Just perfect, spreading the opinion of someone that has only been to one country, and has takes of "betterness" that other countries supposedly have over that one country he has been in, he has no credibility. This is the problem with the travel industry now, too many people take the word of people like this when they travel thus see these countries through the lens of the people regurgitating the same unproven talking points; oh well.
@@gangstagummybear3432 dont know if your comment is completely fair, he does his best and gives his opinion fore what thats worth, suppose he would go and live in every country fore 1 year, after 5 years the info about the first is already old, also think that people often look fore different things based on age finances and personal preferences, no offence to you
Philippines has been on my destination list since 2008, when I got with my late Wife, in the U.S., who was from the Philippines. After her passing, I began looking at Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Ukraine and Poland). But the lack of English language I felt would be a challenge. Only briefly considered Central and South America. Thailand was considered, but again, English isn't as easy. I really don't think infrastructure is so bad, here. It depends on where you land. I don't regret my move to the Philippines! Sure, there are some frustrations here, but this is so much more relaxing to live in the Philippines, than struggling, financially, in the U.S.
@jerrymarshall2728 I agree. We built our home here 7 years ago and it's fine. Bangkok is nice to visit however the language and humidity compared to Tagaytay makes it limited.
Don’t even think about Eastern Europe, these are men in women’s bodies, they will clean you out and find someone else to clean out😂 you’ll be lucky to escape with your life. Thai or Philipines or even Japan go there
@davesmith9916 If you really want to, then set up a Philippine Partnership or Corporation and use this entity to buy land. Even have the entity lease the land to you through the Partnership as well. Make sure this is all annotated with Register of Deeds.
Having no restrictions on overseas investment on real estate in Canada resulted in prices skyrocketing over the past 3 decades. I’m a well-educated professional from Canada and I can’t even afford to buy real estate in Canada now. I’m from Vancouver and many offshore investors from Hong Kong and China would fly in and purchase 3-4 houses in one visit, then return to their home country and leave the houses in Vancouver vacant. The demand from overseas investors grew so rapidly causing prices to rise beyond reach for the average Canadian. Vancouver quickly became Hongcouver beginning in the early 1990s. As a white male, I quickly became a visible minority in my own city.
@ShikokuFoodForest True. However the Philippines is far from cheap. Go to Nuvali Santa Rosa and Subdivision lot prices are around 50,000 pesos per square meter. That's about 15M Pesos or $272,000 US dollars for a lot a little over 3,000 square feet. So using land to building ratios 4 to 1 or so and we're dealing with $800,000+ plus houses.
In my experience having lived in both the Philippines almost 3 years and now in Cambodia for 2 years, I’ve found the food to be much more flavorful and varied in Cambodia. The cost of living and accomodations is phenominally low in Cambodia and is easily 2 to 3 times more expensive in the Philippines. Healthcare is better in the Philippines though. Barking dogs and roosters has NOT been a problem at all in Cambodia, but in the Philippines? OMG, don’t let me get started on that!
@wesgraham2262 We have 7 also (dogs) being farmland. They're quiet unless someone is coming over or delivery. I wouldn't mind get a few roosters. None out here. We had goats for awhile and baboy (pigs). No real neighbors. You can still catch tricycles & bokyos and we drive the convertible from time to time. Or we just take Grab. Enjoy the fruit bearing trees of guyabano, jackfruit, papaya and banana, and santol. Nice to relax and go swimming. I'll keep the Philippines.
With the Philippines being a developing country, what are they doing to lessen the ubiquitous homeless dog problem? All I hear over and over us how bad the dog problem is there, but I never hear anything being done about it.
@@ShikokuFoodForestthe City of Bangkok did a good job or ridding the streets of stray dogs and the streets are absolutely clear of debris and garbage. Unfortunately, once you go outside the city, then the stray dogs show up and everything looks untidy and garbage-strewn.
@@rickcinway2312 Thanks. Interesting to hear. I guess I will never understand why something as basic and non-technical as garbage collection is neglected to the degree it is outside of big cities in SE Asia. Having common garbage collection sites for locals to take their garbage each week and having city crews with trucks to pick it up regularly and haul it to a landfill is not a technically difficult problem to solve. Worst-case scenario, if the city is negligent, incompetent or corrupt, then why don’t the local people get organized to make any effort to keep their towns/small city streets clean? Why is it that it takes the expats to get organized to collect the trash? Filipinos for example don’t mind trash everywhere? I see it a lot in the countryside in Japan too. Young students often throw their trash in the park wherever they gather.
1995 Ipil massacre occurred on the morning of April 4, 1995. I was in Cebu when this happened. It was a sad day for the Philippines. Research the area you want to retire in first. I would spend at least a month just looking around and see if this is what you want to do. I have been to the Philippines many times and never had a problem. It helps to dress down and blend in. Blue jeans and a work shirt works. Of course that was a while ago. It may be different now.
Good point when I travel I bring mostly old crap I know guys that pack all their best stuff which makes then a target 🎯. Last trip I took I wore shoes that were glued together and t shirts with holes in them etc makes me look like a barely surviving expat 😂😂
I have a Filipina friend here in US has a husband who is a retired Engineer in the Military. He went to the Philippines for 4 months and renovated the house of her parents. He came back to US and stay again for 4 months. When he returned to the Philippines he does like to return in the US anymore as he has 3 helpers who take care of him. He had head surgery in US for 2 times but he preferred stay in the Philippines. US healthcare can be used now in the Philippines just like Aetna, Cigna and others. Just check your Healthcare coverage in Hi end hospitals in the Country.
I have taraveled all over SE Asia since 1997. I lived in Mindoro Phillippnes 97-98. We are currently building homes in Negros. Moving permanently to the Phils in November. I would never consider moving to Indo. Vietnam is magnificent. Thailand is my favorite. I am married to a Pinay. We started a corporation and are currently developing a gated community in Negros. The fastest growing economy in SE Asia is the Phils. If you are looking to make a few bucks before you retire the Phils is a money maker. Eventually I would like to live in Thailand. All around Thailand is my favorite place in SE Asia. It is pure SE Asia. Never colonized. Amazing scenery and wild life. Buddhist amazing people. Never curopted by the Catholic church. It is as good as it gets!
Indonesia is very underrated when it comes to speaking English. If you’re in any tourist area you will not have any problems speaking English with the locals. Best part and reason I’m moving there permanently next year there are not many Americans there lol
@17000Islands that's a big plus. Lots of Australians in Bali. No traffic lights there either, just u turn routes and roundabouts. Lots of motors. Great place.
I loved living in BAli, but most Americans need to be surrounded by fellow Americans. I prefer your thought on that. very interesting being with other expats besides Americans. Refreshing
@@brianphuket5951 have a few good American friends there, but I always say when asked why I love Indonesia, one of my top reasons is there are not many Americans, it’s partly a joke and partially true
Bought 1.2 hectares in Taguytuy. Built a 3200 sq ft , 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, custom woodwork throughout. Added a wall to keep the critters out, and a 2 car garage. First came to PI in the 70’s, and love it.
As far as banking, I have my pension checks direct deposited into my US bank account. A wire transfer is a simple thing but a bit expensive. A wire transfer costs $45 US regardless of the amount. I make wire transfers as needed, once or twice a year. I have a retirement visa that is good for a year. I never have to leave the country. That cost me about $52 US dollars. 90 day address checks can be done online and are free.
All these countries Visa's are subject to change soo don't buy. Don't rent a condo on the 1st floor. IF the generator is near your room it is loud enough you may not hear your tv.
Mike, Thnx for your honest views on those countries you mentioned. Someone might think because you’re in the Philippines that you would be a tad biased toward there but you just gave your honest opinion of each country. Each place has their own strong and weak points and in the end it up to you to decide what’s best for you
He hasn't been to these countries so he's going off hearsay and outdated information. Thailand is exploding in all of these areas. For example, check out their new visa programs and crazy modern condos.
I don't care how cheap the country is to live. The #1 priority for me was healthcare. This is the reason why I chose Thailand over the Philippines to retire to. BTW, my wife is a Filipina and we've been married for over 24 years.
We live in the Philippines and visit Bangkok yearly. The only problem with Thiland is the extreme humidity and only being able to walk outside for no more than 30 minutes, however Nov-Feb it's great. The night markets and MRT are good. Friendly people and great Thai food selections. Lots of online sellers. I could see the advantages of people living there. BYD is popular there.
@rogerwilco4736 I had a hiata hernia procedure in the Philippines and I'm still alive. I even had a hernia repair many years ago done in the Philippines and another done in the States.
Have you read the requirements for the MM2H (Malaysia My 2nd Home) not make Malaysia my 2nd home. The minimum for a 5 year stay is a deposit of 500,000 ringgit, over 110k usd. Now they’re changing it again to a minimum of 150k usd deposit for the lowest silver tier and requires purchasing property and holding the property for a minimum of 10 years. Ridiculous.
@@mikesphilippineretirement S-MM2H or Sarawak version is cheaper, but you have to stay in Sarawak for 30 days per year. I did the border runs before MM2H was a thing and managed it for two years. Was nice, food was excellent, low crime. Muslim thing really wasn't an issue, they didn't have the ladies in Burka, etc.
And they still think that bkk infrastructures is better??? I think it's the same..metro manila got the MOST number of massive public transport infrastructures currently under construction in ASEAN
in Philippines as you said infrastructure is spotty, good in some places and poor in a lot of places. If you live in one of the better areas cost of living jumps a lot and is no longer competitive with other SE asian areas that have good infrastructure.
I know most of the folks here are focused on retirement, but I focus on right to work. I guess expat UA-camrs can working in The Philippines if all income is foreign, but not all countries are structured that way. Not sure how this could be set up in the other countries that were mentioned.
Been all over SE Asia over the years, IMO Philippines is best for Americans to retire, English spoken by most, friendly people, beautiful women, and good bang for the buck. As a Vietnam combat Marine in 69 I hesitate to go back but I know it's changed for the better!
For what's it's worth. The controlling reglion of each might also be a factor. I think Thailand has much more modern infrastructure in transport and rental property. Getting around easily would be Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines. Ease of International travel is another factor which puts Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines in ranking order. Thailand has a new Digital Nomad visa that's worth looking into for younger travelers. English language and signs goes to Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. The easiest Countries to assimilate would be Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. Vietnam and Cambodia have very low cost of living. Infact in Cambodia ATM's give you cash in USD. However, there is slightly more risk in undeveloped Countries. Cambodia and Vietnam are building up constantly within larger Expat cities. My personal ranking: Thailand Philippines Malaysia Cambodia Vietnam Laos Indonesia
great places to try. Thailand is becoming more and more expensive many are opting for Cambodia and Vietnam, both of which are considerably cheaper and in some cases easier visa's.
Mike, my top 2 are Malaysia and the Philippines. English is a very important. The Philippines 🇵🇭 is my first choice due to the friendly people and the fact that it is a Christian country, plus the visa issue.
I am an introvert and I hate cities and heavy traffic. Since I am now an old man, medical care is very important. I prefer to live out in the boonies. Is good medical care available off the beaten path? Thailand is the best place for modern hospitals in the provinces. Private hospitals are quite common but you will pay a premium for that care.
The most important when living in South East Asia is the people. To live somewhere for life you need to be around good people. Food you can find any were you mite need to spend little more for western food.
I agree with your ranking of the countries. Malaysia and Thailand are the top 2 in most categories with Vietnam being in the middle of the pack. I will say, Vietnam is the top for most accessible beaches.
I have lived in both Malaysia and the Philippines. I agree with everything you said, however the Philippines does have some extra advantages: 1. It has the nicest and friendliest people by far. This is pretty important even apart from dating. 2. The beaches are better and some of them are also more conveniently located near decent sized cities so you access both without travelling far. 3. The geography of the Philippines means you can live at higher altitude in a less hot and humid climate and still be near a city. Malaysia doesn't really have that. The higher altitudes tend to be far from cities. 4. Malaysia taxes alcohol heavily so it costs double or more compared to the Philippines.
Interesting comment. Unlike you, I much prefer Malaysia. It's cleaner, safer, better infrastructure, better culture, etc.... I can't handle the corruption, inefficiency, terrible service, dirt, poverty, pollution and people just not caring in the Philippines.
i've been to the Philippines many times and of course there are pros and cons… But to me, the biggest problem is the food… Poor quality, unhealthy, and really not very inexpensive… If anyone else has discovered a way around this, please let me know!
Hi Mike, with my experiences in Cambodia, the infrastructure in the larger cities is top notch, the internet is fast, there are no such things as brownouts, unless weather related. Everything your accustomed to in "the west" or could possibly want is available there, save McDonalds 🤣! There doesn't seem to be a huge homeless population, nor stray animals, and the cities are relatively clean, by Southeast Asia standards. In the large cities many of the people speak English, so communication is quite easy. Sometimes you speak of Cambodia as a very rural and undeveloped country, that is most definitely not the case. In 2025 there will be a new airport opening in Phnom Pehn, which will be the 9th largest airport in the world, estimated to have 50 million travelers a year using that airport. Always enjoy your content, cheers from DFW, soon to be from Phnom Pehn!
I hope our Philippine Tourism Board should study the opinions and observations of expats. What will make us at par with our neighborhoods? Or how can we improve other aspects of tourism to make Philippines the number 1 destination for expats.
Because of the language barrier, I'd say go to the Philippines First, set-up shop and THEN and THEN and THEN GO VISIT YOUR DREAM PLACES FOR A WEEK, MONTH ETC. LANGUAGE BARRIERS can be difficult. Tks. much
I am considering BCG. I would eat better, St Lukes hospital is nearby. My Filipina and I will travel to the out islands, and SouthEast Asia. I love Thailand, but the lack of spoken English is a dealbreaker.
BGC is where I plan to end up when I get out to the Philippines to retire. Sometime next year, I'll do a 9-month trip to visit the Philippines & spend a few months in BGC to see how I like living there & traveling out to other places from this home base in BGC.
@@napoleonmdusa8877 Good luck. I am planning to spend 3 months to learn how to navigate the PH. My Filipina lives in Metro Manila, which will be a plus. I will spend the holidays with her and her family. Dec, Jan,Feb
Im a Christian and lots of Christian churches in the Philippines which I often go on most Sundays. South Korea and Japan has also a large Christian population.
Thanks Mike for this very informative video. I was sold on the Philippines, but since watching this I have decided that I'm going to visit both Malaysia and the Philippines before I pick a place that might work for me. I still have about four to six yrs to go depending on whether I decide to retire at 60 or 62; and if my company offers a generous buyout option before the next contract; but either way if I choose to retire in SE Asia I can live well of my decent company pension while I wait until my Full Retirement Age 67 to collect my SS. Or maybe I just start my SS early and bank it. That part I haven't decided yet. I've read that Malaysia has a lower humidity level, that may play a role in my decision making. But when I worked a few years in Alaska's Denali Park when I was a lot younger man than I am today, I had met and befriended a beautiful filipinia and that is going to play a major role in my final decision also. But I just wanted to say thank you for these other aspects to consider. Based on your information, now I may even consider visiting Vietnam. I'm curious if they hold any prejudice against Americans because of the war, but being that I'm Christian, and as you stated they are mostly Muslims religion, I might not even bother becuase our faiths differ too much.
You can get super cheap land & houses in Japan, not in the city tho but in smaller towns/villages 40 minutes out from a city where Japan has unbelievably cheap homes & land. $25k USD will buy a 1500ft2 home in great shape. Its because the younger generation in Japan wants nothing to do with living in smaller towns/villages, they want the big cities.
@@mikesphilippineretirement look up akiya home or akiya houses in Japan. So many abandoned properties there & not some run down crappy abandoned type thing, I mean those exist too but those can be bought for like $6k USD & need like $20k USD of work. $3 to $5 million JPY is a typical asking price for a nice condition akiya homes in rural type villages.
Akiya homes are available. Abandoned or semi-vacant homes. Tough part is becoming a legal permanent resident as a foreigner. I will say Japan has started to open there eyes....Birth rates are falling. Also, in Japan...older home's do not appreciate like they do in the West. Most buyers want new....Fire / Earthquakes are major concerns in the country. Japan is well worth the visit if you are going to Asia for the first time or looking for a retirement spot. I struggle understanding why guys are dropping 400K USD for a condo in BGC or Makati....The market is flooded with luxury condos...No market analysis is really being done...Go to the city at night and see how many units are occupied simply by seeing how many lights are on....Some of these high rises are 30-40%. In my experience financial disclosures of Condo Associations are limited...Good luck figuring out if maintenance is going to be done. 100K maybe for a Condo in the Philippines in my mind and only after you have spent considerable time in the country. There are other deals out there that have better value.
Yes Japan would be my first choice in Asia BUT I have a Philippine GF. Language isn't much of a problem for me in Japan as I was married to a Japanese lady for many years and met her in Japan while in the military. Sadly she has since passed away. Japan has cooler weather on Honshu but also seems to have earthquakes more than the P.I. It has a long rainy season too. and the occasional typhoon. I. love most Japanese food except raw fish dishes. I have found some excellent food in the Philippines restaurants too, but you have to look for it, and it might be a little more pricey.
Mike thanks so much for the information you have in this video ! I have visited the Philippines once for a month with friends who wife was Filipino and she made things easy for me as she made all the arrangements and paid the fares on the Jeepneys etc and i paid her back later. Anyway im a bit concerned doing this alone but i just cant survive in the USA on my Social Security. Can you recommend which expat groups might have people that can help me with questions and possible help finding rental places ? I Spent the majority of my time in the Philippines in a small town in Mindoro and a few trips to beach resorts etc around that island and some in the Manila area . All the people i met in the Philippines were very friendly. I loved the food i ate there and im not picky anyway. I currently use a credit union and wonder if ATM cards work etc in the Philippines. My SS is direct deposit’s into this credit union. I am trying to do all this relocation with a small savings and my monthly SS which is only 1400 am i chasing a dream that is unrealistic trying to retire in the Philippines on this small SS amount ? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Hi Mike, I must have clean air and water. Safe clean and the assistance I will need to grow old on my own. White sandy beaches are a must. Healthy food a must. I also highly value peace and quiet. No smokers living around me. Can't stand smokers in condo life. Where would you recommend I live Mike. P.S. I don't expect to learn another language, I've barely master my own. Thanks for your help.
Davao is very safe and I'm told you can drink water from the tap there. Beautiful beaches nearby as well. Rent is a bit higher than other Philippine cities. Not sure how you can avoid smokers in a condo however, best bet is probably a corner unit? Everyone speaks English so that's a plus, and there's plenty of fresh food markets.
not to throw shade here, but.. some of this information is really off or extremely incomplete.. I've been to Vietnam many times, it is anything but peaceful if you're living in Ho Chi Minh City, which is where most expats will go. it is one of the most frenetic cities you will ever go. Largely due to the massive number of motorbikes, everywhere,..which also contribute to generally bad air quality... which is an issue that really should've been mentioned in this video because it greatly affects quality of life, and where you may choose to live.. also… A little bit about differences in dating from one location to the next would probably have been welcome to many of those watching this...just sayin'. !
Maybe you should start looking for a better place. I'm in Subic freeport zone. It's twice as expensive, but the infrastructure, western amenities and location make it a great place to live.
@@mikesphilippineretirement Nah. Your comments say otherwise. Maybe you should try somewhere else. Only then can you really compare the countries you mentioned.
Hi Mike, My wife was born in the PI and is now a US citizen. We live in Virginia. I believe the PI allows her to buy property.???? We plan to visit her family at Christmas and research the housing market in Taygaytay. I’m not getting any younger and the Philippines might work out for us in retirement. What’d ya think?😉
Technically a foreigner can setup a special corporation in Indonesia called a PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing which translates to Limited Liability Company with Foreign Direct Investment) and then they can own property through that corporation. That said, I think you're limited to highly commercial areas like Bali, you're not going to be allowed to set one of these up and kick a bunch of natives off their island in a remote part of Indonesia.
I am curious about healthcare. Are there plenty of doctors and medical services? If you need to go in the hospital for week do you pay out of pocket? I was told there is a VA hospital around Manila.
To foreigners out there, no one ask you to retire and live in the Philippines. It is YOUR CHOICE, not even Filipinos will be the one to decide for you. Most of the foreigners are entitled and already living comfortably in their countries. Some of them are jobless, oldies and retirees, they are so lazy that they will go to the PH, just to vlog, click bait and look for a wife who will take care of them until they die. If you're just new, just visit the PH and enjoy the places, be open to culture and kind to it's local people. Do not live there as your expectation will only disappoint you. Bring lots of patience in your bag. And you will realize how blessed and privileged you are compared to Filipinos. Realtalk.
MIKE, IF YOU HAVE TO RELOCATE DO SO. THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING. IT'S LIKE A GAME OF CHESS... YOU MAKE THE BEST MOVE FOR YOURSELF AND SPOUSE OR GIRLFRIEND✈️🌎
Malaysia is an Islam country so it won't make it on my list at all. I enjoy it here in Thailand but the Philippines is on the top as the exchange rate for USD is much better. Good video Mike.
92 percent of the Thai population were Buddhists. This was followed by 5.4 percent of Thais who were Muslim, and 1.2 percent declared to be Christians.
i agree , think you will be fine in the big cities like KL or Penang and living a western style expat life is easily done , but if your into the dating game then Malaysia is the wrong place for you . Especially if your an older expat . the big question with Malaysia is how well can you handle living in a muslim environment. Give you an example , wearing shorts is frowned upon in the malay community good vid , hard to disagree with your thoughts here.
I retired to Thailand 7 years ago. Safety & security - the petty theft risk is in heavily touristed areas. I’ve never been a victim of crime in Thailand. If you leave something behind people will run after you to return it. In the US I had my car windows smashed 3 years in a row. Cost of living - SE Asia is very likely to be less expensive than where you come from in the west. How much cheaper will depend exactly where you lived in the west and your new lifestyle in the foreign country. Vietnam still doesn’t have a retirement visa. Infrastructure - I’ve lived in Thailand for 7 years. The infrastructure is great. The new 5 year Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a huge benefit to digital nomads. Thailand - the value of housing is great. Regarding owning land - you can own a condo but not land. I would say though that the economics of owning land here isn’t quite the same as in the US. Rents are so cheap and the quality of rentals, condos or houses, is such that it may make more sense to rent. Of course rent at first until you know and understand the rental market. Visa - The visa environment in Thailand is complex. Two things to consider - you can’t retire in Thailand on a tourist visa and extensions. There is nothing here like the policy in the Philippines. You can confidently retire on a non-immigrant O visa indefinitely. There are financial requirements to be met. There are a variety of other visas used by retirees here but the non O is the most common. Health care - Thailand - I have a fair amount of experience with Thai private hospitals and dentistry in Bangkok and the Isaan countryside. It is just so much better and less expensive than my experience in the US. I think I have a pretty good affordable Thai health insurance policy though I have never made a claim. Language - they speak Thai in Thailand. As Mike said, cities are better. I get along just fine in the countryside. I know a fair amount of Thai to help me get by. Banking in Thailand - I’m satisfied with the banking here. It seems that people are using agents to help them get bank accounts these days. I just do direct wire transfers from my US bank to my Thai bank. Thai tax - it appears to be the case that Thailand will tax money brought into Thailand but you won’t be double taxed. Dual tax treaties still apply. The expectation is that any tax you pay in your home country will be a tax credit in Thailand if the tax rate in Thailand is greater. Thailand also has a progressive tax rate system topping out at 35%. So maybe the effect if any will be small. Hint - if you can qualify for an LTR visa then money brought into Thailand is not taxed. Food in Thailand - great food! Expat community - I find the expat community to be great here. Mostly Brits but plenty of people from around the world and nearly all English speakers. If I had to make a 2nd choice of where to live I would think of Malaysia first but women are a consideration for me and I would really have to explore living in Malaysia before deciding. The Philippines would be 3rd choice but know I would be giving up a lot to live there I would also have to give it a long try before deciding.
There is lot of everyday corruption in Thailand. Many of the upper middle class and up don't pay their proper income taxes. (I was expecting the Buddhist society to be more ethical.) Handling of Immigration issues there seemed either ho-hum or negatively arbitrary.
Malaysia is a Muslim and Thailand is a mix of foreign religions together. But Philippines is English and one major religion the catholic organization and many Christian’s denominations. Many people traveling there are older and learning a language is difficult keep that in mind. Every time you go out you cannot talk to them because of the language barrier. Of course there is exceptions but generally it’s the same. 😅
I must say thailand tops all for medical and hospital care, and blue Cross insurance is only $1200. A year and gives you full coverage no gaps in public and private hospitals, 😊
I'd not be so happy if I bent the rules and was able to open a bank account because someone did me a favor, because I'd worry the account might later be flagged during an audit and closed or seized.
Great video Mike, as always. I'm coming to the PI in December (Manila, Cebu, and Dumaguete). My main reasons for choosing the Philippines are the language - I need to be able to understand local people or I feel uncomfortable (I live in France during the summer, as I'm mostly fluent) - the Catholic faith, which is important to me, and the large American expat community. I'm only looking to spend a few months/year in the PI, so I'm hoping that I can live happily in a bubble!
IMHO, if you take the girls out of the equation, 70% of the westerners would not retire in the Philippines , also - if you are talking 2k usd monthly budget, you can live in Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, which are all in the EU, and have much better standards of living than Latin America or SE Asia.
@@mikesphilippineretirement you're talking about quality of life. You talk about infrastructure. I could ask how is a brownout or bad road going to ruin your retirement. I think the frustrations of disorganization and lack of decent customer service can make daily life less enjoyable. It's not just how you're treated, it's the inefficiency.
Here in the Philippines, most of the people, especially in the city, can understand and speak English so it's easier for foreigners to communicate also in Malaysia and Singapore. In Thailand some can understand English too, in Vietnam, it's a bit difficult, but there is always a way for example you will ask how much the vendors will show you the money how much you are going to pay. For food I love Vietnamese food especially phó and ban mhe and the coffee so delicious.
I have been to Philippines and Indonesia, I ended up meeting a women in a Kayak Race, Two years later Married, Three years Permeant visa,Year 4 years Farm, So now Condo, Home and Farm, We have killings but most political, Steer away from any of it, ♥️, philippines You by and inc. Then can own 40% of Corporation Philippines
I looked at Belize ocean front and on Lagoon with view of Mayan ruins. Decide on U.P. of Michigan. Agricultural tax exemptions help cut property taxes down. Money is a store of value. Currencies loose value. Money is not currencies. I need to be by water to go sailing. Good hunting and fishing helps. Some may look for good golf courses. Building an off grid earthship type design cottage. No tires using thick masonry walls instead. No heat bill, no cooling bill, no water bill, no sewage bill, and grows some food. That's the key is living cheap. Inflation at 2% of 20 years is like 40% loose of value. U.P. everything is a drive. I like snowmobiling and atv's. Low populations and high amounts of resources. Less people seems like more people are willing to help each other.
Great content Mike! One thing I'd add is Pollution. I enjoy visiting these places but probably would not want to live there for long term: Hanoi, Saigon, Jakarta, Bangkok and Manila. Those millions of motorbikes in Vietnam are not going away anytime soon. 😆😆🤣🤣
Thailand has an issue with taxation now, if you stay over six months. They do offer two months visa on arrival with a 30 day extension at immigration office, so that is a plus. Its to be seen if this can be done indefinitely. Of course, you'd want to talk to a lawyer for the official take on this.
Just careful. Not too confident to everyone. Trust in God. Be friendly and take care. Be wise for everyday life for living. Too avoid big problem don't spend your money for just a pleasure only. Evil Deception and temptation is everywhere. God protect you and Bless you. 👍💕
NOTICE IMMIGRATION UPDATE! Maayong buntag and good morning to everybody! I had to go to immigration yesterday in bacolod and there's no information that they are not giving out to 6 month visitor immigration at the present time unless you go to MANILA!! Only the two month extension is available at the present time to everywhere except MANILA kind of stinks. As long as i am online the exchange rate this morning is exactly 58 pesos. It's been going down a little bit with the american bad economy!. Have a nice day folks!
Been in the P.I. for 10 months and it's actually hard to find anyone that speaks English, so not sure where that b.s. about Filipinos being English speakers comes from.
I forgot one thing folks on the six month visa the last one i did get in bacolod i had to have a doctor in the sunny note saying the reason why i needed 6 months and said it too! That would be something like physical condition makes it hard for you to move around or something you need to come up with for that you can check the immigration web page but i don't find that too helpful for information. Maybe call on office if you are looking for the six months now
I lived in China 17 years teaching at universities and loved it. Unfortunately, they don't offer a retirement visa. I have a 10 year tourist visa there but can only stay 60 days at a time.
41 years in Pinoy culture and I live in Mindanao. Traveled extensively throughout all of SE Asia. You can't compare Pinas to Thailand as it isn't even close in most respects EXCEPT pinoy people are even nicer and more genuine and speak English and the women are the best in the world. Pinas is what Thailand was 50 years ago(no not 30 years ago) Thailand is head and shoulders better than Pinas except in those three things. The infrastructure in Pinas is well..TERRIBLE in most places (not all). Trash is a real problem in most cities. Raw sewage is dumped into the ocean (Dumaguete!) The wild pinoy dogs are EVERYWHERE and the rooster noise is insane as is the constant karaoke at all times of the day and night which really gets old. The traffic in the cities is BRUTAL and worse than in Vietnam. Corruption is brutally bad but perhaps worse in Cambodia if that is possible. Healthcare is better than in Cambodia but can't hold a candle to Thailand's private system. FOOD....well...mostly NOT GOOD in Pinas but you can find some good seafood. The national food is definitely overly fried fried chicken lol. Servings are tiny in Pinas compared to Thailand so Thai food is not only better but cheaper. Where Pinas wins is with THE PEOPLE and ENGLISH is the language of instruction in schools so everyone , even 90 year old lola, can speak English. As mentioned , the women are clearly the best in SE Asia on average. Also, the culture is not Asian ...it's a combo of old school Spanish mixed with Americanism and I personally greatly prefer that. The Asian culture in the rest of Asia takes some getting used to and not everyone can adapt well. Cambodia is basically the Philippines with an Asian culture without the English and yes a little cheaper. NOTE: and a BIG NOTE >>>You get a way nicer condo in Thailand for the dollar than you do in the Philippines. You can BUY a 1500 square foot HIGH END condo in places like Hua Hin Thailand for under 175 USD and to get that in Pinas(if you can find such) is double to triple the cost and basically only exist in Cebu city, Davao city or Makati and other upscale areas in metro Manila. On that note , much of metro Manila is a NIGHTMARE while Bankok is very impressive. Women...HANDS DOWN the Philippines and the language barrier is not an issue. If it was up to me I'd live in THAILAND FOR SURE but my wife won't leave Pinas so I make the best of it. I am a smaller city country boy type BUT I like infrastructure , decent roads, sidewalks, some level of cleanliness, noise laws, and top quality private healthcare. Vietnam is my second choice for all the reasons I listed above above but they don't have a retirement visa Dumaguete used to be great but now the entire area is over run with white foreigners which has ruined the place in my opinion. This ridiculous influx, which has been caused by UA-camrs actually(people are sheep), has caused insane population growth of both pinoys and foreigners , skyrocketing land and housing costs and brutal traffic on par with Cebu city! The traffic is insane and the pinoy dog problem is massive. Now everyone that wants nice is moving south of Duma to wreck that lovely area too. Valencia is still decent ...Duma HELL NO. I left the area for Mindanao several years ago. No I won't tell you about the few really good spots left in Pinas to retire in .
Yes this is a great assessment. The one point I don't understand is how this post and many others rate Philippines food poorly. That I don't understand. There are like 100 specialized dishes that are awesome; why do people miss all these?
@@SECRETPURPOSE I am speaking of the typical pinoy dishes that all eat and the street food which is basically crap. Yes there are good pinoy dishes that are rarely eaten by pinoys. Yes there are good places that sell good seafood dishes too . The national food is for sure pork and over fried fried chicken. Not good. The servings are half the size of Thailand and the quality is generally quite poor. Food in Thailand is cheaper because the servings are almost twice the size and the quality is far superior. I am not a big guy 5'9" and 180 athletic but I need two typical pinoy servings. Pinoys don't eat those specialized dishes for the most part because of the extreme poverty(much poorer than Thailand) .....so that's why it's really basic pork dishes, fried chicken that has been fried in omega 6 re-used cooking oils(toxic as hell) and dried fish and rice ....again the street food is generally not good at all.
If you like Chinese looking people go to thailand ,kungnwala kwarta wag sa pinas or sa south east asia imagine wala kwarta ayaw sa street dog at rooster 😂😂😂😂pang 1st world pala peg 😂
Hi Mike, cant comment on the most because I have not been there like you , I can only judge living in the Phillipines, saw inflation here is 8.5% thats a lot, my advice if you plan to live your life here is , get a house with a garden, grow vegetables and fruit, mix with the locals and learn about where they get their things, good food in local markets etc, it makes life a lot cheaper
Was in Dumaguete 2 weeks ago and sent you a message via fb but I guess you don't use it anymore. Really wanted to get together for a coffee and discuss retirement. But, we're back in Canada now. Hopefully, next visit
Mike, you should explore the Digital nomad visa for Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur & Penang has a way better than where you are. I think you should qualify with your youtube channel & income ..
What is your idea of low quality food. Is it simply how it is spiced or seasoned. If thats all, meat, potatoes, corn, beans and pasta with butter, salt and pepper will mostly do. Gravy is nice and maybe tomatoe sauce as well as cheese and rice is enough for me.
A friend of mine told me he would never retire to a place where he could not own a weapon to protect himself, which is all of these countries I would wager.
Thailand banking is quite safe, my social security check is deposited direct to Bangkok Bank in NYC and shows up here normally by the 4th of the month. Most payments I make are by QR code and bank transfers. Malaysian foods are ok, Thailand is best overall for variety. Next would be Bali and the food in Bali. Singapore is great also but not cheap. Balinese foods in the street Warungs are amazingly Cheap. Vietnamese food is nice but seems limited. When Expats talk about food, I really think "we" talk about 'Expat eating' and that is a combination of 70% western food and 30%local country food.
I like BGC and Makati in the Philippines where American and European restaurants are abundant. I cannot eat Filipino, Thai or Vietnamese food everyday. Although Thai & Vietnamese restaurants are available including Japanese, Korean and Chinese restaurants you can choose varieties of food that they offer. Mexican & Vegan restaurants are becoming popular in metro Manila.
@@bayareatanders >normal for most expats, it's sad to seee what some youtubers will say just to get subs and likes, helping people to 'think' the cheapness of SEAsia is far from accurate, but if one wants to live like a realatively poor Thai or Filipino, it can be done... but normally not realistic. unless the planets are completely aligned perfectly
Why would a westerner want to retire especially in asia? Is it a matter of money? Is it about the asian women? Tell me what it is because i dont get it. What about medical issues since retirees usually have health issues.
I live on Bohol Island Philippines. The USA has gotten just too insane for me. And if it got too insane for me? I wonder why anyone would want to live in the USA? I shoved enough snow in Minnesota
Great information! just came back from investigating Bangkok and Phuket for retirement. My impression Bangkok is more for a younger person's lifestyle. The traffic is monstrous to drive or take taxi. Street sidewalks are dangerous, especially if your older, to walk to public transportation such as BTS or even your local food store. Not too many old people riding the SkyTrain due to stairs. Plenty of cheap apartments and good food to live as long as your fit enough to walk through the dangerous obstacle course of Bangkok streets. Pollution is very bad in Bangkok. Phuket suffers from slow traffic issues as roads are limited. Building structure safety is not a priority in Thailand. What are you going to do in Bangkok? Go to Nana Plaza every weekend to drink at bars or shop for junk at the malls? No money no honey very true in Thailand! So not all sunshine and rainbows in Thailand.
I retired to Bangkok in 2017 when I was 60 and lived there 6 years. There is plenty to do besides hang out in a bar. There is a good expat community. They have beautiful parks and numerous festivals. I have tickets to the Paul Taylor Dance company next month as part of the Thailand Music and Dance Festival which has several other international classical performances. I listen to the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra for free in Lumphini park. There is top notch entertainment at the malls during holidays. There are plenty of restaurants of every kind. The Bangkok Art & Culture Center and River City have excellent art exhibitions. I go salsa dancing in Bangkok regularly and play poker with friends every couple of months. I take the BTS everywhere and occasionally motorbike taxis. As you say the sidewalks aren't what you are used to but they have gotten better over the years and anyone can get around if they look where they are going. Bangkok is a big city with big city issues. No surprise there.
It seems like the ultimate play is to find an adventurous Pinay wife and then move to Thailand. I heard Thailand has some of the best food in the world and also the most healthiest, less than 8% obesity rate in the world, many healthy old ppl there. Can go watch some great Muy Thai matches as well
Mike, the funny thing is, in the USA, you don't own your land either . The government can take your land, and also don't pay your taxes. I think we have a false sense of ownership. For example, when you pay your car off, you own it. Love your videos. Keep up the good work.
Hey John, Your right about the car... BUT you paid a hefty TAX for that car. Pay tax on the gas . Pay Taxes for everything and any work, repairs on it. Insurance which charges TAXES on it. You need to register it every year. Depending on the sate you need to have pass inspection every year. THEN when you sell it the NEXT person has to pay TAX AGAIN and REIGISTER IT.
Great video sharing it in Facebook
Much appreciated
Just perfect, spreading the opinion of someone that has only been to one country, and has takes of "betterness" that other countries supposedly have over that one country he has been in, he has no credibility. This is the problem with the travel industry now, too many people take the word of people like this when they travel thus see these countries through the lens of the people regurgitating the same unproven talking points; oh well.
Thanks for watching
@gangstagummybear3432
Publicly subscribed to you (1 week)
@@gangstagummybear3432 dont know if your comment is completely fair, he does his best and gives his opinion fore what thats worth, suppose he would go and live in every country fore 1 year, after 5 years the info about the first is already old, also think that people often look fore different things based on age finances and personal preferences, no offence to you
@@mikesphilippineretirement The world is collapsing, how safe will you be in a Muslim country when the SHTF?
Philippines has been on my destination list since 2008, when I got with my late Wife, in the U.S., who was from the Philippines. After her passing, I began looking at Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Ukraine and Poland). But the lack of English language I felt would be a challenge. Only briefly considered Central and South America. Thailand was considered, but again, English isn't as easy. I really don't think infrastructure is so bad, here. It depends on where you land. I don't regret my move to the Philippines!
Sure, there are some frustrations here, but this is so much more relaxing to live in the Philippines, than struggling, financially, in the U.S.
thanks for sharing that Jerry
Speaking English is a big plus. My Philippine wife could speak better English than I could.😊
@jerrymarshall2728 I agree. We built our home here 7 years ago and it's fine. Bangkok is nice to visit however the language and humidity compared to Tagaytay makes it limited.
@@Gregory-Masovutch Tagaytay is a lot like Baguio, cooler and drier
Don’t even think about Eastern Europe, these are men in women’s bodies, they will clean you out and find someone else to clean out😂 you’ll be lucky to escape with your life. Thai or Philipines or even Japan go there
Not allowing land ownership is a very prudent decision that these countries have made. I wish that they had these restrictions in the u.s and canada.
it is what it is. I understand why they do it
They know what would happen. China could buy up all the Philippines in about a year.
@davesmith9916 If you really want to, then set up a Philippine Partnership or Corporation and use this entity to buy land. Even have the entity lease the land to you through the Partnership as well. Make sure this is all annotated with Register of Deeds.
Having no restrictions on overseas investment on real estate in Canada resulted in prices skyrocketing over the past 3 decades. I’m a well-educated professional from Canada and I can’t even afford to buy real estate in Canada now. I’m from Vancouver and many offshore investors from Hong Kong and China would fly in and purchase 3-4 houses in one visit, then return to their home country and leave the houses in Vancouver vacant. The demand from overseas investors grew so rapidly causing prices to rise beyond reach for the average Canadian. Vancouver quickly became Hongcouver beginning in the early 1990s. As a white male, I quickly became a visible minority in my own city.
@ShikokuFoodForest True. However the Philippines is far from cheap. Go to Nuvali Santa Rosa and Subdivision lot prices are around 50,000 pesos per square meter. That's about 15M Pesos or $272,000 US dollars for a lot a little over 3,000 square feet. So using land to building ratios 4 to 1 or so and we're dealing with $800,000+ plus houses.
In my experience having lived in both the Philippines almost 3 years and now in Cambodia for 2 years, I’ve found the food to be much more flavorful and varied in Cambodia. The cost of living and accomodations is phenominally low in Cambodia and is easily 2 to 3 times more expensive in the Philippines. Healthcare is better in the Philippines though. Barking dogs and roosters has NOT been a problem at all in Cambodia, but in the Philippines? OMG, don’t let me get started on that!
@wesgraham2262 We have 7 also (dogs) being farmland. They're quiet unless someone is coming over or delivery. I wouldn't mind get a few roosters. None out here. We had goats for awhile and baboy (pigs). No real neighbors. You can still catch tricycles & bokyos and we drive the convertible from time to time. Or we just take Grab. Enjoy the fruit bearing trees of guyabano, jackfruit, papaya and banana, and santol. Nice to relax and go swimming. I'll keep the Philippines.
With the Philippines being a developing country, what are they doing to lessen the ubiquitous homeless dog problem? All I hear over and over us how bad the dog problem is there, but I never hear anything being done about it.
@@ShikokuFoodForestthe City of Bangkok did a good job or ridding the streets of stray dogs and the streets are absolutely clear of debris and garbage. Unfortunately, once you go outside the city, then the stray dogs show up and everything looks untidy and garbage-strewn.
@@rickcinway2312 Thanks. Interesting to hear. I guess I will never understand why something as basic and non-technical as garbage collection is neglected to the degree it is outside of big cities in SE Asia. Having common garbage collection sites for locals to take their garbage each week and having city crews with trucks to pick it up regularly and haul it to a landfill is not a technically difficult problem to solve. Worst-case scenario, if the city is negligent, incompetent or corrupt, then why don’t the local people get organized to make any effort to keep their towns/small city streets clean? Why is it that it takes the expats to get organized to collect the trash? Filipinos for example don’t mind trash everywhere? I see it a lot in the countryside in Japan too. Young students often throw their trash in the park wherever they gather.
@@Gregory-Masovutch - Sounds like a great life. Enjoy, brother! 😊
1995 Ipil massacre occurred on the morning of April 4, 1995. I was in Cebu when this happened. It was a sad day for the Philippines. Research the area you want to retire in first.
I would spend at least a month just looking around and see if this is what you want to do.
I have been to the Philippines many times and never had a problem. It helps to dress down and blend in. Blue jeans and a work shirt works. Of course that was a while ago. It may be different now.
Good point when I travel I bring mostly old crap I know guys that pack all their best stuff which makes then a target 🎯.
Last trip I took I wore shoes that were glued together and t shirts with holes in them etc makes me look like a barely surviving expat 😂😂
I have a Filipina friend here in US has a husband who is a retired Engineer in the Military. He went to the Philippines for 4 months and renovated the house of her parents. He came back to US and stay again for 4 months. When he returned to the Philippines he does like to return in the US anymore as he has 3 helpers who take care of him. He had head surgery in US for 2 times but he preferred stay in the Philippines. US healthcare can be used now in the Philippines just like Aetna, Cigna and others. Just check your Healthcare coverage in Hi end hospitals in the Country.
Thanks for sharing
Where to read the source about US healthcare can be used in Philippines?
I have taraveled all over SE Asia since 1997. I lived in Mindoro Phillippnes 97-98. We are currently building homes in Negros. Moving permanently to the Phils in November. I would never consider moving to Indo. Vietnam is magnificent. Thailand is my favorite. I am married to a Pinay. We started a corporation and are currently developing a gated community in Negros. The fastest growing economy in SE Asia is the Phils. If you are looking to make a few bucks before you retire the Phils is a money maker. Eventually I would like to live in Thailand. All around Thailand is my favorite place in SE Asia. It is pure SE Asia. Never colonized. Amazing scenery and wild life. Buddhist amazing people. Never curopted by the Catholic church. It is as good as it gets!
best of luck in your business
Favorite place is Thailand but spending time and money in the Phils? Yeaaaaaaaaa, okay..........
I take it you don't like Catholics? Wtf!
Indonesia is very underrated when it comes to speaking English. If you’re in any tourist area you will not have any problems speaking English with the locals. Best part and reason I’m moving there permanently next year there are not many Americans there lol
@17000Islands that's a big plus. Lots of Australians in Bali. No traffic lights there either, just u turn routes and roundabouts. Lots of motors. Great place.
I loved living in BAli, but most Americans need to be surrounded by fellow Americans. I prefer your thought on that. very interesting being with other expats besides Americans. Refreshing
@@brianphuket5951 have a few good American friends there, but I always say when asked why I love Indonesia, one of my top reasons is there are not many Americans, it’s partly a joke and partially true
Indonesia is a toilet.
Yeah check the air quality index and get turned off😂
Bought 1.2 hectares in Taguytuy. Built a 3200 sq ft , 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, custom woodwork throughout. Added a wall to keep the critters out, and a 2 car garage. First came to PI in the 70’s, and love it.
Its not yours,it belongs to your girl,and her family!!
@@bobwilson5041 My property in the US didn’t belong to me either. The bank owned it. Here it’s all paid in full .
Yes but how much the house cost you?
As far as banking, I have my pension checks direct deposited into my US bank account. A wire transfer is a simple thing but a bit expensive. A wire transfer costs $45 US regardless of the amount. I make wire transfers as needed, once or twice a year. I have a retirement visa that is good for a year. I never have to leave the country. That cost me about $52 US dollars. 90 day address checks can be done online and are free.
All these countries Visa's are subject to change soo don't buy. Don't rent a condo on the 1st floor. IF the generator is near your room it is loud enough you may not hear your tv.
thanks for sharing
Mike, Thnx for your honest views on those countries you mentioned. Someone might think because you’re in the Philippines that you would be a tad biased toward there but you just gave your honest opinion of each country. Each place has their own strong and weak points and in the end it up to you to decide what’s best for you
thanks Mike.
Apparently one doesn't need to go, to know. Just speak like you do. Be nice and people will accept your word as fact.👍🏼
He hasn't been to these countries so he's going off hearsay and outdated information. Thailand is exploding in all of these areas. For example, check out their new visa programs and crazy modern condos.
I don't care how cheap the country is to live. The #1 priority for me was healthcare. This is the reason why I chose Thailand over the Philippines to retire to. BTW, my wife is a Filipina and we've been married for over 24 years.
We live in the Philippines and visit Bangkok yearly.
The only problem with Thiland is the extreme humidity and only being able to walk outside for no more than 30 minutes, however Nov-Feb it's great. The night markets and MRT are good. Friendly people and great Thai food selections. Lots of online sellers. I could see the advantages of people living there. BYD is popular there.
@@Gregory-Masovutch I find the humidity very similar to the Philippines. The infrastructure is better so easier to adjust.
I've had three friends die unnecessarily in Philippines thru medical misadventure or incorrect diagnosis
@rogerwilco4736 I had a hiata hernia procedure in the Philippines and I'm still alive. I even had a hernia repair many years ago done in the Philippines and another done in the States.
@@Gregory-Masovutch You are a braver man than I am. Good to hear everything worked out for you.
Have you read the requirements for the MM2H (Malaysia My 2nd Home) not make Malaysia my 2nd home. The minimum for a 5 year stay is a deposit of 500,000 ringgit, over 110k usd. Now they’re changing it again to a minimum of 150k usd deposit for the lowest silver tier and requires purchasing property and holding the property for a minimum of 10 years. Ridiculous.
They do not want everyone to move just visit
@@mikesphilippineretirement S-MM2H or Sarawak version is cheaper, but you have to stay in Sarawak for 30 days per year. I did the border runs before MM2H was a thing and managed it for two years. Was nice, food was excellent, low crime. Muslim thing really wasn't an issue, they didn't have the ladies in Burka, etc.
I live in the Philippines both in Makati and BGC and the infrastructure is second to none as a digital nomad.
thanks for sharing
And they still think that bkk infrastructures is better???
I think it's the same..metro manila got the MOST number of massive public
transport infrastructures currently under construction in ASEAN
Philippines is a great country to retire .Just respect there law and enjoy your life
thanks for sharing
You are a very good communicator Mike. Keep up the fantastic work. Best to you and Janet 🎉
Thank you koufax
in Philippines as you said infrastructure is spotty, good in some places and poor in a lot of places. If you live in one of the better areas cost of living jumps a lot and is no longer competitive with other SE asian areas that have good infrastructure.
I know most of the folks here are focused on retirement, but I focus on right to work. I guess expat UA-camrs can working in The Philippines if all income is foreign, but not all countries are structured that way. Not sure how this could be set up in the other countries that were mentioned.
Been all over SE Asia over the years, IMO Philippines is best for Americans to retire, English spoken by most, friendly people, beautiful women, and good bang for the buck. As a Vietnam combat Marine in 69 I hesitate to go back but I know it's changed for the better!
For what's it's worth. The controlling reglion of each might also be a factor. I think Thailand has much more modern infrastructure in transport and rental property.
Getting around easily would be Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines. Ease of International travel is another factor which puts Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines in ranking order.
Thailand has a new Digital Nomad visa that's worth looking into for younger travelers.
English language and signs goes to Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. The easiest Countries to assimilate would be Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia.
Vietnam and Cambodia have very low cost of living. Infact in Cambodia ATM's give you cash in USD. However, there is slightly more risk in undeveloped Countries. Cambodia and Vietnam are building up constantly within larger Expat cities.
My personal ranking: Thailand
Philippines
Malaysia
Cambodia
Vietnam
Laos
Indonesia
Excellent analysis.
great places to try. Thailand is becoming more and more expensive many are opting for Cambodia and Vietnam, both of which are considerably cheaper and in some cases easier visa's.
Mike, my top 2 are Malaysia and the Philippines. English is a very important. The Philippines 🇵🇭 is my first choice due to the friendly people and the fact that it is a Christian country, plus the visa issue.
I am an introvert and I hate cities and heavy traffic. Since I am now an old man, medical care is very important. I prefer to live out in the boonies. Is good medical care available off the beaten path? Thailand is the best place for modern hospitals in the provinces. Private hospitals are quite common but you will pay a premium for that care.
@@garyaltenburger6667 head to. KORAT thailand
The most important when living in South East Asia is the people. To live somewhere for life you need to be around good people. Food you can find any were you mite need to spend little more for western food.
I agree with your ranking of the countries. Malaysia and Thailand are the top 2 in most categories with Vietnam being in the middle of the pack. I will say, Vietnam is the top for most accessible beaches.
thanks for the comment
I have lived in both Malaysia and the Philippines. I agree with everything you said, however the Philippines does have some extra advantages:
1. It has the nicest and friendliest people by far. This is pretty important even apart from dating.
2. The beaches are better and some of them are also more conveniently located near decent sized cities so you access both without travelling far.
3. The geography of the Philippines means you can live at higher altitude in a less hot and humid climate and still be near a city. Malaysia doesn't really have that. The higher altitudes tend to be far from cities.
4. Malaysia taxes alcohol heavily so it costs double or more compared to the Philippines.
A foreigner can acquire a condominium property in the Philippines, a foreigner can acquire a limited area of farm land and residential land
Interesting comment. Unlike you, I much prefer Malaysia. It's cleaner, safer, better infrastructure, better culture, etc.... I can't handle the corruption, inefficiency, terrible service, dirt, poverty, pollution and people just not caring in the Philippines.
@@pauls4742malaysia right now over run by refugees from junta , rohingya and Palestinian 😂
@@pauls4742 but Malaysia is a Muslims country anti religions
i've been to the Philippines many times and of course there are pros and cons… But to me, the biggest problem is the food… Poor quality, unhealthy, and really not very inexpensive… If anyone else has discovered a way around this, please let me know!
Food in the Philippines is VERY INEXPENSIVE !
Hi Mike, with my experiences in Cambodia, the infrastructure in the larger cities is top notch, the internet is fast, there are no such things as brownouts, unless weather related. Everything your accustomed to in "the west" or could possibly want is available there, save McDonalds 🤣! There doesn't seem to be a huge homeless population, nor stray animals, and the cities are relatively clean, by Southeast Asia standards. In the large cities many of the people speak English, so communication is quite easy. Sometimes you speak of Cambodia as a very rural and undeveloped country, that is most definitely not the case. In 2025 there will be a new airport opening in Phnom Pehn, which will be the 9th largest airport in the world, estimated to have 50 million travelers a year using that airport. Always enjoy your content, cheers from DFW, soon to be from Phnom Pehn!
Thanks for the Update from Cambodia
I hope our Philippine Tourism Board should study the opinions and observations of expats. What will make us at par with our neighborhoods? Or how can we improve other aspects of tourism to make Philippines the number 1 destination for expats.
not my Job
Because of the language barrier, I'd say go to the Philippines First, set-up shop and THEN and THEN and THEN
GO VISIT YOUR DREAM PLACES FOR A WEEK, MONTH ETC. LANGUAGE BARRIERS can be difficult.
Tks. much
Main reason I decided on the Philippines
I am considering BCG. I would eat better, St Lukes hospital is nearby. My Filipina and I will travel to the out islands, and SouthEast Asia. I love Thailand, but the lack of spoken English is a dealbreaker.
BGC is where I plan to end up when I get out to the Philippines to retire. Sometime next year, I'll do a 9-month trip to visit the Philippines & spend a few months in BGC to see how I like living there & traveling out to other places from this home base in BGC.
@@napoleonmdusa8877 Good luck. I am planning to spend 3 months to learn how to navigate the PH. My Filipina lives in Metro Manila, which will be a plus. I will spend the holidays with her and her family. Dec, Jan,Feb
Im a Christian and lots of Christian churches in the Philippines which I often go on most Sundays. South Korea and Japan has also a large Christian population.
Anything but Manila, man. 12 million people between you and where you want to go every day. Worse than downtown Los Angeles ..
Hi Mike, we really appreciate your knowledge, experience, honesty and integrity. Thank you for the straight talk.
welcome
Thanks Mike for this very informative video. I was sold on the Philippines, but since watching this I have decided that I'm going to visit both Malaysia and the Philippines before I pick a place that might work for me. I still have about four to six yrs to go depending on whether I decide to retire at 60 or 62; and if my company offers a generous buyout option before the next contract; but either way if I choose to retire in SE Asia I can live well of my decent company pension while I wait until my Full Retirement Age 67 to collect my SS. Or maybe I just start my SS early and bank it. That part I haven't decided yet. I've read that Malaysia has a lower humidity level, that may play a role in my decision making. But when I worked a few years in Alaska's Denali Park when I was a lot younger man than I am today, I had met and befriended a beautiful filipinia and that is going to play a major role in my final decision also. But I just wanted to say thank you for these other aspects to consider. Based on your information, now I may even consider visiting Vietnam. I'm curious if they hold any prejudice against Americans because of the war, but being that I'm Christian, and as you stated they are mostly Muslims religion, I might not even bother becuase our faiths differ too much.
Money can buy everything you need and want. If you want the best of everything, spend more.
thanks for sharing
Thanks Mike. Good video to help consider places to live. You’re not the only source but a good source.
I appreciate that!
Always great info Mike, cheers
thank you
Thanks Mike. Very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
I've been here in the Philippines for just over a year now and listening to you has helped me a lot thanks 😊
You're welcome
You can get super cheap land & houses in Japan, not in the city tho but in smaller towns/villages 40 minutes out from a city where Japan has unbelievably cheap homes & land. $25k USD will buy a 1500ft2 home in great shape. Its because the younger generation in Japan wants nothing to do with living in smaller towns/villages, they want the big cities.
Wow. Thanks for that info Robert
@@mikesphilippineretirement look up akiya home or akiya houses in Japan. So many abandoned properties there & not some run down crappy abandoned type thing, I mean those exist too but those can be bought for like $6k USD & need like $20k USD of work. $3 to $5 million JPY is a typical asking price for a nice condition akiya homes in rural type villages.
Akiya homes are available. Abandoned or semi-vacant homes. Tough part is becoming a legal permanent resident as a foreigner. I will say Japan has started to open there eyes....Birth rates are falling. Also, in Japan...older home's do not appreciate like they do in the West. Most buyers want new....Fire / Earthquakes are major concerns in the country. Japan is well worth the visit if you are going to Asia for the first time or looking for a retirement spot.
I struggle understanding why guys are dropping 400K USD for a condo in BGC or Makati....The market is flooded with luxury condos...No market analysis is really being done...Go to the city at night and see how many units are occupied simply by seeing how many lights are on....Some of these high rises are 30-40%. In my experience financial disclosures of Condo Associations are limited...Good luck figuring out if maintenance is going to be done. 100K maybe for a Condo in the Philippines in my mind and only after you have spent considerable time in the country. There are other deals out there that have better value.
Yes Japan would be my first choice in Asia BUT I have a Philippine GF. Language isn't much of a problem for me in Japan as I was married to a Japanese lady for many years and met her in Japan while in the military. Sadly she has since passed away. Japan has cooler weather on Honshu but also seems to have earthquakes more than the P.I. It has a long rainy season too. and the occasional typhoon. I. love most Japanese food except raw fish dishes. I have found some excellent food in the Philippines restaurants too, but you have to look for it, and it might be a little more pricey.
Mike thanks so much for the information you have in this video ! I have visited the Philippines once for a month with friends who wife was Filipino and she made things easy for me as she made all the arrangements and paid the fares on the Jeepneys etc and i paid her back later. Anyway im a bit concerned doing this alone but i just cant survive in the USA on my Social Security. Can you recommend which expat groups might have people that can help me with questions and possible help finding rental places ? I Spent the majority of my time in the Philippines in a small town in Mindoro and a few trips to beach resorts etc around that island and some in the Manila area . All the people i met in the Philippines were very friendly. I loved the food i ate there and im not picky anyway. I currently use a credit union and wonder if ATM cards work etc in the Philippines. My SS is direct deposit’s into this credit union. I am trying to do all this relocation with a small savings and my monthly SS which is only 1400 am i chasing a dream that is unrealistic trying to retire in the Philippines on this small SS amount ? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks Mike, very informative video. I am working my way to retire in a couple of years, and I look forward to meeting you all.
Sounds great!
What works for one may not work to others. Go and find the country to retire to, where you will feel at ease and happy.
that is the point of the video
Hi Mike, I must have clean air and water. Safe clean and the assistance I will need to grow old on my own. White sandy beaches are a must. Healthy food a must. I also highly value peace and quiet. No smokers living around me. Can't stand smokers in condo life. Where would you recommend I live Mike. P.S. I don't expect to learn another language, I've barely master my own. Thanks for your help.
Davao is very safe and I'm told you can drink water from the tap there. Beautiful beaches nearby as well. Rent is a bit higher than other Philippine cities. Not sure how you can avoid smokers in a condo however, best bet is probably a corner unit? Everyone speaks English so that's a plus, and there's plenty of fresh food markets.
you and me both. English is getting harder
Stay where you are. Your standards are too high.
Not all of us are guys. Some of us are single 60year old women. We're looking to Mike.
Good for you. There's plenty of channels that cater to old women.
ua-cam.com/video/KYOZ1hiQ0Jg/v-deo.html I did a video on the subject
Me too!
@paradise6606 I suspect it is done this way because his audience is 95% male. No slight intended.
The trike drivers who make two dollars a day are looking for rich, old sugar mommies like you.
not to throw shade here, but.. some of this information is really off or extremely incomplete.. I've been to Vietnam many times, it is anything but peaceful if you're living in Ho Chi Minh City, which is where most expats will go. it is one of the most frenetic cities you will ever go. Largely due to the massive number of motorbikes, everywhere,..which also contribute to generally bad air quality... which is an issue that really should've been mentioned in this video because it greatly affects quality of life, and where you may choose to live.. also… A little bit about differences in dating from one location to the next would probably have been welcome to many of those watching this...just sayin'. !
Great job Mike. Great info shared. Thank you.
Very welcome, Thanks for watching
Maybe you should start looking for a better place. I'm in Subic freeport zone. It's twice as expensive, but the infrastructure, western amenities and location make it a great place to live.
You get what you pay for , a concept that will always be.
Thanks for the tips! But I really enjoy living in Dumaguete if I'm going to live in the Philippines
Go Binictican Heights! C u there.
@@mikesphilippineretirement Nah. Your comments say otherwise. Maybe you should try somewhere else. Only then can you really compare the countries you mentioned.
That's your US DOD dollars still working for you in Subic.
Hi Mike, My wife was born in the PI and is now a US citizen. We live in Virginia. I believe the PI allows her to buy property.???? We plan to visit her family at Christmas and research the housing market in Taygaytay. I’m not getting any younger and the Philippines might work out for us in retirement. What’d ya think?😉
yes a happy couple is perfect for life in the Philippines. She will need to become a PI citizen again dual citizenship
@@mikesphilippineretirement
Thanks
Hang in there after the election ! Going to be a big big change on the way !! Our economy will be totally better !
I live in Dumaguete in the Philippines.. been here for 15 years. Restaurants are diversified and you can find the dish you want.
Thanks for sharing
Technically a foreigner can setup a special corporation in Indonesia called a PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing which translates to Limited Liability Company with Foreign Direct Investment) and then they can own property through that corporation. That said, I think you're limited to highly commercial areas like Bali, you're not going to be allowed to set one of these up and kick a bunch of natives off their island in a remote part of Indonesia.
What about Timor Leste, Brunei and Singapore? Why are they not included in the list?
I did not put them in the list just like I did not put North Korea
I am curious about healthcare. Are there plenty of doctors and medical services? If you need to go in the hospital for week do you pay out of pocket? I was told there is a VA hospital around Manila.
no VA hospital that I know of. Yes you need to pay for services you receive.
To foreigners out there, no one ask you to retire and live in the Philippines. It is YOUR CHOICE, not even Filipinos will be the one to decide for you. Most of the foreigners are entitled and already living comfortably in their countries. Some of them are jobless, oldies and retirees, they are so lazy that they will go to the PH, just to vlog, click bait and look for a wife who will take care of them until they die. If you're just new, just visit the PH and enjoy the places, be open to culture and kind to it's local people. Do not live there as your expectation will only disappoint you. Bring lots of patience in your bag. And you will realize how blessed and privileged you are compared to Filipinos. Realtalk.
That’s right! ❤️🇵🇭👍
💯!!!
Very Real Talk. And I love the Philippine People VERY MUCH!!!
Tks. much
MIKE, IF YOU HAVE TO RELOCATE DO SO. THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING. IT'S LIKE A GAME OF CHESS... YOU MAKE THE BEST MOVE FOR YOURSELF AND SPOUSE OR GIRLFRIEND✈️🌎
The noise in the Philippines is off the scale.
sometimes it is loud
Malaysia is an Islam country so it won't make it on my list at all. I enjoy it here in Thailand but the Philippines is on the top as the exchange rate for USD is much better. Good video Mike.
92 percent of the Thai population were Buddhists. This was followed by 5.4 percent of Thais who were Muslim, and 1.2 percent declared to be Christians.
i agree , think you will be fine in the big cities like KL or Penang and living a western style expat life is easily done , but if your into the dating game then Malaysia is the wrong place for you . Especially if your an older expat . the big question with Malaysia is how well can you handle living in a muslim environment. Give you an example , wearing shorts is frowned upon in the malay community good vid , hard to disagree with your thoughts here.
I retired to Thailand 7 years ago.
Safety & security - the petty theft risk is in heavily touristed areas. I’ve never been a victim of crime in Thailand. If you leave something behind people will run after you to return it. In the US I had my car windows smashed 3 years in a row.
Cost of living - SE Asia is very likely to be less expensive than where you come from in the west. How much cheaper will depend exactly where you lived in the west and your new lifestyle in the foreign country.
Vietnam still doesn’t have a retirement visa.
Infrastructure - I’ve lived in Thailand for 7 years. The infrastructure is great. The new 5 year Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a huge benefit to digital nomads.
Thailand - the value of housing is great. Regarding owning land - you can own a condo but not land. I would say though that the economics of owning land here isn’t quite the same as in the US. Rents are so cheap and the quality of rentals, condos or houses, is such that it may make more sense to rent. Of course rent at first until you know and understand the rental market.
Visa - The visa environment in Thailand is complex. Two things to consider - you can’t retire in Thailand on a tourist visa and extensions. There is nothing here like the policy in the Philippines. You can confidently retire on a non-immigrant O visa indefinitely. There are financial requirements to be met. There are a variety of other visas used by retirees here but the non O is the most common.
Health care - Thailand - I have a fair amount of experience with Thai private hospitals and dentistry in Bangkok and the Isaan countryside. It is just so much better and less expensive than my experience in the US. I think I have a pretty good affordable Thai health insurance policy though I have never made a claim.
Language - they speak Thai in Thailand. As Mike said, cities are better. I get along just fine in the countryside. I know a fair amount of Thai to help me get by.
Banking in Thailand - I’m satisfied with the banking here. It seems that people are using agents to help them get bank accounts these days. I just do direct wire transfers from my US bank to my Thai bank.
Thai tax - it appears to be the case that Thailand will tax money brought into Thailand but you won’t be double taxed. Dual tax treaties still apply. The expectation is that any tax you pay in your home country will be a tax credit in Thailand if the tax rate in Thailand is greater. Thailand also has a progressive tax rate system topping out at 35%. So maybe the effect if any will be small. Hint - if you can qualify for an LTR visa then money brought into Thailand is not taxed.
Food in Thailand - great food!
Expat community - I find the expat community to be great here. Mostly Brits but plenty of people from around the world and nearly all English speakers.
If I had to make a 2nd choice of where to live I would think of Malaysia first but women are a consideration for me and I would really have to explore living in Malaysia before deciding. The Philippines would be 3rd choice but know I would be giving up a lot to live there I would also have to give it a long try before deciding.
Thai language sucks I need a new tongue😊
There is lot of everyday corruption in Thailand. Many of the upper middle class and up don't pay their proper income taxes. (I was expecting the Buddhist society to be more ethical.) Handling of Immigration issues there seemed either ho-hum or negatively arbitrary.
Good video. Thanks for the info. Go Steelers
who is your QB this year?
Very good post Mike! Thanks
Malaysia is a Muslim and Thailand is a mix of foreign religions together. But Philippines is English and one major religion the catholic organization and many Christian’s denominations. Many people traveling there are older and learning a language is difficult keep that in mind. Every time you go out you cannot talk to them because of the language barrier. Of course there is exceptions but generally it’s the same. 😅
Thanks for sharing
Great overview Mike!
Thanks Gary. Hope you guys are feeling better. Saw you eating at the Roadhouse
@@mikesphilippineretirement Yes we're feeling great now, thanks Mike! Hope you have fun in Angeles!
I must say thailand tops all for medical and hospital care, and blue Cross insurance is only $1200. A year and gives you full coverage no gaps in public and private hospitals, 😊
I'd not be so happy if I bent the rules and was able to open a bank account because someone did me a favor, because I'd worry the account might later be flagged during an audit and closed or seized.
something to think about
Great video Mike, as always. I'm coming to the PI in December (Manila, Cebu, and Dumaguete). My main reasons for choosing the Philippines are the language - I need to be able to understand local people or I feel uncomfortable (I live in France during the summer, as I'm mostly fluent) - the Catholic faith, which is important to me, and the large American expat community. I'm only looking to spend a few months/year in the PI, so I'm hoping that I can live happily in a bubble!
You will enjoy your time in the Philippines
Cebu is the perfect place to start
@@stevenrichards7902 Good to know! I'll be there for two weeks - I do research with a colleague at USC there.
In addition, people should try to learn the local languages and not complain that English isn't spoken in a certain country.
IMHO, if you take the girls out of the equation, 70% of the westerners would not retire in the Philippines , also - if you are talking 2k usd monthly budget, you can live in Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, which are all in the EU, and have much better standards of living than Latin America or SE Asia.
Thanks for sharing
Quite depends on your city/rural lifestyle choices in any of those places, plus it's COLD over there except for Greece.
@@paulsholar9356 Portugal is warm as Greece and personally I dislike Tropical weather, but yes - it is all about personal preferences.
Where does customer service and efficiency (banks, grocery stores, restaurants, govt offices) fall into the mix?
you tell me will how someone treats you at a store will ruin your Retirement
@@mikesphilippineretirement you're talking about quality of life. You talk about infrastructure. I could ask how is a brownout or bad road going to ruin your retirement. I think the frustrations of disorganization and lack of decent customer service can make daily life less enjoyable. It's not just how you're treated, it's the inefficiency.
I am very impressed with customer service in Thailand. A visit to an immigration office frustrates some people .
Choosing the perfect place to retire...impossible, because everyone's different and have different needs and motives.
good point
Here in the Philippines, most of the people, especially in the city, can understand and speak English so it's easier for foreigners to communicate also in Malaysia and Singapore. In Thailand some can understand English too, in Vietnam, it's a bit difficult, but there is always a way for example you will ask how much the vendors will show you the money how much you are going to pay. For food I love Vietnamese food especially phó and ban mhe and the coffee so delicious.
Speaking English in the Visaya provinces? Not so prevalent.
I have been to Philippines and Indonesia, I ended up meeting a women in a Kayak Race, Two years later Married, Three years Permeant visa,Year 4 years Farm, So now Condo, Home and Farm,
We have killings but most political, Steer away from any of it, ♥️, philippines
You by and inc. Then can own 40% of Corporation Philippines
Thanks for the info Belus
Where is Kayak Race located?
Great advice!
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching
I looked at Belize ocean front and on Lagoon with view of Mayan ruins. Decide on U.P. of Michigan. Agricultural tax exemptions help cut property taxes down. Money is a store of value. Currencies loose value. Money is not currencies. I need to be by water to go sailing. Good hunting and fishing helps. Some may look for good golf courses. Building an off grid earthship type design cottage. No tires using thick masonry walls instead. No heat bill, no cooling bill, no water bill, no sewage bill, and grows some food. That's the key is living cheap. Inflation at 2% of 20 years is like 40% loose of value. U.P. everything is a drive. I like snowmobiling and atv's. Low populations and high amounts of resources. Less people seems like more people are willing to help each other.
Great content Mike!
One thing I'd add is Pollution. I enjoy visiting these places but probably would not want to live there for long term: Hanoi, Saigon, Jakarta, Bangkok and Manila.
Those millions of motorbikes in Vietnam are not going away anytime soon.
😆😆🤣🤣
the bigger cities have that problem.
These Vloggers Never Never tell the truth about how polluted the air is in Phillipines or the garbage and sewage smells. They never tell the truth.
@@mikesphilippineretirement people have written about Dumaguete having serious air pollution. So not just bigger cities. Please give the facts
Check the air quality index of Jakarta😂
Thailand has an issue with taxation now, if you stay over six months. They do offer two months visa on arrival with a 30 day extension at immigration office, so that is a plus. Its to be seen if this can be done indefinitely. Of course, you'd want to talk to a lawyer for the official take on this.
No thailand has a DTV visa which offers 5 years, 6 months a year for 10000 baht. Came out July 27th. Have fun.
Just careful. Not too confident to everyone. Trust in God. Be friendly and take care. Be wise for everyday life for living. Too avoid big problem don't spend your money for just a pleasure only. Evil Deception and temptation is everywhere. God protect you and Bless you. 👍💕
Thanks for sharing
I have a 3 year Colombian visa ; and a Philippine SRRV PRA visa that doesn’t expire.
but yearly renew
For myself , health care is paramount. I have heart disease and one other condition being treated with medication.
Take care of yourself
NOTICE IMMIGRATION UPDATE! Maayong buntag and good morning to everybody! I had to go to immigration yesterday in bacolod and there's no information that they are not giving out to 6 month visitor immigration at the present time unless you go to MANILA!! Only the two month extension is available at the present time to everywhere except MANILA kind of stinks. As long as i am online the exchange rate this morning is exactly 58 pesos. It's been going down a little bit with the american bad economy!. Have a nice day folks!
There's also much more scrutiny at the Immigration office for anyone who stayed on extensions for more than a year.
Been in the P.I. for 10 months and it's actually hard to find anyone that speaks English, so not sure where that b.s. about Filipinos being English speakers comes from.
Exactly.
I forgot one thing folks on the six month visa the last one i did get in bacolod i had to have a doctor in the sunny note saying the reason why i needed 6 months and said it too! That would be something like physical condition makes it hard for you to move around or something you need to come up with for that you can check the immigration web page but i don't find that too helpful for information. Maybe call on office if you are looking for the six months now
I lived in China 17 years teaching at universities and loved it. Unfortunately, they don't offer a retirement visa. I have a 10 year tourist visa there but can only stay 60 days at a time.
Wrong country for me
41 years in Pinoy culture and I live in Mindanao. Traveled extensively throughout all of SE Asia.
You can't compare Pinas to Thailand as it isn't even close in most respects EXCEPT pinoy people are even nicer and more genuine and speak English and the women are the best in the world.
Pinas is what Thailand was 50 years ago(no not 30 years ago)
Thailand is head and shoulders better than Pinas except in those three things. The infrastructure in Pinas is well..TERRIBLE in most places (not all). Trash is a real problem in most cities. Raw sewage is dumped into the ocean (Dumaguete!) The wild pinoy dogs are EVERYWHERE and the rooster noise is insane as is the constant karaoke at all times of the day and night which really gets old. The traffic in the cities is BRUTAL and worse than in Vietnam. Corruption is brutally bad but perhaps worse in Cambodia if that is possible. Healthcare is better than in Cambodia but can't hold a candle to Thailand's private system.
FOOD....well...mostly NOT GOOD in Pinas but you can find some good seafood. The national food is definitely overly fried fried chicken lol. Servings are tiny in Pinas compared to Thailand so Thai food is not only better but cheaper.
Where Pinas wins is with THE PEOPLE and ENGLISH is the language of instruction in schools so everyone , even 90 year old lola, can speak English. As mentioned , the women are clearly the best in SE Asia on average.
Also, the culture is not Asian ...it's a combo of old school Spanish mixed with Americanism and I personally greatly prefer that. The Asian culture in the rest of Asia takes some getting used to and not everyone can adapt well.
Cambodia is basically the Philippines with an Asian culture without the English and yes a little cheaper.
NOTE: and a BIG NOTE >>>You get a way nicer condo in Thailand for the dollar than you do in the Philippines. You can BUY a 1500 square foot HIGH END condo in places like Hua Hin Thailand for under 175 USD and to get that in Pinas(if you can find such) is double to triple the cost and basically only exist in Cebu city, Davao city or Makati and other upscale areas in metro Manila. On that note , much of metro Manila is a NIGHTMARE while Bankok is very impressive.
Women...HANDS DOWN the Philippines and the language barrier is not an issue.
If it was up to me I'd live in THAILAND FOR SURE but my wife won't leave Pinas so I make the best of it. I am a smaller city country boy type BUT I like infrastructure , decent roads, sidewalks, some level of cleanliness, noise laws, and top quality private healthcare. Vietnam is my second choice for all the reasons I listed above above but they don't have a retirement visa
Dumaguete used to be great but now the entire area is over run with white foreigners which has ruined the place in my opinion. This ridiculous influx, which has been caused by UA-camrs actually(people are sheep), has caused insane population growth of both pinoys and foreigners , skyrocketing land and housing costs and brutal traffic on par with Cebu city! The traffic is insane and the pinoy dog problem is massive. Now everyone that wants nice is moving south of Duma to wreck that lovely area too. Valencia is still decent ...Duma HELL NO. I left the area for Mindanao several years ago. No I won't tell you about the few really good spots left in Pinas to retire in .
Great assessment
Yes this is a great assessment. The one point I don't understand is how this post and many others rate Philippines food poorly. That I don't understand. There are like 100 specialized dishes that are awesome; why do people miss all these?
@@SECRETPURPOSE I am speaking of the typical pinoy dishes that all eat and the street food which is basically crap. Yes there are good pinoy dishes that are rarely eaten by pinoys. Yes there are good places that sell good seafood dishes too .
The national food is for sure pork and over fried fried chicken. Not good. The servings are half the size of Thailand and the quality is generally quite poor. Food in Thailand is cheaper because the servings are almost twice the size and the quality is far superior. I am not a big guy 5'9" and 180 athletic but I need two typical pinoy servings.
Pinoys don't eat those specialized dishes for the most part because of the extreme poverty(much poorer than Thailand) .....so that's why it's really basic pork dishes, fried chicken that has been fried in omega 6 re-used cooking oils(toxic as hell) and dried fish and rice ....again the street food is generally not good at all.
@@realgains1538 all fair remarks!
If you like Chinese looking people go to thailand ,kungnwala kwarta wag sa pinas or sa south east asia imagine wala kwarta ayaw sa street dog at rooster 😂😂😂😂pang 1st world pala peg 😂
Hi Mike, cant comment on the most because I have not been there like you , I can only judge living in the Phillipines, saw inflation here is 8.5% thats a lot, my advice if you plan to live your life here is , get a house with a garden, grow vegetables and fruit, mix with the locals and learn about where they get their things, good food in local markets etc, it makes life a lot cheaper
good advice
Was in Dumaguete 2 weeks ago and sent you a message via fb but I guess you don't use it anymore. Really wanted to get together for a coffee and discuss retirement. But, we're back in Canada now. Hopefully, next visit
what name did you use.
Dave Pike
Phillipines....Power outage in Philippines
(B) Traffic problems
(C) Food not all that great
(D) Infrastructure is poor
Thanks for sharing
Mike, you should explore the Digital nomad visa for Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur & Penang has a way better than where you are. I think you should qualify with your youtube channel & income ..
going to stay in Philippines
I'd say Penang is just another SE Asian anthill.
O H I O. Go Bucks!
If my wife was not Vietnamese I would live the good life in BGC Philippines
will be a great year to be a Buckeye fan
What is your idea of low quality food. Is it simply how it is spiced or seasoned. If thats all, meat, potatoes, corn, beans and pasta with butter, salt and pepper will mostly do. Gravy is nice and maybe tomatoe sauce as well as cheese and rice is enough for me.
A friend of mine told me he would never retire to a place where he could not own a weapon to protect himself, which is all of these countries I would wager.
you can legally get a spouse with guns in the Philippines
Thailand banking is quite safe, my social security check is deposited direct to Bangkok Bank in NYC and shows up here normally by the 4th of the month. Most payments I make are by QR code and bank transfers.
Malaysian foods are ok, Thailand is best overall for variety. Next would be Bali and the food in Bali. Singapore is great also but not cheap. Balinese foods in the street Warungs are amazingly Cheap. Vietnamese food is nice but seems limited.
When Expats talk about food, I really think "we" talk about 'Expat eating' and that is a combination of 70% western food and 30%local country food.
I like BGC and Makati in the Philippines where American and European restaurants are abundant. I cannot eat Filipino, Thai or Vietnamese food everyday. Although Thai & Vietnamese restaurants are available including Japanese, Korean and Chinese restaurants you can choose varieties of food that they offer. Mexican & Vegan restaurants are becoming popular in metro Manila.
@@bayareatanders >normal for most expats, it's sad to seee what some youtubers will say just to get subs and likes, helping people to 'think' the cheapness of SEAsia is far from accurate, but if one wants to live like a realatively poor Thai or Filipino, it can be done... but normally not realistic. unless the planets are completely aligned perfectly
Why would a westerner want to retire especially in asia? Is it a matter of money? Is it about the asian women? Tell me what it is because i dont get it. What about medical issues since retirees usually have health issues.
In general the uS single guy is retiree or retired. They find younger woman to be their caregiver
I live on Bohol Island Philippines. The USA has gotten just too insane for me. And if it got too insane for me? I wonder why anyone would want to live in the USA? I shoved enough snow in Minnesota
I lived in LA for 9 yrs and you can earn money better to support the family in the Philippines. But theres still no place like home Philippines.
Mike, what part of Cleveland did you live? I’m from Collinwood
He is from Westpark
Where are the best places for rural living on SS?
I like it around Dumaguete
Great information! just came back from investigating Bangkok and Phuket for retirement. My impression Bangkok is more for a younger person's lifestyle. The traffic is monstrous to drive or take taxi. Street sidewalks are dangerous, especially if your older, to walk to public transportation such as BTS or even your local food store. Not too many old people riding the SkyTrain due to stairs. Plenty of cheap apartments and good food to live as long as your fit enough to walk through the dangerous obstacle course of Bangkok streets. Pollution is very bad in Bangkok. Phuket suffers from slow traffic issues as roads are limited. Building structure safety is not a priority in Thailand. What are you going to do in Bangkok? Go to Nana Plaza every weekend to drink at bars or shop for junk at the malls? No money no honey very true in Thailand! So not all sunshine and rainbows in Thailand.
Thanks for the update
But no one Is mentioning the Visa rules there? It's a hassle
I retired to Bangkok in 2017 when I was 60 and lived there 6 years. There is plenty to do besides hang out in a bar. There is a good expat community. They have beautiful parks and numerous festivals. I have tickets to the Paul Taylor Dance company next month as part of the Thailand Music and Dance Festival which has several other international classical performances. I listen to the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra for free in Lumphini park. There is top notch entertainment at the malls during holidays. There are plenty of restaurants of every kind. The Bangkok Art & Culture Center and River City have excellent art exhibitions. I go salsa dancing in Bangkok regularly and play poker with friends every couple of months.
I take the BTS everywhere and occasionally motorbike taxis. As you say the sidewalks aren't what you are used to but they have gotten better over the years and anyone can get around if they look where they are going. Bangkok is a big city with big city issues. No surprise there.
It seems like the ultimate play is to find an adventurous Pinay wife and then move to Thailand. I heard Thailand has some of the best food in the world and also the most healthiest, less than 8% obesity rate in the world, many healthy old ppl there. Can go watch some great Muy Thai matches as well
thanks for sharing
very interesting , thx ,,
I heard Mike was a cheerleader at Ohio State in the 60’s
70"s not that old
Mike, the funny thing is, in the USA, you don't own your land either . The government can take your land, and also don't pay your taxes. I think we have a false sense of ownership. For example, when you pay your car off, you own it. Love your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thank you John
Hey John, Your right about the car... BUT you paid a hefty TAX for that car. Pay tax on the gas . Pay Taxes for everything and any work, repairs on it. Insurance which charges TAXES on it. You need to register it every year. Depending on the sate you need to have pass inspection every year. THEN when you sell it the NEXT person has to pay TAX AGAIN and REIGISTER IT.
Thailand now has a 60 day free tourist visa on arrival as from July 24 2024