives in the Philippines. Theres some resemblance there. Keep up the good work. Wow, your food expenses are low, we easily do higher here in Manila. I like living in the province sometimes, our budget gets reduced.