What would be the rough annual figures for a couple (no kids) to live
(not work) in a reasonable serviced 2 bedroom apartment in an OK area
of the capital?

Estimate to include serviced apartment, groceries, eating out 3x per
week, broadband, public transport budget.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

I am going for the Philippines first because this is my home and
pretty much know some of the estimates.

----------------------------
Philippines:
2 Bedroom Apartments - $100 to $200

Broadband ? DSL (from PLDT) subscription start at $20 per month but
some companies have lower fees but they don?t cover other areas like
PLDT does.

Groceries- are about $100 per month. Again it depends on you. But our
first link has some good information on grocery prices. Please take
note that prices change depending on the season.
http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/cost_of_living/south_manila.html#GROCERIES

Cost Per Eating Out? Depends on the restaurant of course. I would say
about $15 to $25 for good restaurants.
http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/cost_of_living/south_manila.html#LEISURE: 

You can get more info on the following links:

?Cost of Living in South Manila?
http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/cost_of_living/south_manila.html

?Cost of Living in the Philippines and Finding a House?
http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/housing.html

?Philippines - Currency and Cost of Living?
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-philippines-currency-costs 


--------------------------------
Thailand:

2 Bedroom Apartments ? $260+ to $520+ per month but some say it can go
as low as $180+ depending on the place.
                                       
Broadband - $13+ to $26+ per month

Groceries ? About $130+. Again it depends how much you are going to
buy and how frugal you will be.
http://www.seansite.net/thailand/pattaya/cost-of-living-in-pattaya/ 

Cost Per Eating Out ? Fancy restaurant and dinner for two about $27

Sources:
?Cost of living in Bangkok?
http://www.1stopbangkok.com/living/cost/ 

?Basic costs of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand?
http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/living/cost/ 

?LIVING IN THAILAND?
http://www.auathailand.org/living/index.html 


----------------------
Mexico

2 Bedroom Apartments ? $400 to $500

Broadband ? $50
http://www.maztravel.com/maz/retire.html 

Groceries ? about $110 per month

Cost Per Eating Out - $9 to $15 per person.

Sources: 
?Mexico City?
http://www.mexicocity.com.mx/costs.html 

?The Cost of Living in Mexico?
http://www.rollybrook.com/cost_of_living.htm 


Search terms used:
Mexico Thailand Philippines "cost of living" dsl broadband ?two
bedroom? apartments groceries

I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                                                          
                              
Regards,                              
Easterangel-ga                              
Google Answers Researcher

Just what I needed thank you.

Hi there,

I spent some time in Mexico City. I can tell you that eating out can
be much cheaper; corner taco shops may cost you around $5 or less if
you don't go for the fancy steak tacos.

As for public transit, it's got one of the cheapest systems in the
world: 2 pesos per metro ride or bus ride, approximately equal to 20
cents US.

As for apartments, they can go much higher than that, the closer you
are to the center or to a decent neighborhood, and if they identify
you as being an easy "mark" (as a foreigner). Don't go through an
agent or anything; get a Mexican friend to help you shop around.

Thank you for the kind words, the 5 stars and for the generous tip! :)