Hi. I am Alan from Wales although originally from Devon. Like many, I guess on here I have met a Filipino lady online and am planning a trip out there soon to meet her. Should everything go to plan my aim would be to eventually move out there permanently as I don't think I have enough finances to bring her to Wales but wonder if I could survive out there on my state pension and a small NHS pension. A total of less then £300 a week. My savings are around £3000. Any advice would be gratefully accepted. Thank you
welcome to the site, I cant offer advice on finances in the philippines---but i think a trip over there will take care of your savings. Do you own your home in Wales ?
Welcome Alan there are a few members on here that live in the Philippines @Jim being one I also think he is at pension age, so he could be a great source of guidance for you. best of luck as you move forward and as @bigmac says get to know your new friend well before you travel.
Hi Alan, take a trip over there mate, get a lie of the land. Which part of the Philippines as your pension will stretch far in some parts, not so in others, good luck.
Thank you all. Yes a trip is partly planned in Balanga on the Bataan peninsula. I will treat as a holiday and learn a bit more Tagalog. I feel I know enough about the lady of my dreams but I do have in interest in wildlife so am never at a loss of things to occupy myself should things go pear shaped. I will also endeavour to contact Jim as that sounds like a good plan. Thanks again. Alan P.S. I am well overdue for a holiday.
Hi Alan and welcome to the site. You might have a chance of surviving in a province but an income of about 15,000 a year after tax is going to be tight in Metro Manila and areas nearby, the main issue is that you are exposed to foreign exchange movements that can suddenly devalue your pounds and you are also exposed to high inflation in the Philippines. Don't get me wrong you could do it and a lot of people do manage to live there on nothing but their state pension but they are living frugally. Electricity is expensive although less so now than the UK, gas is mostly LPG and is reasonably priced, food is becoming expensive now, getting close to being on par with the UK for a lot of essentials. Are you in good health, the reason for asking is that there is no state healthcare for foreigners in the country, and private care becomes very expensive very quick if you have any major problems, you will also have visa extension costs but they are not that onerous. There are a few guys on here living there and as Mattecube says Jim will likely be a very good source of info, he's been there a good while now and is a pensioner now.
Thank you Oss. Gosh it sounds like I will be letting myself in for trouble unless I can earn a bit extra and perhaps grow our own veg. One good thing is that I healthy so no problem there as yet.. Thanks again.
Many of us that live full or part time in the provinces seem to have similar budgets. 20k PM rent and power bills 20k PM food and groceries 10k eating,drinking,socialising etc approx 2k PM for visa expenses. If you could live here in the province then I'd say you could still save around 20 to 30,000 PHP per month. I know people that live on more and those that live simple but happy lives on much less. If you need any more specific advice,please send me a Private message. Happy to help you.
Hi Lee, Thanks for that, all looks good and simple life for me helps keep cost down. would be good to chat private as not understanding all you write. How do I contact you?
Hi and welcome, Alan. Filipinas are a lifetime commitment and patience. The most important thing is having enough space at home, for shoes, handbags, clothes and nik naks.... And an outside cooker for dry fish and suchlike stuff... Where do you live in Wales?
Hi Thank you for the advice on the portrait. My lady friend is suggesting building a small house and having a big garden to grow things. Sounds ideal to me especially the garden being a gardener. Building a house??? She is a very simple living lady I believe and probably not one to use the many items that you stated. I live in Brecon and see you are in Wrexham. If you like football then its good to see your team doing well this year. My team is Exeter City so would have seen many games between the two in the past.
Walang problema. You just wait............ Yup,, Wrexham is on the up and ready to depart the National League.......
please dont think i'm being nosey---but has has the lady ever been married ? Does she have children ?
Hello and here, Alan Lots of Filipinas (women or girls from the Philippines) start "Sari-sari" stores to earn money over there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sari-sari_store If you get on well when you meet, I think you will find that she, like most Filipinas, will be hard-working and "on the ball".