well i just got back from PI and have been there a bunch of times.
and yes, you can "live" very cheaply, currently usd is about 55 pesos.
but, some things to consider:
1. the PI is a third world country with no property zoning---sure you can build a big 3 story house on the beach for maybe 300-400k that would cost 20 million in malibu, but the squatters right next to you will be living in bamboo shacks, and the natives are too poor to give a shit about the "environment" --- so unless you are living on an inhabited island most of the philippines looks like the poorer parts of Tijuana---in other words no "pride of ownership" because there isn't much ownership.
2. in the provinces you are mostly on your own for protection---you will need security, and a high wall around your estate to make sure everything stays there while you go swimming.
3. yes the women are beautiful, speak some english, and will fuck your lights out---but everything but the girls is dirty, dusty, run-down, and poorly maintained. businesses are poorly run and inefficient. it is the women who do most of the work in the PI---pinoys for the most part are likeable but lazy, so good help is hard to find, unless female---which is OK, unless you need a construction worker.
4. loooooooooonnnnng plane ride from the states.
so there are trade offs.
oh did i mention the women are beautiful and will fuck your lights out?
