what are the average monthly expenses for retirees

Annjell · 11-06-2009, 02:13 AM

I would like to know what is the average cost for a retiree. Meaning, monthly expenses for food, utilities, not to include rental prices.

An example, for (1) person, food may be $200, utilities $300 a month. Can someone give me an example. Okay, to further explain, some retirees move to Mexico and say their monthly living expenses is, say $1000.00, but this is including rent. Or they may say Panama, their total living expenses is $1000.00 a month.

What is the idea salary to have to live there? Thanks

lizzardo · 11-06-2009, 08:55 AM

That is a hard figure to provide since everyone is different in their
food shopping and use of utilities. It also depends on what kind
of place you are looking to rent. I don't think there is any
place that even provides that kind of statistic on Aruba.

Sorry can't help more.

tom and pam · 11-06-2009, 01:14 PM

Hi there. I have a home on the island and have asked this question to my neighbors many times. Some are retired, some are local and still work and some come for long stays (over 2 months at a time). The answer seems to be that the monthly living expense without a mortgage or rent payment is less than $1,000 US per month and that is going out to dinner at least once a week. . . . I have made a list of my spending when I was on the island for 5 weeks last Christmas and I lived very well for $975. That was dinner out often, groceries and liquor for neighborhood parties. . . .

Tom and Stanley

lizzardo · 11-07-2009, 08:53 AM

It depends on the place you are moving to.
For example:
Does it have a pool? Expense
Large landscaped yard? Expense
Maid (which are really affordable here)? Expense

I think the $1k is about right - just not dining at Ruth's Chris

Tom & Karen · 11-07-2009, 11:59 AM

Our average elect. = $130.00/month
...... average water = $31.00

This is our average for Sept 2008 thru Feb. 2009 ( 6 months)

We do not have a pool. Usually only run airco in evening.

lizzardo · 11-08-2009, 08:42 AM

WOW! You are lucky! We have a big lot and house and 7 aircos.

We have some of our aircos on all day, an irrigation system, pool, satelite TV, maid, gardener!

Tom & Karen · 11-08-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzardo

WOW! You are lucky! We have a big lot and house and 7 aircos.

We have some of our aircos on all day, an irrigation system, pool, satelite TV, maid, gardener!

Conservative might be a better way to put it. We get a nice breeze through the house durning the day. Usually don't start the air up until dark.

Chadd · 11-08-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom & Karen

Our average elect. = $130.00/month
...... average water = $31.00

This is our average for Sept 2008 thru Feb. 2009 ( 6 months)

We do not have a pool. Usually only run airco in evening.

That's not bad at all and very comparable to our bills here in PA.

Annjell · 11-08-2009, 09:53 PM

Thanks everyone. Actually, I had found a 1-bdrm apt I wanted to rent. I was curious as to what utilities would cost. I don't eat pork, seldomlt eat chicken, and rarely eat red meat (beef), I eat mainly seafood and vegetables. I don't drink sodas or alcohol, I mainly drink water and fruit juices. ****I'm not a 'health nut,' I do smoke cigarettes.

This leads to another question! I'm from the west coast, I've never seen a snake before, unless in school, pet shop or televisions. Nor have I seen a tarantula or as some say, 'bird spider.' Do I have to worry about any of these? I am scared of both!

The information everyone provided is very helpful. I do not believe the apartment have a swimming pool. One expense that I do know will be transportation.

Thanks.

*Andrea J.* · 11-08-2009, 10:52 PM

have u looked into the income requirements and all of the other pertinent information in order to establish residency? re: snakes there is the aruba rattlesnake found in the desert/cactus conucu area, there are boas that were brought in that the government is in the process of eliminating, and i have never seen a spider. seriously, the wildlife, spiders/snakes are inconsequential IMO
andrea

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annjell

Thanks everyone. Actually, I had found a 1-bdrm apt I wanted to rent. I was curious as to what utilities would cost. I don't eat pork, seldomlt eat chicken, and rarely eat red meat (beef), I eat mainly seafood and vegetables. I don't drink sodas or alcohol, I mainly drink water and fruit juices. ****I'm not a 'health nut,' I do smoke cigarettes.

This leads to another question! I'm from the west coast, I've never seen a snake before, unless in school, pet shop or televisions. Nor have I seen a tarantula or as some say, 'bird spider.' Do I have to worry about any of these? I am scared of both!

The information everyone provided is very helpful. I do not believe the apartment have a swimming pool. One expense that I do know will be transportation.

Thanks.

11-06-2009, 02:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Annjell Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 15	what are the average monthly expenses for retirees I would like to know what is the average cost for a retiree. Meaning, monthly expenses for food, utilities, not to include rental prices. An example, for (1) person, food may be $200, utilities $300 a month. Can someone give me an example. Okay, to further explain, some retirees move to Mexico and say their monthly living expenses is, say $1000.00, but this is including rent. Or they may say Panama, their total living expenses is $1000.00 a month. What is the idea salary to have to live there? Thanks

11-06-2009, 08:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
lizzardo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 402	That is a hard figure to provide since everyone is different in their food shopping and use of utilities. It also depends on what kind of place you are looking to rent. I don't think there is any place that even provides that kind of statistic on Aruba. Sorry can't help more. __________________ Beautiful house in Arashi for sale! www.arashibeachhouse.com Aruba Kitten Rescue www.arubakitten.org

11-07-2009, 08:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
lizzardo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 402	It depends on the place you are moving to. For example: Does it have a pool? Expense Large landscaped yard? Expense Maid (which are really affordable here)? Expense I think the $1k is about right - just not dining at Ruth's Chris __________________ Beautiful house in Arashi for sale! www.arashibeachhouse.com Aruba Kitten Rescue www.arubakitten.org

11-07-2009, 11:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tom & Karen Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 328	Our average elect. = $130.00/month ...... average water = $31.00 This is our average for Sept 2008 thru Feb. 2009 ( 6 months) We do not have a pool. Usually only run airco in evening. __________________ Tom & Karen Next Trip: Jan. 6 - April 7

11-08-2009, 08:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
lizzardo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 402	WOW! You are lucky! We have a big lot and house and 7 aircos. We have some of our aircos on all day, an irrigation system, pool, satelite TV, maid, gardener! __________________ Beautiful house in Arashi for sale! www.arashibeachhouse.com Aruba Kitten Rescue www.arubakitten.org

11-06-2009, 01:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
tom and pam Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 27	Hi there. I have a home on the island and have asked this question to my neighbors many times. Some are retired, some are local and still work and some come for long stays (over 2 months at a time). The answer seems to be that the monthly living expense without a mortgage or rent payment is less than $1,000 US per month and that is going out to dinner at least once a week. . . . I have made a list of my spending when I was on the island for 5 weeks last Christmas and I lived very well for $975. That was dinner out often, groceries and liquor for neighborhood parties. . . . Tom and Stanley

11-08-2009, 09:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
Annjell Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 15	Thanks everyone. Actually, I had found a 1-bdrm apt I wanted to rent. I was curious as to what utilities would cost. I don't eat pork, seldomlt eat chicken, and rarely eat red meat (beef), I eat mainly seafood and vegetables. I don't drink sodas or alcohol, I mainly drink water and fruit juices. ****I'm not a 'health nut,' I do smoke cigarettes. This leads to another question! I'm from the west coast, I've never seen a snake before, unless in school, pet shop or televisions. Nor have I seen a tarantula or as some say, 'bird spider.' Do I have to worry about any of these? I am scared of both! The information everyone provided is very helpful. I do not believe the apartment have a swimming pool. One expense that I do know will be transportation. Thanks.