You've seen the videos.

"I live like a king in the Philippines on $500 per month."

And maybe you've wondered if that's actually true, or if there's a more honest answer somewhere.

Here it is.

There is no single budget that applies to everyone. Someone living in a province like Dumaguete or Cebu can genuinely get by on $1,000 to $1,500 per month and live comfortably. Someone in BGC or Makati with a maid, a driver, and a personal assistant could be spending $5,000 or more.

Both are real. Both are valid. It just depends on what kind of life you are building.

For the vast majority of expats we help relocate, the sweet spot is $2,000 to $3,000 per month. That is usually right in line with what retirees are already receiving from Social Security and pension. And the difference between what that money buys here versus back in the States is almost impossible to overstate.

Here is what a realistic, high quality life in BGC or Makati actually costs month to month.

Rent for a quality one-bedroom condo in a prime location runs $1,000 to $1,200 per month. That is the honest number. Not a studio in a less desirable building. A proper, well-furnished one-bedroom in a good location.

Food, if you enjoy eating out three to four times per week at decent restaurants, trying different places, and occasionally taking someone out, comes to around $400 to $500 per month.

Utilities including electricity, WiFi, gas, and water run $200 to $250 per month.

Entertainment, going out a few nights a week, meeting new people, exploring the city, adds another $200 to $300.

Healthcare for expats at retirement age is typically around $150 to $200 per month for solid coverage.

Add it all up and you are at $2,000 to $2,500 per month for a genuinely comfortable, high quality life in one of the best business districts in Southeast Asia.

That same lifestyle in California, New York, or Florida would cost you two to three times as much and deliver far less.

If you want the full experience, where everything is handled for you and convenience is the priority, here is what that looks like.

A full-time live-in maid or nanny runs around $280 per month. A full-time driver is roughly $500 to $600 per month excluding fuel. A cook is another $300. A personal assistant to handle reservations, errands, and scheduling adds $300 to $400.

That is an additional $1,000 to $1,500 per month on top of your base living costs.

With everything combined, genuinely living like a king in the Philippines costs around $5,000 per month. A driver on call whenever you need one, a maid keeping everything in order, someone managing your daily schedule, and a beautiful condo in the heart of BGC or Makati.

$5,000 per month in New York barely covers a one-bedroom apartment. Here it buys you a lifestyle most people in the West only dream about.

Almost every expat we help ends up in BGC or Makati, and the reason is always the same. Convenience and peace of mind.

St. Luke's Medical Center in BGC and Makati Medical Center in Makati are two of the best hospitals in the country. For anyone at retirement age, having world class healthcare within minutes of your front door is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

On top of that, English is spoken everywhere, the infrastructure is modern, and everything you need is within walking distance. It is the best soft landing city in all of Southeast Asia for someone coming from the West.

$2,000 to $3,000 per month for a comfortable, high quality life. $5,000 per month if you want staff, drivers, and everything handled for you.

Either way, your dollar stretches further here than almost anywhere else in the world. And once you experience it firsthand, most people wonder why they waited so long.

If you want help figuring out exactly what your lifestyle setup would look like in the Philippines, we can map that out for you.

Click here to start your move to the Philippines the right way

Travel Well,

Evan Lorezca

The Savvy Expat